The new season of The Stranger is secretly a newly-created Gandalf, ScreenRant's The Rings of Power Podcast is going into the lore, following old Tom Bombadil every step of the way.
Before season 2 even began, the question of The Stranger's true identity (blending Gandalf with the Blue Wizards) was on the top of every fan's mind. The only bombshell that came close was the news of Tom Bombadil, Tolkien's enigmatic entity from The Fellowship of the Ring, being injected into the story. So it's no surprise that Tom's biggest change from 'canon' perfectly sets the stage for Gandalf's, as well. For the full story, listen to the latest episode of The Rings of Power Podcast now: "What is Rings of Power Doing To Tom Bombadil (and Gandalf)?" embedded below:
In ScreenRant's The Rings of Power Podcast, hosts Andrew Dyce and Stephen Colbert dive deep into the events of each episode, analyzing not only the plots, themes, and performances of The Rings of Power, but how the Amazon Prime Video series is adding to the larger 'canon' of Tolkien's fantasy world. For the full conversation and debate on this and all other topics related to the TV show, follow The Rings of Power Podcast in your favorite podcast app.
What The New Tom Bombadil/Gandalf Story Means For RoP as 'Canon'
Reading into Tolkien's hints About Tom, this new Gandalf story makes perfect sense
Those viewers of the show who want to dig even further into the canon behind Gandalf, the Dark Wizard, and Tolkien's mysterious Blue Wizards should make sure to listen to Tom Bombadil's first Rings of Power scenes. But suffice to say that while the question of 'what' the Stranger was lingered through the first season of the show, the second wasted no time in dropping hints as to his name. This is Gandalf, in an origin story not previously told in Tolkien's legendarium.
9 Rings Of Power Clues That Confirmed The Stranger Was Gandalf All Along
The Rings of Power season 2 has finally confirmed The Stranger to be Gandalf, but the series had been laying out clues since its first episode.
For viewers who are also familiar with Tolkien's published Lord of the Rings novels, it would seem this is a story Tolkien had not previously written. Or, to be more accurate, one made impossible in his version of the story. Fans might also conclude that this version of Tom Bombadil is not faithful to Tolkien, even if he's a wise addition. However, as The Rings of Power Podcast explores, Tolkien's actual writing of Tom Bombadil and his link to Gandalf implies this kind of relationship. And most importantly, suggests Tom is not the same overt guide or teacher that he was at the time The Rings of Power takes place.
Listen to the full episode for more details on the Tom Bombadil scenes that seem to be overlooked by detractors of the TV show's version, the perfectly logical conclusions made by the writers of The Rings of Power as to Tolkien's intentions, and what it means for Gandalf's future in Middle-earth.
- Subscribe to The Rings of Power Podcast on Apple Podcasts
- Subscribe to The Rings of Power Podcast on Spotify
- Creator
- Andrew Dyce, Stephen Colbert
- Genre
- TV Shows, Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fantasy
- Premiere Date
- August 13, 2024
- Website
-
https://soundcloud.com/screenrant-rings-podcast
- Publisher
- ScreenRant
Tolkien enthusiasts Andrew Dyce and Stephen Colbert host this ScreenRant podcast about Prime Video's ongoing series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Each episode explores questions, criticism, and theories about the Middle-Earth-set show.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- Release Date
- September 1, 2022
- Network
- Amazon Prime Video
- Showrunner
- John D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Louise Hooper, Charlotte Brändström, Wayne Yip
Cast
Galadriel
Halbrand
WHERE TO WATCH
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
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