Although viewers have not yet received confirmation as to who the stranger in Amazon Prime Videos The Rings of PowerSeason 2 continues to give the impression that he is connected to Gandalf.
One of the greatest secrets The Rings of Power In Season 1, the true identity of Daniel Weyman’s “The Stranger” was outlined (read Weyman’s own comments on the Stranger’s identity here). When he made his debut, some believed him to be Sauron, while others theorized he was one of the five Istari.
However, by the end of the first season, many believed that a simple line of dialogue gave away who the stranger was. When speaking to Nori shortly before their journey began, he said: “When in doubt, Elanor Brandyfoot, always follow your nose.”
Since this was a line that made Gandalf famous in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringit seemed as if all signs pointed to the stranger being Gandalf.
Any connection between the Stranger and Gandalf in Season 2 of The Rings of Power
The wooden stick
Lord of the rings Fans know that Gandalf’s staff is an important part of his character and a pretty impressive weapon when he needs it.
When Gandalf was Gandalf the Grey, he carried a simple wooden staff that he used as a conduit for his powers. For example, he could light up the end of the staff to create a source of light and also use it to channel power, such as when he fought Saruman at Isengard.
When viewers first see the Stranger in Season 2, he has a vision where he is walking through Rhûn. During the vision, he sees a staff floating in the air in front of him. At first, the staff looks completely different from Gandalf’s, but at first glance, it seems as though it changes shape and looks almost exactly the same.
This staff is important to the stranger because he keeps seeing it in visions.
In Episode 2, when the Stranger, Nori and Poppy find the well in the desert and are then confronted by the Riders from Caras Gaer, the Stranger finds the staff there at the well.
He picks it up and is able to use his powers in unimaginable ways that destroy the surrounding area, eventually leading to him being separated from Poppy and Nori.
More importantly, however, the staff is destroyed because of the Stranger’s powers. Some may think this means the Stranger cannot be Gandalf, but it is an even stronger connection.
Since this particular staff was destroyed, the stranger might find another staff that looks identical to the one used by Gandalf in the Third Age.
The Stranger and Gandalf are Istari
It was briefly mentioned in Season 1 that The Stranger is an Istar, a claim that is repeated and further substantiated at the beginning of Season 2.
As if his magical abilities and the fact that he came from a comet were not proof enough that the stranger is an Istar, the dark wizard seen in Caras Gaer confirms this verbally.
Speaking to his resurrected acolyte known as “The Dweller,” and then speaking to one of the Riders he has sent out, the Dark Wizard refers to “the stranger” as “Istar.”
He also talks about how powerful the Stranger is, and says that they must capture him and bring him to Caras Gaer before he can learn to control and harness his power, thus adding fuel to the fire that the Stranger is Gandalf.
It’s no secret that Gandalf had a certain fondness for the hobbits when he was in Middle-earth during the Third Age.
Many fans pointed out that The Stranger was with the Harfoots in Season 1 of The Rings of Powerand that will only be continued in season 2.
Although the Stranger tries to figure out his mission and the purpose of his stay in Middle-earth, caring for Nori and Poppy remains his top priority.
When they venture into the deserts of Rhûn in Episode 2, he overworks himself trying to help them and keep them safe, to the point where he passes out, likely from heatstroke.
Then, moments later, after he wakes up and the Caras Gaer riders are there to threaten them, he unleashes such power that a whirlwind of sand is created and destroys large parts of the immediate area.
Although the stranger separated from Nori and Poppy, he meant well and only wanted to protect them.
The connection between the Stranger and the Harfoots bears uncanny similarities to the connection between Gandalf and the Hobbits, further reinforcing the belief that the two are one and the same person.
The Rings of Power can be streamed on Prime Video and new episodes are released every Thursday.
Read more about The Rings of Power:
Every power that Galadriel’s ring has in Rings of Power
Fans didn’t like Rings of Power season 1. Here’s how season 2 can change that
Official release date for Rings of Power season 2
Season 2 of “The Rings of Power” receives historic ratings
