If THE RINGS OF POWER’s Ciarán Hinds Isn’t Saruman, Then Is He A Blue Wizard?

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As a longtime fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic works, I find myself deeply intrigued by this latest speculation surrounding the identity of the Dark Wizard in Amazon’s upcoming series, “The Rings of Power.” While it is indeed possible that the enigmatic character Hinds portrays could be Saruman, I have a hunch that we might be dealing with one of the elusive Blue Wizards instead.

The finale of “The Rings of Power” season two brought back Ciarán Hinds as the Dark Wizard. His motives and affiliations were not what we expected, but this episode solidified that The Stranger is indeed Gandalf. All actions from Hinds’ powerful sorcerer hinted at him being Saruman. However, the showrunners of Prime Video have suggested this might not be the case. If the Dark Wizard isn’t Saruman, then who could he be? He may be one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s doomed Blue Wizards from the Second Age.

Ever since his arrival on Middle-earth, it was evident that The Stranger was none other than Gandalf in disguise. This suspicion proved accurate. Similarly, from the second season onwards, the Dark Wizard and Saruman displayed clear indications of being the notorious White Wizard from The Lord of the Rings. His look, staff, and even his demeanor hinted at this secret identity. In the final episode, he discarded his dark followers and tried to reconnect with his old friend, The Stranger, further supporting this theory.

Although both The Stranger and Gandalf served under Manwë, King of the Valar, The Stranger chose not to join forces with his fellow Istar. The Dark Wizard aspires to take over from Sauron once he is defeated. Unlike Gandalf who prefers to roam the desert without a name, ruling is something he avoids. This unexpected behavior greatly displeased the Dark Wizard who had been waiting patiently for his companion’s arrival. In response, he decided to annihilate the halflings as a lesson to his “kin” on the dangers of compassion in a world battling Sauron.

The Dark Wizard’s actions in the season two finale only strengthened the theory around his real identity. He arrived long before the Stranger as one of five Istari to aide in the defeat of Sauron, yet he wants to replace Sauron as Middle-earth’s ruler. He also loves Gandalf and wants him by his side, but turned on The Stranger in anger when Gandalf refused. That all aligns with Saruman’s story in the Third Age, in the same way The Stranger’s own story on The Rings of Power has aligned with Gandalf’s. Saruman the White will arrive as the noble, good, powerful leader of five wizards. But after a long time he will succumb to darkness. He will ally with sinister forces, including Sauron, in hopes of replacing the Dark Lord as Middle-earth’s ruler.

Regardless of the numerous apparent links, it seems extraordinarily unlikely that the mysterious Dark Wizard is indeed Saruman, according to J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, the showrunners of “The Rings of Power.” In an interview about season two, Payne even suggested it might be impossible for Saruman to be the Dark Wizard. McKay further explained that having the Dark Wizard be Saruman would go against the very principles of physics and gravity.

In another interpretation, the skillful choice of phrases doesn’t entirely exclude Saruman from being the Dark Wizard. “Almost impossible” implies that it is indeed possible. However, if their speculation is accurate, then who could Hinds be portraying if not Saruman? Similar to the Dark Wizard, Payne and McKay pointed out five wizards in total. One of the others they mentioned is Radagast the Brown, but there’s no evidence he’s the show’s Dark Wizard. But the other two mysterious characters they hinted at do align with the storyline. Known as the Blue Wizards, their tale shares many similarities with Hinds’ Istar on The Rings of Power.

According to the style reminiscent of J.R.R. Tolkien’s narrative, the exact history of the Blue Wizards in Middle-earth remains vague. Over time, Tolkien revised their story without providing clear details about their identity or fate. Their names even underwent changes. However, some information links them to the Dark Wizard from ‘The Rings of Power’, and they were part of the five Istar who formed the Council of the Wizards, known for their sea-blue robes.

In a specific location, these individuals were known as Alatar and Pallando; it was Alatar who persuaded Pallando to join him. They entered Middle-earth during the Second Age, with a goal to counteract Sauron’s influence. Their objective was to weaken any remaining allegiance towards Morgoth and Sauron among men, and support those who were against them. Despite their actions, only one wizard, Gandalf, remained steadfast in his purpose entirely. J.R.R. Tolkien expressed uncertainty about the fate of the Blue Wizards from the Second Age, but his concern reflects the storyline of a dark wizard in ‘The Rings of Power’. This is a summary of what the author mentioned.

It’s possible that they served as representatives to far-off territories, both east and south. Whether they achieved their goals is uncertain, but I have my doubts; they may have met with failure, much like Saruman, though their downfalls might have been in different forms. I also speculate that they were the ones who initiated or established clandestine religions and mystical practices that continued even after Sauron’s demise.

The Dark Magician unequivocally stated that his initial task was to thwart Sauron. This was the reason Manwë dispatched him and his fellow magical beings to the east. However, over the course of many Middle-earth generations, a sect of mystics emerged in Rhûn, worshiping the Dark Magician. They suspected he too aimed to serve Sauron. Initially, his intentions might have been honorable, but now the Dark Magician has become a ruthless figure who justifies any means for achieving ultimate power. He seems to have forsaken any goodness within him in this pursuit of dominance.

In a different phrasing, it seems like Saruman could be in question, but the creators of The Rings of Power have valid concerns about this theory. On the other hand, it aligns more with reason that their dark sorcerer is likely one of the less-known Blue Wizards.

Regardless of who he truly is – Saruman, Alatar, Pallando, Radagast, or another figure entirely – the identity of The Stranger holds greater significance. However, when it comes to Middle-earth’s races, only one wizard can be trusted across the Second Age and the Third: Gandalf.

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2024-10-04 16:32