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Hold onto your Middle-earth maps, folks, becauseRings of Powerjust pulled a plot twist that had us all raising eyebrows! The Stranger’s true identity crashed the party and totally upended one of the biggest reveals from Peter Jackson’sLord of the Rings.
What should’ve been a mind-blowing moment feels more like a letdown, leaving fans scratching their heads and asking, “Why? Just why??” It’s like finding out that the mysterious package you’ve been waiting for is just a pair of socks. As the series struts down its epic path, this twist raises more questions than it answers.
Rings of Power Reveals: The Stranger Is Gandalf, But at What Cost to Canon?
Rings of Powerfinally spilled the beans: the Stranger is Gandalf. Ahan, Gandalf—the wizard we all know and love. But here’s the kicker—this twist throws a huge wrench into Gandalf’s backstory and the fact that he knows Saruman’s the black wizard. Until now, the series kept fans guessing, hinting the Stranger was one of the Blue Wizards. Sure, that would’ve been a slight detour from canon, but it wouldn’t have been this dramatic.
As season 1 progressed, the signs piled up like leaves in the Shire. The Stranger’s dialogue mirrored Gandalf’s lines fromThe Lord of the Rings, and his bond with Nori the Harfoot screamed “Hobbit enthusiast.” Then came season 2, leading him to Rhûn to face off with another Istar. Exciting, right? Wrong! It turned out to be a red herring, yanking fans’ hopes right out from under them.
This twist doesn’t just mess with timelines; it reshapes Gandalf’s entire story. Set in the Second Age, which spans over 3,441 years,Rings of Powercasually tossed aside Tolkien’s timeline where Gandalf didn’t show up until about 1,000 years into the Third Age. Instead, we got a celestial entrance where he crashed to earth in a meteor, rather than sailing into the Grey Havens like a normal wizard. Imagine that! Gandalf showed up in style, and while it looked cool, it strayed far from the original script.
Back in Tolkien’s world, Gandalf arrived on a ship, greeted by Círdan the Shipwright, who handed him Narya, the Ring of Fire. This wasn’t just a casual meeting; it was a significant moment that established Gandalf’s role in Middle-earth. ButRings of Powerthrew that out the window. The series introduced Gandalf to Nori long before even the term “Hobbit” was a thing. Talk about a timeline twist!
But wait, there’s more! In season 2, Gandalf faced a Dark Wizard who claimed there were five Istari sent to Middle-earth. This villain tried to convince Gandalf that they were partners in crime, aiming to dethrone Sauron. Gandalf, however, wasn’t having any of it. He turned against the Dark Wizard to protect his friends. This move was intriguing, especially since the Dark Wizard’s identity remains a mystery. If it’s Saruman, that raises some serious questions. How could Gandalf recognize him as evil so early on, when it was a shocking reveal inThe Lord of the Rings? Even if it’s a Blue Wizard, knowing one of his own turned dark diminishes the punch of Saruman’s betrayal later.
Sure,Rings of Powerprovides a fresh take on Gandalf’s backstory, but it’s like a cover song that strays too far from the original. While the adjustments might ignite debates among fans, they offered a chance to glimpse Gandalf’s origins. This series diverged sharply from J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore, condensing timelines and altering character dynamics. It’s a bold move by Prime Video, taking risks with a beloved character.
Why Viggo Mortensen Doesn’t Love Lord of the Rings Sequels and Peter Jackson is to Blame: ‘He became like Ridley Scott’
In the end, while it’s not the true story,Rings of Powergave us an entertaining ride through Gandalf’s journey—albeit one that leaves us scratching our heads in confusion.
Gollum Takes the Spotlight: NewLord of the RingsFilm in 2026
Get ready to say“Yesssss, Precious!”Warner Bros. announced a new live-actionLord of the Ringsfilm, set for a 2026 release, centering on Gollum, played byAndy Serkis. TitledLord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, the project brings back the original trilogy masterminds:Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, ensuring they’re involved at every step.
Currently in the script development phase, the film promises to explore untold storylines. “It is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth,”Jackson remarked, echoing the excitement surrounding this epic return. With Serkis directing and starring, fans can expect a thrilling journey through the shadows of Middle-earth.
WatchThe Lord of the Ringson Amazon Prime.
Heena Singh
Editor | Former Senior Writer
Articles Published :1457
Heena Singh is a Editor at FandomWire, spent the last two years making waves in entertainment journalism. With a knack for digging up blockbuster celebrity scoops and an uncanny nose for the latest buzz, Heena’s articles bring a fresh and fun perspective to life. When she’s not conquering writing challenges, you’ll find her curled up in bed, peacefully sleeping.
