The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has introduced a new wizard character, but it’s still unclear whether he shares the same history as other Istari. In Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, the Istari, or wizards, were originally angel-like beings called Maiar, who aided in the creation of the universe. In Middle-earth, they were humble wizards, and their natural power was limited. Rings of Power has already revealed that the Stranger is an Istar and, therefore, a Maia, and there are hints that the newly introduced Dark Wizard is as well—but there could be further surprises in store.
At the end of The Rings of Power season 1, three cultists called the Mystics confronted the Stranger, revealing that he was an Istar (and not Sauron) and attempting to bring him to their leader. Now, season 2 has officially revealed who had sent these three on their mission. The cult in Rhûn follows a character so far known only as the Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds). He carries a staff, performs magic, and certainly brings to mind Lord of the Rings wizards like Gandalf or Saruman. However, does that definitively mean that he is a Maia?
The Rings Of Power Season 2 Hints Rhûn’s Dark Wizard Is Another Maia
The identity of the Dark Wizard is still a mystery in Rings of Power season 2, episode 4—just as the Stranger’s true name hasn’t yet been revealed. Still, this new character’s appearance certainly indicates that he is an Istar and, therefore, a Maia. The Stranger’s conversation with Tom Bombadil reinforces this since Old Tom said that he had trained the Dark Wizard in magic and would be training the Stranger as well. However, it’s never explicitly stated that the Rhûn cult leader shares the same history as the established Lord of the Rings Maia.
It’s possible that the Dark Wizard is trying to mislead his cult followers into thinking he is a divine being when really he is just a Man trained in magic. After all, Tolkien canon indicates that the Blue Wizard came to Rhûn and taught the people there to use magic, establishing cults in their own honor. The Dark Wizard might have just been someone who found Tom Bombadil, learned from the being, and took advantage of the Blue Wizards’ following. At this point in the show, it’s difficult to say—especially considering how much Rings of Power seems to enjoy misleading audiences.
Could Rhûn’s Dark Wizard Be One Of Lord Of The Rings’ Blue Wizards?
So far, The Rings of Power seems to be leading audiences toward the conclusion that the Dark Wizard is one of the two Blue Wizards of Lord of the Rings. These Istari, called Alatar and Pallando, were the first to arrive in Middle-earth since the others didn’t come until the Third Age. Their task was to travel East to Rhûn and convince the Men who had once been loyal to Morgoth not to join Sauron. While Tolkien noted that they were successful in this, to a point, he also said that they began teaching these Men magic while encouraging their own worship.
Of course, this brings into question the fate of the other Blue Wizard.
Since the Dark Wizard is in Rhûn being worshiped in Rings of Power season 2, it certainly seems likely that he is meant to be Prime Video’s version of a Blue Wizard. Of course, this brings into question the fate of the other Blue Wizard. Though it’s been heavily hinted that the Stranger is Gandalf, his presence in Rhûn during the Second Age has led to theories that he is actually either Alatar or Pallando. This could be an interesting twist, especially since Rings of Power season 2, episode 4, has teased a showdown between these two wizards.
Is The Dark Wizard Saruman (If The Stranger Is Gandalf?)
There are still more possibilities for who the Dark Wizard could be, aside from the Blue Wizards or a brand new Istar invented by Rings of Power. Five total Istari were sent to Middle-earth in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. We can safely assume that the Dark Wizard is not Radagast the Brown. However, it’s still possible that this is an early version of Saruman. The White Wizard canonically did come to Rhûn during his early days in Middle-earth, though what he did there isn’t wholly known. Maybe Rings of Power is trying to fill in the gap in this story.
This would be another interesting revelation. The Lord of the Rings reveals that, even before his final turn to evil, Saruman was prone to pride and jealousy. It doesn’t seem out of the realm of his character to say that he tried leading a cult far away while he thought no one was looking. If the Stranger is Gandalf and eventually confronts the Dark Wizard, this character could put on a benevolent face and convince his fellow Istar that he is on his side. This would be especially effective if the Stranger/Gandalf gets his memory back and remembers Saruman as an Istar and friend.
The Rings Of Power Adding More Istari Breaks Tolkien Canon
No matter what Rings of Power does going forward, it’s going to be a change from canon. The Dark Wizard being a Blue Wizard that would be closest to Tolkien’s account, but these characters were certainly never trained by Tom Bombadil, and they didn’t rendezvous with The Stranger. The Saruman option would also tie into canon in at least the tiniest way, since this wizard actually did travel to Rhûn. The same is true if the Dark Wizard is actually just a Man learned in magic and claiming to be an Istar—this fits within the realm of possibility for The Lord of the Rings.
The five Istari are an important feature of Middle-earth’s legendarium, and adding in even one more throws the doors wide open for other uncomfortable changes….
However, if the Dark Wizard is a brand new Istar invented by Rings of Power, this would be a pretty significant change. The five Istari are an important feature of Middle-earth’s legendarium, and adding in even one more throws the doors wide open for other uncomfortable changes—perhaps even indicating that the Stranger isn’t one of the five either. All of this would be a touch disappointing. Part of the fun with these characters has been guessing how they fit into canon, and the revelation that they are just new characters would take away from the experience. For now, all we can do is wait and see.
