Biggest Plot Holes In The Lord Of The Rings Movies

Speaking of Gandalf the White, the wizard is transformed upon his rebirth from his former grey-clad appearance into what Saruman the White should have been all along. Some, such as «A Song of Ice and Fire» scribe George R.R. Martin, have criticized this choice, considering Gandalf the White as a «deus ex machina.» But beyond the fact that Gandalf returns with even more power than before, many have pointed out that exactly how this happens is never really explained, and because «The Lord of the Rings» is a fantasy epic — and he’s a wizard — we’re meant to just go with it.

Now, before fans of the movies jump down our throats, it’s true that Gandalf claims to be sent back, but by whom? In Tolkien’s mythology, the creator God of Middle-earth, named Eru Ilúvatar, is above all other beings. Though he doesn’t always directly intervene, he makes it a point to bring Gandalf back to see Sauron defeated, Aragorn crowned king, and Middle-earth saved. Just as Tolkien himself was a devout Catholic, so too does Gandalf represent a sort of Christ figure, with his death and resurrection ushering in a new age of Middle-earth.

Though the films don’t touch much on Eru Ilúvatar, making the story behind Gandalf’s resurrection something of a mystery to casual viewers, Tolkien’s greater works do. Maybe this «plot hole» has been filled after all.