Unveiled: The Long-Awaited Revelation in The Rings of Power Finale

Editor's Note: Spoilers ahead for the Season 2 finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Here we are, two entire seasons deep, and finally, the identity of the Stranger, played by the remarkably enigmatic Daniel Weyman, is unwrapped like a gift at an awkwardly timed birthday party. It’s as if we’ve just unwrapped the sweater we've been eyeing all year only to find it’s our very own, old, beloved Gandalf, stretching his arms and dusting off that familiar grey robe. Could the revelation be any less surprising?

After a showdown with the Dark Wizard—who, if I may add, has a commanding presence worthy of a Thespian’s award—our Stoors must pack their bags and move along to the West, accompanied by Nori (sweetly portrayed by Markella Kavenagh) and her ever-faithful Poppy (the delightful Megan Richards). There’s a tender moment amid the farewells when they dub him “Grand-Elf.” Picture this: confused looks, a dramatically raised eyebrow, and suddenly, it all clicks into place for our mysteriously thick-bearded friend. Yes, you guessed it right; he's Gandalf! The worst-kept secret since, well, last season.

Ah, the internet! It’s become a haven for conspiracy theorists who insist that the Stranger's true identity being Gandalf was simply too predictable. But let’s be real here—this isn’t the first time The Rings of Power has taken us on a wild ride, so why not let the audience indulge in their guesses? Remember Season 1? Everyone was buzzing with excitement about Halbrand being Sauron. Spoiler alert: they were spot on! But before we all rush to crown ourselves as the next Tolkien, let’s focus on the beauty of Gandalf’s journey instead of obsessing over secret codes like a bunch of hobbits looking for buried treasure.

In Season 1, Gandalf's story was all about self-discovery, a quest to figure out his power and where he fits into this vast world. By Season 2, it’s a coming-of-age tale in Middle-earth, but with all the complexity one would expect from a wizard who has sculpted his identity from the fabric of countless quests. His true name, as Tom Bombadil giddily explains, is part of that emotional tapestry. Gandalf has a mission firmly in his sights: defeating Sauron. However, it's about so much more than that—like a good meal that leaves you asking for seconds; it's rich, fulfilling, and layered with the understanding of life itself.

Here’s the twist: Gandalf is not just any old wizard lost in the woods. He finds joy in his earthly experiences, relishing the nuances of life like a gastronomist at a never-ending banquet. He could never truly earn the title of Gandalf without a bit of hardship along the way, and that's why our dear Tom makes him choose between saving Nori and Poppy or embarking on a wild goose chase for a staff among lifeless trees. It’s almost poetic, really.

And let's not forget the fascinating lore of Middle-earth that seems to dance around our beloved characters like an elegant waltz. Yes, the existence of Gandalf during the Second Age is a bit of a head-scratcher. For those who cling to J.R.R. Tolkien's timeline like a safety blanket, you might find yourself clutching your pearls in shock. Gandalf, bless him, only waltzes into our story in the Third Age, stepping onto the scene alongside Saruman and Radagast, like the magnificent wizard trio we didn’t know we needed.

This time, there’s real complexity beneath the surface of our story. As the audience chortles at phrases like "always follow your nose," we realize that every clue, every seemingly trivial hint about the Stranger's true identity serves a greater purpose, like breadcrumbs leading us to a hyperbolic feast. The series masterfully juggles these threads, showing us that even in its deviation from Tolkien's beloved lore, it weaves a coherent narrative that keeps us riveted to the screen.

Season three beckons with tantalizing questions lingering in the air. Will Gandalf dive headfirst into the fray against Sauron in the Second Age, or will he dawdle a bit longer, savoring the lessons of years past? The beauty of storytelling, especially Tolkien’s, is the timeless evolution of its characters. Will we see Gandalf tiptoe into the White Wizard’s shoes or stand defiantly against that mantle, bestowing upon us every bit of wisdom he’s accumulated? Whatever the resolution may be, there’s one thing we can count on: our beloved wizard will return.

So, let’s gather our hopes and perhaps a bit of popcorn, because Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is now streaming on Prime Video, ready for us to devour as we flit between the old and the new, the known and the uncharted, all while clutching our cozy blankets and holding onto the warmth of these characters we’ve come to cherish.