The first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series just aired on September 2 yesterday in Indonesia. This prequel series that took place in the Second Age has managed to exceed fan expectations with its lineup of cast, quality CGI, and also a slick story plot. The focus of the story of The Rings of Power itself is about the rise of Sauron as the new Dark Lord after the defeat of Melkor aka Morgoth in Middle-Earth.
There are many interesting and mysterious things that have been shown in the first two episodes, one of which is the appearance of a middle-aged man who falls from the sky. No one in Middle-Earth knows who this mysterious man really is, nor do the fans. While waiting for the actual reveal, this time let’s try to guess who the ‘meteor man’ really is. Is he a good person or is he a bad person who will bring disaster to Middle-Earth?
Is it Diamond Dark Lord Sauron?
As we mentioned above, Sauron is the figure who will be the main antagonist in The Rings of Power series. In the original novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, Sauron did disappear temporarily after the First Age ended with Morgoth’s defeat. The most popular story in the Second Age is that he disguised himself as an elf named Annatar to create the Power Rings and also One Ring as the controller of all his magic rings. If he could disguise himself as an elf, it was not impossible that he could also appear as a ‘meteor man’.
In the previous promotional poster for The Rings of Power, this mysterious man can also be seen holding an apple, a fruit that is often a symbol of betrayal in the Bible. Based on this, it is not impossible that later he will betray Nori (Markella Kavenagh) from Harfoot who first found him, or even betray the humans in Middle-Earth as a whole. Other clues that strengthen his figure as Sauron can be seen in the former meteor explosion when he landed. Where the shape is similar to Sauron’s eyes of fire in the Third Age.
Is He Gandalf the Grey?
Apart from Sauron, another candidate who is likely to become the identity of the meteor man is Gandalf the Grey. The clue can be seen from his tall stature, full of beards, and also has magical powers. Moreover, the first to find it was one of the ancestors of the Hobbit. In the LOTR trilogy, Gandalf, played by Ian McKellen, is a powerful wizard who helps Middle-Earth defeat Dark Lord Sauron. Its appearance in the Second Age can indirectly be the attraction of The Rings of Power.
In fact, in his own novel, Gandalf is not a magician from the start. In fact she was a Maiar, a divine race that helped the Valar shape the world. With the initial name Olorin, he is appointed to be one of Istari, a good wizard of Middle-Earth who has the appearance of a middle-aged man. If the meteor is the personification of Istari’s appearance in Middle-Earth, it is not impossible that he is Gandalf who does have the ability to manipulate fire. Which will later guide the creatures of Middle-Earth against Sauron.
If Not Sauron or Gandalf, Then Who?
Loyal LOTR fans will know that apart from Gandalf the Grey, there have been at least four other Istari sent to Middle-Earth. They are Saruman the White, Radagast the Brown, and two Istari the Blue named Alatar and Pallando. If the meteor man wasn’t Sauron or Gandalf, maybe he was one of the other Istari. What is clear is that Saruman probably did because he only arrived in Middle-Earth in the Third Age. Radagast was also impossible because from the start he had decided to focus on the plant and animal life of Middle-Earth, not the other creatures.
That meant the meteor man was probably one of Istari the Blue who had arrived earlier than Gandalf and Radagast. If true, the meteor man is Alatar or Pallando the Blue, it looks like the reveal of his character will be very interesting. Because we can finally get to know more about Istari the Blue, who was very mysterious from the start. Out of all these candidates, who do you think the meteor man really is? Hopefully the truth will be revealed soon in the next episode of The Rings of Power