Warning! Spoilers for Rings of Power season 2 ahead!
The Stranger story inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2 presents some additionalLord of the Ringsmysteries now that he is confirmed to be Gandalf. Like any prequel, Prime Video’s series makes many retroactive adjustments to the story audiences already know and love. The subtlest change to a character or event can have profound implications for the future story, whether they can be considered canon or not. AsRings of Powerdives into its version of Gandalf’s Second Age story, new questions about the character’s goings-on duringLord of the Ringsare bound to pop up.
ThoughRings of Powerseason 1initially beat around the bush with the Stranger character, season 2 has officially confirmed that he is Gandalf. Nearly every detail regarding how and when this wizard arrived in Middle-earth was changed. In Tolkien canon, Gandalf came to Middle-earth in the Third Age, while Amazon has brought him into the mix during the Second. What’s more, Gandalf was introduced to Tom Bombadil in Rhûn while traveling with some Harfoots—all of which is different from canon. Still, it’sone of the smaller details regardingGandalf’sRings of Powerstorythat has greater implicationsfor his future tale.
Gandalf Went On A Whole Journey To Earn His Staff
The Stranger’s primary goal inRings of Powerseason 2was to find a name and a staff. Tom Bombadil told the wizard that a staff would make itself available to him once he proved himself worthy, and this is precisely what happened. Only once the Stranger chose to save his friends rather than focus wholly on stopping the Dark Wizard did the perfect staff appear to him. He had proven himself by passing the universe’s big test, and his reward was a name given by the Stoors he had saved (Gandalf) anda staff that had fallen from the Stoors' precious tree.
The idea presented byRings of Powerhere is good, though not strictly canon. Tolkien made it clear throughoutLord of the Ringsthat a wizard’s staff is an essential tool, but there was no indication that they needed to go on a spiritual journey to claim one. Still,it’s fun to consider that Gandalf would have needed almost to piece himself together bit by bitto become the wise being of Frodo’s story. Still, the idea that finding a staff is a necessary part of any wizard’s journey brings up a mystery regarding Gandalf’s future adventures.
Rings Of Power’s Version Of Gandalf Would Have To Find A “White” Staff In the Third Age
Wizards Having To Work So Hard For Their Staffs Changes Gandalf’s Two Towers Story
Gandalf lost everything when he fell to theBalrog inThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, including his clothing, body, and, of course, staff. When he returned, Gandalf was reincarnated into a new body, and he appeared before Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas in white robes and with a new white staff. The standard explanation for Gandalf’s new clothes and staff inLord of the Ringswas that he had received them from Galadriel following his return. However,Rings of Power’s retcon would imply that it couldn’t have worked this way.
According toRings of Power, this future reincarnated version of Gandalf (because he wasn’t quite Gandalf anymore)would have to earn a new staff through a new spiritual journey. Though not necessarily canon, it’s interesting to consider what this might have looked like. Similar to the Stranger, the White Wizard ofLord of the Ringshad only hazy memories of his life before his reincarnation, forgetting momentarily that he had been called Gandalf. Perhaps, when he awoke, he went on a similar journey to the one seen inRings of Power, aided by a Third-Age Tom Bombadil.
Gandalf’s adventures with Tom Bombadil in Rhûn never happened in Tolkien’s works, but it’s true that the wizard would sometimes commune with the strange being in the Old Forest.
Other Ways Rings Of Power’s Gandalf Retcon Alter’s His Future Story
Rings Of Power Provides A New Angle To Look At Gandalf’s Story
By bringing Gandalf into the Second Age,Rings of Powerhas retconnedmultiple aspects of this character’sLord of the Ringsstory. This is, of course, a controversial choice, butit’s interesting to consider how this impacts the version of the tale audiences are most familiar with. Gandalf’s relationship with the Hobbits has always been meaningful since he was really the only being of significance in Middle-earth who recognized their value.Rings of Powerhas retroactively explained why by making Hobbit ancestors save Gandalf when he first arrived in Middle-earth.
Gandalf’s new rivalry with the Dark Wizard in Rings of Power season 2 is another way this prequel alters the wizard’s future story.
Gandalf’s new rivalry with the Dark Wizard inRings of Powerseason 2 is another way this prequel alters the wizard’s future story. The Grey Wizard’s surprise conflict with Saruman inThe Lord of the Ringsis one of the greater twists of his overarching story, butthe impact is altered slightly by the reveal that he had faced off with another corrupted Istar in the past. This indicates that Gandalf should have known better than to trust Saruman so wholeheartedly. Of course, just how much thisRings of Powerretcon alters Gandalf’s story in the future will depend on how the Dark Wizard is handled in the next seasons—only time will tell.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
