it's not disappointing, because it's a gandalf origin story, and we've never seen that
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I really don't think it's him. They are directly conflicting two things from the books. 1) the time of his arrival 2) him heading east to Rhun. Gandalf's travels were restricted to western middle earth



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Kinda lacked "boom" for a season finale imo. Didn't leave me with any anticipation for the next season.
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Ah, I see the problem. You are assuming the showrunners are trying to stick exactly to Tolkien canon lore instead of trying to make an entertaining TV show with a character audiences are familiar with.

Everything they've shown us in the actual show itself has suggested it is Gandalf to this point. Are they really gonna have the guy reciting Gandalf lines from a celebrated film series and then have him not be Gandalf? That would be quite the swerve.
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That's because we already know what happens. It's tough to be suspenseful in a story with a pre-written framework. They should really focus more on the original characters IMO
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I think the "boom" was supposed to be the Sauron reveal, but most had already figured that out. And also the Gandalf/not-Gandalf as Sauron, but really he's Gandalf (not-Gandalf)! I agree that he IS Gandalf just based on the fact he's speaking Gandalf lines, as others have said.

As a fan not up on The Silmarillion, is it possible that Adar is the Witch King of Angmar, eventually, or are the Nazgul all former men that were once kings? Trying to figure out what his role is, for when he was asked if he's a god, he answers "not yet".
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Yeah, there are plenty of completely vague and unexplained areas for them to expand into that they don't need to contradict what has already been said.
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Heh, yeah, Lord of the Southlands (Mordor). He's not as pretty/sneaky/silver tongue as I thought. I expected something like a beautiful elf with the silver tongue of Presidential Bill Clinton.

I think Adar is one of the original ancient elves that Melkor corrupted when creating the orcs. I believe him when he says that he cares for the orcs and despises Sauron for the way he treats them. I'm guessing he has some plan to try to rise up and challenge Sauron.

The Witch King, at this point, wouldn't be in the story because he came into the service of Sauron because of the corrupting gift of one of the nine rings that haven't been created yet. If he was alive or in power at this point, he'd be up in Angmar doing Angmar things.

Also, the nine rings went to men. Adar is not a man, he's an elf / abomination.
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^^^that said, I am REALLY looking forward to the creation of the nine

that's going to be completely badass
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I'm looking forward to seeing how Sauron goes from Numenorian prisoner to Ar Pharazon's most trusted advisor and how he convinces most of Numenor to worship Melkor. Like WTF man?
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Since you two are here, a quick question - in the movie Return of the King, did Gandalf say the pirates that showed up, only to be slaughtered by Aragon's band of ghost demons, were from Numenor? From what we've seen, Numenor seems to be a big deal, but it's hardly even referenced in the movies (I assume Sauron eventually destroys the place, but I really don't know).
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They were Corsairs of Umbar. Technically they were of Numenorian descent because they broke away from Gondor in a sort of civil war
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If they are fine injecting Gandalf into the second age I don’t see why him going to Rhun is a stretch.
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Might as well have Obi Wan come and save the harfoots from the Klingons
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I am fascinated to see him return to Numenor and see how he convinces them to foolishly sail west and eventually the whole island being destroyed. The Queen Regent got a glimpse of what’s to come. Just waiting for next season to see if it happens.
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