After years of speculation, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has finally pulled back the curtain on the mysterious Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds). Since his first appearance in the desolate lands of Rhûn, fans have debated which of the Istari he might be. Season 3 delivers the long-awaited answer: he is none other than Pallando, one of the two Blue Wizards sent to Middle-earth long before Gandalf (Daniel Weyman) ever arrived.
This revelation, while not entirely unexpected for devoted Tolkien readers, comes with a dark twist. In the third episode of the new season, Gandalf communes with the Secret Fire and learns the truth: "He was once called Pallando, one of two wizards sent to protect these lands, but he wanted more. So, he betrayed and murdered his partner, an act so evil that it laid all of Rhûn to waste." This act of treachery not only explains the desolation of the East but also cements Pallando's fall from grace.
A Blue Wizard's Betrayal
The decision to kill off Alatar, the other Blue Wizard, is a bold narrative choice, but it aligns with the gaps in Tolkien's legendarium. In The Peoples of Middle-earth, Tolkien suggests the Blue Wizards arrived in the Second Age, around the same time as Glorfindel, with a mission to "circumvent Sauron" and aid the tribes of Men who had rebelled against him. However, Tolkien also noted that they likely failed in their task, possibly founding secret cults that outlasted Sauron's fall. While Tolkien never wrote about one wizard murdering another, the ambiguity of their fates leaves room for such a story.
Interestingly, Tolkien himself revised the Blue Wizards' names and backstory late in his life, changing them to Morinehtar and Rómestámo. This fluidity suggests that The Rings of Power's interpretation, while dramatic, is not entirely out of bounds. The show's creators have taken creative liberties before, and this reveal adds a layer of tragedy to the wizards' mission.
A New Direction for the Wizards
This reveal marks a significant shift for the series, which spent two seasons teasing the Stranger's identity as Gandalf. Now, the show is diving deeper into lesser-known lore, and it's about time. Gandalf's new mission—to redeem his fallen brother—echoes the eventual corruption of Saruman in the Third Age, creating a thematic parallel that enriches the narrative. As the Secret Fire tells Gandalf, "Only together can you prevent the armies of Rhûn from joining Sauron."
While some purists might argue that Gandalf shouldn't be present in the Second Age at all, the show's approach is undeniably compelling. By exploring the Blue Wizards, The Rings of Power is finally giving fans a fresh perspective on Middle-earth's magical history. With the Harfoots out of the picture, this storyline offers a much-needed boost of intrigue and hope for the future.
For those who need a refresher on the events leading up to this season, check out our season 2 recap. And if you're curious about how this season stacks up overall, read our full review.
New episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power stream Wednesdays on Prime Video.
