Part 5/10:
The series’ creators seem to be intentionally altering lore to fit a narrative that diverges from Tolkien’s vision. For example, the showrunners have revealed plans to include and significantly modify Tom Bombadil, a mysterious and much-loved character from The Lord of the Rings. Fans understand that Bombadil’s original portrayal emphasizes his enigmatic nature and independence from the central conflicts of Middle-earth. Altering him—especially to fit into a storyline involving “The Hobbit” and “The Stranger”—strikes many as unnecessary and disrespectful to Tolkien’s original work.