The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is approaching the end of its second season, which has delved deeper into the lore of Middle-earth and the Second Age. The sophomore season of the Prime Video original series has seen many improvements over its predecessor, with better-written characters, darker storylines, and stunning cinematography helping the once-heavily criticized series begin to win over some fans of the original Lord of the Rings franchise. The series also continues to tease viewers with certain mysteries, many of which may not be answered for some time.

One of the biggest enduring mysteries in The Rings of Power is the identity of the Stranger. Portrayed by Daniel Weyman, the Stranger fell from the sky in the first episode of the series and was discovered by the young Nori Brandyfoot, who took him in and helped him escape the forces of a dark wizard. The series has not yet confirmed the Stranger’s identity but has revealed that he is one of the Istar, a group of otherworldly beings who serve the Valar. This led many fans to conclude that the Stranger is one of the five wizards active in the Third Age of Middle-earth, most likely Gandalf. However, The Rings of Power has yet to reveal the Stranger’s true identity–and it has become a major problem for the series.

The Stranger Being Gandalf Is An Obvious Reveal

Most fans believe that the Stranger is Gandalf during the beginning of his time in Middle-earth as he still grows to become the wizard that audiences know and love from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Evidence is decidedly stacked for this particular theory. The Stranger looks and talks like a younger version of Gandalf and even delivers a line strikingly similar to something spoken by the Grey Wizard in The Fellowship of the Ring about always trusting one’s nose. Moreover, the Stranger has developed a particular love for Hobbits and similar small creatures thanks to his interactions with Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow. This is of course a major part of Gandalf’s story arc, as he finds himself continually returning to the Shire throughout the Third Age.

However, the series has let the mystery of the Stranger’s identity go on for too long for him to be revealed as Ian McKellan’s character from The Lord of the Rings. Gandalf is the most obvious answer to the Stranger’s identity, which also makes it the most underwhelming reveal. The Rings of Power Season 2 continues to string fans along for a mystery they have already answered. If the Stranger is indeed Gandalf, the series should have confirmed this in Season 1. Now, the mystery has been allowed to endure for over two years and only gets worse with each passing episode. The longer The Rings of Power waits to reveal that the Stranger is Gandalf, the more underwhelming the obvious revelation will be to fans.

The Stranger Being Another Istar Doesn’t Make Sense

Trivia

The fates of Radagast and the Blue Wizards remain a mystery after the events of The Return of the King.

 

If the Stranger isn’t Gandalf, then he is most likely one of the other four Wizards of Middle-earth. Some fans have wondered if he might be Saruman the White, which would turn the Rings of Power character into a tragic figure who ultimately fails in his duty to protect Middle-earth and succumbs to the power of Sauron. Others have wondered if he could be Radagast the Brown, especially since the Stranger is shown to have some level of influence with animals. Others still theorize that the Stranger is one of the two Blue Wizards, finally depicting the mysterious characters in live-action for the first time.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t make sense for the Stranger to be revealed as one of the other Wizards. The Rings of Power has referenced Gandalf too many times for him not to be the Stranger’s true identity. Revealing that he is Saruman, Radagast, or a Blue Wizard would feel forced and deliberately misleading, as almost all the evidence points to the Stranger being Gandalf. While the Stranger being Gandalf is incredibly obvious at this point, it is also the only conclusion that makes sense. As a result, the Stranger’s identity reveals will inevitably be underwhelming for fans of the series.

The Rings Of Power Needs To Confirm The Stranger’s Identity

The Rings of Power has written itself into a corner with the Stranger, whose identity was a compelling mystery in Season 1 but has become an enduringly obvious reveal in Season 2. The character doesn’t make sense as anyone other than Gandalf, yet Gandalf is the only identity that makes sense. It is therefore in the show’s best interest to reveal the Stranger’s identity as soon as possible, putting a quick end to the mystery before it gets even worse.

The Stranger’s identity crisis cannot be allowed to continue for another season and, thankfully, The Rings of Power finally seems to be teasing the truth about his character. It is more likely than not that his true name will be revealed in the last few episodes of Season 2, finally putting an end to the “mystery” that began two years ago. While the reveal may not be all that surprising to most viewers, The Rings of Power can easily salvage the Stranger’s character arc once his identity is made plain. From that point, the Stranger can continue to grow to become the Gandalf that audiences meet in later adventures. Ultimately, the Stranger’s best characterization will come after his identity is revealed, not before.