The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has officially revealed the Stranger’s true identity and, in doing so, did away with its most frustrating trope—mostly anyway. Though it was heavily hinted in season 1 that the Stranger was Gandalf, confirmation didn’t come until Rings of Power season 2’s finale. This was easily the Prime Video series’ most significant mystery, which means that the story is free and clear to head in a fresh direction for the next couple of seasons. This is quite a relief since Rings of Power‘s dependence on these big secrets was getting a little tiring.

The ending of Rings of Power season 2 saw the Stranger’s confrontation with Rhûn’s Dark Wizard finally play out. He ultimately chose to protect his Harfoot (and now Stoor) friends, ultimately passing Tom Bombadil’s test and earning his staff. With this came the Stranger’s acceptance of the Stoors’ name for him— “Grand-elf,” which quickly evolved into “Gandalf.” Of course, this reveal wasn’t too significant a surprise. Season 1’s hints included word-for-word Lord of the Rings Gandalf quotes. Still, Rings of Power officially dashing the needless mystery is a relief.

The Rings Of Power Season 1 Relied Too Heavily On The “Mystery Box” Trope

Season 1 & Much Of Season 2 Was All About The Character Mysteries

The mystery of the Stranger’s identity wasn’t the only of its kind in Rings of Power season 1. This installment of the fantasy series relied heavily on the “m ystery box” trope, which sees a mystery explored through little reveals and hints that play out one at a time—like a sort of puzzle box. This can be a handy story-telling mechanic since it draws out a big reveal for the right moment. However, in the case of Rings of Power, the first season and much of the second overdid it, especially those that revolved around the canon identities of seemingly original Rings of Power characters.

The identity of Halbrand, the Stranger, and the Acolytes, as well as the meaning of the constellation or the necessity for the Stranger’s staff, were all mystery-box mysteries in Rings of Power .

Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings stories have been popular for the better part of a century, which means Rings of Power faces a challenge when trying to surprise its audience. Prime Video’s solution seems to have been disguising Tolkien’s characters, like Sauron and Gandalf, as characters of its own invention, like Halbrand and the Stranger. The ending of Rings of Power season 1 saw the big reveal regarding Halbrand’s true identity, and this was a somewhat effective twist. However, the show held out on confirming Gandalf’s identity until the end of Rings of Power season 2.

Revealing Gandalf Ends The Rings Of Power’s Biggest Remaining Mystery

Rings Of Power Has Answered Nearly All The Big Questions

The Halbrand reveal at the end of Rings of Power season 1 worked well. There hadn’t been much reason for audiences to second guess whether this character was really a king from the Southlands, especially given the parallels between his and Aragorn’s character in Lord of the Rings. When his identity became a mystery, it was solved within a matter of minutes as Galadriel worked out the truth. In this very same Rings of Power season 1 episode, the truth about the Stranger was hinted at as well, but Prime Video chose to keep this mystery going all the way through Ring of Power season 2.

Of course, such surprises were an effective way to get the ball rolling, but going into Rings of Power season 3—the halfway point for the whole series—there’s no longer a need for these cheap mysteries.

Now that the Stranger mystery has officially been solved (and the answer was no big surprise), Rings of Power is almost entirely free of the mystery box trope. These mostly needless, slow, and subtle hints about a character’s identity and intentions are no longer necessary, which means the series can focus on plot and character development rather than endlessly beating around the bush. Of course, such surprises were an effective way to get the ball rolling, but going into Rings of Power season 3—the halfway point for the whole series—there’s no longer a need for these cheap mysteries.

The Rings Of Power Is Better Without Relying On Mystery Box Narratives

There’s More Than Enough To Carry The Story Forward

Custom image by Nick Bythrow

While there was a benefit to hiding canon characters within the story of Rings of Power, the overall series is so much better off without these mystery box plotlines. Since the Halbrand reveal at the end of season 1, Sauron’s character has taken leaps and bounds regarding character development. He was limited as Halbrand, but as the Dark Lord Sauron, the villain’s canon story (mixed with a few creative liberties) can progress. Now that the Stranger has been revealed as Gandalf, Rings of Power season 3 is free to do the same with his character.

Though Gandalf wasn’t in Middle-earth in the Second Age, his canon story after arriving from Valinor can still progress the same way in Rings of Power. He is sure to soon receive his own Ring of Power (the Elven Ring Narya) from Cirdan in the coming episodes, as well as form the White Council alongside Saruman, Radagast, and a handful of Elves. Tolkien never described a confrontation between Gandalf and Rhûn’s Blue Wizards, but with Gandalf’s identity out of the way, Rings of Power can start weaving this story in in a way that makes more sense. Without the mystery box trope, there are fewer limitations.

The Rings Of Power Season 3 Hasn’t Completely Ditched The Mystery Box

The Istari Continue To Be Mysterious

Of course, Rings of Power season 2 didn’t do away with every mystery. The identity of the Dark Wizard is still up in the air, with only heavy clues provided and no true confirmation. This character mentioned that there were five Istari sent to Middle-earth, indicating that he is not an invention of Prime Video. Showrunners have already confirmed that he is not Saruman, and the Dark Wizard is very unlikely to be Radagast the Brown. Therefore, it can be assumed that this character is one of Tolkien’s Blue Wizards—but this fact itself presents more mysteries.

Like the Stranger mystery, the questions surrounding the Dark Wizard’s story are a bit exhausting.

If the Dark Wizard is a Blue Wizard, then the big question will be what happened to the other. Additionally, it’s curious how this character’s rivalry with Gandalf will play out since nothing of the sort ever happened in Tolkien’s version of the Second Age. Like the Stranger mystery, the questions surrounding the Dark Wizard’s story are a bit exhausting. However, unlike the Stranger (and Halbrand), this Rhûn villain isn’t a main character. Rings of Power can get away with maintaining this mystery a little longer without needlessly holding back the plot. So long as the series sticks with similar mystery boxes, the story can still progress smoothly.