Who is the Stranger? ‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2 finale has a major reveal

As a devoted fan of Middle Earth, I find myself utterly enchanted by the portrayal of Gandalf in “The Rings of Power.” Having grown up with the original tales and films, it is a profound honor to witness such a beloved character brought to life once more, particularly in the capable hands of Sir Lenny Henry. His experience spanning the vast expanse of human drama and comedy makes him an ideal choice for this enigmatic figure.

This article contains spoilers for the Season 2 finale of “The Rings of Power.”

It’s been officially revealed that “The Stranger” in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is none other than Gandalf, as many fans had long speculated.

At the end of the final episode, the enigmatic, silver-haired sorcerer portrayed by Daniel Weyman, lastly discovers his name, remarking, “Isn’t it Gandalf? That’s what they’ll call me now, correct?

In a deliberate build-up by the show creators Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, the true identity of The Stranger was gradually unveiled throughout the series. Originally presented as a possible decoy for the antagonist Sauron (Charlie Vickers) in Season 1, it became evident by the end that he was one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Istari – powerful magical beings typically linked to Middle-earth’s Third Age.

However, according to McKay and Payne, it was not initially conceived that The Stranger would become Gandalf, who is another powerful figure within Tolkien’s writings, recognized as Olórin as well.

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’d like to share an intriguing perspective: This film wasn’t just a regular tale, it was an enlightening expedition for the protagonist and his companions, mirroring our own creative journey. To put it simply, we aimed to craft this as the genesis story of a wizard grappling with his identity and responsibilities.

Payne points out that they delved extensively into Tolkien’s mythos, specifically focusing on which wizards might have been active during the Second Age. He notes that in “Deep in the History of Middle-earth, Volume 12,” it is confirmed that Olórin had already visited Middle-earth, implying that Gandalf could have appeared earlier than the Third Age. Furthermore, he mentions discoveries within the story that seemed to align well with Gandalf’s character as he appears later on.

“When in doubt, trust your instincts.

At that moment, they asked me to record approximately five distinct passages, some of which were meant for Gandalf and others that had never been spoken before, according to Weyman’s recollection. Despite the mystery surrounding these lines, he sensed a deep significance. As our conversation progressed, it was suggested that it might be intriguing if a line attributed to Gandalf was actually spoken by an unnamed wizard during the Second Age. Over time, this concept evolved into what is now known as a ‘wizard thing.’ At that stage, the character didn’t have a name yet, and I didn’t require knowing it.

However, according to McKay, the showrunners haven’t been attempting to deceive viewers or play tricks on them. Instead, they’ve been providing more hints all along during Season 2, culminating in the major revelation.

McKay notes, “Our hands were moving quite freely at an early stage.” He then explains that the hobbits suggested, “Perhaps you require a ‘gand’ to manage your abilities better.” It seems pretty clear, doesn’t it? Later on, someone addresses him as ‘grand elf.’

The creators of the series have subtly suggested the character’s true identity through visual clues as well. For instance, they’ve introduced a wizard’s robe which eventually appears on the enigmatic figure known as The Stranger.

Payne notes that it’s enjoyable to witness a character being developed, detail by detail, particularly through their wardrobe, and it’s equally pleasing when the character transforms into someone familiar. Additionally, there could be a moment where he receives a hat.

Additionally, you observe his character evolving, as Payne explains. “He exhibits a subtle, dry, and sarcastic dynamic with the characters in The Third Age,” he notes. “Initially, we witness him cultivating his humor, kindness, and at times, irritability towards these beings, yet it’s consistently rooted in a profound affection.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I myself wasn’t made aware of the big reveal until halfway through Season 2’s shooting. The showrunners had to break the news to me because they needed to capture the pivotal scene from Episode 8 where my character, Gandalf, acknowledges his title. This significant scene was filmed in Tom Bombadil’s house – a set that was due for dismantling before production wrapped up. The showrunners gathered me and shared, “You’re about to learn your name is Gandalf.

Weyman expresses that it was entirely new information for him, as he had never heard anything about it before. The entirety of the first season was crafted to keep viewers guessing whether his character would turn out to be benevolent or malicious. During Season 2, he found himself largely unfazed by the public’s interest in his character because he was engrossed in portraying highly specific scenes. Receiving this unexpected information felt surreal and brought back memories of his childhood fantasies about being a wizard at 47 years old.

In “The Rings of Power,” while some aspects of Gandalf’s character are based on Tolkien’s original writing, the showrunners have added their own creative touches. The Gandalf portrayed in this series differs from the familiar version readers and movie fans associate with the Third Age. The upcoming five seasons will set the stage for the transformation of this wizard into the more renowned Gandalf the Grey.

On this program, we often search for gaps in the mythology which present excellent chances to possibly provide more details and clarify the storyline. For example, Gandalf the Grey encounters the Balrog and subsequently returns as Gandalf the White, although they’re not exactly identical characters, they’re the same character. This idea suggests that there may have been an even earlier version of him before he was the Grey.

Weyman explains that when I’m portraying Gandalf, it’s at the initial stage of his journey, much earlier than what we typically know – centuries beforehand. This means he gets to encounter situations and make mistakes, allowing us to depict him differently from how Gandalf eventually becomes. The path to wisdom is through numerous life experiences.

One crucial aspect that helps uncover Gandalf’s character is the appearance of Tom Bombadil, a vital figure in J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythos, in the series “The Rings of Power.” Portrayed by Rory Kinnear, Bombadil is an enigmatic immortal entity who possesses profound wisdom and power. In Rhûn, he serves as a mentor for the Stranger, hinting at connections to Gandalf.

As a cinephile exploring the world of Harfoot’s microcosm within the first season, I find myself immersed in this tiny yet intriguing community. They are minuscule compared to the grandeur of the universe at large. My character hasn’t ventured beyond their realm before, but that all changes when I cross paths with Tom, who seems to possess knowledge that spans both time and eternity.

In Tom’s creation, the Stranger faces a predicament where he must prioritize saving his companions, the Harfeet, or starting a journey of power by acquiring a staff. Eventually, he assists Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfoot, earning both their aid and the staff in the process. McKay expresses that they intended Gandalf to obtain his staff through an unforeseen method, which is further validated when Tom reveals that the staff chooses its wielder instead.

For Weyman, grasping the prop was a particularly memorable experience, as he notes that both props were crafted with shooting intentions in mind.

The actor exclaimed, ‘It was incredibly beautiful,’ reflecting on his experience. When he touched it, it evoked exactly what he had imagined in his mind about him discovering a staff – an instant connection between the tree’s life and its roots, the soil, and the earth beneath, as well as everything intertwined down there. It felt like making a new friend, a companion for him.

At the conclusion of Season 2, Gandalf bids adieu to Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and moves in with Tom. Inside Tom’s abode, Gandalf addresses him by name, and the duo harmoniously sing the melody, “Old Tom Bombadil.” The lyrics for this song were inspired by Tolkien’s original work, but were revised by Payne and composer Bear McCreary to suit the show. An interpretation by Rufus Wainwright was featured in Episode 4, but in the finale, Weyman and Kinnear delivered a few verses instead.

Weyman explains that a tune has a unique ability to penetrate your essence, and he wanted to explore the notion that the song is something faintly familiar to the Stranger, similar to a sunset. It’s possible that he’s encountered this melody before, and in doing so, he may have felt a sense of returning, which was quite enjoyable for him.

Payne and McKay propose potential developments for Gandalf’s character in upcoming seasons. One possibility could be that during the Third Age, the five Wizards, including Gandalf, are prohibited from annihilating Sauron using their magical powers.

What reason could there be for establishing such a restriction?” Payne queries. “If you have five powerful wizards against one, why wouldn’t they simply engage Sauron in a full-blown magical duel? This is something we’re investigating to understand the path Gandalf takes during the Second Age that might explain why this prohibition was enforced in the Third Age.

Still, there is a general plan the showrunners want to follow, which includes Gandalf.

McKay shared that they were fortunate to land the job as they presented it as a detailed, long-lasting narrative – a 50-hour movie. He added that while there are new findings during the process and one should always be open to better ideas, they’re following the outlined plan quite well. They have a definite end goal, a storyline arc, and a journey for the character that will hopefully connect with future stories in an unforeseen manner.

For Weyman, taking on the role is more like an “honor,” yet he’s cautious about not being overwhelmed by the responsibility of portraying such a prominent literary character.

As I’ve spent the past four years with this individual, Weyman remarks, “His fundamental character remains unchanged.” He further adds, “There may be a shift in how people address him, but I believe he understands his identity and aspirations.

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2024-10-03 15:32