The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 made another massive change to canon, and while controversial, the prequel series wouldn’t be worth making without it. Of course, this particular change has been teased from the beginning Rings of power Season 1, but it was only confirmed in the finale of Season 2. The backlash this inspired was fierce, but ultimately it seems that the Prime Video series simply could not have gotten away with sticking to Tolkien canon in this case. Such an iconic character had to be involved in a Lord of the Rings Prequel.
of course, The change in question involves the alienation of Rings of power Confirmed as Gandalf the Grey. In canon, Easter did not arrive in Middle-earth until the third age, and he certainly did not fall in the form of a flaming meteor. Everything from his encounter with Tom Bombadil in Rhûn to his confrontation with the Dark Wizard is an invention of the Prime Video series, and it’s a topic of considerable frustration for many Tolkien purists. However, it was a change that was totally worth making since a Lord of the Rings Prequel like Rings of power Need a Gandalf backstory.
Rings of Power wouldn’t be worth it without a Gandalf backstory
Gandalf’s Story is necessary to fully understand Lord of the Rings
Gandalf is arguably the most critical character of The Lord of the Rings. His guidance, sacrifice, and belief in Middle-earth’s smallest, most insignificant beings is the only reason that Sauron was defeated. Despite this, the primary Stories of The Hobbit And Lord of the Rings Provide very little in the way of Gandalf’s backstory. Only fans who have done further research, such as reading the appendices of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Or The SilmarillionWould know exactly who and what this wizard is. For this reason, Gandalf is a massively misunderstood character.
Since Rings of power Is set entirely in the Second Age, a faithful adaptation would be forced to leave no organic explanation of Gandalf’s role in the fight against Sauron. This would mean yet another screen adaptation lacking the necessary context to understand the character. The whole purpose of a prequel is to add context to familiar and beloved events. Sure, knowing more about Sauron’s reign in the Second Age is essential, however It doesn’t pack the same punch without knowing the greatest weapon against the Dark Lord in Middle-earth history – Gandalf.
Changes in the timeline of Rings of Power are controversial but necessary
A condensed prequel story was the best way to cover thousands of years
The biggest point of complaint about Gandalf being in Rings of power is the shift in the timeline. However, this is far from the first time Prime Video has adjusted Tolkien’s order of events. The entire second period was heavily trafficked.. This period is canonically 3,441 years long, with the Rings of Power forged around SA 1500 and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men formed near the last years. Ultimately, this means that things like Sauron’s time in Eregion go much faster than canon (a matter of weeks rather than centuries).
While this is frustrating for various reasons, Prime Video can’t avoid condensing the timeline. Rings of power is, rightfully so, a character-driven series. In order for all the important letters of Lord of the Rings‘ history to be included, Adjustments to the when and where had to happen. Otherwise, the uncomfortable pacing of season 1 (which was a significant criticism of the series in 2022) would be repeated in each installment.
Rings of Power just can’t take Gandalf’s changes too far
There is a line prime video must be careful not to cross
Gandalf is included in Rings of power was the right move. This is the first opportunity for Lord of the Rings Movie fans to understand the full extent of the Istar’s story. He was never just a magical old man but an angelic closet shifter On a unique journey of temptation, compassion and heroism – and such a story will be a significant asset for Prime Video’s prequel. However, this series must proceed with caution. Gandalf is a necessity, but the importance of his character would be completely wasted if Rings of Power Made fundamental changes to his role in Middle-earth.
Gandalf is a necessity, but the importance of his character would be completely wasted if Rings of Power made fundamental changes to his role in Middle-earth.
until now, Rings of power Played on the border of what is and isn’t acceptable. Gandalf meeting Hobbit ancestors in the Second Age is another significant change, but it further reinforces the importance of this Middle-earth race in his story. Meeting Tom Bombadil in Rhûn is another mildly uncomfortable change since the pair never went to that area in canon. However, Gandalf was known to be a friend of Bombadil and even met with the strange being after Sauron’s fall. until now, The most puzzling change was Gandalf’s confrontation with the Dark Wizard.
Gandalf famously became a rival to Saruman in The Lord of the RingsAnd it means that Rings of power Is trying to draw parallels between this moment and the Dark Wizard. The villainous character is likely a Blue Wizard that Gandalf never met in canon. It’s odd that Gandalf would be pitted against another Istar since that sort of takes the wind out of the sails of his future. Lord of the Rings Conflict. Still, if Rings of power Season 3 handles this carefully, the story could be pulled off without issue. Now that Prime Video has properly brought Gandalf into the mix, it just has to proceed with caution.