‘The Rings of Power’ Season 2 Introduces a Lore-Accurate Tom Bombadil

Despite receiving significant fan criticism, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” became a major success on Amazon. As we’ve noted in several of our previous reports, the show was renewed for a second season, which premiered on August 29, 2024, and has been widely viewed as a notable improvement by both fans and critics. It will be intriguing to see how everything unfolds, especially with the showrunners’ recent major revelations.

One of the new characters introduced in Season 2 is Tom Bombadil, portrayed by the acclaimed Rory Kinnear. We’ve already covered Bombadil’s role here on Comic Basics, discussing what Kinnear and the showrunners have planned for this iconic character.

The moment has finally arrived: Bombadil made his debut in “The Rings of Power” in spectacular fashion! The writers chose to stay true to Tolkien’s original story, giving Bombadil a lore-accurate introduction that is sure to delight fans.

Fans of Tolkien’s books will remember that Tom Bombadil first appeared in The Fellowship of the Ring. Residing in the Old Forest, he was portrayed as a cheerful, musical figure who came to the aid of Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam when they were attacked by Old Man Willow, a sentient tree. Bombadil intervened swiftly, commanding the tree to release the Hobbits, which it did. Though his role in the main trilogy was brief, this introduction left a lasting impression.

In The Rings of Power Season 2, while some elements of Bombadil’s story were altered, his introduction remained faithful to the lore, a choice fans will likely appreciate. So, how was he introduced?

To begin with, there are some notable changes. Unlike in the original novel, Tom Bombadil does not dwell in the Old Forest; instead, he resides in Rhûn. Additionally, rather than rescuing the Hobbits — which wouldn’t fit this timeline — he aids the Stranger, who encounters Bombadil under similar circumstances.

As the Stranger wanders through Rhûn, he discovers an old tree with a branch that seems perfect for a wizard’s staff. When he attempts to break off the branch, the tree reacts angrily, attacking him and trying to draw him into its trunk. At this moment, Tom Bombadil arrives and commands “Old Man Ironwood” to release the Stranger, which the tree reluctantly does.

Though there are differences from the book, the scene captures the essence of Bombadil’s character and stays true to the spirit of Tolkien’s world. The writers have done a commendable job adapting one of Tom’s most iconic moments.

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