The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power Season two made another major change to canon, and while it’s controversial, the prequel series simply wouldn’t make sense without it. Of course, this is the change that has been teased all along. Rings of Power Season 1, but this was only confirmed in the Season 2 finale. The backlash this caused was brutal, but ultimately it feels like the Prime Video series just couldn’t get away with sticking to Tolkien’s canon in this case. Such an iconic character had to be involved in Lord of the Rings prequel
Certainly, the change in question concerns the Stranger Rings of Power confirmed as Gandalf the Gray. In canon, this Istar didn’t arrive in Middle-earth until the Third Age, and it certainly didn’t crash as a flaming meteor. Everything from his meeting with Tom Bombadil in Rhun to his confrontation with the Dark Wizard is a fabrication of the Prime Video series, and is a topic of incredible disappointment for many Tolkien purists. However, it was a change that was well worth making because Lord of the Rings prequel type Rings of Power need Gandalf backstory.
Rings of Power simply wouldn’t be worthwhile without Gandalf’s backstory.
The story of Gandalf is essential to a full understanding of The Lord of the Rings.
Gandalf is perhaps the most important character Lord of the Rings. His leadership, sacrifice and faith in the smallest and most insignificant creatures of Middle-earth is the only reason why Sauron was defeated. Despite this, the primary stories about Hobbit And Lord of the Rings very little is said about Gandalf’s backstory. Only fans who have done further research, such as reading the Appendices 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 completely misunderstood character.
WITH Rings of Power set entirely in the Second Age, a faithful adaptation would be forced to exclude any organic explanation for Gandalf’s role in the fight against Sauron. This would mean that another film adaptation lacks the necessary context to understand this character. The whole purpose of a prequel is to add context to events you know and love. Of course, it is very important to know more about Sauron’s reign in the Second Age, but it cannot have the same effect unless you know the greatest weapon against the Dark Lord in the history of Middle-earth – Gandalf..
Rings of Power timeline changes are controversial but necessary
A condensed prequel story is the best way to cover thousands of years
The biggest complaint about Gandalf being in Rings of Power It’s a timeline shift. However, this isn’t the first time Prime Video has changed the order of Tolkien’s events. The entire Second Age was greatly compressed.. Canonically, this period lasts 3441 years: the Rings of Power were forged around 1500 SA, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men formed near the latter years. Ultimately, this means that things like Sauron’s time in Eregion pass much faster than canon (a matter of weeks, not centuries).
While this is frustrating for a number of reasons, Prime Video couldn’t avoid a schedule cut. Rings of Power it is, in its own right, a character-driven series. In order for all the important characters Lord of the Rings‘the story that will be included, adjustments to when and where it was supposed to happen. Otherwise, the awkward pacing of the first season (which became a major criticism of the series in 2022) would be repeated in every installment.
“Rings of Power” Just Can’t Go Too Far in Gandalf’s Changes
There’s a line Prime Video needs to cross with caution
Gandalf included Rings of Power was the right step. This is the first opportunity for Lord of the Rings movie lovers to understand the whole story of this Istar. He was never just a magical old man, but an angelic werewolf. on a unique journey full of temptation, compassion and heroism – and such a story will be a major selling point for the Prime Video prequel. However, you need to tread carefully with the series. Gandalf is necessary, but the importance of his character would be completely lost if Rings Power made fundamental changes to his role in Middle-earth.
Gandalf is necessary, but the importance of his character would be completely lost if Rings of Power made fundamental changes to his role in Middle-earth.
Still, Rings of Power played on the edge of what is acceptable and unacceptable. Gandalf’s meeting with the ancestors of the hobbits in the Second Age is another significant change, but it further reinforces the importance of this race of Middle-earth in his history. Meeting Tom Bombadil in Rhun is another jarring change, as in canon the pair have never been to the region. However, Gandalf was known to be a friend of Bombadil and even met the strange creature after the fall of Sauron. Still, The most mysterious change was the confrontation between Gandalf and the Dark Wizard..
Gandalf is known to become Saruman’s rival in Lord of the Ringsand it seems that Rings of Power tries to draw parallels between this moment and the Dark Wizard. This villainous character is likely the Blue Wizard, whom Gandalf never met in canon. It’s strange that Gandalf is pitted against another Istar, as it takes the wind out of the sails of his future somewhat. Lord of the Rings conflict. And yet, if Rings of Power In the third season, this was done carefully; the story could have been continued without problems. Now that Prime Video has rightfully included Gandalf in its lineup, we should proceed with caution.