Warning! Spoilers for Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 4 ahead!
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerTom Bombadil is definitely not the same character Tolkien wrote, but I love him all the same. Like many Tolkien enthusiasts, I was nervous to learn that the second season of the Prime Video series would feature Old Tom. This character is a beloved but deeply mysterious feature of The Lord of the RingsAnd there are more ways this adaptation can go wrong than right. However, still watching Rings of power Season 2, Episode 4 I couldn’t help but enjoy the character that was put on screen.
Back in Rings of power season 1, The stranger saw a specific constellation in his dreams and visions And came to believe that finding this was key to understanding his role in Middle-earth. He and Nori finally learned that Rhûn would be their best bet, so they set off east to the area at the end of Rings of power Season 1. Now, Season 2, Episode 4 saw the Stranger and his Harfoot companions travel through the unforgiving wilderness. This is when, after being separated, the stranger comes upon Tom Bombadil and learns more truths about his destiny.
Tom Bombadil from The Rings of Power is very different from the character Tolkien wrote
Prime Video has made some major changes
I was so concerned that Rings of power Season 2 would include Tom Bombadil because of how Tolkien wrote the character. The legendary author did not provide many answers about who and what Old Tom was, and I was worried that Rings of power would go too far in trying to solve a mystery that Tolkien purposefully ambiguous. In a way, my concerns are not unfounded. Prime Video’s version of ​​Tom Bombadil seems to have a much more definitive purpose in Middle-earth since it is implied that his role is to train the Istari (Mayar) in magic.
This is, of course, never something that was mentioned in Tolkien Lord of the Rings. Tom Bombadil was neutral through and through and cared little for events outside the Old Forest. Although powerful and wise, Bombadil was almost supremely simple – as if his understanding of the world was so far superior to that of even Gandalf and Elrond that Sauron and his One Ring are under his notice. That’s not exactly the character Rings of power Season 2 introduced.
Rory Kinnear’s Tom Bombadil is actually quite brilliant
The new angle on Bombadil (& Kinnear’s performance) is spectacular
Tom Bombadil by Rory Kinnear in The rings of power walks the walk and talks the talk. Many of his puzzling words come directly from The Lord of the RingsAnd that intriguing heir of mystery is certainly there. However, it is clear that this is a brand new character – not the neutral being of Tolkien’s work. While I’m often critical of changes in book-to-screen adaptations, I can’t help but feel that this was a good one. Rings of powerTom Bombadil’s isn’t better than Tolkien’s, but he’s absolutely brilliant all on his own.
Rings of Power’s Tom Bombadil isn’t better than Tolkien’s by any means, but he’s absolutely brilliant all on his own.
I have long been intrigued by the fact that, after the destruction of the one ring in The Lord of the RingsGandalf traveled alone to Whitwindle in the Old Forest and spent some time chatting with Tom Bombadil. It was clearly important to the wizard that he speak with this mysterious being at the end of his great mission in Middle-earth, but it was never entirely clear why. Rory Kinnear’s Bombadil provides a creative answer. I love the idea that Tom Bombadil served as a sort of mentor and guide to the IstarI upon their arrival in Middle-earth. It’s probably not what Tolkien intended, but it’s in the same spirit.
I’m even more pleased with Kinnear’s performance as Tom Bombadil. The actor brings the perfect, jovial nature to the character. He’s mysterious, kind, and unlike any other figure typically seen in Middle-earth, just like Old Tom should be. however, The actor also brings a touch of anxiety to the character that is not there in Tolkien’s book. I wasn’t so sure about this at first. Bombadil’s general lack of concern is defining of his character, but it is this fact that allows Kinnear’s subtle concern to inspire so much intensity in Rings of power. It is a highly effective change.
Tom Bombadil was a big risk, but the Rings of Power was right to take it
It can all go terribly wrong
generally, Rings of power Taking a considerable risk, bringing in Tom Bombadil. I have long suspected that Peter Jackson left the character out because he was simply too difficult to bring to the screen. Old Tom is classic folklore through and through, and its general nature almost does not fit with Middle-earth or the rest of it The Lord of the Rings. This makes him a fascinating addition in the literary sense. However, it seems that this does not translate to the screen. Still, the fact that Tom Bombadil was missing from Jackson’s movie trilogy made it all the more important for Rings of power Add him.
I find that Rings of Power’s version of this character works because he is different from Tolkien’s Old Tom.
To make this work, Prime Video had to make a change. Taking Tom Bombadil out of the Old Forest and giving him a slightly more involved role in the struggles of Middle-earth was a difficult choice, but I find that Rings of powers version of the character works Because He is different from Tolkien’s Old Tom. He does not step on the toes of the iconic original character But instead establishes something new for audiences to enjoy. He pays homage to Tokyo’s work without trying to outdo it. The real Tom Bombadil exists between the pages, but the version on the screen in Rings of power Give me something new to love.