The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Episode 4, “Eldest,” which debuted Sept. 5 on Prime Video.

One of the most intriguing components of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is how the show has tweaked the J. R. R. Tolkien books. It led to new characters being introduced, such as the Stranger. Of course, Rings of Power Season 1 had fans reconciling clues and believing he was Gandalf, the heroic Istar who fell from the skies.

Rings of Power Season 2 has taken this Stranger to the dusty terrain of Rhûn. He’s trying to use a map to find a staff under the stars, thinking it will unlock his wizard abilities. As Episode 4, “Eldest,” unfolds, the Stranger meets Rory Kinnear’s Tom Bombadil. It is a highly-anticipated sequence that gives Tom a shocking purpose, and an arc that exponentially improves the source material.

Rings of Power Season 2 Turns Tom Bombadil Into the Stranger’s Mentor

Tom Bombadil Needs an Ally To Heal Middle-earth’s Rot

Actor Name
Rory Kinnear

Date of Birth
Feb. 17, 1978

Place of Birth
London, England

Notable Movies
Skyfall, Men, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Notable TV Shows
Black Mirror, Penny Dreadful, Our Flag Means Death

After the Stranger gets separated from the Harfoots, Poppy and Nori, he stumbles upon Tom’s desert cottage. After fumbling around with a giant magical tree, Tom takes the forlorn man in. The Stranger takes a bath, which leads to a life-changing discussion. He is in awe of Tom’s magical abilities, which include controlling the elements and even turning paper into bread. It’s godlike, to say the least.

As they chat, Tom, like in Tolkien’s lore, says he has been called “Eldest” in the past. He has been around for eons, teasing he might have been on Middle-earth at the dawn of creation. So much so, he has an identity crisis, as he experienced so much. He talks to the Stranger about the value of a name, as well as one’s actions. He admits that the Stranger needs to be worthy of the staff he is seeking.

The Stranger realizes that fate has led him to Tom so he can be trained in the mystic arts. Tom admits their destinies have indeed been interlocked, and the reason for that is they have villains to stop — tyrants who won’t stop until this realm is under their control, along with the rest of Middle-earth. Tom likens it to a flame spreading. He has a Chosen One, however, who can help combat the poisonous evil around. The first villain they have to fight is Ciarán Hinds’ Dark Wizard.

Tom admits that this wizard sought him out ages ago to train as well. That project didn’t come to fruition. But the overlord left, accumulated a cult, and enslaved most of Rhûn. It seems his nasty ways are why this region went from being lush and flourishing to a barren wasteland. The Stranger is now set up as the equalizer Tom needs to correct this problem.

Rings of Power Season 2 Makes Tom Bombadil More Interesting

Tom Bombadil Is Gearing For a War With the Dark Wizard

In the Tolkien books, Tom was just a random character that Frodo’s fellowship met in the Old Forest. He saved them from wights, but most of his journey was whimsical. He showed them magic, spoke about the One Ring that had no power over him, and encouraged them. But he wasn’t involved in the plot after the mission was a success. Gandalf visited him later on, affirming they were friends at the end of The Return of the King.

Seeing as meeting Tom was a side-quest, Jackson omitted him from the Lord of the Rings movies. He wasn’t even in the Hobbit trilogy. Tolkien himself confessed that was Tom’s purpose: to be random and idealistic. He was never meant to be important to the plot. It divided fans, who, to this day, think Tom’s potential was wasted. Since Tom’s debut, literature buffs have argued over him as a plot device. Tolkien did have to downplay that he was a metaphor for God, or the Creator to any religious groups.

Rings of Power Season 2 gives Tom more agency, credence and importance. He isn’t just a supernatural entity around for the sake of humor. This sets the show up to dive into the Dark Wizard meeting, and if Tom tried to train him and failed, creating an Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader story, or if Tom rebuked him from the start. The fact Tom remained hidden shapes him like Obi-Wan Kenobi: not a proactive hero, just someone who will react if trouble comes to his doorsteps. Nonetheless, Tom has a higher calling as he becomes this teacher.

Rings of Power Season 2 Sets Tom Bombadil Up as a Sauron Enemy

Tom Bombadil Is Positioning the Stranger to Fight Sauron

Tom’s new job is two-fold. He isn’t just looking to stop the Dark Wizard; he is aiming to bring down Sauron. Tom admits that the Dark Wizard needs the help of someone stronger than him to rule the realm. If they unite, carnage will rain. It’s a bold but clever choice. It changes him from a supporting character to someone who is the antithesis to Sauron. The dark lord is now Annatar — a masquerade at Eregion to get more rings made. So he is making big moves.

It’s only right that the polar opposite appears. The Stranger is too green to be that figure, but Tom isn’t. This hints he might even have a past with Sauron and Adar’s former boss, Morgoth. He might even be key to finding other Istari allies like Radagast. Sure, Tom has comedic scenes. But he is helping the Stranger in what many perceive to be Gandalf’s origin. If the Stranger is indeed Gandalf, Tom’s importance would very much skyrocket.

Coincidentally, Nori and Poppy are told by the Stoors’ leader, Gundaberg, that the Stranger is a “Grand-Elf” due to his size. Theorists think this is going to be changed to Gandalf and confirm the Stranger as the future White Wizard. Seeing as Tom wasn’t affected by the One Ring, he may well be meant to educate young Gandalf how to deal with all rings of power and remain a pure soul. Those theories aside, what’s certain is that Tom wants an apprentice. He can’t fight the villains alone.

With the Stranger, it’s a two versus two battle. This way, Tom’s retcon maxes out his potential. Ultimately, many battles will be fought on land with Elves, Men and Dwarves taking on Adar, the orcs, and such. But with this version of Tom, there will be enticing magical brawls to come. Tom shifts the status quo as an active player, which will bring new mysteries, as well as jaw-dropping ethereal fights along the way.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power debuts new episodes Thursdays on Prime Video.