The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 may have just attempted its own answer regarding Tom Bombadil’s role in Middle-earth. This Lord of the Rings character is among the most mysterious of Tolkien’s works, and this is a big part of why he was left out of Peter Jackson’s movie trilogy. There are so few answers regarding who and what Tom Bombadil is that including him in on-screen adaptations quickly becomes complicated. However, Prime Video has tried its hand at it, with Rings of Power seemingly giving Old Tom a more definitive role.

Rings of Power season 2, episode 4, sees the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) run into Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear) while traveling through Rhûn. It’s revealed that all the visions and dreams that had propelled the Istar toward Rhûn really led him to Bombadil. This implies an interesting connection between these two characters, which is quite a change since Tolkien always insisted on Bombadil’s neutrality. The author was purposely elusive about how Old Tom fit into The Lord of the Rings, but Rings of Power has implied more than Tolkien was ever willing to.

The Rings Of Power Reveals Tom Bombadil Trains Wizards Who Come To Middle-earth

Old Tom Is The Stranger (& The Dark Wizard’s) Guide In Rings Of Power

The Stranger will begin receiving magic lessons from Tom Bombadil, gaining control over his powers and establishing a better understanding of his role as a wizard in Middle-earth. It’s also mentioned in Rings of Power season 2, episode 4 that Bombadil taught the Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds), who leads the evil cult in Rhûn that is eagerly seeking out Sauron. These details combined imply that it is Old Tom’s job to train Istari once they arrive in Middle-earth.

While there was no implication of this in The Lord of the Rings, the ending of Return of the King does see Gandalf head to the Old Forest to talk with Tom Bombadil following the One Ring’s destruction.

While there was no implication of this in The Lord of the Rings, the ending of Return of the King does see Gandalf head to the Old Forest to talk with Tom Bombadil following the One Ring’s destruction. This could support the idea that the mysterious character was Gandalf’s mentor and teacher in Middle-earth—a figure who helped guide him so that he could go on to guide others. If this truly is what Rings of Power is going for, it would not only be a potential answer for Tom Bombadil’s purpose in Middle-earth but what he is as well.

Is Tom Bombadil The Source Of Magic In Middle-earth?

Rings Of Power May Be Leaning Into An Existing Lord Of The Rings Theory

Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook

In Lord of the Rings, Tom Bombadil tells Frodo and his fellow Hobbits that he is the oldest of the old, alive and wandering Middle-earth before the Dark Lord Morgoth brought evil and corruption. Still, when asked what he actually is, Bombadil (and Tolkien) only had his name to give in answer. Tom Bombadil is just Tom Bombadil—end of story. Rings of Power has repeated this same sentiment. However, by making this character a sort of teacher and guide for wizards, Prime Video seems to have leaned into an old Tom Bombadil theory.

Some theories about Tom Bombadil claim that he is the god of The Lord of the Rings, Eru Iluvatar. Others make him the humanoid embodiment of Middle-earth itself. However, another popular theory claims that Tom Bombadil is the source of all magic in Middle-earth. This seems to align with the story in Rings of Power season 2. If it’s Tom’s job to teach incoming wizards how to control their powers, then it may be that he himself is the source of their magic. Of course, this would mean for a far more definitive role and purpose than Tolkien ever gave Tom Bombadil. Moreover, it contradicts the nature of both Bombadil and the Istari.

Tom Bombadil’s Wizard Connection Doesn’t Fit With Tolkien’s Lore

It’s Not A Perfect Match, But It’s Fun To Consider

While it’s true that Gandalf understood Tom Bombadil better than other characters in Lord of the Rings, the idea that he or other Istari learned or sourced their magic from the character doesn’t quite line up with Tolkien canon. Wizards’ are incarnate forms of angel-like Maiar. While the source of their power is never definitely stated, it’s implied that the limited nature of their Istari magic is granted by the god Eru Iluvatar himself. Even if their power did need some conduit, there’s never an insinuation that Gandalf or the others ever had to stop for lessons.

In The Lord of the Rings, Bombadil understands power and evil, but he won’t lift a finger to do anything about it outside his home of Withywindle.

What’s more, Rings of Power‘s version of Tom Bombadil may claim to be passive, but he is no longer neutral. In The Lord of the Rings, Bombadil understands power and evil, but he won’t lift a finger to do anything about it outside his home of Withywindle. This is part of why it has been theorized that he is nature itself since the earth knows only life—not good and evil. Training wizards to stand up to Sauron is still taking action. So, while it’s fun to consider Rings of Power‘s version of events, this is unlikely to be an answer Tolkien would have gotten behind.