The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 made one other huge change to canon, and although controversial, the prequel sequence simply would not have been value making with out it. Of course, this specific change was teased from the very starting of Rings of Power season 1, but it surely was solely confirmed within the finale of season 2. The backlash this impressed has been fierce, but it surely finally appears that the Prime Video sequence merely could not have gotten away with sticking to Tolkien canon on this case. Such an iconic character wanted to be concerned in a Lord of the Rings prequel.

Of course, the change in query entails the Stranger of Rings of Power being confirmed as Gandalf the Grey. In canon, this Istar did not arrive in Middle-earth till the Third Age, and he most actually did not crash down within the type of a flaming meteor. Everything from his assembly with Tom Bombadil in Rhûn to his confrontation with the Dark Wizard is an invention of the Prime Video sequence, and it is a matter of unbelievable frustration for a lot of Tolkien purists. However, this was a change that was utterly value making since a Lord of the Rings prequel like Rings of Power wanted a Gandalf backstory.

Rings Of Power Just Wouldn’t Be Worth It Without A Gandalf Backstory

Gandalf’s Story Is Necessary To Fully Understanding Lord Of The Rings

Gandalf is arguably essentially the most essential character of The Lord of the Rings. His steerage, sacrifice, and perception in Middle-earth’s smallest, most insignificant beings is the one cause Sauron was defeated. Despite this, the first tales of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings present little or no in the way in which of Gandalf’s backstory. Only followers who’ve carried out additional analysis, reminiscent of studying the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King or The Silmarillion, would know exactly who and what this wizard is. For this cause, Gandalf is a massively misunderstood character.

Since Rings of Power is about solely within the Second Age, a devoted adaptation could be pressured to depart out any natural rationalization of Gandalf’s position within the struggle towards Sauron. This would imply yet one more display adaption missing the required context to know this character. The complete function of a prequel is so as to add context to acquainted and beloved occasions. Sure, realizing extra about Sauron’s reign within the Second Age is crucial, however it would not pack the identical punch with out information of the best weapon towards the Dark Lord in Middle-earth’s historical past—Gandalf.

Rings Of Power’s Timeline Changes Are Controversial But Necessary

A Condensed Prequel Story Was The Best Way To Cover Thousands Of Years

The greatest level of grievance concerning Gandalf being in Rings of Power is the shift within the timeline. However, that is removed from the primary time Prime Video adjusted Tolkien’s order of occasions. The entirety of the Second Age was enormously condensed. This interval is canonically 3,441 years lengthy, with the Rings of Power cast round SA 1500 and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men shaped close to the ultimate years. Ultimately, which means issues like Sauron’s time in Eregion go by a lot quicker than canon (a matter of weeks somewhat than centuries).

Though that is irritating for quite a lot of causes, Prime Video couldn’t keep away from condensing the timeline. Rings of Power is, rightfully, a character-driven sequence. In order for all of the essential characters of Lord of the Rings‘ historical past to be included, changes to the when and the place needed to occur. Otherwise, the uncomfortable pacing of season 1 (which was a major criticism of the sequence in 2022) would have been repeated throughout each installment.

Rings Of Power Just Can’t Take Gandalf Changes Too Far

There’s A Line Prime Video Must Be Cautious Not To Cross

Gandalf being included in Rings of Power was the appropriate transfer. This is the primary alternative for Lord of the Rings film followers to know the complete extent of this Istar’s story. He was by no means only a magical previous man however an angelic shapeshifter on a singular journey of temptation, compassion, and heroism—and such a narrative shall be a major asset to Prime Video’s prequel. However, the sequence does must proceed with warning. Gandalf is a necessity, however the significance of his character could be utterly wasted if Rings of Power made basic adjustments to his position in Middle-earth.

So far, Rings of Power has performed on the border of what’s and isn’t acceptable. Gandalf assembly Hobbit ancestors within the Second Age is one other important change, but it surely additional reinforces the significance of this Middle-earth race in his story. Meeting Tom Bombadil in Rhûn is one other mildly uncomfortable change because the pair by no means went to this area in canon. However, Gandalf was identified to be a pal of Bombadil and even met with the unusual being following Sauron’s downfall. So far, essentially the most puzzling change has been Gandalf’s confrontation with the Dark Wizard.

Gandalf famously turns into a rival to Saruman in The Lord of the Rings, and it appears that evidently Rings of Power is attempting to create parallels between this second and the Dark Wizard. This villainous character is probably going a Blue Wizard whom Gandalf by no means met in canon. It’s unusual that Gandalf could be set towards one other Istar since this considerably takes the wind out of the sails of his future Lord of the Rings battle. Still, if Rings of Power season 3 handles this rigorously, the story might be pulled off with out challenge. Now that Prime Video has rightfully introduced Gandalf into the combo, it should solely proceed with warning.

Set within the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the enduring rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic occasions main as much as the tales in J.R.R. Tolkien’s basic novels. The sequence chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that form the destiny of Middle-earth.

Cast

Morfydd Clark , Charlie Vickers , Charles Edwards , Markella Kavenagh , Daniel Weyman , Ismael Cruz Cordova , Megan Richards , Robert Aramayo , Robert Strange , Cynthia Addai-Robinson , Lloyd Owen , Owain Arthur , Tyroe Muhafidin , Alex Tarrant , Benjamin Walker , Trystan Gravelle , Maxim Baldry , Sophia Nomvete , Ema Horvath , Nazanin Boniadi , Geoff Morrell , Peter Mullan , Sara Zwangobani , Lenny Henry , Leon Wadham , Dylan Smith , Thusitha Jayasundera , Maxine Cunliffe , Anthony Crum , Beau Cassidy , Joseph Mawle , Peter Tait , Sam Hazeldine , Bridie Sisson , Jed Brophy , Ciarán Hinds , Amelia Kenworthy , Kevin Eldon

Character(s)

Galadriel , Halbrand , Lord Celebrimbor , Nori Brandyfoot , The Stranger , Arondir , Poppy Proudfellow , Elrond , Glûg , Queen Regent Míriel , Captain Elendil , Prince Durin IV , Theo , Valandil , High King Gil-galad , Pharazôn , Isildur , Princess Disa , Eärien , Bronwyn , Waldreg , King Durin III , Marigold Brandyfoot , Sadoc Burrows , Kemen , Largo Brandyfoot , Malva , Vilma , Ontamo , Dilly Brandyfoot , Adar , Tredwill , The Dweller , Vrath , Dark Wizard , Mirdania , Narvi

Release Date

September 1, 2022

Seasons

3

Network

Amazon Prime Video

Writers

Patrick McKay , John D. Payne , J.R.R. Tolkien , Justin Doble , Jason Cahill , Gennifer Hutchison , Stephany Folsom , Nicholas Adams

Directors

J.A. Bayona , Sanaa Hamri

Showrunner

John D. Payne , Patrick McKay , Louise Hooper , Charlotte Brändström , Wayne Yip

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