The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power officially revealed the stranger’s true identity and, in doing so, removed its most frustrating trope – mostly anyway. Although it was heavily hinted in season 1 that the stranger was Gandalf, confirmation did not come until Rings of power Season 2’s finale. This was easily the most significant mystery of the Prime Video series, which means that the story is free and clear to take in a fresh direction for the next couple of seasons. This is quite a relief since Rings of powers dependence on the big secrets is getting a little tiring.
The end of Rings of power In Season 2, the stranger’s confrontation with Rhûn’s Dark Wizard finally plays out. He ultimately chose to protect his Harfoot (and now Stoor) friends, finally passing Tom Bombadil’s test and earning his staff. With this came the stranger’s acceptance of Stores’ name for him – “Grand-Eleven,” which quickly evolved into “Gandalf.” Of course, this reveal isn’t too much of a surprise. Season 1’s hints included word-for-word Lord of the Rings Gandalf quotes. yet, Rings of power Officially dashing the necessary mystery is a relief.
The Rings of Power Season 1 relied too heavily on the “Mystery Box” trope
Season 1 and much of Season 2 are all about the character mysteries
The mystery of the stranger’s identity is not the only one of its kind Rings of power Season 1. This installment of the fantasy series relied heavily on the “mAster box” trope that sees a mystery explored through small reveals and hints that play out one at a time – like a sort of puzzle box. This can be a handy mechanic Since it draws a great reveal for the right moment. However, in the case of Rings of powerThe first season and much of the second overshadowed it, especially those that revolved around the canon identity of the seemingly original Rings of power Letters.
Tolkien Lord of the Rings Stories have been popular for the better part of a century, which means Rings of power Faces a challenge when trying to surprise its audience. Prime Video’s solution seems to have disguised Tolkien’s charactersLike Sauron and Gandalf, like characters of his own invention, like Halbrand and the stranger. The end of Rings of power Season 1 saw the big reveal about Halbrand’s true identity, and it was a bit of an effective twist. However, the show was confirming Gandalf’s identity until the end of Rings of power Season 2.
Revealing Gandalf ends the rings of power’s biggest remaining mystery
Rings of Power answered almost all the big questions
The half-round reveal at the end of Rings of power Season 1 worked well. There wasn’t much reason for the audience to second guess whether the character was really a king of the Southlands, especially given the parallels between his and Aragorn’s character. Lord of the Rings. When his identity became a mystery, it was solved in a few minutes when Galadriel revealed the truth. In this very same Rings of power Season 1 episode, the truth about the stranger is also hinted, however Prime Video chose to keep this a mystery all the way through Ring of Power Season 2.
Of course, such surprises were an effective way to get the ball rolling, but in Rings of Power season 3 – the halfway point for the entire series – there is no longer a need for cheap mysteries.
Now that the strange mystery has officially been solved (and the answer was no big surprise), Rings of power is almost entirely free of the mystery box trope. The most necessary, slow and subtle hints about a character’s identity and intentions are no longer necessary, which means the series can focus on plot and character development rather than endlessly beating around the bush. Of course, such surprises were an effective way to get the ball rolling, but went in Rings of power Season 3 – the halfway point for the entire series – there is no longer a need for the cheap mysteries.
The Rings of Power is better without relying on Mystery Box stories
It’s more than enough to drive the story forward
Although there was a benefit to hiding canon characters in the history of Rings of powerThe overall series is so much better without the mystery box plotlines. Since the reveal of Halbrand at the end of season 1, Sauron’s character has taken leaps and bounds in terms of character development. He was limited as Halbrand, but as the Dark Lord Sauron, the villain’s canon story (mixed with a few creative liberties) can progress. Now that the stranger has been revealed as Gandalf, Rings of power Season 3 is free to do the same with his character.
Although Gandalf was not in Middle-earth in the Second Age, his canon story after arriving from Valinor may still progress the same way in Rings of power. He will surely soon receive his own ring of power (the elven ring Naria) from Cirdan in the coming episodes, as well as form the White Council alongside Saruman, Radagast and a handful of elves. Tolkien never described a confrontation between Gandalf and Rhun’s blue wizards, however With Gandalf’s identity out of the way, Rings of power Can start weaving this story in a way that makes more sense. Without the mystery box trope, there are fewer limitations.
The Rings of Power Season 3 hasn’t completely ditched the Mystery Box
The Istari continue to be mysterious
of course, Rings of power Season 2 didn’t do away with every mystery. The identity of the Dark Wizard is still up in the air, with only tenuous clues provided and no real confirmation. The character mentions that there were five Istari sent to Middle-earth, indicating that he is not an invention of Prime Video. Showrunners have already confirmed that he is not Saruman, and the Dark Wizard is very unlikely to be Radagast the Brown. therefore, It can be assumed that this character is one of Tolkien’s blue wizards– But the fact itself gives more secrets.
Like the Stranger Mystery, the questions surrounding the history of the Dark Wizard are a bit exhausting.
If the Dark Wizard is a Blue Wizard, the big question will be what happened to the others. In addition, it is interesting how this character’s rivalry with Gandalf will play out, since nothing of the sort ever happened in Tolkien’s version of the Second Age. Like the Stranger Mystery, the questions surrounding the history of the Dark Wizard are a bit exhausting. However, unlike the Stranger (and Halfrand), the villain of Rhûn is not a main character. Rings of power Can get away with maintaining this mystery a little longer No need to hold back the plot. As long as the series sticks with similar mystery boxes, the story can still progress smoothly.