so the dark shadow was Sauron himself coming to slay Frodo. Is this the closest to Sauron actually making a physical appearance in the book. I not looking for spoilers
“Fool, take it off!“ gave it away to me when I read FotR the first time. I think I assumed then that the ghost of Gandalf was watching over Frodo, and more would be revealed of him as the story continued.
I didn't understand that Gandalf was alive before the meeting in Fangorn forest, while reading the books in the mid 90's. Everyone made fun of me, for running out in my underpants, in the corridor in the middle of the night and into the room of a friend in a boarding school, that I borrowed the book from, screaming: "GANDALF IS ALIVE!" or "Gandalf lever!" in Norwegian, not realizing it's the same as Christians say about Jesus when they praise him in revival meetings. 😅
@@elvenkind6072 I don‘t know about the revival meetings, but screaming and running around in your underpants is an entirely reasonable reaction, what‘s to make fun of?
That is not by accident, I can assure you! :) I try not to get on a soapbox very often, but....I love the artists that have been kind enough to let me use their artwork while sharing my love of Tolkien with folks. And I kind of feel like it would be an insult to their tremendous skill to use AI artwork alongside pieces made with such passion and talent.
@@NerdoftheRings Even without the insult, there's something uniquely human about actual artists' work and it feel like it fits better with the old fantasy of middle earth But anyway, good on you, respect it, please keep it up
@@lancelot365eI do not disagree, but you are missing the essence of NotR’s point…Sometimes genuine old school thinking drives home the point. It’s about respect and homage to the legenderium, it’s about respect, what is right, not what is acceptable.
Well done! Nice touch including the hand-written specification of Gandalf's location when striving with Sauron. That was new to me. Your videos are a staple of my Must Watch list!
Nicely done, as always. I always knew that it was Gandalf (Tolkien's use of "Fool, take it off!" was enough to give it away), but I wasn't aware of the location of the "high place."
6:45 I will always respect Christopher for trying to give to the World what his father couldn't before dying. His First Age Trilogy (Children of Húrin, Beren & Lúthien and Fall of Gondolin) shows how much he wanted to make the closest thing to a definitive version of the Silmarillion
I think the most crucial detail is that it's not Gandalf who forcefully "pushes" Frodo to take the ring off, but for a pivotal moment it's Frodo himself who has the agency over his action - it's his own decision to lean either way. This is a reoccuring motive in Tolkien's writing: People are "given" the opportunity to make their own decision rather than being controlled by others. We can see this when Grima stands before Théoden, when Gandalf asks Saruman to return to their side, ultimately when Sauron and even Melkor choose to walk the path of domination. Perhaps this is one of the most important gifts that come with Eru's secret fire.
Thank you for all the amazing videos you create. Your attention to detail, love of Tolkien, and incredible story telling/formatting is absolutely wonderful. Infinite gratitude and love to you.
Tolkien’s painting of the shadow of Sauron’s grasping arm is the most frightening and disturbing image of Sauron ever made. His eyes look almost pitiful, which is really freaky!
Gandalf: "You almost fell under the spell of Sauron, he who in ages past took the name of Necromancer, Annatar, Mainor..." Pippin: "And let us not forget the title of "Huan's Little B*tch" 😉 Gandalf: "You beat me this time, Peregrin Took. You beat me this time..."
I always thought it was a "what would Gandalf do"-moment for Frodo, that it was his own internal voice snapping him out of the ring's power with the words Gandalf would have used in a similar situation. Loving this video, thank you. I buy your theory. ❤
10:05 Love how this art perfectly depicts Gollum's state at the end of LOTR. At this point he is just a living corpse completely consumed by the ecstasy of the ring
I love that Tolkien scholarship is such a living thing. I went to that exhibition (it was INCREDIBLE), i have that book, but i did not look anywhere near close enough to spot this. Very impressive on these fellows' part, and on yours for another fantastic video 😊
Brilliant! I did have a video suggestion: it was in regards to Ravens vs. Crows, and how many more animal creatures in both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings speak. 🧝♂️🧝♀️🧙♂️🍻🥔😁
I don’t usually comment but this video was really good. I’ve read the books a couple of times but never really laid it all out like you did here. Very nice keep it up bro.
My wife and I are listening to Robert Inglis’s unabridged Book On Tape narration of this wonderful book (the definitive version; get it if such things are still available - I’ve had mine for ~15 years). Just last night we got to the meeting of Gandalf with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, and were delighted with Resurrected Gandalf’s recounting of his striving against Sauron on Frodo’s behalf while Frodo sat on the Seat of Seeing. This anecdote from LOTR is so juicy and subtle (Frodo doesn’t know it was Gandalf until much later), and it reflects Tolkien’s exquisite mastery of his tale. He made sure to tie up loose ends, for sure. I feel the same way about it as you do. Thank you for this very fun video!
I've always wondered why Gandalf happened to be in Fangorn himself when he meets with Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas. This explains it. But now I'm wondering why he went there in the first place. Did he or Galadriel perceive that to be the ultimate destination of the three hunters in their pursuit of the orcs?
I often wonder if Sauron was afraid of Gandalf. He probably didn't care about him at first (due to Gandalf looking like the most unimportant wizard) but by the time of LOTR, he probably considered him a major pain in the side.
Bro after coming back to life, defeating a balrog- deliberately being sent back by the valor (I believe) - specifically to end Sauron- yeah he was shitting his panties and was definitely scared of Mithrandel
I don't think Sauron realized what had happened to Gandalf and that Ilúvatar had returned him to Middle-Earth with vastly enhanced abilities. Still, I think he feared the possibility of Gandalf claiming the One Ring.
@@istari0I think he certainly was aware that Gandalf was more active and aggressive than before - the Nazgûl probably reported how he drove them off at Minas Tirith, and they also saw how Isengard was destroyed and Saruman's power broken, while suddenly all the forces opposing Sauron were concentrating for defence. Sauron probably interpreted this as a sign of Gandalf possessing the ring, but the fact that he saw Aragorn in the Palantír and that the new king was announced as the leader of the attacking army put him into doubt about who really had the ring - as Gandalf said.
Would like to see an explanation on how Sauron nonphysically gained access to Amon Lhaw, just from his far confines on the Dark Tower. 2:25: That's our favorite wizard, all right. Interesting how Gwaihir, King of Eagles, is just scouting alone. Seems risky on such rough times considering his importance to his kind and the rest of Middle-earth.
This is one of my favorite moments in the whole book that I wish made it into the movie. It would just be a single line, how hard could that be to add? It's arguably Gandalf's most epic moment, which is crazy considering it takes place shortly after he's resurrected from dying in combat with the second most powerful evil Maia on the planet.
That‘s why I actually like the Peter Jackson eye. I always thought of the eye as being a kind of tool or magic for Sauron to „see“ similar to the palantíri but of his own making and for his own needs. And it always confused my why people either thought Sauron was just a flaming eye or thought a flaming eye would have to mean that there is no physical Sauron just sitting somewhere below and controlling it like a fiery submarine periscope.
It's a strange kind of serendipity -- I am rereading the books for the 4th time, but for the first time in probably 20 years. I was pretty much exactly at "the white rider" chapter when this video dropped. I really had earnestly forgotten about this particular event until reading it in the past days, and Matt drops a video about it just at the same time.
Glad you put a spotlight on this moment at Amon Hen. It's such a unique move by Tolkien. Different parts of the story affect each other at that point, and you don't get an explanation until a book later -- and even then elliptically at most. The closest thing to time-shifting that he attempted in LOTR (as if Gandalf was a visitor from the future). These great powers were looking for Frodo, watching him, and struggling against each other while he made his journey. Frodo barely had any clue. But it was still ultimately Frodo who determined the winner.
When Frodo puts on the One Ring of his own free will, according to ósanwë, his mind, which is in the state of "indo" (openness: natural or a simple state of mind), is accessed by the spiritual part that Sauron has connected (incarnated) to the One Ring. Since the soul is a whole in Tolkien mythology and therefore entangled with the soul of the original being, Sauron "sees" Frodo's mind, that is, perceives it, and feels that the ring is used by a being with free will. At this very moment, when Gandalf also connects with Frodo's mind (his mind is open to Gandalf because he probably desires Gandalf's help in this time of need), he encounters Sauron there and they clash over their wills in Frodo's mind.
7:27 Question: Do you if Gandalf and Treebeard saw each other in Fangorn - from a distance - after Gandalfs fight with Sauron ? (I read it somewhere but I can‘t find it 😣)
I would find it exciting and hilarious if Gandalf and Sauron would have met on a cup of tea and debating who is right and who should join the other side
Guys I have a Rings of Power theory to fix the Gandalf stuff: The whole Gandalf/Hobbit storyline really does take place in the third age, long after all the other storylines in the show. The meteor in the first episode was supposed to be an indicator that all those things happen at the same time, but what if that meteor wasn’t the one Gandalf arrived in, but the Dark Wizard. The DW says he’s waited for Gandalf for a long time, so he’s been in middle earth for much longer. What if the Dark Wizard, who is one of the blue wizards, arrived during all the happenings of the other RoP storylines but sometime after the first defeat of Sauron turned bad and that’s when Gandalf arrived. What do you think?
Fixing the Gandalf stuff is impossible. They had a chance to make the Stranger be Pallando, aka Rómestámo, and the Dark Wizard be Alatar aka Morinehtar. But the Gandalf reveal wrecked that.😞
Great stuff! I initially thought it was Galadriel using Osanwe on the seat of Amon Hen, but the use of “Fool” smacked of Gandalf i.e. “Fly you fools!” I was under the impression that Gandalf The Grey had perished after the fight with the Balrog on Zirak-Zigil during this timeline of Frodo on Amon Hen, and still in limbo state before being sent back as Gandalf The White. Therefore, Galadriel made the most sense to me without having those key pieces of intel, and I erroneously did not put any more thought into it. What a fool of a Took I am! Question - If I recall the TT White Rider chapter correctly off memory, don’t the hunters (Aragorn, Legolas & Gimli) confront what they think is Saruman on a hill in Fangorn? Possibly this very hill you mention? Furthermore, is The Maker Of Middle Earth Expedition book available for purchase? What a phenomenal companion piece for those interested in the more finer details! You are by far the Capo of all NotR’s. In actuality, the one true nerd of the ring who in the light of the trees binds us. Excellent work and thank you for all that you do!
Frodo's vision at Amon Hen is maybe my favorite part of the books. Sadly, it wasn't portrayed so much in the movie. I also like the vision in which Frodo sees Gandalf the White already in the mirror of Galadriel but (wrongly) concludes that it was likely Saruman because he was "clothed in white" and "his staff was white". (But actually, Saruman's staff is black.)
ugh, how could this happen?! I just finished reading (for a second time) "The Fellowship of the Ring" and I STILL missed this scene. oh well...going to have to read it again! thanks for the video!
I wonder in his duel of wits with the Mouth of Sauron if Gandalf's far sight sensed Frodo and Sam again through the opened Black Gate and that shifted his tone from defeat to skepticism and defiance. Even Sam while carrying Frodo heard a thought that shouted "Now!! Now or it'll be too late!!"
Very possibly but I don't think that's why Gandalf's tone shifted. What the Mouth of Sauron said made it clear they had captured only one Hobbit and gave no indication that Sauron had recovered the One Ring.
This "shouting" voice may have been Gandalf, but another possibility is that it was one of the Valar. There are several hints that show how they try to aid the enemies of Sauron and especially Frodo and Sam. (The dreams of Faramir and Boromir - that's Ulmo's style - , the vision of Galadriel that helps Sam to remember the phial, Sam's "prayer" to Varda that he says without knowing the words, the westerly wind that drives away Sauron's cloud of darkness, the Anduin "protecting" Boromir's body and showing it to his brother...)
@@untruelie2640 thanks for letting me know about that. I understand that Sauron was originally one of them or am I getting that Evil Wizard mixed up with Gandalf?
I honestly thought that this would be Gandalf's skirmish with some of the Nazgul on Amon Sul. It just went to show how powerful was he, even as a 'Gray' level wizard, that they "flew from me as my anger was rising".
The movies are great, but there are quite a few things that changed or were not transferred from the books, whether subtle or not. And perhaps Gandalf was weary after his fight with Sauron, the clash of their wills. But, Gandalf was able to match Sauron, their power, their wills evenly matched. And that says a lot.
comparing this with arondir getting finished in rings of power season two episode seven just to move around as if nothing has happened in episode eight - welly you know.
It is really fascinating how much of the old norse mythology tolkien took to create gandalf (he borrowed plenty for other characters as well, but Gandalf is where he did it the most). Odin sacrificed himself with a spear and hung himself on the worldtree for 9 days and then fell (like gandalf sacrificed himself when he attacked the balrog and fell) and was reborn with more knowledge, the knowledge of magic and runes, becoming an even more powerful wizard, just like gandalf was reborn as gandalf the white. In another story Odin sacrifices his eye, giving up part of himsdelf to become wiser, just like gandalf had to give up being gandalf the grey to become gandalf the white. Many myths about odin also describe him as this old man in a grey cloak that wanders the world carrying a staff, giving advice, helping people (if you treat him right) and fighting evil. He does not look like much but is a powerful wizard that hides his true nature. Even the name comes from the edd and is composed of the words gandr(staff) and aldr (elf). There is also a story where he helps sigurd slay a dragon but only shows up when needed (just like gandalf leaves the dwarves and bilbo several times only to reappear when he was needed) I could go into way more detail, like all the parallels between odins horse and gandalfs horse, but i don´t wanna make this comment a mile long ;). But it might be an interesting video idea if you have not done that yet, heck several if you want to go into all the other stuff tolkien got from norse mythology like so much about the dwarves including their names.
Like you said and others said in this comments section: I read that part about the voice but immediately forgot it. I only remember it now because I was happened to be approaching that part of the book in my current rereading when you had mentioned this in another video. This video led me to wonder, is there any evidence that the hill Gandalf strove on was the same hill that all those meetings occurred. If so, I suppose it adds a new point to Treebeard's comment about its long Entish name. Thanks to you and the donors..."and Debbie"
Gandalf knew his mission in Middle-earth, but he also had empathy for the peoples he encountered, especially hobbits and dwarves. In other words, Gandalf was the Qui-Gon Jinn of Tolkien's world. Great episode, Matt! 🧙🏻♂
The seeing throne Frodo sat on; was it in itself "magic" for some who doesn't where a magical ring? Who built that throne? For the Rings of Power, will we see how Sauron put the writings on his ring? And When in the creating of it he did so...
This is crazy what a coincidence??? Or only the illusion of coincidence, I just read that part of the story my first time and it’s been so much fun to have the movies to help your imagination¥
No, no, it comes straight from Gandalf the White’s mouth, in Fangorn. It’s a highly satisfying moment, and even more so if you figured it out back on Amon Hen (“you fool…”). Not you, Frodo, per Gandalf.
When placed on map, showing where Gandalf was... notice Frodo is like dead center between Gandalf and Sauron... almost as if the battle was a tug of war so to speak
Ósanwë can only be used between two willing participants. There is no way Sauron would have accepted Gandalf's penetration into his mind. So if it was Ósanwë that Gandalf used, it must have been the words Frodo heard in his mind telling him to take the Ring off.
You probably have this question put to you a lot about pronunciation. Is Gandalf pronounced "Gan" like "can" and "dalf" as in "golf" or "dalf" like "taunt"? I personally have always pronounced it "Can" "taunt" rather than "Can" "golf" if you see what I mean. There are so many different pronunciations, I've heard so many in my 18 years as a "Lord of the Rings Online" addict. (No one ever called me disloyal.) It's minor compared to some of the gaffs I've come across like "Where's Allran in Riverdale?" How does one even approach such a question? Then there was the very young man, a Star Wars fan who thought Tolkien was a dilettante compared to George Lucas. That took an hour of serious talk and consultation with various references. By the end, the young man in question upon seeing that my character was level 150, asked me where to go to level up. He thought that he could finish the game and all its contents in an evening. I suggested he ask Tom Bombadil who never gives anyone a straight answer. He didn't need to know that part. Maybe a conversation with someone named Strider (We were at the Prancing Pony at the time) who could give him a quest or two.
There is nothing better than a Nerd of the Rings video in the evening. I waited patiently. Very patiently.
Got to wake up to this notification myself 🙌🏿
Good. Because they only arrive precisely when they mean to!
so the dark shadow was Sauron himself coming to slay Frodo. Is this the closest to Sauron actually making a physical appearance in the book. I not looking for spoilers
Agreed 👍
@@HuginnHufflepuff a wizard is nvr late! 🙌🏿
I have read the books many years ago and I have completely missed this part on Gandalf's many abilities. Thank you very much Nerd of the Rings.
These videos are perfection. The research, the editing, art, and my favorite is your calm reading voice and character voices. Keep em coming!
Thanks so much!!
“Fool, take it off!“ gave it away to me when I read FotR the first time. I think I assumed then that the ghost of Gandalf was watching over Frodo, and more would be revealed of him as the story continued.
Yeah, the "fool" is typical for Gandalf. Which shows how good Tolkien's character writing is - you can recognize him just because of this one word.
I didn't understand that Gandalf was alive before the meeting in Fangorn forest, while reading the books in the mid 90's. Everyone made fun of me, for running out in my underpants, in the corridor in the middle of the night and into the room of a friend in a boarding school, that I borrowed the book from, screaming: "GANDALF IS ALIVE!" or "Gandalf lever!" in Norwegian, not realizing it's the same as Christians say about Jesus when they praise him in revival meetings. 😅
@@elvenkind6072 I don‘t know about the revival meetings, but screaming and running around in your underpants is an entirely reasonable reaction, what‘s to make fun of?
@@slimhazard Yeah, why don't people do more of that?
I've always thought that Frodo heard the imaginary voice of Gandalf urging him to take off the Ring.
With Ósanwë, it wasn't imaginary.
Still haven’t noticed any AI art in any of your videos. Awesome! Thank you!
That is not by accident, I can assure you! :)
I try not to get on a soapbox very often, but....I love the artists that have been kind enough to let me use their artwork while sharing my love of Tolkien with folks. And I kind of feel like it would be an insult to their tremendous skill to use AI artwork alongside pieces made with such passion and talent.
@@NerdoftheRings Glad to hear it, makes it hard to find many other Tolkien lore videos
@@NerdoftheRings Even without the insult, there's something uniquely human about actual artists' work and it feel like it fits better with the old fantasy of middle earth
But anyway, good on you, respect it, please keep it up
Adding to this thanks .
@@lancelot365eI do not disagree, but you are missing the essence of NotR’s point…Sometimes genuine old school thinking drives home the point. It’s about respect and homage to the legenderium, it’s about respect, what is right, not what is acceptable.
Well done! Nice touch including the hand-written specification of Gandalf's location when striving with Sauron. That was new to me. Your videos are a staple of my Must Watch list!
Your reading, knowledge, dedication, voices and so much more are honestly a pleasure to experience. Thank you.
Nicely done, as always. I always knew that it was Gandalf (Tolkien's use of "Fool, take it off!" was enough to give it away), but I wasn't aware of the location of the "high place."
Take it off and fly, you fools!
6:45
I will always respect Christopher for trying to give to the World what his father couldn't before dying. His First Age Trilogy (Children of Húrin, Beren & Lúthien and Fall of Gondolin) shows how much he wanted to make the closest thing to a definitive version of the Silmarillion
Gandalf is actually the mastermind and deserves alot of praise for defeating Sauron.
I thoroughly enjoy these weekly Tolkien deep dives on a specific topic, event in Middle Earth, a character, etc. 💞
I think the most crucial detail is that it's not Gandalf who forcefully "pushes" Frodo to take the ring off, but for a pivotal moment it's Frodo himself who has the agency over his action - it's his own decision to lean either way. This is a reoccuring motive in Tolkien's writing: People are "given" the opportunity to make their own decision rather than being controlled by others. We can see this when Grima stands before Théoden, when Gandalf asks Saruman to return to their side, ultimately when Sauron and even Melkor choose to walk the path of domination. Perhaps this is one of the most important gifts that come with Eru's secret fire.
Great point 😁👍
Dude this is a fantastic piece of Lore that makes me love Tolkien’s work even more !!
Thank you for all the amazing videos you create. Your attention to detail, love of Tolkien, and incredible story telling/formatting is absolutely wonderful. Infinite gratitude and love to you.
Waiting for that video about legendary good boy Huan
Tolkien’s painting of the shadow of Sauron’s grasping arm is the most frightening and disturbing image of Sauron ever made. His eyes look almost pitiful, which is really freaky!
Definitely creepy and intimidating.
Your videos slap. You should be proud of the work you put into them because it shows! 😊
This is the content I truly enjoy and appreciate.
When I read the "Fool, take it off!" Part in the books I knew it had to be Gandalf. Who else in all of Arda talks like that?
Gandalf: "You almost fell under the spell of Sauron, he who in ages past took the name of Necromancer, Annatar, Mainor..."
Pippin: "And let us not forget the title of "Huan's Little B*tch" 😉
Gandalf: "You beat me this time, Peregrin Took. You beat me this time..."
I always thought it was a "what would Gandalf do"-moment for Frodo, that it was his own internal voice snapping him out of the ring's power with the words Gandalf would have used in a similar situation. Loving this video, thank you. I buy your theory. ❤
10:05 Love how this art perfectly depicts Gollum's state at the end of LOTR. At this point he is just a living corpse completely consumed by the ecstasy of the ring
Thks Matt. Bless you laddie❤
I love that Tolkien scholarship is such a living thing. I went to that exhibition (it was INCREDIBLE), i have that book, but i did not look anywhere near close enough to spot this. Very impressive on these fellows' part, and on yours for another fantastic video 😊
Great video as always. Not sure there is enough material but would love some Farmer Maggot content.
Brilliant!
I did have a video suggestion: it was in regards to Ravens vs. Crows, and how many more animal creatures in both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings speak.
🧝♂️🧝♀️🧙♂️🍻🥔😁
You found fantastic art for this one. Thank you 🤗
I don’t usually comment but this video was really good. I’ve read the books a couple of times but never really laid it all out like you did here. Very nice keep it up bro.
My wife and I are listening to Robert Inglis’s unabridged Book On Tape narration of this wonderful book (the definitive version; get it if such things are still available - I’ve had mine for ~15 years).
Just last night we got to the meeting of Gandalf with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, and were delighted with Resurrected Gandalf’s recounting of his striving against Sauron on Frodo’s behalf while Frodo sat on the Seat of Seeing. This anecdote from LOTR is so juicy and subtle (Frodo doesn’t know it was Gandalf until much later), and it reflects Tolkien’s exquisite mastery of his tale. He made sure to tie up loose ends, for sure. I feel the same way about it as you do. Thank you for this very fun video!
I've read that passage many times over the last 30 years and didn't make the connection. That's what makes the books so great. Thanks for the video!
I've always wondered why Gandalf happened to be in Fangorn himself when he meets with Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas. This explains it. But now I'm wondering why he went there in the first place. Did he or Galadriel perceive that to be the ultimate destination of the three hunters in their pursuit of the orcs?
Galadriel was Gandolf's sister, right? Their father was human and their mother was Elf?
You helped get me back into reading. Thanks man 😁
One of your best yet! Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge with us.
I often wonder if Sauron was afraid of Gandalf. He probably didn't care about him at first (due to Gandalf looking like the most unimportant wizard) but by the time of LOTR, he probably considered him a major pain in the side.
Probably blinded by his power to even consider Gandalf a worthy opponent or a major threat
Bro after coming back to life, defeating a balrog- deliberately being sent back by the valor (I believe) - specifically to end Sauron- yeah he was shitting his panties and was definitely scared of Mithrandel
@LikeWhyTF It was actually Eru himself who sent Olorin back as the White Wizard. I think it's in Nerd's Eru Illuvatar video that it's mentioned.
I don't think Sauron realized what had happened to Gandalf and that Ilúvatar had returned him to Middle-Earth with vastly enhanced abilities. Still, I think he feared the possibility of Gandalf claiming the One Ring.
@@istari0I think he certainly was aware that Gandalf was more active and aggressive than before - the Nazgûl probably reported how he drove them off at Minas Tirith, and they also saw how Isengard was destroyed and Saruman's power broken, while suddenly all the forces opposing Sauron were concentrating for defence. Sauron probably interpreted this as a sign of Gandalf possessing the ring, but the fact that he saw Aragorn in the Palantír and that the new king was announced as the leader of the attacking army put him into doubt about who really had the ring - as Gandalf said.
I feel smart for knowing what you were gonna talk about before clicking the video
I'm new to all this but I'm loving every minute of it.
Gandalf played the long game better than anyone else in Middle Earth. If he played a game of chess, he could foresee checkmate after the first move.
Personally, Cirdan gets my award for "playing the long game." 😁👍
What a great video this is! Thanks for it!
This was a particularly good one. Well done!
Would like to see an explanation on how Sauron nonphysically gained access to Amon Lhaw, just from his far confines on the Dark Tower.
2:25: That's our favorite wizard, all right.
Interesting how Gwaihir, King of Eagles, is just scouting alone. Seems risky on such rough times considering his importance to his kind and the rest of Middle-earth.
This is one of my favorite moments in the whole book that I wish made it into the movie. It would just be a single line, how hard could that be to add? It's arguably Gandalf's most epic moment, which is crazy considering it takes place shortly after he's resurrected from dying in combat with the second most powerful evil Maia on the planet.
I may have this wrong, but don’t we hear distant voices vying for Frodo’s will at that moment in the film?
@@b1j I'll have to watch again, but I only remember hearing Sauron's voice
@@justthinkingoutloud2538 i hear sauron
maybe gandalf's influence can be seen in frodo's movements in that moment, but not audibly?
That‘s why I actually like the Peter Jackson eye. I always thought of the eye as being a kind of tool or magic for Sauron to „see“ similar to the palantíri but of his own making and for his own needs. And it always confused my why people either thought Sauron was just a flaming eye or thought a flaming eye would have to mean that there is no physical Sauron just sitting somewhere below and controlling it like a fiery submarine periscope.
"And Debby" is always my favorite part
Thank you for your videos. They mean so much to me.
Gandalf in his best mom's voice "drop it!"
Love what you are doing NOTR!!
It's a strange kind of serendipity -- I am rereading the books for the 4th time, but for the first time in probably 20 years. I was pretty much exactly at "the white rider" chapter when this video dropped. I really had earnestly forgotten about this particular event until reading it in the past days, and Matt drops a video about it just at the same time.
Glad you put a spotlight on this moment at Amon Hen. It's such a unique move by Tolkien. Different parts of the story affect each other at that point, and you don't get an explanation until a book later -- and even then elliptically at most. The closest thing to time-shifting that he attempted in LOTR (as if Gandalf was a visitor from the future). These great powers were looking for Frodo, watching him, and struggling against each other while he made his journey. Frodo barely had any clue. But it was still ultimately Frodo who determined the winner.
That's a great reading, I like the voices you could do
When Frodo puts on the One Ring of his own free will, according to ósanwë, his mind, which is in the state of "indo" (openness: natural or a simple state of mind), is accessed by the spiritual part that Sauron has connected (incarnated) to the One Ring. Since the soul is a whole in Tolkien mythology and therefore entangled with the soul of the original being, Sauron "sees" Frodo's mind, that is, perceives it, and feels that the ring is used by a being with free will. At this very moment, when Gandalf also connects with Frodo's mind (his mind is open to Gandalf because he probably desires Gandalf's help in this time of need), he encounters Sauron there and they clash over their wills in Frodo's mind.
That is a fantastic explanation of what exactly happened.
Any chance of you starting your own Tolkien TH-cam channel?🙏😁
Watch most of your videos, keep up the good work mellon.
Great video!
These are always wonderful videos
I didn't think it was so subtle, but that's one of the parts of the trilogy I read most often...
7:27 Question: Do you if Gandalf and Treebeard saw each other in Fangorn - from a distance - after Gandalfs fight with Sauron ?
(I read it somewhere but I can‘t find it 😣)
I would find it exciting and hilarious if Gandalf and Sauron would have met on a cup of tea and debating who is right and who should join the other side
Guys I have a Rings of Power theory to fix the Gandalf stuff: The whole Gandalf/Hobbit storyline really does take place in the third age, long after all the other storylines in the show. The meteor in the first episode was supposed to be an indicator that all those things happen at the same time, but what if that meteor wasn’t the one Gandalf arrived in, but the Dark Wizard. The DW says he’s waited for Gandalf for a long time, so he’s been in middle earth for much longer. What if the Dark Wizard, who is one of the blue wizards, arrived during all the happenings of the other RoP storylines but sometime after the first defeat of Sauron turned bad and that’s when Gandalf arrived.
What do you think?
That’s an interesting theory. Nerd of the Rings should do a video on this
It's absolutely not what they are doing but I quite like it.
Fixing the Gandalf stuff is impossible. They had a chance to make the Stranger be Pallando, aka Rómestámo, and the Dark Wizard be Alatar aka Morinehtar. But the Gandalf reveal wrecked that.😞
More Gandalf and the other wizards, please! 🙏🏻
Thank you so much!!! Whenever TH-cam tries to show me crap, I just need to type "Nerd of the Rings" and they show me the good stuff ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Amazing stuff again! Would love to see someday a video about how Tolkiens travels in Finland and Kalevala influenced the Lord of the rings lore! : )
Great stuff! I initially thought it was Galadriel using Osanwe on the seat of Amon Hen, but the use of “Fool” smacked of Gandalf i.e. “Fly you fools!” I was under the impression that Gandalf The Grey had perished after the fight with the Balrog on Zirak-Zigil during this timeline of Frodo on Amon Hen, and still in limbo state before being sent back as Gandalf The White. Therefore, Galadriel made the most sense to me without having those key pieces of intel, and I erroneously did not put any more thought into it. What a fool of a Took I am!
Question - If I recall the TT White Rider chapter correctly off memory, don’t the hunters (Aragorn, Legolas & Gimli) confront what they think is Saruman on a hill in Fangorn? Possibly this very hill you mention?
Furthermore, is The Maker Of Middle Earth Expedition book available for purchase? What a phenomenal companion piece for those interested in the more finer details!
You are by far the Capo of all NotR’s. In actuality, the one true nerd of the ring who in the light of the trees binds us. Excellent work and thank you for all that you do!
Indeed! The book is available at many retailers:
amzn.to/3NEByT4
Thanks so much for your kind words!
Frodo's vision at Amon Hen is maybe my favorite part of the books. Sadly, it wasn't portrayed so much in the movie. I also like the vision in which Frodo sees Gandalf the White already in the mirror of Galadriel but (wrongly) concludes that it was likely Saruman because he was "clothed in white" and "his staff was white". (But actually, Saruman's staff is black.)
ugh, how could this happen?! I just finished reading (for a second time) "The Fellowship of the Ring" and I STILL missed this scene. oh well...going to have to read it again! thanks for the video!
Good stuff!
Thanks; I'd missed that one, even in a dozen readings!
When are you going to finish the 3rd age map?
I wonder in his duel of wits with the Mouth of Sauron if Gandalf's far sight sensed Frodo and Sam again through the opened Black Gate and that shifted his tone from defeat to skepticism and defiance. Even Sam while carrying Frodo heard a thought that shouted "Now!! Now or it'll be too late!!"
Very possibly but I don't think that's why Gandalf's tone shifted. What the Mouth of Sauron said made it clear they had captured only one Hobbit and gave no indication that Sauron had recovered the One Ring.
@@istari0 I thought that Frodo's and Sam's mission was to destroy the Evil Ring and keep Sauron from getting it back
@@istari0 Sam's sword and Frodo's mithril coat was damning evidence Sauron may have had both hobbits.
This "shouting" voice may have been Gandalf, but another possibility is that it was one of the Valar. There are several hints that show how they try to aid the enemies of Sauron and especially Frodo and Sam. (The dreams of Faramir and Boromir - that's Ulmo's style - , the vision of Galadriel that helps Sam to remember the phial, Sam's "prayer" to Varda that he says without knowing the words, the westerly wind that drives away Sauron's cloud of darkness, the Anduin "protecting" Boromir's body and showing it to his brother...)
@@untruelie2640 thanks for letting me know about that. I understand that Sauron was originally one of them or am I getting that Evil Wizard mixed up with Gandalf?
I adore your videos
Don't worry sir, the nerd adores you as well
Perfect I’ve been waiting for a new vid
So epic ❤🎉
Requesting a video about a book called “the nature of middle earth”🙏🏼
You would probably enjoy this interview I had with Carl Hostetter (editor of NoMe) th-cam.com/video/24qgQDW1s9Y/w-d-xo.html
Matt's interview was fantastic. 😁🤨
I honestly thought that this would be Gandalf's skirmish with some of the Nazgul on Amon Sul.
It just went to show how powerful was he, even as a 'Gray' level wizard, that they "flew from me as my anger was rising".
I would love a video of the story of Amon Hen and the seat of Seeing
The movies are great, but there are quite a few things that changed or were not transferred from the books, whether subtle or not. And perhaps Gandalf was weary after his fight with Sauron, the clash of their wills. But, Gandalf was able to match Sauron, their power, their wills evenly matched. And that says a lot.
comparing this with arondir getting finished in rings of power season two episode seven just to move around as if nothing has happened in episode eight - welly you know.
It is really fascinating how much of the old norse mythology tolkien took to create gandalf (he borrowed plenty for other characters as well, but Gandalf is where he did it the most). Odin sacrificed himself with a spear and hung himself on the worldtree for 9 days and then fell (like gandalf sacrificed himself when he attacked the balrog and fell) and was reborn with more knowledge, the knowledge of magic and runes, becoming an even more powerful wizard, just like gandalf was reborn as gandalf the white. In another story Odin sacrifices his eye, giving up part of himsdelf to become wiser, just like gandalf had to give up being gandalf the grey to become gandalf the white.
Many myths about odin also describe him as this old man in a grey cloak that wanders the world carrying a staff, giving advice, helping people (if you treat him right) and fighting evil. He does not look like much but is a powerful wizard that hides his true nature. Even the name comes from the edd and is composed of the words gandr(staff) and aldr (elf). There is also a story where he helps sigurd slay a dragon but only shows up when needed (just like gandalf leaves the dwarves and bilbo several times only to reappear when he was needed)
I could go into way more detail, like all the parallels between odins horse and gandalfs horse, but i don´t wanna make this comment a mile long ;). But it might be an interesting video idea if you have not done that yet, heck several if you want to go into all the other stuff tolkien got from norse mythology like so much about the dwarves including their names.
I love your videos :D they are so entertaining. Btw. Could you make "what if Bilbo joined the Fellowship" ?
Like you said and others said in this comments section: I read that part about the voice but immediately forgot it. I only remember it now because I was happened to be approaching that part of the book in my current rereading when you had mentioned this in another video. This video led me to wonder, is there any evidence that the hill Gandalf strove on was the same hill that all those meetings occurred. If so, I suppose it adds a new point to Treebeard's comment about its long Entish name. Thanks to you and the donors..."and Debbie"
Gandalf knew his mission in Middle-earth, but he also had empathy for the peoples he encountered, especially hobbits and dwarves. In other words, Gandalf was the Qui-Gon Jinn of Tolkien's world. Great episode, Matt! 🧙🏻♂
@nerdoftherings have you made a video about the crowns of the seven kings?
The seeing throne Frodo sat on; was it in itself "magic" for some who doesn't where a magical ring?
Who built that throne?
For the Rings of Power, will we see how Sauron put the writings on his ring? And When in the creating of it he did so...
Thanks
Agree - I think high place here is a spiritual high place.
He even tells the Fellowship that Treebeard saw him, but he was weary and did not speak to Treebeard nor Treebeard to him.
I was also under the impression that Gandalf lay dying on the mountain. Now the truth outs. Who knew?
The Seat of Seeing was probably the absolute worst place he could have picked.
Hey, are you going to do a Season 2 review on Rings of power. Like you did with the first season?
as Always Amazing Video
Sure will! Hoping to have it out before the holidays this time around.
@@NerdoftheRings
Looking forward to it!
pls do some stuff on the war of the rohirrim
You mentioned Saron's eye. I've always had a theory that it was a Dragonite he hadn't planted into his new body. Do you have a video about this?
This is crazy what a coincidence??? Or only the illusion of coincidence, I just read that part of the story my first time and it’s been so much fun to have the movies to help your imagination¥
I often wondered about who that was but Tolkien doesn't give you any indication that is Gandalf. It could have been Galadriel.
No, no, it comes straight from Gandalf the White’s mouth, in Fangorn. It’s a highly satisfying moment, and even more so if you figured it out back on Amon Hen (“you fool…”). Not you, Frodo, per Gandalf.
@@b1j now that you mention it, I do remember that now. There was no indication it was Gandalf until then.
I think the "Fool" gives it away.😂
What is the outro music ? Thanks!
When placed on map, showing where Gandalf was... notice Frodo is like dead center between Gandalf and Sauron... almost as if the battle was a tug of war so to speak
Ósanwë can only be used between two willing participants. There is no way Sauron would have accepted Gandalf's penetration into his mind. So if it was Ósanwë that Gandalf used, it must have been the words Frodo heard in his mind telling him to take the Ring off.
Anyone know the song used at the start?
It was Gandalf the White's first usage of his powers since his resurrection.
Has he ever done Haun the hound video
I will make his here in the next few weeks for sure! :)
You probably have this question put to you a lot about pronunciation. Is Gandalf pronounced "Gan" like "can" and "dalf" as in "golf" or "dalf" like "taunt"? I personally have always pronounced it "Can" "taunt" rather than "Can" "golf" if you see what I mean. There are so many different pronunciations, I've heard so many in my 18 years as a "Lord of the Rings Online" addict. (No one ever called me disloyal.) It's minor compared to some of the gaffs I've come across like "Where's Allran in Riverdale?" How does one even approach such a question? Then there was the very young man, a Star Wars fan who thought Tolkien was a dilettante compared to George Lucas. That took an hour of serious talk and consultation with various references. By the end, the young man in question upon seeing that my character was level 150, asked me where to go to level up. He thought that he could finish the game and all its contents in an evening. I suggested he ask Tom Bombadil who never gives anyone a straight answer. He didn't need to know that part. Maybe a conversation with someone named Strider (We were at the Prancing Pony at the time) who could give him a quest or two.
Just saying Jan has 31 days so Jan 25 to Feb 15 would be 21 days
In Middle-earth, each month has 30. (Even February.) Fun fact!
Didn't remember that part _Whatsoever_.
What a world-builder he was.