Movies

The Rings of Power showrunners explain how they approached the strange case of Tom Bombadil

BBG News

The Rings of Power showrunners explain how they approached the strange case of Tom Bombadil

As a long-time fan of Middle Earth, I must say that the introduction of Tom Bombadil in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” has brought a unique twist to the series. Having grown up with Peter Jackson’s trilogy and revisiting Tolkien’s works numerous times, I was initially taken aback by this character who seemed out of place in the grand scheme of things. However, after watching “Eldest,” I found myself intrigued by his enigmatic presence.

In the recently released episode “Eldest” of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the enigmatic character Tom Bombadil makes his appearance. He resides in the arid region of Rhûn and offers guidance to the enigmatic figure known as the Stranger. If you’re a connoisseur of The Lord of the Rings, you might recall Tom from the early parts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Fellowship of the Ring. However, he is often excluded in adaptations of the story – such as Peter Jackson’s acclaimed film trilogy – because he doesn’t significantly impact the narrative. In the original tale, Tom assists the Hobbits with a few predicaments and sings some tunes, after which they continue on their journey. This sequence feels somewhat out of place.

Showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne have decided to steer old Tom away from the main plot, as he’s now seen training The Stranger for upcoming challenges. However, Tom remains an eccentric character who enjoys singing and conversing with trees. According to Payne, this character type has a rich history – think of Yoda, a wise but mischievous creature who became the wisest being in the galaxy. We aim to tread a similar line with Tom. He may sing nursery rhymes and appear quirky, yet he could be older than the first raindrop. The beauty lies in the fact that one character can encompass all these aspects, and actor Rory Kinnear portrays him with such elegance. One moment he might be singing a tune, and the next, when The Stranger asks him who he is, he simply says, ‘Eldest.’ Hearing him say that gives me chills because I truly believe he’s the oldest being on all of Middle-earth in that instant.

So there are moments where he’s very serious and very intense and other moments he’s laughing and cracking jokes. The fact that both beings can exist in one body is again part of the delight. I’m really curious to see how audiences who’ve been waiting to see him respond. And I dare say there’s a good balance here between the wise, sage, ancient Tom and the Tom who’s just messing with you.

As a fellow gamer, let me say that viewing Tom in this new adaptation felt quite peculiar for me. In the books, Tom Bombadil was almost detached from the grand events of Middle-earth, which added a touch of humor to his character. So, seeing him engaged with the Stranger and the Dark Wizard threatening Rhûn feels like a departure from his usual self and raises questions about his relevance in the storyline for those who aren’t familiar with Tom. I can’t help but ponder if this shift might leave newcomers scratching their heads, wondering why an obscure figure suddenly becomes crucial to such an essential plot.

My view has always been that Tom Bombadil is in The Fellowship of the Ring pretty much because J.R.R. Tolkien thought he was funny — Tolkien first wrote about Tom in a 1934 poem called “The Adventures of Tom Bombadil” which came out even before The Hobbit — and felt like including him. He doesn’t have a firm connection to The Lord of the Rings mythos, which is why his presence has always felt a little weird and awkward.

That hasn’t stopped fans from theorizing over the years. Tom Bombadil is thousands of years old, and may indeed be the oldest being in Middle-earth. Is he a god or something? Tolkien doesn’t answer that question, and it doesn’t sound like Payne and McKay are interested in filling in the blanks, which is probably for the best. “Tolkien chose to remain silent on it, and so shall we,” McKay said.

Regardless if it’s good or bad news, the time of Tom Bombadil has finally come. He can be easily spotted by his distinctive blue jacket and bright yellow boots. Every week, you can catch him on Amazon Prime Video, with fresh episodes premiering each Thursday.

Read More

2024-09-06 18:41

Previous post The moving way Jett Kenny and girlfriend Lily Brown are paying tribute to his late sister Jaimi as they compete on The Amazing Race
Next post Street Fighter 6 Has Now Exceeded 4 Million Units Sold