The Rings Of Power. Wait, come back! It has the Tolkien seal of approval!

[HollowSage]

Kind of feels like they're setting up Halbrand as a sort of semi-Aragorn as a bit of misdirection perhaps, since of course we know Elendil and Isildur become the actual major kings (and related to Aragorn, although I don't think they're his direct ancestors exactly from what I've read) later on.

It feels like they want people to think he’s Sauron. His mysterious dark past he’s running from. His talent with the blade and forge. His skill at manipulation. I’m hoping that’s a misdirection because it’s just way too convenient if the one human she bumps into out on the ocean turns out to be the guy she spent decades hunting.

[Jared]

It feels like they want people to think he’s Sauron. His mysterious dark past he’s running from. His talent with the blade and forge. His skill at manipulation. I’m hoping that’s a misdirection because it’s just way too convenient if the one human she bumps into out on the ocean turns out to be the guy she spent decades hunting.

We saw him have a last moment of reluctance when it came to going back to claim the throne. Since that couldn't have been a show for someone watching him, I think that rules out Sauron.

I think there's a decent chance that in the last ep Celebrimbor introduces Elrond to his good buddy Annatar.

[Jackalope89]

Yeah, I should clarify; I think Halbrand goes on to become the Witchking of Angmar. Being one of the Nine Kings of Men. And Adar, yeah. Proto-Orc. Like one of the original Elves to be turned, or the first generation after or something. Hence why the Orcs call him "father" despite his blatant Elven looks.

[thwhtGuardian]

We saw him have a last moment of reluctance when it came to going back to claim the throne. Since that couldn't have been a show for someone watching him, I think that rules out Sauron.

I think there's a decent chance that in the last ep Celebrimbor introduces Elrond to his good buddy Annatar.

Yeah, I feel like Sauron isn't a character we've seen yet and the other possibilities are red herrings.

[Tofali]

I feel like The Stranger is going to change the Harfoots' nomadic life to an agrarian way of life so it has to be Gandalf right?

[Catlady in training]

who is Sauron then? Waldreg desperately is asking . Will they ever reveal him in this season?

I wonder if we're supposed to speculate it's someone we've already seen, only for it to be someone completely new when he appears.
Personally, I don't think it's Halbrand, if only because I would hope that Galadriel would somehow sense him.

I think when one of the trailers came out, there was that menacing scene with one of the weirdos that appeared last episode following the Stranger. People speculated back then that that would be Sauron, if I remember correctly. I am not so sure about that now.
What about the Stranger? That would explain why they follow him.

[thwhtGuardian]

I wonder if we're supposed to speculate it's someone we've already seen, only for it to be someone completely new when he appears.
Personally, I don't think it's Halbrand, if only because I would hope that Galadriel would somehow sense him.

I think when one of the trailers came out, there was that menacing scene with one of the weirdos that appeared last episode following the Stranger. People speculated back then that that would be Sauron, if I remember correctly. I am not so sure about that now.
What about the Stranger? That would explain why they follow him.

The only thing working against him is the comedic way he is often treated, it makes it hard to believe they'd do that much of a heel turn.

[Scott Taylor]

Why wouldn't the three be the Istari that the Valar sent to keep Sauron in check after they held their council? And I still think beard guy is Gandalf. He was sent separately from the three and he just looks like Gandalf. Too obvious?

[Tofali]

They look like they would assist Sauron than keep him in check.

[ChrisIII]

I wonder if we're supposed to speculate it's someone we've already seen, only for it to be someone completely new when he appears.
Personally, I don't think it's Halbrand, if only because I would hope that Galadriel would somehow sense him.

I think when one of the trailers came out, there was that menacing scene with one of the weirdos that appeared last episode following the Stranger. People speculated back then that that would be Sauron, if I remember correctly. I am not so sure about that now.
What about the Stranger? That would explain why they follow him.

They're all women as well. It was thought the main one was Anson boon but it's an Australian actress, Birdie Sisson.

[thwhtGuardian]

Why wouldn't the three be the Istari that the Valar sent to keep Sauron in check after they held their council? And I still think beard guy is Gandalf. He was sent separately from the three and he just looks like Gandalf. Too obvious?

He could be Gandalf, but in the books it's way too early for Gandalf to have arrived in Middle Earth

[Jackalope89]

He could be Gandalf, but in the books it's way too early for Gandalf to have arrived in Middle Earth

And in the books, Galadrial wasn't a sword wielding warrior, but a powerful magic user. And I don't recall it ever saying she went to Numenor either.

But this series would explain why Gandalf had such a fondness for the Hobbits, among the other races. The Blue wizards were enigmas even to the Tolkiens and simply never expanded upon. So rather than try and drag a wizard that doesn't even seem to affect Middle Earth, they may have gone with the most well known one and given him the backstory to why he became so close to the Hobbits.

[Tofali]

He could be Gandalf, but in the books it's way too early for Gandalf to have arrived in Middle Earth

Is it too early for Elendil and Isildur considering the lifespan of Numenoreans?

[Catlady in training]

They're all women as well. It was thought the main one was Anson boon but it's an Australian actress, Birdie Sisson.

Thanks, I wasn't sure about that from the short scene.

[thwhtGuardian]

Is it too early for Elendil and Isildur considering the lifespan of Numenoreans?

They do seem to be condensing down time in order to get a few characters who's names people may vaguely remember from the films in on the action so I guess it's possible they might be doing the same with Gandalf as well but I'm still pulling for a blue wizard.