What if Gandalf Took the Ring? | Tolkien Theory

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  • čas přidán 15. 01. 2021
  • "Gandalf as Ring-lord would have been far worse than Sauron" - JRR Tolkien. Today, using my usual weekly level of research, I've created a plausible scenario that could to Gandalf taking the One Ring and replacing the Dark Lord. There's some safe bets in here, in addition to some longshots, but it's all in good fun! Let me know in the comments what you think would happen if the Grey wizard claimed the ring for himself!
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    Gandalf, Aragorn, & Samwise - Donato Giancola
    Gandalf in Moria - Donato Giancola
    Gandalf Pensive - Donato Giancola
    Gandalf and Aragorn - Reacool
    Gandalf and Theoden - Tolman Cotton
    Gandalf the Grey - Matt DeMino
    Gandalf before Denethor - Alan Lee
    Theoden - Harlis Suardana
    Aragorn - Ian Fee
    Gandalf Attacks Dol Guldur - John Howe
    King Theoden and Wormtongue - Greg and Tim Hildebrandt
    Looking into the Stone - Kuliszu
    Rivendell - Zak Seymour
    Rohirrim - Gellihana Art
    Nazgul - Rui Goncalves
    The Hermit - bnolin
    The King of the Golden Hall - Ullakko
    The Riders of Rohan - Ted Nasmith
    Nazgul Rider - William Nunez
    Orthanc - Alan Lee
    The Ringwraiths - Anato Finnstark
    Nazgul on Weathertop - Anato Finnstark
    The Nine - Anato Finnstark
    Boromir Arrives to Rivendell - Joshua Cairos
    The Council of Elrond - Alan Lee
    Frodo and Gandalf in Bag End - Raul Vitale
    Gandalf and Frodo Examine the Ring - Donato Giancola
    Gandalf and Theoden - Kacik Rohanskiej
    Gandalf and Saruman - Angelo Montanini
    Gandalf in Minas Tirith - Anke Eissman
    Nazgul - Allrich Art
    Saruman and the Palantir - Greg and Tim Hildebrandt
    Saruman - AIMaNeGrA
    Saruman's Staff - Alexandr Elichev
    Bilbo and Gandalf - Tim Kirk
    Wrath of Galadriel - Zyrexthez
    Bag End - Wictorian Art
    Minas Tirith: Hall of Kings - Hayo Koekkoek
    The Shire - Liam Tart
    Minas Tirith - Ludovic Bourgeois
    Dol Guldur - Michael Merc
    Orthanc in the Second Age - Ted Nasmith
    Barad-dur - Steve Firchow
    The Shire, A View of Hobbiton - Ted Nasmith
    An Enemy Revealed - Laurence Andrew Page
    Cthumang Darth Vader Gandalf & Sauron - Joujeen
    Denethor Son of Ecthelion - Joshua Cairos
    Gandalf and Dumbledore - Rodolfo Gurreiro
    Check out these resources for this and more info about Smaug, the Dragons of the North, and the War of Dwarves and Dragon:
    The Lord of the Rings
    Unfinished Tales
    The Encyclopedia of Arda
    Tolkien Gateway
    Theonering.net “Today in Middle-earth History” Calendar
    #gandalf #tolkien #lordoftherings
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Komentáře • 9K

  • @NerdoftheRings
    @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +668

    Be sure to hit SUBSCRIBE to get your dose of Middle-earth each week!
    Check out my latest Tolkien Theory video: What if Smaug Survived?! - czcams.com/video/If8opS5pToI/video.html

    • @asabovesobelow5368
      @asabovesobelow5368 Před 3 lety +4

      @Marvin Bass go away bass. No one is listening. Keep your cult. Your the same as BLM

    • @Blackpheonix99
      @Blackpheonix99 Před 3 lety +6

      @@asabovesobelow5368 not defending him cause I find it annoying as well but you do know lord of the rings is heavily based on that cult you speak of right?!

    • @Blackpheonix99
      @Blackpheonix99 Před 3 lety +1

      While I agree with 98% of this theory I think the ring may have corrupted gandalf more and possibly made gandalf a new sauron or fuse with sauron somehow possibly rid the taint of man and establish an order with elves or some other creature/race to truly rule over middle earth and more

    • @xxRamD3yruxx
      @xxRamD3yruxx Před 3 lety +7

      Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be "cured" against one's will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.
      ― C.S. Lewis

    • @Charok1
      @Charok1 Před 3 lety +1

      well real life humans are mostly greedy hypocrites and the only way to keep them from doing harm to others is a real threat of harm to themselves, so Gandalf made their world better if it is like ours.

  • @thehelmsdepot
    @thehelmsdepot Před 3 lety +24360

    He will bring peace, freedom, justice, and security to his new empire.

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +5277

      His new empire?! Our allegiance is to the republic, to democracy!!

    • @meghanidels9883
      @meghanidels9883 Před 3 lety +3251

      Only a Sith deals in absolutes

    • @benl2140
      @benl2140 Před 3 lety +2384

      Anakin, Chancellor Gandalf is evil!

    • @example6978
      @example6978 Před 3 lety +2094

      @@benl2140 from my point of view the hobbits are evil

    • @benl2140
      @benl2140 Před 3 lety +1462

      @@example6978 Well, then you are lost!

  • @patrickstar5136
    @patrickstar5136 Před 3 lety +17455

    I love how Boromir just pointlessly travels around the world for the entire story.

    • @samwrai
      @samwrai Před 3 lety +333

      Right? Lmao

    • @aliasmcdecoy8349
      @aliasmcdecoy8349 Před 3 lety +1040

      He would also make Gandalfs perfect puppet king so eager to please a father figure

    • @HerosTheme
      @HerosTheme Před 3 lety +46

      😂 LOL

    • @blazedean725
      @blazedean725 Před 3 lety +424

      Then he gets crowned king out of no where

    • @TheHuginandMugin
      @TheHuginandMugin Před 3 lety +688

      At least he is alive, had a nice peaceful journey and became King. So i think he is the true winner here.

  • @MrXScarFacexTV
    @MrXScarFacexTV Před rokem +2084

    Boromir really did nothing but ride his horse to and back from rivendale only to become king. What a champ. Total hero.

    • @MarvinT0606
      @MarvinT0606 Před rokem +75

      He'd most likely fight Gandalf instead of taking the throne. Remember, Boromir loves the People of Gondor above all others. He'd realize Gandalf is trying to enslave Gondor and flee with his brother to resist him. It'll be like Red Dawn but set in Middle-Earth with Denethor's sons leading the rebellion.

    • @Donnybrook10
      @Donnybrook10 Před 10 měsíci +42

      Galdalf: I killed your Father... oh, and Aragorn, but don't be mad Bro cuz you're King when I'm not around. High five! Boromir : Cool...so, where's Arwen at? I'm gonna get me some of that.

    • @mrknockknock1
      @mrknockknock1 Před 10 měsíci +6

      @@Donnybrook10 This man understands the deep lore like none other. Give him many thumbs ups! :P

    • @trueredpanda1538
      @trueredpanda1538 Před 9 měsíci +3

      ​@@MarvinT0606That depends, did he know Gandalf has the one ring or not?

    • @Zorstor
      @Zorstor Před 9 měsíci

      😂😂

  • @Bakamoichigei
    @Bakamoichigei Před rokem +2010

    The idea of Gandalf turning Middle Earth into some kind of dystopian police state under the watchful eyes of his nazgul enforcers is both fascinating and terrifying. And yeah, Gandalf being like "Well, have it your way..." and just straight-up incinerating Denethor _is_ pretty amusing. 🤣 And Boromir spending the whole time just wandering all over the countryside, always missing whatever's going on, only to finally arrive home and be like "What'd I miss?" and have Gandalf make him King of Gondor? I am _dying._ 😂😂😂😂

    • @Dogsparkster
      @Dogsparkster Před rokem +39

      reading your comment, i lost it at the boromir moment, i can just imagine him wandering the trollshaws lost while all the interesting stuff is going on.
      lmao

    • @sentientmustache8360
      @sentientmustache8360 Před rokem +83

      “What did i miss?”
      “Your dad’s dead, here’s the crown”
      “Cool”

    • @donutlovingwerewolf8837
      @donutlovingwerewolf8837 Před rokem +24

      @@sentientmustache8360
      "Also I need an army"
      "Aight man"

    • @KicktheSky34
      @KicktheSky34 Před rokem +25

      Funnily, this kind of reminds me of the plot of this old PS2 game called LotR: The Third Age where you play as an off-brand Fellowship perpetually lagging behind the real one...

    • @Backonos
      @Backonos Před rokem +5

      the order Sauron wanted

  • @Menthix
    @Menthix Před 3 lety +7211

    Imagine if in an alternate universe this is cannon, and someone made a video about a theory with Gandalf not accepting the ring from Frodo, but instead sendt him off to Mordor with his gardner. Just imagine the like-dislike ratio on that video.

    • @McBrideRH
      @McBrideRH Před 3 lety +540

      It would seem really messed up bc we'd assume he was condemning the simple gardner to become another Golem. "But Gandalf would never do that!"

    • @sirharryharry1665
      @sirharryharry1665 Před 3 lety +160

      That would give "the man in the high castle" a new meaning lol

    • @qwertyb18
      @qwertyb18 Před 3 lety +445

      It would seem really illogical as the eagles could just fly Frodo to Mt. Doom.

    • @PigreKo
      @PigreKo Před 3 lety +194

      @@McBrideRH thus the greatest writer is revealed, as he made one very hard to believe plot point its best feature. Tolkien was a beast.

    • @nicknickson2734
      @nicknickson2734 Před 3 lety +9

      I felt I had to snap shot this comment lol

  • @Cloud.Strife
    @Cloud.Strife Před 2 lety +3772

    Let us be thankful that the one ring of power did not fall into the hands of a Took. For this outcome would lead to the creation of something far more vile and sinister... Third breakfast...

    • @praetorian3902
      @praetorian3902 Před 2 lety +65

      Great comment.

    • @whereismycup
      @whereismycup Před 2 lety +157

      100 years later:
      WHAT ABOUT 4TH BREAKFAST

    • @burpostockings
      @burpostockings Před 2 lety +115

      4th breakfast, 8th breakfast, 19th breakfast... The horror would only grow as fat as the hobbits under his rule

    • @shastanarnian233
      @shastanarnian233 Před 2 lety +20

      Just like Fast and Furious series ))

    • @L33T_Taco
      @L33T_Taco Před 2 lety +23

      This fucking comment is underrated xD lol, or also instead of "elevensies, theres thirtensies"

  • @dark7element
    @dark7element Před rokem +777

    The interesting thing about this theory is that if it had happened, Sauron wouldn't have been surprised at all. Dismayed, yes, but not surprised. Something like this is exactly what Sauron expected to happen if his most powerful enemies like Gandalf got hold of the ring. Sauron couldn't even conceive that someone would willingly try to destroy the ring until the very moment that Frodo put on the ring in the chamber above Mount Doom. He always assumed that anyone who got the ring would use its power for themselves.

    • @bzqp2
      @bzqp2 Před rokem +27

      Didn't he know about Isildur and Elrond? They set the precedent and were pretty close to destroying the ring. With how circular all the events in Tolkien's World are Sauron would surely at least consider it to be a possibility.

    • @Ryplinn
      @Ryplinn Před rokem +70

      @@bzqp2 I feel like Sauron may have been a bit distracted at that time, being as close to dead as he can get. Even if he did know about it, I'm guessing that he would count on the allure of the Ring protecting it from destruction. And it did end up being a pretty good deterrent, since exactly two people ever voluntarily gave the Ring up (Bilbo and Sam), and exactly zero people managed to purposefully attempt to destroy it.

    • @Hyperversum3
      @Hyperversum3 Před 11 měsíci +21

      @@Ryplinn He could be perfectly capable of seeing Elrond call for the destruction of the Ring, but he also saw that Isildur didn't do It. He has no real reason to believe that ring in hand the Elf lord would do what he was saying. Not Elrond could swear about It lol

    • @bananamafana3433
      @bananamafana3433 Před 10 měsíci +20

      @@bzqp2 well in the books, elrond and isildur never went to mount doom. that whole event of standing above before isildur claims it never happened

    • @bzqp2
      @bzqp2 Před 10 měsíci +5

      @@bananamafana3433 Huh, never realized this difference.

  • @swordablaze9259
    @swordablaze9259 Před rokem +435

    This was interesting. Now I want to know how Galdriel, Glorfindel and Elrond would deal with Gandalf as the new Ring Master. They'd realise and be worried and/or kicking themselves.
    I can also feel all the Valar facepalming at this ending. "You had ONE job, Olórin!!"

    • @baabaaer
      @baabaaer Před rokem +43

      Tulkas may arrive cloaked to meet Olorin, then when he is at most vulnerable, Tulkas brought forth the paddle of Manwe, and gives Gandalf a raw bum.

    • @thegianttater
      @thegianttater Před rokem +56

      I feel like all the Elves would still leave Middle Earth, just a bit more hastily, seeing no hope in fighting Gandalf with that power and his knowledge. The REAL interesting thing, would be to see if Gandalf tried to, and was successful in, seizing the other two Elven rings of power before they yeeted off to Valinor and left Middle Earth to fend for itself?

    • @papuan369
      @papuan369 Před rokem +32

      @@thegianttater I think thats explained by his asking for a modest force and his destination of both Rivendell and Lorien, where the last two rings are, to be taken by force, or as payment for safe passage to the havens

    • @dark7element
      @dark7element Před rokem +5

      @@papuan369 But with his wisdom and power over the other rings, wouldn't Gandalf be able to convince the elves to bow before him? The elves would realize that by that point, if they hesitate even a little in recognizing Gandalf's rule, he'd destroy them all, and even a fraction of the armies of Rohan and Gondor would make the odds of them resisting him utterly hopeless. Leaving for Valinor wouldn't do them any good.

    • @jessepinkman5702
      @jessepinkman5702 Před rokem +5

      I think Gandalf would still end up killing himself like most who carry the One Ring

  • @jpenn9635
    @jpenn9635 Před 3 lety +4101

    I imagine he would become a ghost-like being and they would call him...
    Gandalf the Wight

  • @redtsun67
    @redtsun67 Před 2 lety +2981

    Gandalf: *takes the ring*
    Sauron: "why do I hear boss music?"

    • @ElementOfTheUniverse
      @ElementOfTheUniverse Před 2 lety +10

      czcams.com/video/nxXcuDAv7Ss/video.html

    • @lumsdelj
      @lumsdelj Před 2 lety +15

      cackle. underrated comment

    • @jeffjames3111
      @jeffjames3111 Před 2 lety

      @@lumsdelj lol so funny!

    • @mattd6931
      @mattd6931 Před 2 lety +31

      Gandalf taking the ring is the equivalent of him going: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start.

    • @Gudni_TH
      @Gudni_TH Před 2 lety +13

      Taking the hobbits to isenguard starts playing

  • @jakobbauz
    @jakobbauz Před rokem +318

    I like your alternate version a lot. But: I think Aragorn would have been suspicious from the start. I mean he is a hardened, worldly-wise man who barely trusts himself (he is the one instantly realising what's up with Boromir in the original Fellowship after all).
    As soon as Saruman was dead he would have made plans.

    • @MarvinT0606
      @MarvinT0606 Před rokem +57

      There are other things that would drastically change:
      1. Minor characters in Minas Tirith like Beregond and his sons will play a bigger role, maybe even the sole witnesses to the murder of Denethor
      2. Boromir will also have a bigger role, having *never* been corrupted by the One Ring when he meets Gandalf. When he finds out Gandalf actually murdered Denethor there will be hell to pay
      3. It's also possible that instead of killing Aragorn, Gandalf will instead try to break his will or puppet him like what Saruman did. Aragorn as a "new" puppet king while Gandalf rules from behind the throne makes so much more sense than passing the crown to Boromir (who has no right to kingship)
      4. Galadriel and Elrond might intervene and "change" the plan somehow, maybe give the Hobbits and Boromir a bigger but different role
      5. Ultimately, Boromir the Vengeful Captain of Gondor and Aragorn the Puppet King will have to fight- backed by Gandalf and Galadriel respectively.
      6. The story will play out more like a Greek Tragedy than Fantasy.

  • @ben10the10
    @ben10the10 Před rokem +114

    I would have loved it if Boromir saw through Gandalf's sweet offering and the "King" label. Perhaps he smiles and gets close to Gandlaf, maybe even embraces him. Then he runs Gandalf through with his sword, whispering in his ear: "Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no king."

    • @MarvinT0606
      @MarvinT0606 Před rokem +43

      Boromir founds the People's Republic of Gondor 🤣

    • @ZealousValkyrie
      @ZealousValkyrie Před 7 měsíci +11

      Honestly the perfect ending to this. Plausable, too.

    • @carolparson787
      @carolparson787 Před 3 měsíci +3

      Then Boramir would get the ring and end up Sauron’s slave

    • @Azuria969
      @Azuria969 Před 3 měsíci +1

      lol no boromir was a human, galdalf a maiar with the one ring, no sword could pierce him

    • @ben10the10
      @ben10the10 Před 3 měsíci +5

      @@Azuria969 No sword could pierce him? Where is that stated in Tolkien's legendarium?

  • @187Cazcrash
    @187Cazcrash Před 2 lety +2663

    I would absolutely watch this version of the story, specially the part where Sean Bean is not killed and wanders endlessly only to be named king.

    • @AbsurdOod
      @AbsurdOod Před 2 lety +186

      After all, who has a better story than Bean The Broken?

    • @spielunker8438
      @spielunker8438 Před 2 lety +124

      One does not simply wander endlessly waiting to be named king.

    • @joshuaperry4112
      @joshuaperry4112 Před 2 lety +81

      Boromir would be so stunned at being named King, he would have a heart attack and die.

    • @bogdangrigore89
      @bogdangrigore89 Před 2 lety +12

      One of the best comments I have ever seen on a YT video

    • @s_shaleh
      @s_shaleh Před 2 lety +1

      @@AbsurdOod hahahaha

  • @thomaslampl3001
    @thomaslampl3001 Před 3 lety +2562

    Boromir: *arrives in Rivendell after travelling for a good 4 months*
    Finally, now what is this urgent matter that I was called here for?
    Elrond: some guys are travelling to minas tirith, you should meet them there
    Boromir: Are you f*cking kidding me

    • @elijahjones2710
      @elijahjones2710 Před 3 lety +63

      They weren't called to Rivendell. They all just happened to be there on their own business.

    • @PunkRockJ
      @PunkRockJ Před 3 lety +72

      @@elijahjones2710 boromir sort of got "called " there since his dreams told him to go find elrond's house

    • @elijahjones2710
      @elijahjones2710 Před 3 lety +23

      @@PunkRockJ Your kind of right. I was just pointing out that it wasn't like in the movies and I hoped that my comment would get someone who didn't know to look deeper into it.

    • @PunkRockJ
      @PunkRockJ Před 3 lety +6

      @@elijahjones2710 Sorry, your point was pretty on point it was just a bit more context for those who didn't read the books

    • @elijahjones2710
      @elijahjones2710 Před 3 lety +7

      @@PunkRockJ You're all good. We were both trying to do the same thing. Have a great day.

  • @iainballas
    @iainballas Před rokem +41

    I like how you kept things in line with Gandalf's main idealism: Gandalf (and Tolkien) acknowledge that strong and powerful people can do great good, but equally may do great evil even if they desire to do good. Meanwhile, the meek and timid may also do great good, but rarely seek to do great evil.
    Gandalf was always meant to be a supporting character. His power was bringing out strength in others, which is one of (if not the most) powerful gifts of all.

    • @songsforthemadre7337
      @songsforthemadre7337 Před měsícem +1

      Nice one. I really like the deeper implications of Tolkien's world about human nature and Life in general.
      Time and again, souls have fallen into temptation when faced with the possibility (or illusion) of power. At the pinnacle of this, a mature or perhaps more experienced or pure being will know instinctively the simple fact that real power does not seek for more. They would genuinely have no interest in it. In a way it simply makes no sense to them. And even deeper, it's completely outside of their very own nature. It exists in a realm outside of the one a pure being exists in.

  • @kjekelle96
    @kjekelle96 Před rokem +71

    Imagine he took Frodo with him, knowing full well that the ring would corrupt him, and being determined to hand over the ring back to Frodo when Sauron was defeated, as a last resort if he couldn't destroy it himself, and in hope he would have retained his deep compassion for Frodo (and that killing or imprisoning or ignoring Frodo would eat at his conscience if there still was some left).

  • @davidanderson_surrey_bc
    @davidanderson_surrey_bc Před 3 lety +1725

    Balrog: I like this version much better.

    • @arjenvk1
      @arjenvk1 Před 3 lety +71

      Gandalf to Balrog: come along friend, We will kick ass!

    • @Schrodingers-Fat
      @Schrodingers-Fat Před 3 lety +20

      @@arjenvk1 Durin's Bane would definitely be no match, but also wouldn't try anything.

    • @1ceH3art
      @1ceH3art Před 3 lety +12

      Man I wish they dove more into the old lore. Balrogs were just foot soliders

    • @MrNicoJac
      @MrNicoJac Před 3 lety +24

      @@1ceH3art
      No they weren't 😆
      Balrogs were fallen Ainur(?), basically like Gandalf.
      There are plenty of videos explaining the precise details 👍🏼

    • @1ceH3art
      @1ceH3art Před 3 lety +10

      @@MrNicoJac hu I guess things changed since my lore book was published. Wonder how much else was changed. Just went to google to find out why I had a different story.
      The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by Tuor and the Gondothilim in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe Dramborleg, three before Ecthelion’s sword, and two score were slain by the warriors of the king's house. (From Fall of Gondolin, Christopher Tolkien commentary)

  • @jonathancarlson6127
    @jonathancarlson6127 Před 2 lety +2188

    And then he returned to Mordor and ordered Mt. Doom filled with pipe weed. The smoke was so great, it enveloped Middle Earth, and all were giddy and slightly peckish. And there was peace.

    • @skatemetrix
      @skatemetrix Před 2 lety +155

      The one spliff to rule them all!

    • @Peaceful_Gojira
      @Peaceful_Gojira Před 2 lety +36

      And there was much rejoice!
      *_depressed yay's heard about_*

    • @SoulyG
      @SoulyG Před 2 lety +24

      Actually there is an italian redub called "Lo Svarione Degli Anelli" where the story is about the one ring who hold the "svarione" (svarione means kinda like being stoned as fuck) and they have to destroy it to free the real highness for everybody, since Sauron (renamed Svarion) stole it and kept it for himsel even if destroyed.
      All character are renamed: Gandalf became Ganjalf, Legolas became Rizlas, Aragorn became Arabong, Gollum became Condom (cuz he's crusing naked) ecc.
      they redub mostly of the 3 films, i don't think u can understand it but you cracked me with this comment

    • @tcgcollector855
      @tcgcollector855 Před 2 lety +15

      The wide spread food shortage that followed.....

    • @kahnfatman
      @kahnfatman Před 2 lety +4

      Let me guess, you come from Colorado or New Mexico.

  • @greggs1067
    @greggs1067 Před 10 měsíci +99

    What if not quite corrupted Gandalf destroyed the Nazgul, and kept their rings. Later, when frustrated with the lack of order across his kingdom, he begins gifting them to his most loyal allies. Aragorn, Theodin, Borimer, etc. to assist with their work to support him. They enthusiastically start helping Gandalf, before any of them realize that things have gotten out of hand…

    • @13g0man
      @13g0man Před 10 měsíci +15

      Nothing would have gotten out of hand. The Nine Ring-Wardens would eternally keep peace throughout Middle-Earth, at the will of the Bright Lord Gandalf.

    • @dancooke8811
      @dancooke8811 Před 8 měsíci +2

      Impossible, no living man can kill a Nazgûl remember? Gandalf couldn't kill them in any other Lord of The Rings that's why.

    • @CarzorStelatis
      @CarzorStelatis Před 7 měsíci +14

      @@dancooke8811 Gandalf isn't a 'living man' though, he's a Maia. Same sort of get-out as Eowyn.

    • @SioxerNikita
      @SioxerNikita Před 6 měsíci +5

      ​@@dancooke8811That was simply a comment from someone cocky, not really reality. Everything can be slain in a world like Lord of the Rings

    • @mon_moi
      @mon_moi Před 5 měsíci +1

      ​@@dancooke8811can't he just use some Noldorin blades like Merry? I mean Gandalf in this alternate timeline probably wouldn't be welcomed in Lothlorien, but I imagine he could still acquire those blades somehow

  • @renardleblanc5556
    @renardleblanc5556 Před rokem +100

    It is interesting that at the beginning of Fellowship, Gandalf has been fixated on identifying Bilbo's ring... perhaps, a little *too* fixated.

    • @bibsp3556
      @bibsp3556 Před 10 měsíci +10

      It might have whispered somrthing to him, and given itself away.

    • @jrpipik
      @jrpipik Před 21 dnem

      If anything, he's too casual. He doesn't do anything useful for 50 years! I think it would be easier to argue the Ring psychically lulls Gandalf into not paying enough attention.

  • @MikeC-ce2dz
    @MikeC-ce2dz Před 3 lety +2870

    True terror would be if the one ring fell into the possession of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins

  • @aaronward3508
    @aaronward3508 Před 3 lety +2655

    Gandalf would enslave Middle Earth and everyone would work in pipe weed factories. In the Fourth Age, Dark Lord Gandalf creates a pipe weed hybrid called “Fool of a Toke”.

  • @jvvtheater
    @jvvtheater Před 8 měsíci +8

    How to become the King of Gondor:
    1. Travel aimlessly to avoid war.
    2. Return to Gondor when war is over.
    3. Wait for your coronation.

  • @vagabondx2132
    @vagabondx2132 Před rokem +22

    i really enjoyed the mixture of canon lore and his own conjecture, here. i think he did an excellent job. well done!

  • @stefanmekkinosson175
    @stefanmekkinosson175 Před 3 lety +1662

    A Dark Lord is never late, neither is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.

  • @Definitely_Not_Sheev_Palpatine

    So basically, Boromir is just late to everything for months on end, then one day Gandalf is like "Hey, wanna be king?"

    • @razorsharpview9090
      @razorsharpview9090 Před 3 lety +39

      What the hell are you here at Middle earth, SENATE?!

    • @Hades8103
      @Hades8103 Před 3 lety +11

      He isn’t the senate YET

    • @tidemaster
      @tidemaster Před 3 lety +1

      Here ya go doopemsksoblap eipdeep boing

    • @legion9327
      @legion9327 Před 3 lety +39

      That pretty well describes how Joe Biden became President.

    • @Definitely_Not_Sheev_Palpatine
      @Definitely_Not_Sheev_Palpatine Před 3 lety +40

      @@legion9327 Actually, Joe Biden became President because the majority of voters voted for him.

  • @justaneedlessboi6710
    @justaneedlessboi6710 Před rokem +15

    I love Tolkien's description of how Gandalf the dark lord would be like, it's spot on, and honestly a really believable corrupted version of the character

  • @UXSpecialist
    @UXSpecialist Před rokem +20

    I think gandalf wouldn't turn evil all at once. He would use the ring with the intent to do good, but would become so powerful, he would become a terrible force in the world, become somewhat of a tyrant and feared among all... It would seriously throw off the balance of middle earth.

  • @user-wd2du6ze5p
    @user-wd2du6ze5p Před 3 lety +1524

    Instead of a Dark Lord, you would have a king, not dark but gray, never late and terrible as the dawn of the fifth day! Tempestuous as the fireworks, and stronger than the finest Longbottom leaf! All shall not pass and despair!

  • @alanfrost75
    @alanfrost75 Před 3 lety +603

    So the real winner is Sean Bean. He doesn't get to die for a change...

  • @blueshit199
    @blueshit199 Před rokem +23

    I love the idea that Gandalf ends up having the same motivations and means to an end as Cortana in Halo 5, especially with stationing the Nazgul in each major part of Middle Earth for peacekeeping purposes

  • @sparklingduet
    @sparklingduet Před rokem +14

    Denethor being burnt again in this time-line is very accurate, it was his destiny to burn for his mistakes, just like in the vision. The difference here though is that unlike in canon, he will not recognise his son during his final moments, his soul will be corrupt to the bitter end.

  • @DamonNomad82
    @DamonNomad82 Před 3 lety +1648

    This theory of how Gandalf would rule Middle Earth wielding the Ring and becoming far worse than Sauron because he would be actively trying to do good and would be righteous in his own mind fits nicely with the position that Tolkien's close friend C.S. Lewis took that those who think they are doing good can do far more damage than the utterly evil, because they have the approval of their own consciences.

    • @dominikszakacs7070
      @dominikszakacs7070 Před 3 lety +104

      But still, Sauron himself thought that he was doing good. He intended to maintain order in Middle-Earth, though through extreme measures... orc armies, former men who he turned into slaves. It is also like Gandalf without the Ring is a protector of free will, Sauron still wants to maintain order, without respecting the free will of others.

    • @thewanabees123
      @thewanabees123 Před 3 lety +53

      @@dominikszakacs7070 this is wrong. Sauron thought it was necessary to be the way he was because I valued ORDER above all else. And he felt justified, but I did not think he was “good”

    • @Egryn
      @Egryn Před 3 lety +50

      Not only that but Gandalf had a second ring if power, Narya.
      His possession of both rings would not only give him immense power but the ability to inspire hope in any who found him.
      This would allow him to amass a very large army who despite being corrupted by the one ring would think that Gandalf would be fighting tyranny against any who would suspect him of evil.
      He would have ended up ruling Middle Earth for ages since Narya also lengthened the life of the user.

    • @Travlinmo
      @Travlinmo Před 3 lety +13

      Then engineer in me wonders if Narya would have actually meant anything if both the one ring and Narya were being used by the same person.
      Also, this Gandalf reminds me of the movie version of the Lady of Lorien.

    • @Egryn
      @Egryn Před 3 lety +3

      @@Travlinmo it would because the righteous man using both would instill the false desire to fight anyone trying to harm the bearer of the one ring, thinking the other person to be a tyrant and oppressive.

  • @videos8159
    @videos8159 Před rokem +1244

    The fact I love about this is that even tolkien himself wrote some fan fiction about his own property haha

    • @Graphomite
      @Graphomite Před rokem +101

      Doesn't really surprise me. The Hobbit was a pretty restrained novel compared to the LotR trilogy. LotR was def Tolkien indulging himself and/or the geek audience he had awakened and it doesn't surprise me that the dude entertained spinoffs and what-ifs.

    • @Kaaxe
      @Kaaxe Před rokem +51

      "author fiction" perhaps

    • @ggt47
      @ggt47 Před rokem

      What?!

    • @comradeschnitzelstein7177
      @comradeschnitzelstein7177 Před rokem +13

      I'm literally trying to write a universe and novel whenever I can and I cannot resist writing fanfiction of what plans I have for it, even when it's not even close to finished. I can see why, lol

    • @liquidsnake6879
      @liquidsnake6879 Před rokem +14

      entertaining what-ifs is pretty common in writing and a fun exercise

  • @henrywebb3009
    @henrywebb3009 Před rokem +2

    I just found your channel. This is such an interesting take, and I really appreciate the time you put into researching this.

  • @madzod0076
    @madzod0076 Před rokem +74

    Since the ring wouldn't be destroyed, could Sauron still return and maybe take the form of a liberator to deceive men into helping him overthrow gandalf?

    • @oberonpanopticon
      @oberonpanopticon Před 7 měsíci +1

      Despite watching this channel idk much about lotr, but that seems totally possible!

    • @christianholzschuh6853
      @christianholzschuh6853 Před 7 měsíci +16

      "People of Middlearth, I have come to liberate you!" Hurray! It's Sauron here to help us! "FROM YOURSELF!" Oh no! It's Sauron, here to help us!

    • @GoldenSW
      @GoldenSW Před 6 měsíci +5

      It's possible but unlikely. Gandalf would be too strong. Sauron also needed a very long time to regain a semblance of his former strength without the ring.

    • @ryhi5
      @ryhi5 Před 5 měsíci +9

      @@christianholzschuh6853
      "GREAT LIBERATOR! YOU HAVE SAVED MIDDLE EARTH!"
      Sauron: Oh, I wouldn't say "saved", more like..... UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT!

    • @thatguywhosenameyoukeepmis9450
      @thatguywhosenameyoukeepmis9450 Před 4 měsíci +2

      I think over time, Gandalf would have claimed the ring, leading Sauron to be unable to reform physically. Or maybe he claims it once Sauron comes back and tries rallying discontented people to his cause.

  • @sithmaster4305
    @sithmaster4305 Před rokem +1057

    Won't lie It would be hilarious to see Gandalf ask Boromir to be king just for him to look left to see a Nazgul holding a club just in case he says no.

    • @jhamPlays
      @jhamPlays Před rokem +58

      Punching his fist like a comic book goon

    • @Bakamoichigei
      @Bakamoichigei Před rokem +51

      ...and then look right to see his old man's still-smoldering remains? 🤣

    • @kennethmoses4900
      @kennethmoses4900 Před rokem +6

      This made me laugh out loud

    • @eimanb3887
      @eimanb3887 Před rokem +4

      This is unnecessarily funny.

    • @Felix-dh9tl
      @Felix-dh9tl Před rokem +3

      Won’t lie this theory would make an interesting movie

  • @davidanderson_surrey_bc
    @davidanderson_surrey_bc Před 3 lety +638

    Gollum: How the hell am I going to lure a WIZARD into the lair of Shelob?

    • @saltedllama2759
      @saltedllama2759 Před 3 lety +14

      Underrated post right here.

    • @jarskil8862
      @jarskil8862 Před 3 lety +60

      Tell Gandalf that there is Old Toby in the cave?

    • @Telepian
      @Telepian Před 3 lety +9

      gandalf wouldn't need gollum because he already knew the way

    • @astwas
      @astwas Před 3 lety +40

      He tells him a naked Dumbledore is in the cave waiting for him

    • @spiderprint
      @spiderprint Před 3 lety +7

      *Cough* Eagles *cough*

  • @Delta9Church
    @Delta9Church Před 10 měsíci +3

    Your voice work is so great! Glad i just stumbled on this channel.

  • @witgar1
    @witgar1 Před 4 měsíci +3

    This is exceptionally well done.
    I would ask you continue this story with Gandalfs domination of the elves and dwarfs.

  • @misterbadguy7325
    @misterbadguy7325 Před rokem +2290

    Denethor being actually 100% right in this timeline is so goddamn funny.

    • @Facade953
      @Facade953 Před rokem +75

      A " wise " and " misunderstood " man!😅🤣

    • @jout738
      @jout738 Před rokem +4

      Who is Denethor by the way?

    • @thebigshep
      @thebigshep Před rokem

      @@jout738 Boromir's (Sean Bean's) shitty dad. The one that makes Pippin sing and also later burns himself to death while trying to light his other son on fire

    • @milannagy4281
      @milannagy4281 Před rokem +68

      @@jout738 Father of Boromir and Faramir

    • @shaeltr
      @shaeltr Před rokem +54

      @@jout738 the dood who get caught in fire and to extinguish itself he jump on top of Minas Tirith 💀

  • @DirtTheGamer
    @DirtTheGamer Před 3 lety +1049

    Imagine if the Game of Throne writers put this much thought into how the characters teleported, I mean traveled.

    • @coreymayo8321
      @coreymayo8321 Před 3 lety +12

      Hexcrawl vs. hand-wavy theater of the mind

    • @awesomeluciano78
      @awesomeluciano78 Před 3 lety +97

      When reading the books it's pretty evident that Tolkien had experience with war firsthand and troop movements as well.

    • @Khantia
      @Khantia Před 3 lety +62

      GRRM actually did put this much thought into it. Just the TV show writers didn't care :P

    • @Enonymouse_
      @Enonymouse_ Před 3 lety +12

      Big difference between writing a book and writing a screen play. Screen plays have considerations forced upon them a novelist doesn't need to concern themselves with.
      Tolkien was an amazing author.

    • @HackerArmy03
      @HackerArmy03 Před 3 lety +21

      The TV version of Game of Thrones you mean. GRRM hasn't even begun to write the ending for his books. TV/studio foreign writers are honestly such a dumb dumb, remember what happened with the hobbit? Such a shame.

  • @southerncampingexperience3841

    I've always wondered what would happen... If Frodo willing gave the Ring to the Witch King out of fear, and avoided being wounded. Would the Witch King usurp Sauron, and become the ruler of Mordor, or would he maintain his service to Sauron?

    • @User-hz5vz
      @User-hz5vz Před rokem +3

      He is neither dead or alive , and he would definitely be loyal to sauron

    • @vishnunaidoo3258
      @vishnunaidoo3258 Před rokem +1

      And what if Saruman took the ring?

    • @southerncampingexperience3841
      @southerncampingexperience3841 Před rokem +3

      @@vishnunaidoo3258 I would imagine sarumans first task would be to destroy gandalf, and take Narya. Most certainly slained all on the white council. His rule would give him the Nazgul. The Ents and Huorns wouldn't of stood much chance. Saruman would eventually overthrow sauron, and I think what happened to the Shire in The Return of the King would not happen.

    • @MarvinT0606
      @MarvinT0606 Před rokem +6

      the Nazgul are too far gone to think for themselves.

  • @mspence9596
    @mspence9596 Před 4 měsíci

    I am new to your channel but have been a true LOTR fan for years. I absolutely love watching and listening because of the knowledge it portrays. I love diving deeper and learning more than what I’ve seen on the movies and what I’ve read.
    Thank you for sharing your research and discoveries

  • @jeanbizet931
    @jeanbizet931 Před 3 lety +382

    Boromir: *holy hell I finally found this place*
    Elrond: *you have no need here, go back*

    • @Langstondennis
      @Langstondennis Před 3 lety +16

      *Photoshopped Sean Bean's face into Mike Wazowski meme*

    • @hisnotsolonely2961
      @hisnotsolonely2961 Před 3 lety +4

      At least he didn't die in this version so far 13:00
      Edit: he didn't die which is nice

    • @Langstondennis
      @Langstondennis Před 3 lety +6

      @@hisnotsolonely2961 wait until Middle Earth terraforms into Westeros

    • @jeanbizet931
      @jeanbizet931 Před 3 lety

      @@Langstondennis 😂😂

    • @saraola6477
      @saraola6477 Před 3 lety +1

      Seven hells

  • @paulgallagher5889
    @paulgallagher5889 Před 3 lety +699

    Some tales are "There and Back Again." Others are "Boromir: Or How I Walked Around For 5 Months and Became King!"

    • @MANB91UK
      @MANB91UK Před 3 lety +12

      Well, at least it only took him five months, he didn't have to spend a few years in a frozen cave learning how to become an emotionless drip that can navigate the Middle-Earthern-Tree-Internet

    • @blshouse
      @blshouse Před 3 lety +11

      One does not simply walk to Imladris.

    • @masterexploder9668
      @masterexploder9668 Před 3 lety +10

      Boromir had the best story, so he's king now.

    • @ricksaburai
      @ricksaburai Před 3 lety +4

      It's still "There and Back Again" if you think about it lol

    • @MelindaGreen
      @MelindaGreen Před 3 lety +9

      Who made him king? I didn't vote for him!

  • @acehardware2823
    @acehardware2823 Před rokem +2

    God damn, I can't believe I've been sitting on this channel for a year. I never thought it would be in line with the books instead of the movie. Instant sub!

  • @elwoodcheek4038
    @elwoodcheek4038 Před rokem

    Now that's some good nerding out there 👍 I appreciate all the effort you put into that, kept me interested anyway

  • @zoltanposfai3451
    @zoltanposfai3451 Před 2 lety +516

    "All hail the new king, Boromir Blisterfoot!"

    • @JakeRivers
      @JakeRivers Před 2 lety +2

      😂

    • @shanedude91
      @shanedude91 Před 2 lety +1

      Lmao

    • @odger3700
      @odger3700 Před 2 lety +3

      lol
      Best comment :D

    • @tijltrienen
      @tijltrienen Před 2 lety +1

      Nahh he rides a horse. So its marathon horse of lonely boromir

    • @zoltanposfai3451
      @zoltanposfai3451 Před 2 lety +2

      @@tijltrienen I don't think he touched a horse in the entire story, except for the ponies carrying their supplies.

  • @andreasul2608
    @andreasul2608 Před 2 lety +721

    Movie elrond: Strangers from middle earth, friends of old. You've been *summoned* here to answer the threat of morder.
    Book elrond: Why does random people of different races keep appearing in my super secret hidden place?

    • @pickybitch2707
      @pickybitch2707 Před 2 lety +7

      🤣🤣🤣 true!

    • @psychepeteschannel5500
      @psychepeteschannel5500 Před 2 lety +74

      Yeah :D that is the book version alright. But I think it is quite fitting. The evil is simply rising everywhere, all sides are taking notice around the same time and so Elrond would likely say something like "It has begun"... or perhaps he would say "I was expecting you, Mr. Anderson". Who knows :D

    • @andysuryantorovanruzzette8085
      @andysuryantorovanruzzette8085 Před 2 lety +3

      @@psychepeteschannel5500 dang it, you cracked me 😂😂

    • @InquisitiveUniverse
      @InquisitiveUniverse Před 2 lety

      😂😂😂😂

    • @LagunaShirogane
      @LagunaShirogane Před 2 lety +3

      @@psychepeteschannel5500 Elrond takes the ring...hence we have Agent Smith

  • @joestar99
    @joestar99 Před rokem +1

    Thanks for the What Ifs, I've always enjoyed stories like these.

  • @gabrielegilodi3489
    @gabrielegilodi3489 Před 11 měsíci +4

    Love this channel! Congrats!

  • @lotsofspots
    @lotsofspots Před 3 lety +477

    So, in this timeline, Denethor doesn't eat a tomato? Where do I sign up?

    • @adryanmonk
      @adryanmonk Před 3 lety +16

      This is my favourite comment so far and there are many good ones around. Well done, good dir.

    • @kongchangfan2237
      @kongchangfan2237 Před 3 lety +17

      i still feel kinda traumatised by seeing this creature eating his meal :O thanks for warming it up, haha

    • @Missingafool
      @Missingafool Před 3 lety +5

      That was brilliant and so spot on! Well done sir! We'll done!

    • @nodaknegan9111
      @nodaknegan9111 Před 3 lety +7

      That tomato seen makes my girlfreind puke every time. Funny shit yo.

    • @monex6447
      @monex6447 Před 3 lety

      The only thing worse was the one dude in the Hobbit eating balls

  • @immortalntrsovereign4145
    @immortalntrsovereign4145 Před 2 lety +795

    notice how gandalf said "over me the ring would gain a power still greater"
    hes basically saying when you "Wear" the ring, you're not wearing it, the ring wears you.

    • @zakpodo
      @zakpodo Před 2 lety +52

      Yes. Isnt that what separates the one ring from the others. It is made of the will to power and domination.
      And Sauron, like Morgoth before had that in spades.

    • @KnightOMurk
      @KnightOMurk Před 2 lety +61

      In America, you wear ring. In Soviet Russia, ring wears you.

    • @johnhansen4794
      @johnhansen4794 Před 2 lety +1

      What is the Ego of this magic? Oh, infinite... K'Thanx, bye.

    • @aminulhussain2277
      @aminulhussain2277 Před 2 lety +3

      @@KnightOMurk The ring wears you in both.

    • @rykehuss3435
      @rykehuss3435 Před 2 lety +1

      @@zakpodo No, the One Ring was created to dominate and subjugate all the other Rings of Power. A Puppetmaster, but first there were the puppets

  • @ryzenforce
    @ryzenforce Před rokem

    Excellent theory! I am a new subscriber of your channel I have discovered only a few days ago, and I must say you researchs, explanation and videos are outstanding. I didn't really read the books of Tolkien beside The Hobbit and LoTR, but I have always wanted to understand more. Your channel brings this to me. Now it's mine!

  • @PhodexGames
    @PhodexGames Před rokem +7

    Actually the EDAIN modification for the LOTR game "Battle For Middle Earth 2" illustrated this very nicely. You can give the ring to gandalf there and see how it affects him and his surroundings. Very cool, one of the reasons I love this mod and game.

    • @RedSpade37
      @RedSpade37 Před rokem +2

      How have I, major fan of this series and its video game adaptations, missed that?
      Thank you for mentioning it!

  • @keithjzammit
    @keithjzammit Před 3 lety +567

    This is impossible. Sean Bean didn’t die in this movie. So it just cannot be. Sorry.

    • @simonhbacon
      @simonhbacon Před 3 lety +22

      Sean Bean plays Aragorn in this version?

    • @nodaknegan9111
      @nodaknegan9111 Před 3 lety +8

      Right! He would have turned down the role!
      "I dont die?!"
      "Feck that!"

    • @keithjzammit
      @keithjzammit Před 3 lety +6

      @@simonhbacon seems possible! I think Bean could make a good Aragorn

    • @dandini0698
      @dandini0698 Před 3 lety +7

      We can fix it! On the road back to his home city, Sean Bean öhömmm... I mean Boromir, walking while watching the beautiful glades of Rivendell, trips over a tree root and falls, until his head experiences a sudden stop by a giant rock.

    • @Nutsaur
      @Nutsaur Před 3 lety +1

      @@simonhbacon
      Seen Been.

  • @tuseroni6085
    @tuseroni6085 Před 2 lety +546

    "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."- cs lewis.

  • @samanthadrennan
    @samanthadrennan Před 8 měsíci +1

    This was just super well done and entertaining.

  • @trentw.3566
    @trentw.3566 Před rokem +1

    I love these scenarios of yours. Well thought out and compellingly detailed. You ought to get ROP to give you a job with them.

  • @WardenFG
    @WardenFG Před 2 lety +1436

    I believe that Galadriel, sensing Gandalf's actions with the Ring would travel West as she does on the book and eventually warn the Valar of what's going on. Then a crazy war would happen between the Valar and Gandalf controlling the Nazgul. - Cheers from Argentina!

    • @spiffygonzales5899
      @spiffygonzales5899 Před 2 lety +133

      I dunno about the crazy war part. Gandalf would be powerful but not dumb. I don't think he'd pull a Morgoth and start shattering continents and allying with (potentially) mountain sized spiders.

    • @LateNightVibes56
      @LateNightVibes56 Před 2 lety +3

      @@spiffygonzales5899 mountain spiders?

    • @spiffygonzales5899
      @spiffygonzales5899 Před 2 lety +82

      @@LateNightVibes56
      Yea. Ungoliant. It's more or less left up to speculation as to how big EXACTLY she grew, but I've heard some very interesting arguments that she'd be hundreds of feet tall.

    • @WardenFG
      @WardenFG Před 2 lety +20

      @@spiffygonzales5899 I agree with you, I kinda pictured it like Galadriel going to the Valar and the Valar taking action before Gandalf gets to do anything stupid. Yeah, maybe a "crazy war" wouldn't come to pass.

    • @joaofarias9986
      @joaofarias9986 Před 2 lety +54

      The Valar don't give enough fucks to stop him. If they did, Tulkas could have killed him in three days, two of these days woyls be the travel to Mordor and back.

  • @melsilva9158
    @melsilva9158 Před 3 lety +404

    This made me think of a quote from Yoda, "Paved with good intentions the path to the dark side often is".

  • @borntobewilde1971
    @borntobewilde1971 Před rokem

    This is my first time at your channel but I'll be back. You did some work on this. The timeline deviations and resulting consequences were intriguing.

  • @informationageenterprise2184

    Dude, the voices you do are incredible!

  • @psychepeteschannel5500
    @psychepeteschannel5500 Před 2 lety +361

    Complete Travels of Boromir (Gandalf the Ring-Lord Edition):
    "He runs a lap around Middle-Earth, doing nothing. For this great service to the free peoples, he is crowned king."
    THE END

    • @psychepeteschannel5500
      @psychepeteschannel5500 Před 2 lety +30

      @Allied Empire United Countries of the World I would like to see the look on Boromirs face as he returns, after walking around for a year getting no results, to suddenly being told that the war is won and he is king :D

    • @joyfulyes
      @joyfulyes Před 2 lety +23

      @@psychepeteschannel5500 love the absurdity of it. There's something Python-esque about it, isn't there?

    • @alaljarensi6990
      @alaljarensi6990 Před 2 lety +3

      Corrupted Gandalf would give king Boromir a new ring of power and immortality.

  • @drewboogie2849
    @drewboogie2849 Před 3 lety +346

    The road to hell is paved with good intentions

    • @Saphire_Throated_Carpenter_Ant
      @Saphire_Throated_Carpenter_Ant Před 3 lety +1

      and the road to good intentions can take you through hell.

    • @renato3
      @renato3 Před 3 lety

      There are people who have to go through hell before understanding the value of good intentions. Others do not. They are already wise

    • @pwnmeisterage
      @pwnmeisterage Před 3 lety

      Our mythology offers intrinsically good and holy artifacts, things like the Holy Grail.
      Middle Earth's mythology offers intrinsically evil and unholy artifacts, things like the One Ring. While the intrinsically good and holy powers are immortal beings like Gandalf and Sarumon - who can be corrupted.

    • @CalridRobnor123srs
      @CalridRobnor123srs Před 3 lety

      @James Gravil The endless Tolkien theme, a thing in itself is not good or evil with the exception of the ring because it was much of Sauron's malice and will, but the peoples of Middle Earth are corrupted by power, even by tools that are meant for good, and even with the best will in the world. eg get that +5 sword, and you become hastened towards fighting things to get the better chance at a critical to use RPG nerd speak. And then you get your skull cleaved by an axe wielding orc horde. Tis ever and so. :)

    • @CalridRobnor123srs
      @CalridRobnor123srs Před 3 lety +1

      You kinda have to remember too, The Lord of the rings is a Biblical Exegesis too, it's what it is about really, especially when you consider as some people have said CS Lewis (A Christian Apologist) influence on Tolkiens story. The Silmarillion is the war for heaven in The Bible and the LotR is the end times when the beast comes to corrupt men because they are jealous of their free will.

  • @Tehownilator
    @Tehownilator Před 4 měsíci +3

    It’s so crazy to think that Bombadil asks to see the ring, laughs at it, and then puts in on his pinky for a joke and doesn’t disappear.
    Then he can see Frodo while he’s wearing it..
    The humility this imbues in me, I can’t express.

  • @somanken
    @somanken Před 7 měsíci +1

    Wow that was so much cooler than i expected, i love how accurate and fitting this theory was, just makes me think how horrifying the world under gandalf ring bearer could become

  • @gamingwithquancena4989
    @gamingwithquancena4989 Před 3 lety +547

    Totally serious video idea: What if Thorins company turned around to get Bilbos handkerchief

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +130

      😂😂 Would’ve been catastrophic!

    • @fredtrunce5931
      @fredtrunce5931 Před 3 lety +32

      Probably nothing? Thorin’s company sits around waiting for Durin’s day for like a week don’t they? And before that they wait around in lake town for like a month.

    • @LookingTheBest
      @LookingTheBest Před 3 lety +11

      WAAAAAAAIIIIIITTTT.

    • @patrickramseyart
      @patrickramseyart Před 3 lety +12

      Stop! Stop! We have to turn around.

    • @tygovisser5626
      @tygovisser5626 Před 3 lety +29

      Bilbo would have something else (handkerchief) to call precious and never gets corrupted by the ring

  • @natehall2573
    @natehall2573 Před 3 lety +457

    "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience". CS Lewis

    • @Crash103179
      @Crash103179 Před 2 lety +15

      A most appropriate quote.

    • @filipferencak2717
      @filipferencak2717 Před 2 lety +19

      Monotheistic Gods be like:

    • @whitingpie5146
      @whitingpie5146 Před 2 lety +65

      Hate to bring Politics into it, but sounds awful lot like Far Leftists of today who have turned into the Fascists they claim to oppose. All for our own good.

    • @era5773
      @era5773 Před 2 lety +1

      Good .

    • @drunkenphilosopher5159
      @drunkenphilosopher5159 Před 2 lety +7

      @@filipferencak2717 never saw someone so stupid lol. "Monotheistic" and "Gods" in one sentence. The logic.

  • @danielsalas3394
    @danielsalas3394 Před 6 měsíci +1

    You got me hooked, good job

  • @tysonstrickland8208
    @tysonstrickland8208 Před rokem +1

    Just wanted to comment and say that I watch this video on a whim, but it's absolutely rekindled my fascination and interest in the LOTR story and Tolkien's universe. I had read the books a few times many years ago and read parts of his other works. I had forgotten about all the many changes the films made and how incredibly deep the lord and story were. I was way into it.
    It really is one if the most amazing high fantasy sagas of all time.
    I'm going to watch the Rings of Power now. Just wanted to drop a thanks🙂
    As for what I think would happen, I absolutely agree, and from the very beginning when you quoted his reasoning with desiring strength to do good and prevent weakness, that is absolutely the mindset of dictators and despots throughout all of history. Self righteous is right. He would be the one final authority over all middle earth and as the ring was inhabit his vessel for eons it would slowly wear away at his ability to be objective and remember what truly is right for all and would go for *complete order* at the expensive of freedom for inhabitants to choose their own destiny and change. He would become a shell of himself. Where his mind would have mixed signals from his original identity and the ring, that would in some ways cancel each other out to leave a somewhat confused being of immense power that is subconsciously fighting a war within between the Gandalf he was and the essence of sauron attempting to overtake his mind and become more dominant. The fun and joy at life and fondness he had for those weaker creatures (like hobbits) would dry up, conflicted by the essence of sauron to dominate all. His reason for even defending the realm would fade over time to where the only thing that matters is order, but not necessarily brutal tyranny like from Sauron, if that makes sense . I can see him traveling for a time, then eventually sitting on a throne in a location, alone in silence, but with a smoldering vigilance. He would have a few attendants that would be sycophants that want a piece of his power and he would eventually be misled by these. He might discover this as different factions and individuals seek power and lash out with immense brutality that has been dormant within. This would end his trust with others, then he would rely on the the 9 and other forces he would completely control to watch and see.
    Eventually the realm would understand him to be a despotic ruler that has to be destroyed, but at that point, I imagine it would just be the realms of man and their greed to have power themselves, perhaps the line of boromir would be vassals that would bristle at his ultimate control or perhaps these vassels would be ruthless enforcers of Gandalf's desire for order and eventually their would be a righteous revolution to wrest control from both the kings and Gandalf. IDK, it's been awhile, so I'm not currently aware of all the forces and characters so I could be missing something big.
    I look forward to when AI is good enough to design film, media and books based on prompts a la DALLE 2 . "What would happen if Gandalf took the one ring?" will be one of the first ones I do, right after "finish the ASOIAF books" (because I refuse to watch the bastardized version that began to really take hold at season 5, and I still don't know WTF happened, but I'm sure that it sucks based off what I've gathered and how they decided to go with the story. Still kinda salty about this if anyone reading can't tell😅)

  • @crazyd3uces
    @crazyd3uces Před 3 lety +82

    My wife just asked me what I was watching, and I replied "a hypothetical conjecture about if Gandalf di-..." she's like stop stop stop I don't care lol

  • @istvanfodor9749
    @istvanfodor9749 Před 2 lety +377

    Best channel to listen to in-between first and second breakfast

  • @sampetty5768
    @sampetty5768 Před rokem

    That was so well put together and thought out

  • @SketchieDemon
    @SketchieDemon Před rokem

    Amazing theory that gets the mind turning to flesh out more details and what it's. I could see a really cool fanmade storyboard /manga or anime adaption going well with this.

  • @fenixmyaroon8633
    @fenixmyaroon8633 Před 2 lety +656

    Dude every LOTR nerd needs to know you exist, you put so much effort and have great inflections when speaking. This is how I want to ingest my LOTR content from now on. Clean, well written, and produced with real heart.

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 2 lety +47

      Thanks so much! I truly appreciate it! :)

    • @watkins7086
      @watkins7086 Před 2 lety +1

      100% agree

    • @aceofspades4948
      @aceofspades4948 Před 2 lety +1

      Exactly what I thought when first watched

    • @cmdrTremyss
      @cmdrTremyss Před 2 lety +3

      He is like a fine glass of whisky after a long day.

    • @Ubermensch201
      @Ubermensch201 Před 2 lety +1

      I've been stuck on them for a week now lol I love it

  • @Krisu_1000
    @Krisu_1000 Před 2 lety +337

    Sean Bean approves this no-dying ending

  • @PierreThierryKPH
    @PierreThierryKPH Před měsícem

    I love how you don't just speculate but base your theories in various writings of Tolkien. It's refreshing!

  • @RingtoneBasterds
    @RingtoneBasterds Před 8 měsíci

    This was really good. Thank you!

  • @bryndynirving7333
    @bryndynirving7333 Před 3 lety +866

    The only flaw with this theory is that Sean Bean doesn't die.

    • @MrSyco07
      @MrSyco07 Před 3 lety +70

      One does not simply... save Sean Bean.

    • @damianrehbein3992
      @damianrehbein3992 Před 3 lety +6

      @@MrSyco07
      Come on, once we can give him.
      But just once he has a reputation to hold up.

    • @damianrehbein3992
      @damianrehbein3992 Před 3 lety

      @Grandson Of Cherve
      Maybe.

    • @TurboSilke
      @TurboSilke Před 3 lety +4

      yeah, the movie version of this would need to recast Borimir.

    • @roman2374
      @roman2374 Před 3 lety +23

      They would’ve simply cast Viggo as Boromir and Sean Bean as Aragorn! And there we have a pointless death

  • @Autocratical
    @Autocratical Před 3 lety +231

    I’d like to think that the ring would betray Gandalf just when he needed it most, if not as they enter Mordor with the 9 turning on him or perhaps slipping off his finger during the confrontation with Sauron.

    • @namankumar1677
      @namankumar1677 Před 3 lety +61

      Yeah, I think this is much more likely. Gandalf is not the true lord of the ring, the ring knows that. It would betray him at a crucial moment.

    • @ricksaburai
      @ricksaburai Před 3 lety +63

      @@namankumar1677 could be. But then again, unlike lesser wielders of the ring who were betrayed by it, Gandalf is a Maia, same as Sauron. Just like Gandalf's will was prone to its corruption, so could he too subjugate the One Ring's will.
      I think it's quite possible considering he had more potential than Sauron after becoming a dark lord.

    • @namankumar1677
      @namankumar1677 Před 3 lety +29

      @@ricksaburai You might be right, not just because Gandalf is a Maia but because he also carried Narya. I wonder what carrying two rings of power does to you.

    • @HeavyMetalGamingHD
      @HeavyMetalGamingHD Před 3 lety +13

      I am pretty sure that gandalf would be able to defeat sauron. sauron is very weakened without the ring. he put his own power into forging it. the ring is basically a part of him. both of them are mayar. they are on the same level and gandalf had narya. But sauron would never fight gandalf without this theory. Sauron did basically never fight unless it was completely unavoidable. The last alliance besieged barad dur for seven years until he finally entered the fight.

    • @CaptainKirkZ1LLA
      @CaptainKirkZ1LLA Před 3 lety +3

      That's a pretty tough sell. Abandoning someone like Gollum, sure. Leading Isildur to his death, Numenor or not, he's still just a man.
      But Gandalf is a being of great power. The only real complication as far as taming the Ring is concerned, is that Olorin, when he was sent to Middle-Earth actually feared Sauron, and was uncertain of his ability to keep him in check. That may play into the Ring swaying him or vice-versa.

  • @ogion539
    @ogion539 Před rokem

    Great video. One thing that I noticed while listening, is how similar Gandalf's endgame is to Magus Bayaz from The First Law trilogy. Honestly, while clearly evil, Bayaz keeps the kingdom in good shape (through subversion and intimidation) and manages to bring about peace.

  • @cjhiggins3803
    @cjhiggins3803 Před 8 měsíci

    Really enjoyable hypothesis though. Very interesting and likely outcome showing good understanding of the subject matter. Thnx

  • @JMThought
    @JMThought Před 3 lety +404

    This was fun as a one off especially as Tolkien talked about it himself.

    • @yisroelackerman
      @yisroelackerman Před 3 lety +6

      That’s right! In his letters he says Gandalf would have been a “self-righteous” despot.
      This video acts like Tolkien himself didn’t already have this conversation.

    • @vaahtobileet
      @vaahtobileet Před 3 lety +30

      @@yisroelackerman he quotes that very letter in the video. Maybe you didn't watch it?

    • @justanothaguy3714
      @justanothaguy3714 Před 3 lety +28

      @@yisroelackerman Only now we have a engaging 20m video to enjoy rather then a single sentence. Its backed by a love of the world and the care to consider timelines and personalities.
      Do not disregard the beauty of a rose because you choose to grasp its stem rather enjoy is visage.

    • @yisroelackerman
      @yisroelackerman Před 3 lety

      @@justanothaguy3714 okay

    • @thomashall3314
      @thomashall3314 Před 3 lety +1

      @@justanothaguy3714 YEAAAHH.

  • @CognizantCheddar
    @CognizantCheddar Před 2 lety +1509

    Gandalf in possession of the One Ring makes a lot of sense as an Anti-Villain.
    That said... can Sauron truly be destroyed so long as the Ring is intact? Even by a fellow Maia? Aren't we told over and over again that so long as the Ring exists, Sauron _can't_ be permanently vanquished?
    So, for me, this suggests a wrinkle in this scenario, in which part of the reason why a Ring possessing Gandalf becomes a tyrant is exactly because the threat of Sauron permanently lingers around Middle-earth -- Gandalf uses the constant threat of Sauron's return to justify everything he does as tyrant.

    • @guccifer764
      @guccifer764 Před 2 lety +287

      Tolkien himself admitted that theoretically, someone _could_ become the rings new master, severing Sauron’s hold over it. However, in doing so, they would become an even greater Dark Lord than Sauron ever was. So, it’s kind if a pointless endeavour if your goal is to make sure there is no Dark Lord.

    • @Ubermensch201
      @Ubermensch201 Před 2 lety +32

      @@guccifer764 why would the new owner be an even greater Dark Lord than Sauron?? Especially if it's just a Man or "regular" Elf.. Seeing as Sauron was a Maia so anything less wouldn't be as powerful as him, you'd think

    • @guccifer764
      @guccifer764 Před 2 lety +240

      @@Ubermensch201
      It’s not so much that the Ring could turn Steve from accounting into an even more powerful dark lord. It’s more that the ring could only be mastered by someone who already had the potential of being a worse dark lord, like Gandalf or Galadriel.

    • @justink1985
      @justink1985 Před 2 lety +56

      @@Ubermensch201 For someone to take it from Sauron one would have to be even more powerful and they in time would also be corrupted. Creating an even worse situation. I think this is more whats alluded to in the books or what Tolkien meant by it.

    • @ricardokowalski1579
      @ricardokowalski1579 Před 2 lety +47

      What if ... Gandalf does not kill Sauron? If Gandalf can command the Nine... could he also use the ring to subdue Sauron himself? Is obedience a worse fate than death to Sauron?
      Sauron as a Gandalf lackey, would be interesting and terrible. He would do exactly what Gandalf orders...but everything would be done with resentment and hatred.

  • @ferreltimothy3004
    @ferreltimothy3004 Před rokem

    BROTHER, YOU ARE THE BEST!!! You oooh really helped me!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

  • @cgsweat
    @cgsweat Před 8 měsíci +1

    26K from 1 million subscribers! I'm really rooting for you!

  • @RachelHardy
    @RachelHardy Před 3 lety +1843

    You put an incredible amount of time and effort into your videos. This is awesome, I'm hooked on your videos!

  • @arminmowenbeinchen5185
    @arminmowenbeinchen5185 Před 3 lety +286

    Sauron:"From my point of view, Gandalf is evil!"

    • @shlongbongchewy
      @shlongbongchewy Před 3 lety +26

      Then you are lost!

    • @Quantakinetic
      @Quantakinetic Před 3 lety +20

      There was a book written with exactly this premise, as an unofficial sequel, called The Last Ring Bearer by Kirill Yeskov if you want to look it up. The idea is that 'history is written by the winners" and thus all the LOTR stuff was propaganda. Quite an interesting read.

    • @carnivorecaveman
      @carnivorecaveman Před 3 lety +3

      @@Quantakinetic Hi, I would like to read that book! Where can I find it in English, either as a paper-book or a digital version? Because I found it on Amazon just in russian edition.

    • @TheEllord33
      @TheEllord33 Před 3 lety +8

      ​@@carnivorecaveman Sauron was not that different of gandalf. He wanted to do good and eventually corrupted himself with lust of power. But taking aside the lack of freedom of beeing under by Sauron, he was actually pretty good at managing an empire.

    • @carnivorecaveman
      @carnivorecaveman Před 3 lety +3

      @@TheEllord33
      Sauron was surely good at managing an Empire, this is out of queastion! Without this talent he could not have been a powerful enemy of Gandalf and others. However, freedom is a great value in my eyes... But, even if we take no notice of freedom, the orcs in the empire of Sauron seemd me poor, ragged, they were not wealthy at all, so they were in general unhappy. Additionally they were even ugly, because their body had numerous signs of a vast number of serious sickness'. Therefore it is my opinion that Sauron was not really a good king at all.

  • @AnaInTh3Sky
    @AnaInTh3Sky Před rokem +1

    I'm high as a kite and just came across this channel... this is trippy af, but what I find even more fascinating than the stories is the fact that someone actually makes a very good living out of this channel... you have to love the internet!!!! So awesome 😂

  • @MikeHawksSmall
    @MikeHawksSmall Před rokem

    👏👏👏👏 so good dude!! Damn I'd love to see this play out on screen!! 👏👏👏👏

  • @Lesheer
    @Lesheer Před 3 lety +421

    Very interesting theory! I feel there would be much more nuance and struggle between Gandalf and the Ring. Gandalf was incredibly strong-willed and pure of heart. It would take a long time for the ring to take hold - and even longer to get such a strong hold as to make Gandalf murder friends like Aragorn in cold blood. If it came down to it between Aragorn and Gandalf, I find it more likely that Gandalf would render himself vulnerable in a moment of clarity allowing Aragorn to strike a deadly blow.
    I just feel Gandalf would be wise enough to realize he was being pulled in by the ring, and also strong enough to exhibit great resistance to its power. He would eventually lose if he kept on with the Ring, but I think he would find a way out - either by himself or by the aid of his friends.

    • @SteliosMusic
      @SteliosMusic Před 3 lety +43

      This should be top comment. Not just because I fucking love Gandalf, but also because it would fit Tolkiens happy-ending, optimistic style.
      That being said, I do like a good movie that breaks the mold... I suppose execution would play a big part in this.

    • @SteliosMusic
      @SteliosMusic Před 3 lety +7

      *mould

    • @eowa
      @eowa Před 3 lety +34

      I actually expected it to play out with Aragon severing Gandalfs hand that bares the ring or something, making him see sense.

    • @SteliosMusic
      @SteliosMusic Před 3 lety +6

      @@eowa Was thinking the exact same thing last night! This comment & the excellently done video, have certainly stirred up the imagination.

    • @damianrehbein3992
      @damianrehbein3992 Před 3 lety +35

      I belive Gandalf to be TOO good of heart to not use the Ring.
      Like if I gave the nicest guy on the planet ultimate power and be like.
      "You cant use this shit to help anyone."
      "Kids starving?'
      Nope.
      "War?"
      Nope
      I think this wold break him sonner then later.

  • @stand355
    @stand355 Před 3 lety +132

    Gollum is going to get his shit beaten out of him by a dark Gandalf everytime he tries to steal the Ring.

    • @gandalf7262
      @gandalf7262 Před 3 lety +3

      Yes

    • @sledge2742
      @sledge2742 Před 3 lety +2

      This cracked me up 🤣

    • @chriscobble48
      @chriscobble48 Před 2 lety +10

      "You poor, wretched soul," Gandalf said, standing over the cowering figure of Gollum. "The torture you must feel, the sadness and longing in your soul for that which does not belong to you!"
      "Smeagle will serve Master, will protect his precious, will do as Master Wizard says!" croaked Gollum, wringing his hands and backing away from the towering figure before him.
      A light shone now in Gandalf's gray eyes, a spark mirroring the very fires of Mount Doom.
      " Oh, pitiful creature, I do not need you as a servant, " chuckled Gandalf, raising his staff. "With this Ring, all of Middle Earth shall serve me. I have no need for your sniveling wretchedness!"
      Gollum's screams echoed through the night as the Gray Wizard drew near, but were cut suddenly short. The night air grew silent as a dark cloud rolled across the moon.

  • @user-lz9ys9ex1q
    @user-lz9ys9ex1q Před 8 měsíci

    And I want to thank you for all of the hidden lore you're channel has taught me I'm a freaking nerd myself when it come to tlotr

  • @Tabur
    @Tabur Před rokem +1

    I wonder how happy would JRR be if he had had the chance to watch these videos. Good job

  • @EletroBeau
    @EletroBeau Před 3 lety +280

    Whenever there's a struggle for power and land, Sean Bean dies.

  • @valritz1489
    @valritz1489 Před 3 lety +214

    And so it was that from the lands of Gondor and Rohan there emerged a great host, and their shields were painted black with mourning, for the death of Elessar still weighed heavily upon them. At their head rode the Wizard, Grey no more, for he had also taken on a mourner's raiment and went now in sable, save where the sun struck him just so and a shimmering multitude of colors could be seen, twisting with a seeming life just beneath the ebony cloak. They departed Rohan and passed beyond the Gap, taking roads unknown and northerly to the eyes of Men.
    But when they arrived upon the Bruinen they were stopped before the fords, and there stood in shining mail the House of Elrond. Its master was there, bearing mighty Aeglos Snow-Point, and at his right side was Arwen Undomiel, whose fairness seemed not dimmed by warlike visage, but instead conferred upon the latter a terrible and fearsome dread that could not be named. At his left side rode Glorfindel, a burning star of emerald upon his brow.
    "Lo!" said Gandalf, his eyes terrible and bright beneath his brow. "And thus the line of Beren greets its saviors."
    "Thus it greets the Shadow," answered Elrond, "for Shadow lies heavy indeed upon your words. I heard them at the Crack of Doom."

    • @AH-yg8xb
      @AH-yg8xb Před 3 lety +30

      Amazing, please continue. (I read wrong "Lo!" as LoL XD)

    • @BackcountryForward
      @BackcountryForward Před 3 lety +23

      THIS IS GOLD! I feel like I was reading the books themselves! Please continue or link to where you continue!

    • @christophstrasen1567
      @christophstrasen1567 Před 3 lety +10

      Well done.

    • @Cordis-Ater
      @Cordis-Ater Před 3 lety +7

      Excelent, very genuine -feeling

    • @michelle7410
      @michelle7410 Před 3 lety +6

      I would love to read more of this. :)

  • @j_m_b_1914
    @j_m_b_1914 Před 12 dny

    This video is definitely worth a coffee. Amazing research!