Warning! Spoilers forRings of Powerseason 2, episode 4 ahead!
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerseason 2 may have just attempted its own answer regarding Tom Bombadil’s role in Middle-earth. ThisLord of the Ringscharacter is among the most mysterious of Tolkien’s works, and this is a big part of why he was left out of Peter Jackson’s movie trilogy. There are so few answers regarding who and what Tom Bombadil is that including him in on-screen adaptations quickly becomes complicated. However, Prime Video has tried its hand at it, withRings of Powerseemingly giving Old Tom a more definitive role.
Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 4, sees the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) run intoTom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear)while traveling through Rhûn. It’s revealed that all the visions and dreams that had propelled the Istar toward Rhûn really led him to Bombadil. This implies an interesting connection between these two characters, which is quite a change since Tolkien always insisted on Bombadil’s neutrality.The author was purposely elusive about how Old Tom fit intoThe Lord of the Rings, butRings of Powerhas implied more than Tolkien was ever willing to.
The Rings Of Power Reveals Tom Bombadil Trains Wizards Who Come To Middle-earth
Old Tom Is The Stranger (& The Dark Wizard’s) Guide In Rings Of Power
The Stranger will begin receiving magic lessons from Tom Bombadil, gaining control over his powers and establishing a better understanding of his role as a wizard in Middle-earth. It’s also mentioned inRings of Powerseason 2, episode 4 that Bombadil taught the Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds), who leads the evil cult in Rhûn that is eagerly seeking out Sauron. These details combined imply that it isOld Tom’s job to train Istari once they arrive in Middle-earth.
While there was no implication of this in The Lord of the Rings, the ending of Return of the King does see Gandalf head to the Old Forest to talk with Tom Bombadil following the One Ring’s destruction.
While there was no implication of this inThe Lord of the Rings, theending ofReturn of the Kingdoes see Gandalf head to the Old Forest to talk with Tom Bombadil following the One Ring’s destruction. This could support the idea thatthe mysterious character was Gandalf’s mentor and teacher in Middle-earth—a figure who helped guide him so that he could go on to guide others.If this truly is whatRings of Poweris going for, it would not only be a potential answer for Tom Bombadil’s purpose in Middle-earth but what he is as well.
Is Tom Bombadil The Source Of Magic In Middle-earth?
Rings Of Power May Be Leaning Into An Existing Lord Of The Rings Theory
InLord of the Rings,Tom Bombadil tells Frodo and his fellow Hobbits that he is the oldest of the old, alive and wandering Middle-earth before the Dark Lord Morgoth brought evil and corruption. Still, when askedwhathe actually is, Bombadil (and Tolkien) only had his name to give in answer. Tom Bombadil is just Tom Bombadil—end of story.Rings of Powerhas repeated this same sentiment. However, by making this character a sort of teacher and guide for wizards, Prime Video seems to have leaned into an old Tom Bombadil theory.
Tolkien denied most popular theories about Tom Bombadil, maintaining that this character is no more than he appears to be.
Some theories about Tom Bombadil claim that he is thegod ofThe Lord of the Rings, Eru Iluvatar. Others make him the humanoid embodiment of Middle-earth itself. However, another popular theory claims thatTom Bombadil is the source of all magic in Middle-earth. This seems to align with the story inRings of Powerseason 2. If it’s Tom’s job to teach incoming wizards how to control their powers, then it may be that he himself is the source of their magic. Of course,this would mean for a far more definitive role and purpose than Tolkien ever gave Tom Bombadil. Moreover, it contradicts the nature of both Bombadil and the Istari.
Tom Bombadil’s Wizard Connection Doesn’t Fit With Tolkien’s Lore
It’s Not A Perfect Match, But It’s Fun To Consider
While it’s true that Gandalf understood Tom Bombadil better than othercharacters inLord of the Rings,the idea that he or other Istari learned or sourced their magic from the character doesn’t quite line up with Tolkien canon. Wizards' are incarnate forms of angel-like Maiar. While the source of their power is never definitely stated, it’s implied that the limited nature of their Istari magic is granted by the god Eru Iluvatar himself. Even if their power did need some conduit, there’s never an insinuation that Gandalf or the others ever had to stop for lessons.
In The Lord of the Rings, Bombadil understands power and evil, but he won’t lift a finger to do anything about it outside his home of Withywindle.
What’s more,Rings of Power’s version of Tom Bombadil may claim to be passive, but he is no longer neutral. InThe Lord of the Rings, Bombadil understands power and evil, but he won’t lift a finger to do anything about it outside his home of Withywindle. This is part of why it has been theorized that he is nature itself since the earth knows only life—not good and evil.Training wizards to stand up to Sauron is still taking action. So, while it’s fun to considerRings of Power’s version of events, this is unlikely to be an answer Tolkien would have gotten behind.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
