Despite adapting a creative change to the established lore, the second season ofThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerbrought to life an important time period in Middle-earth history. The Season 2 finale of the Prime Video series has brought to a conclusion the first phase of The War of the Elves and Sauron, which culminated inthe destruction of Eregion. Whilst war rages in Eriador, in Rhûn, the namelessistarknown only as The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) is revealed as the beloved Gandalf the Grey. Many had, since the show’s first season, speculated that this would be the case. This begs the question? What other theories or speculations are true?
Prior to The Stranger’s unveiling as Gandalf, the istar had spoken withThe Dark Wizard of Rhûn(Ciarán Hinds), and he had called Gandalf an “old friend.” This had some suggesting that perhaps, he was in fact, Saruman the White.Rings of PowershowrunnersJ.D. PayneandPatrick McKayhave sought to clarify that speculation with a definite response. “I’ll say something on the record.Given the history of Middle-earth, it would be highly, highly, highly improbable that this could be Saruman,” McKay toldVanity Fair. Payne chimed in, “If not impossible.”
InJ.R.R Tolkien’s acclaimed lore of Middle-earth, only five wizards or istar were sent to Middle-earth, namely Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, andthe two blue wizards: MorinehtarandRómestámo. McKay adds that the wizard of Rhûn is important to the future of the West andjolly Tom Bombadil(Rory Kinnear) had intimated as much to The Stranger (now Gandalf). McKay’s comments read:
“The Dark Wizard has an important role to play in the doings of Middle-earth, and in the development of our wizard, who’s now coming into his own. Tom Bombadil has told him, ‘You’re destined to face him. And then destined to face Sauron.’ So the Dark Wizard’s fate is not decided and his name is not out there yet, but it would almost defy the laws of gravity and physics for it to be Saruman.”
Yes - The Same Blade That Wounds Sauron
With thefinale of the second seasonofRings of Powerhaving aired, the pieces are well and truly moving on the board all across Middle-earth and across the Sundering Seas in Númenor. Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) has turned a once prosperous and just kingdom towards injustice and corruption. His reign of terror means the burgeoning romance between former Queen Regent Miriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) and one-time Sea Guard Captain Elendil (Lloyd Owen) has taken a sour turn. However, in the midst of despair, Miriel gifts Elendil a gift that will ultimately help shape the future of Middle-earth: Narsil.Speaking on its importance, Addai-Robinson said:
“But what was pivotal for me, especially with that moment, is the scene still had to resonate even if you did not know the significance of that sword. As an example, I always think of my mom assomebody who does not know this lore, does not know there’s a lore drop happening, but the scene still needs to function, and it still needs to play.So really, it’s about the symbolism of this bequeathing of a new role of responsibility. Hopefully, she’s taught him enough that he’s on his journey as a future king, as a future leader.”
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerSeason 2 is streaming on Prime Video now.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Epic drama set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.
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