There will be spoilers ahead for the Rings of Power finale.The long-awaited last episode of Rings of Power really did reveal all, as its teaser trailer promised it would. With Halbrand's true identity as Sauron finally divulged after he traveled to the elven city to heal his wounds, and the creation of the three elven rings coming to fruition, there was little left unanswered. And although it has not been technically confirmed or spoken aloud, fans worldwide are convinced that the show has also given away the identity of the stranger from the meteor.
There's little doubt that the stranger is none other than Gandalf, as many theories suspected all along. There are several concrete reasons for this, paired with some subtle hints and some homages to the grey wizard of previous adaptations. All of these cues add up to resoundingly and undeniably imply this truth to his long-concealed character.
From the beginning of the episode, the series' writers tried to misdirect the audience into believing that the meteor man was Sauron, as the three sorcerers proclaimed. But it became clear across the course of the narrative that they were mistaken. This character was not only a good person, but would stop at nothing to defend his harfoot friends. Moment before their defeat, the dark beings realize their mistake, and confirm what many have suspected all along: “He is not Sauron.” They then take this one step further and proclaim: “He is the other, the Istar!” The stranger then blows them into oblivion in a spectacular display of light and moths, two things which Gandalf is highly known for.
The stranger later explains to Nori that in the common tongue, Istar “means wise one. Or… wizard.” Thus, a second confirmation of his identity falls into place. This points resolutely towards him being one of the five maiar wizards who were sent to Middle Earth from across the seas to protect and guide its people from the growing evil of Sauron. This is their very design, their purpose, and it is known as the Istari mission. Hence, the three sorcerers reference to him under this denomination.
At this point, it could be possible for the stranger to have been identified as any of the five wizards. There were particular theories surrounding him being one of the blue wizards known to help the people of the South against evil temptation. He also could have been Radagast the Brown, which would have tied in well with his connection to nature and healing the tree in the penultimate episode. However, two further hints place him far more in line with Gandalf. Many feel it is doubtless that he is in fact the gray wizard.
The first clue is the reference to Rhun, a location that the meteor man saw in the visions shared with him by the three malicious servants of Sauron. Rhun will become an important location in the second series of the show, but will also spark some recognition among fan who have seen the Making Of The Hobbit trilogy. In one of the scenes that didn’t make the final cut of the film, Gandalf pursues Sauron to the Sea of Rhun, a vast desert wasteland. The fact that this is exactly where Nori and the stranger are heading suggests even further that he is Gandalf.
And if this was not enough of a link, this is really hit home as they set off for their journey, and the stranger can’t quite remember the way. At first, he suggests that Nori lead, but she of course doesn't know the destination. This is very similar to Gandalf guiding Frodo out of the gates of Rivendell in the Fellowship of the Ring. But all of a sudden, he decides on the direction. When asked why, he states:
“There’s sweet smell on the air this way. When in doubt, Eleanor Brandyfoot, always follow your nose.”
This is an exact replica of the lines Gandalf will say around a thousand years later to Meriadoc Brandybuck in the Mines of Moria, after choosing what tunnel to take because the air smells less foul in one direction than the others. There are so many parallels between the two scenes, it cements the link in viewers' minds.
These are small but tell-tale signs. The stranger's love of the Harfoots will later translate into a lifelong bond with the Hobbits, which makes the grey wizard entrust two very dangerous quests to Bilbo and to Frodo. What's more, his kindness of heart is rarely ever seen by any other being in Middle Earth. These reveal, without a shadow of a doubt, that Gandalf has indeed come at last. The audience is already anticipating his journey in season two. His arc will take him from the lost, misguided stranger, to the fully-formed, powerful wizard that is so well-known and loved.