This article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episodes 1 and 2.The "Meteor Man" in Second Age of Middle-earth and revealing how the Rings came to be forged. It's largely based on J. R. R. Tolkien's appendices on The Lord of the Rings, as well as the voluminous notes he penned over the years that were ultimately collected and published by his son, Christopher Tolkien.
Although the overarching narrative is predetermined, there are still a lot of mysteries in The Rings of Power. "Tolkien talked about not creating Middle-earth but excavating it. We felt like we were discovering things that were already there,” the series' co-creator J.D. Payne said (via "Meteor Man" by fans but whose true identity is difficult to determine. Some viewers believe he could be Sauron, while others raise the possibility he is in fact Gandalf.
This could certainly explain Gandalf's love of Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings, given he's already settled among the proto-Hobbits known as Harfoots. The problem with this theory, however, is that according to the main lore, Gandalf and the rest of the wizards were only sent to Middle-earth in the Third Age. But the problem may not be impossible to resolve.
The Origin Of Gandalf Explained
Gandalf is one of five wizards confirmed to have been active on Middle-earth in the Third Age. In truth, wizards like Gandalf are more like angels, spirit-beings called Maiar who were sent from Valinor to help in the war against evil. Gandalf's real name is Olorin, but he is also known by many other names: Mithrandir (the Grey Pilgrim) among the people of Gondor, the White Rider by those who had seen him on his horse, Incanus (grey-haired) in the South, Tharkun (Staff-man) by the Dwarves), Greybeard by the peoples who followed Sauron, and — amusingly — Stormcrow among the Hobbits. As this range of names indicates, he was one of the most active wizards, known across the length and breadth of Middle-earth.
Tolkien's notes give no real indication of exactly how the Maiar were sent to Middle-earth, meaning it's entirely possible they fell to the skies like a meteor — this is why many viewers have suggested the "Meteor Man" could be Gandalf. Tolkien did, however, indicate the experience was disorienting, involving stripping the Maiar of many of their supernatural abilities and even some of their knowledge. That could potentially explain the Stranger's confusion, with his magic feeling almost as though it is running out of control as he acclimatizes to Middle-earth.
J.R.R. Tolkien Hinted Gandalf Visited Middle-earth Before The Third Age
It's generally assumed that Gandalf (or, rather, Olorin) was only sent to Middle-earth in the Third Age. In reality, however, there is some evidence this may not have been the case. In fact, the essay "Glorfindel" (published in The History of Middle-earth) contains notes indicating Olorin explored the doings of Elves and Men, and "became acquainted" with them, hinting he must have incarnated among them. J. R. R. Tolkien finished these notes on Gandalf the Grey's forgotten history with the words "...nothing is said of this." He later tweaked it, however, instead writing "...nothing has yet been said of this." The amendment clearly indicates there is an untold story here, one revealing a secret history of Gandalf and Middle-earth.
These references seem to be about the First Age, not the Second, and they have led to speculation that Gandalf participated in the battle against Morgoth. If wizards like Gandalf were indeed present on Middle-earth long before the War of the Rings, there is no reason to assume they could not have been present during the battles against Sauron as well. It's entirely possible The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power really has introduced its version of Gandalf, and such a move would not break The Lord of the Rings canon at all.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power continues Thursday/Friday on Prime Video.
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