Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy has arrived, and with it, a mysterious new villain—the Darkish Wizard, performed by Ciarán Hinds. He’s stirring up hassle within the japanese lands of Rhûn, and it seems like he’ll be a major problem for the Stranger and his allies, Nori and Poppy.
Whereas we spent season 1 questioning about the id of the Stranger, it appears this season is for the Darkish Wizard. A showdown is clearly brewing between the 2, and we will’t assist however speculate on his true id.
The Darkish Wizard’s arrival
To know the place this new villain matches in, let’s rewind to the top of season 1, the place the Stranger confronted off towards a cult of Mystics who thought he is likely to be Sauron. They revealed that he was, in actual fact, an Istar—a member of the identical order because the legendary wizards Gandalf and Saruman. Season 2 kicks off with the Mystics’ chief returning to Rhûn, the place she meets her actual grasp, the Darkish Wizard. With a robust workers and mysterious magic, the Darkish Wizard reveals he is aware of the Stranger’s true nature, sending his riders after him as a substitute.
Who’s the Darkish Wizard?
Though season 2 has come to an finish, the id of the Darkish Wizard is but to be revealed. When the darkish wizard and the stranger lastly meet, the darkish wizard calls him “outdated buddy.” With all of the chaos and confusion the character has brought about, followers have taken it upon themselves to unveil who he’s. One main concept is that this Darkish Wizard may really be Saruman. In Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings lore, Saruman begins as a smart and revered chief among the many Istari. But, his fascination with Sauron’s energy and the One Ring finally leads him down a darkish path. It’s not not possible to think about Saruman main a secret cult within the faraway lands of Rhûn, constructing energy quietly and gathering followers.
One other risk is the mysterious Blue Wizards, Alatar and Pallando, who ventured to Rhûn in Tolkien’s tales on a mission to forestall males from following Sauron. In response to some accounts, they finally failed and created their very own cults, instructing their followers magic and receiving worship. Followers are contemplating that the Darkish Wizard may very well be one of many Blues, probably altered on this adaptation to turn into a significant antagonist.
A really huge and attractive candidate is Khamûl, the one Nazgûl who Tolkien particularly named. In Center-earth’s historical past, Khamûl was as soon as a king of the Easterlings, the individuals who lived in Rhûn. Like the opposite future Nazgûl, he was given a hoop of energy by Sauron and finally turned a wraith. Maybe this character may very well be a pre-corrupted model of Khamûl, serving as a Darkish Wizard earlier than his transformation right into a Nazgûl.
Lastly, the Darkish Wizard could also be a wholly unique addition to The Rings of Energy. Tolkien left many particulars about Rhûn obscure, which provides the showrunners loads of room to invent a singular determine for this storyline. With a recent villain, The Rings of Energy may shock followers whereas deepening its exploration of Rhûn’s darkish magic and mysterious cults. With the Darkish Wizard’s id nonetheless beneath wraps, The Rings of Energy has arrange an intriguing thriller that’s certain to maintain followers guessing.
