The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power finally confirmed that the Stranger is Gandalf, officially breaking the canon version of this wizard’s story. The Prime Video series had been beating around the bush up to this point, revealing that the Stranger is an Istar but nothing more. This left a variety of options open, with some theorizing that he was one of two Blue Wizards rather than Gandalf the Grey. If this had been the case, it would have been a smaller breach of canon. However, Rings of Power‘s final answer regarding the Stranger’s identity significantly shifts the Istar’s timeline.

Rings of Power season 1 had already laid the hints on pretty thick regarding the Stranger. Several of his lines were precisely the same as those that Gandalf said in The Lord of the Rings, and his friendship with Nori was further evidence that this was the Hobbit-loving wizard. However, season 2 bringing the Stranger to Rhûn to confront another Istar implied that the Stranger and the Dark Wizard were Tolkien’s Blue Wizards. This was, of course, a red herring. Rings of Power again uses canon details to subvert audiences’ expectations, changing Tolkien’s original story.

Gandalf Shouldn’t Arrive In Middle-earth Until The Third Age

Rings Of Power Moved Up Gandalf’s Middle-earth Debut

Custom Image by Yeider Chacon

The Stranger’s entire story shifts Gandalf’s canon history in Middle-earth, with the most obvious difference being the period of Middle-earth’s history during which the wizard arrived. Rings of Power is set in the Second Age, which stretches 3,441 years. According to Tolkien canon, Gandalf didn’t arrive in Middle-earth as a wizard until about 1,000 years into the Third Age. It was the Blue Wizards that came in the Second Age, and Rings of Power seemed to be using this detail to keep audiences on their toes. Of course, the time period isn’t the only thing different about Gandalf’s arrival.

Gandalf’s Arrival In Tolkien’s Books Is Very Different

The Stranger Arrived As A Meteor – Gandalf Arrived On A Boat

Gandalf arrived in Middle-earth in a blaze of glory in The Rings of Power season 1. He crashed to the earth as a meteor, where he was discovered by Nori the Harfoot and aided as he attempted to remember who he was and identify his purpose. This is entirely different from how the wizard arrived in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. While, again, the author didn’t provide many details about his journey, it is stated that Gandalf departed Valinor by far more typical means. He sailed on a ship, landing in the Grey Havens, where he was met by Círdan the Shipwright (who has also been introduced in Rings of Power).

Círdan gives Gandalf his Ring of Power, Narya, upon meeting him in the Grey Havens.

Over the following centuries, Gandalf wandered Middle-earth, exploring and learning more about the free peoples. It wasn’t until the Long Winter in Third Age 2758 that he met the Hobbits. The other Istari had entirely overlooked these beings, but Gandalf was fascinated by their surprising strength and endurance, praising their sense of community as they helped each other survive the brutal weather of that year. Rings of Power gives Gandalf an entirely unique introduction to Hobbits, of course, bringing him to Nori long before even the word “Hobbit” was adopted by their people.

Gandalf Already Knows One Of The Istari Has Gone Bad In The Rings Of Power

Gandalf Meeting The Dark Wizard Breaks Canon (Regardless Of The Villain’s Identity)

Another significant change in Rings of Power revolves around the relationship between the Istari. In season 2, Gandalf confronts the Dark Wizard, who mentions that there were five Istari sent to Middle-earth (which is true to Tolkien canon). This villain tries to convince his fellow that he is on his side and that they will take down Sauron together but replace him as Dark Lords. Gandalf sees the Dark Wizard for what he is and turns against him to instead save his friends and set out on his own journey.

This is an interesting change, especially since the Dark Wizard’s true identity has yet to be revealed. Since this villain confirmed that there were only five Istari, he must be either Saruman or a Blue Wizard (the Dark Wizard being Radagast would be far too outrageous a change). If this is Saruman, as Rings of Power is trying to imply, then it is strange that Gandalf would know this early that he is evil since this is a major twist in Lord of the Rings. Even if the Dark Wizard is a Blue Wizard, Gandalf knowing that one of his kind turned evil takes the wind out of Saruman’s later twist.

It’s not the true story, but Rings of Power at least provides an opportunity for audiences to understand better where Gandalf came from.

It’s clear that Prime Video is telling its own version of Gandalf’s story, and it differs significantly from that of J.R.R. Tolkien. The timeline has been further condensed, and the way Gandalf discovers his identity and those he meets along the way is changed. While Rings of Power‘s adjustments to the tale are sure to be controversial, this is an effective way of bringing Gandalf’s story to the Lord of the Rings prequel. It’s not the true story, but Rings of Power at least provides an opportunity for audiences to understand better where Gandalf came from.