The Rings Of Power’s Blue Wizard Story Can Only End 1 Way, According To The Lord Of The Rings

There is a Blue Wizard in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and his story seems headed in one particular direction. Ciaran Hinds played an Istar known as the Dark Wizard in Rings of Power season 2, but his real identity wasn’t revealed. Season 2 confirmed that the Stranger is Gandalf, leaving the Dark Wizard to be one of the other four Istari – Saruman, Radagast, or one of the two Blue Wizards. Silencing debate, showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne confirmed that he is a Blue Wizard in a Reddit Q&A, so his role may change.

Being a Blue Wizard points the Dark Wizard a certain way, as the Blue Wizards had a profile sketched out for them in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. The Dark Wizard, in The Rings of Power season 3, may start developing toward this profile, however rough it may be. In The Rings of Power, the Dark Wizard occupies a villainous role, despite supposedly opposing Sauron. He is ruthless, Machiavellian, and kills indiscriminately – even those who work for him (e.g. Brânk). Some character development may have to occur to bring him in line with The Silmarillion.

The Blue Wizards Aren’t Evil In The Lord Of The Rings, So The Rings Of Power’s Dark Wizard Must Change His Ways

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1954 novel, The Lord of the Rings, the Blue Wizards weren’t evil, which makes Rings of Power’s Dark Wizard a little off-track. While LotR asserted that there were five Istari, it didn’t go as far as describing the Blue Wizards, but The Silmarillion said they had “great wisdom,” despite not naming them and commenting that they “do not come into these tales.” In a letter, Tolkien ruminated that the Blues could have turned to Sauron, but Rings of Power may prefer to line itself up with The Silmarillion, which will necessitate its Blue Wizard turning good.

Gandalf Could Make The Blue Wizard Turn Away From Evil In The Rings Of Power Season 3

Gandalf is a guiding force for good in Lord of the Rings, and could guide the Dark Wizard toward the light in Rings of Power. Like all the other Istari, Gandalf was sent to Middle-earth by Lord of the Rings’ 15 Valar to oppose Sauron and shepherd Men and Elves away from his influence. Gandalf hasn’t yet regained most of his memories in Rings of Power, but the Dark Wizard could help him do that, seeming to be in possession of a far greater portion of his own memories. Then, Gandalf could keep him on the right track.

Failure to guide one important soul awaits Gandalf in his Third Age future – Gandalf’s fellow Istar, Saruman, gets corrupted by Sauron, betraying the task set him by the Valar. Gandalf didn’t suspect Saruman’s betrayal until he had damaged Middle-earth significantly and become lethally entangled with Sauron. However, in Rings of Power, it isn’t too late for the Blue Wizard. He is on a bad path, but still opposes Sauron. Part of Gandalf’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3 mission could be reaching an understanding with the Blue Wizard and bringing peace to Rhûn.