‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2 Teases a Major Reveal That Connects the Prequel Series to Peter Jackson’s Iconic Lord of the Rings Trilogy
- Subtle Easter eggs and character development suggest that the Stranger may ultimately reveal himself as Gandalf.
- In 'The Rings of Power' season 2, the stranger is searching for a tool to harness his powers and having Gandalf-like actions.
- Some other alternative possibilities suggest the Stranger could be one of the blue wizards.
Spoiler Alert!!
Easter eggs are the hidden details that capture the attention of the fans. They help in relating the details of one show to another in the same universe. Some hints might be quite subtle, but attentive viewers find them rather interesting.
The Rings of Power Season 2 also has its fair share of hints and Easter eggs that link it to the wider Middle-earth universe. And hints regarding one particular character might just link the prequel series to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Is Gandalf Hiding in Plain Sight?
The second season of The Rings of Power premiered on August 29 with its first 3 episodes, and one thing that has caught the attention of most of the viewers is the true identity of the Stranger.
In Season 1, the Stranger was very different from what he is now. He couldn’t speak out his thoughts and didn’t know how to interact with others, let alone use his powers. But Season 2 has given a significant character development to the Stranger.
It looks like the Stranger is getting prepared to ultimately reveal himself as Gandalf. He has got that grandfatherly vibe going on with Nori and Poppy, cracking jokes and keeping them safe. It is much like how Gandalf used to treat Frodo and his friends in The Lord of the Rings.
In Season 2, the Stranger is exploring the lands of Rhûn and is looking for a tool that will help him harness his powers. He is relying on the memories of his dreams, but in his dreams, the tool’s appearance keeps on changing. Sometimes it looks like an ordinary branch, but other times it looks like Gandalf’s staff.
Moreover, at the end of Season 1, the Stranger said to Nori, “When in doubt… always follow your nose.” That line was said by Gandalf to Merry in The Fellowship of the Ring. Besides this, it was also revealed in Season 1 that the Stranger is an Istar, aka a wizard. All these subtle hints direct toward one conclusion, that the Stranger is Gandalf himself.
Who Else Could the Stranger Be?
In Tolkien’s world, there are only five Istars in Middle-earth: Gandalf the Grey, Saruman the White, Radagast the Brown, Alatar the Blue, and Pallando. If the Stranger doesn’t become Gandalf in the future, there are some more possibilities.
Other than Gandalf, the two potential candidates are the blue wizards, Alatar and Pallando. They showed up in Middle-earth during the Second Age to stop Sauron’s plans. They wanted to protect the east and south of Middle-earth from the Dark Lord’s reign, and Season 2 is taking the Stranger to Rhûn, which is on the east of Middle-earth.
But it is more likely that the Stranger ultimately becomes Gandalf. However, executive producers Patrick McKay and Lindsey Weber promised that Season 2 would reveal the true identity of the Stranger. In an interview with Screen Rant, McKay said,
I don’t want to spoil anything you know, but certainly, he’ll need a name at some point. Wizards typically have a hat and a staff, and wizards need to learn how to control their powers. And at the start of the season, he’s able to wield power, but not yet control it.
Although they have not revealed any more details, the Stranger being Gandalf has been a widely accepted fan theory for a long time. And the way Season 2 is dropping hints, it might be just a matter of time before the theory will become reality.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video.
