Notice! Spoilers for Rings of Power Season 2 ahead!
The story of the stranger in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 features some additional Lord of the Rings mysteries now that he has been confirmed as Gandalf. Like any prequel, the Prime Video series makes a lot of retroactive adjustments to the story that audiences already know and love. The subtlest change to a character or event can have profound implications for the future story, whether they are considered canon or not. As Rings of Power dives into his version of the Second Age of Gandalf story, new questions about the character’s events during Lord of the Rings are required to appear.
However Rings of Power Season 1 initially took a spin on the Stranger character, Season 2 officially confirmed he is Gandalf. Almost every detail about how and when this wizard arrived in Middle-earth has been changed. In Tolkien’s canon, Gandalf came to Middle-earth in the Third Age, while Amazon 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 different from canon. Still, it is one of the smallest details about Gandalf’s story Rings of Power story that has greater implications for your future story.
The Stranger Had To Find His Own Team In Rings Of Power Season 2
Gandalf made an entire journey to win his team
The Stranger’s main objective in Rings of Power season two was finding a name and a team. Tom Bombadil told the wizard that a staff would be available to him as soon as he proved himself worthy, and that is exactly what happened. Only when the Stranger decided to save his friends instead of focusing entirely on stopping the Dark Wizard did the perfect staff appear to him. He proved his worth by passing the great test of the universe, and his reward was a name given by the Stoors he saved (Gandalf) and a staff that fell from the precious Stoors tree.
The idea presented by Rings of Power here is fine, although not strictly canon. Tolkien made it clear all along Lord of the Rings that a wizard’s staff is an essential tool, but there was no indication that they needed to embark on a spiritual journey to claim it. Yet, It’s fun to consider that Gandalf would almost need to pull himself together little by little to become the wise being in Frodo’s story. Still, the idea that finding a staff is a necessary part of any wizard’s journey raises a mystery regarding Gandalf’s future adventures.
Rings Of Power’s version of Gandalf would have to find a “white” staff in old age
Wizards having to work so hard for their staves changes the story of Gandalf’s two towers
Gandalf lost everything when he fell to the Balrog in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringincluding his clothes, body and of course team. When he returned, Gandalf was reincarnated in a new body and 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 in Lord of the Rings it was that he received them from Galadriel upon his return. However, Rings of PowerThe retcon would imply that it couldn’t have worked this wayyou.
According to Rings of Powerthis future reincarnated version of Gandalf (because he was no longer Gandalf) would have to gain a new team through a new spiritual journey. While it’s not necessarily canon, it’s interesting to consider what this might have been like. Similar to the Stranger, the White Wizard of Lord of the Rings he had only hazy memories of his life before his reincarnation, momentarily forgetting that his name was Gandalf. Perhaps, when he woke up, he made a journey similar to that seen in Rings of Powerassisted by Tom Bombadil, senior.
Other Ways Rings Of Power’s Gandalf Retcon Will Change His Future Story
Rings Of Power Offers A New Angle To View Gandalf’s Story
By bringing Gandalf into the Second Age, Rings of Power reconnected several aspects of this character’s personality Lord of the Rings history. This is obviously a controversial choice, but It’s interesting to consider how this affects the version of the story the audience is most familiar with. Gandalf’s relationship with the Hobbits was always significant, as he was truly the only important being in Middle-earth who recognized their worth. Rings of Power retroactively explained why by having the Hobbit ancestors save Gandalf when he 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 history.
Gandalf’s new rivalry with the Dark Wizard in Rings of Power season two is another way this prequel changes the wizard’s future story. The Gray Wizard’s surprise conflict with Saruman in The Lord of the Rings is one of the biggest twists in its overarching story, but the impact is altered slightly by the revelation that he faced another corrupted Istar in the past. This indicates that Gandalf should have known better before trusting Saruman wholeheartedly. Of course, how much Rings of Power retcon changes to Gandalf’s story in the future will depend on how the Dark Wizard is handled in future seasons – only time will tell.