Warning! This article contains spoilers forRings of Powerseason 2!
The Stranger longs for home inThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2, and regardless of his true identity, Tolkien canon makes it clear where this would have been. This mysterious character arrives in Middle-earth like a meteor in season 1, and he has had no idea who he is ever since. The Stranger, Nori, and Poppy are on a journey through Rhûn inRings of Powerseason 2, hoping that this land will provide answers regarding the being’s identity and purpose. However, through every step,the Stranger feels the pull of a home that he doesn’t remember.
WhileThe Rings of Powerhas yet to confirm the Stranger’s identity, season 1 reveals he is an Istar or wizard. In Tolkein canon, there were five Istari sent to Middle-earth to assist in Sauron’s downfall. The most notable of these is Gandalf, and it has been heavily implied that the Stranger is Prime Video’s version of this iconicLord of the Ringscharacter. Of course, it’s still possible he is one of the other Istari—Saruman, Radagast, or the Blue Wizards (Alatar and Pallando). WhileRings of Poweris sure to eventually reveal who the Stranger is, we know enough to deduce where he comes from.
I’m Even More Convinced The Stranger Is Gandalf After The Rings Of Power Season 2’s First 3 Episodes
The Rings of Power season 1 contains many hints that the Stranger is actually Gandalf, and I’m even more convinced after season 2’s premiere.
The Stranger’s Home Is The Undying Lands
The Istari Come From Valinor
Before coming to Middle-earth, the Stranger would have lived in the Undying Lands, formally called Valinor. This is a kingdom on the westward neighboring continent to Middle-earth, Aman. Valinor is the home of the Ainur, demigod or angel-like beings who assisted the god ofLord of the Rings, Eru Ilúvatar, in the creation of the universe and continued to oversee Middle-earth and its beings across all time. The Stranger, regardless of his identity,would have been among them in his past life, living for centuries in paradise.
The Undying Lands is where the Elves(and Ring-bearers like Frodo and Bilbo) sailed at the end ofThe Lord of the Rings. There, they would have united with the Ainur and lived among them in harmony. The entire reason that Frodo was sent there is becauseValinor had less residual evil, so the deeply damaged hobbit could live without the constant torment and pain of his mission. Middle-earth, while full of beauty and potential for power and creation, was a draining place by comparison. So, it’s no wonder that the Stranger longed for home.
The Stranger Likely Visited Middle-earth Before The Rings Of Power Began
Middle-earth Will Be More Familiar When The Stranger Gets His Memory Back
The Ainur of Valinor were split into two groups. The powerful Valar were the higher-ups and were more like demigods or archangels, each ruling over a specific element of nature or trade. The Maiar were the angel-like assistants to the Valar, andthey possessed the ability to shapeshift at will. The Istari were Maiar, and they were famously curious about the Children of Ilúvatar (Elves and Men).They would often shapeshift to blend in with the people of Middle-earthand move about their societies to observe and learn about them.
Sauron was also a Maia, which is why he has the ability to shapeshift inThe Rings of Power.
Therefore, it’s likely thatRings of Powerseason 1wasn’t the Stranger’s first time in Middle-earth. However, this shapeshifting wouldn’t have been the same as the process of becoming an Istar and arriving in Middle-earth. When he moved among the Elves and Men, either in their form or invisible, he wouldn’t have lost his memory or had that period of disorientation. This is something unique to the process of becoming a wizard.
Why The Stranger Can’t Remember Where He Comes From
Becoming An Istari Takes Quite A Toll
When the Maiar become Istari, it isn’t the same as when they shapeshift. Wizards like Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast were essentially reborn versions of Maia selves. Their spirit or essence was placed into a body that, though powerful, limited their abilities as Maiar. They could no longer freely shapeshift, and if that body were damaged beyond repair, their soul would be sent to the Halls of Mandos like the Elves.The process of becoming an Istar is seen to be disorienting inThe Lord of the Rings. While the Maiar are still themselves, they are also sort of something different.
When this wizard was reunited with Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, he didn’t fully remember them and hadn’t remembered without being reminded that he had once been Gandalf.
InThe Lord of the Rings, Gandalf went through this process twice. His first incarnate body was that of Gandalf the Grey, but this version of himself died in Moria fighting the Balrog. His spirit was reincarnated into a new Istar body by Ilúvatar, this time the new and improvedGandalf the White. When this wizard was reunited with Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, he didn’t fully remember them and hadn’t remembered without being reminded that he had once been Gandalf. He was something new, and it took a while for his memories to return. We see something similar with the Stranger inThe Rings of Power.
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.
