Warning! Spoilers for Rings of Power season 2, episode 4 ahead!Tom Bombadil’s powers have always been a mystery, butThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerhas inspired a theory that could explain everything. Season 2, episode 4 of the Prime Video series saw the Stranger run into Old Tom far away from his canonical home in the Old Forest. The desert wasteland of Rhûn is the last place Bombadil would have turned up, butRings of Powerhas put a bit of twist on the character. Still, there are some commonalities between Tom’s houses in Withywindle and Rhûn, with one of these potentially providing a hint regarding the nature of his powers.
After coming uponTom Bombadil’s house inThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 4, the Stranger found himself in a bit of a pickle when a nearby tree began sucking him up into its trunk. Thankfully, Old Tom came to the rescue, and a simple word from this mysterious being caused the tree to spit the Stranger back out again.Bombadil called the tree “Old Man Ironwood"and told the Stranger that it might have given up one of its branches (rather than attacking) if he had only asked nicely. Little else was said about the tree, but it was still a rather significant moment forRings of Power’s introduction of this canon character.
The Tree In The Rings Of Power Season 2 Is Similar To Old Man Willow From Tolkien’s Books
Rings Of Power Repeated Tom Bombadil’s Book Debut
The Stranger getting sucked up in Old Man Ironwood was an exciting moment since this is almost exactly what happened to Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin in theLord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringbook. While traveling through the OId Forest, the Hobbits found themselves getting sucked up by a willow tree, which is when Tom Bombadil made his first debut.He called the tree “Old Man Willow"and jovially demanded that it set the Hobbits free. Just as inRings of Power, the tree obeyed.
Tom Bombadil saving the Strangerfrom Old Man Ironwood is undoubtedly meant to be a tip-of-the-hat to Old Man Willow inFellowship of the Ring—which was rather effective. The entirety ofThe Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 4 was full of references to the Hobbits' journey through the Old Forest,between Bombadil, the mischievous tree, and the Barrow-wights met by Galadriel and her elite group of Elves. Still as enjoyable as these references were, the tree near Tom Bombadil’s house inRings of Powermight have a deeper purpose.
Middle-earth’s “Old Man” Trees Could Be The Source Of Tom Bombadil’s Power
Old Man Ironwood May Be Key To Bombadil’s Powers In Rhûn
InThe Lord of the Rings, it’s heavily implied that Tom Bombadil only had power in the Old Forest. Gandalf mentioned that this was the being’s domain and that he cared little for anything that happened outside of it. However, it’s also stated in the canon that Old Tom had spent some time wandering Middle-earth, a detail thatRings of Powerseason 2 has leaned into. Still, what this meant for the character’s magic has never been entirely clear. Prime Video has placed Bombadil in Rhûn, and it’s obvious he has plenty of magic.
It would certainly be the flavor of Tolkien’s work for these trees to be spread throughout Middle-earth, with Bombadil among the few who know how to use them.
It’s possible that Tom Bombadil’s magic inThe Rings of Powerseason 2is owed to Old Man Ironwood. This tree is most certainly a sort of sibling to Old Man Willow, as both nature spirits have the same way of greeting strangers. Perhaps the brother in Rhûn has an invisible connection to his fellow in the Old Forest, allowing Tom Bombadil to tap into magic. It would certainly be the flavor of Tolkien’s work for these trees to be spread throughout Middle-earth, with Bombadil among the few who know how to use them. Or,perhaps it is Old Tom himself planting or creating the magical “Old Man” trees.
The Rings Of Power’s Trees Support An Old Tom Bombadil Theory
Rings Of Power Leans Into A Theory About What Tom Bombadil Is
The theory that trees like old Old Man Willow or Old Man Ironwood are the source or conduit for Tom Bombadil’s power leans into another existing theory regarding thisLord of the Ringscharacter. Old Tom’s true nature has never been revealed, and Tolkien himself was never willing to offer any more definitive answer than his books had already provided. However,a popular theory is that Bombadil is the physical embodiment of Middle-earth—a sort of ancient Father Nature. This would explain his moral neutrality and his ability to control the trees, streams, and animals with only his voice.
New episodes ofRings of Powerseason 2 release every Thursday on Prime Video.
If this is true, it would make sense thatTom Bombadil would want his home in Rhûnto be near an “Old Man” Tree. It’s said that this region was once green and beautiful, but during the Second Age, it was nothing but a desert wasteland. There is very little nature left here, which would mean that Tom’s powers might be limited. However, a tree likeOld Man Ironwood would ensure that Tom Bombadil can remain in Rhûn long enough to teach the Stranger magicand reveal the Istar’s destiny. Of course, the truth can only become clear asThe Rings of Powerseason 2 continues.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
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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.
