What if Gandalf Took the One Ring? Theory (Updated)

[@whtbobwntsbobget]

"Gandalf and his advisor Sauron" damn that was painful to hear.

[@yourstruly4817]

"Don't tempt me, Frodo!"

[@morgulstower5839]

I dare not take it.

[@cyruspowers7355]

*In an alternate universe* "However, that ring is quite magnificent now that I can properly gaze upon it.."

[@oxfordeducatedhighschoolhe6989]

"Take it Gandalf, im giving it to you" "Thank you Frodo"

[@EdricLysharae]

"The most insidious Evil is the Evil that can convince you that it is The Greater Good." This was a fantastic remake!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Bonus MoW vid! Niiiice!

[@MenoftheWest]

Thanks Matt, cheers on your Gandalf Theory from last month! Here is the link for anyone who is interested!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5DKd3iEYqybn7M

[@shadowofchaos8932]

My head just popped. It's not Sunday!

[@deadend1041]

@@MenoftheWest very interested, thank you.

[@howardhavardramberg333]

This one is really good!

[@DavidWesley]

Great job with this what-if. Definitely more fleshed-out.

[@adarkwind4712]

The council wanted to see if it was the one so they asked the most pure hearted among them to do so. Is it not ironic that those who are supremely wise often fall not to their enemies armies or arrows. But to their own arrogance they thought themselves wise band strong and in so doing doomed all.

[@MenoftheWest]

Exactly, those are my thoughts as well!

[@Mattathais]

One of the best “What ifs” out there. Definitely gonna listen again on the way home.

[@SnakeRoadComicsOfficial3677]

Here's a What If idea: What If Smaug killed Bilbo and took the ring for himself. It's corrupting effect would possibly make him want more than the treasure under the mountain. He'll want all of middle earth to bow to him and offer him great tributes in return for their lives spared from his enhanced flames.

[@Starman256]

interesting idea, but how would he even wear it?

[@SnakeRoadComicsOfficial3677]

Given the ring shrunk to fit Isildur when he got a hold of it it's possible for the ring to grow large enough to fit Smaug's claws

[@kenroyjustin]

😰😱😰

[@Starman256]

@@SnakeRoadComicsOfficial3677 good point

[@whtbobwntsbobget]

Would it even have worked on dragons? What about eagles then?

[@paulwagner688]

"For the Ring corrupts absolutely". In all the legendarium, this is the most true. As Gandalf said in "The Shadow of the Past", no matter what the nature of the bearer, sooner or later the Ring would consume them utterly. If Manwe Himself were to put on the Ring, he would be transformed into something far worse than Melkor. We must trust in Iluvatar and know that ALL things redound to His Glory.

[@tominiowa2513]

The One Ring would not consume Bombadil, since he is a sui generis creation of Eru Ilúvatar immune to its effects.

[@paulwagner688]

@@tominiowa2513 "Say not that he has power over the Ring. Rather, the Ring has no power over him"--Gandalf, to paraphrase

[@johnrandolph1989]

Then Sarumon the White would've transformed into Sarumon the Yellow if you catch my meaning.😝🍋

[@theMightywooosh]

Saruman the brown pants

[@josephstalin4143]

Sarumaun the brown

[@Idunno-b8g]

............ He would have gotten a new tailor and went with a yellow theme?

[@timonsolus]

Wouldn't it be Saruman the Green? (with envy)

[@tylersoto7465]

LMAO

[@blake714]

The theory hurts. my heart felt heavy. I understand the "what if..?" but to see Gandalf in such a way...I have no words for it

[@MrWill7980]

Same here. When I realized the moment that Gandalf is keeping the Ring, I almost felt sick to my stomach! And at the White Council when they suggested Gandalf put on the Ring, I was mentally screaming "Burn it! Throw it in a fire and the markings reappear!" But, the Ring corrupts....

[@WestCoastEnclave]

Saruman:"Do you know what the Dwarfs awoke in the darkness of Khazad-Dum? Shadow...and flames." Gandalf:"I am the shadow...and I am the flames."

[@janpavel1107]

I am the one who knocks! Oops..sorry, wrong franchise!

[@sagebias2251]

Excelent video. My thoughts 1) Gandalf eventually would be tricked by Sauron into giving the ring to Sauron. They would become of one mind, and Sauron would be better able to use the ring to accomplish their collective aims. 2) Illuvitar would not let this happen. He revived Gandalf to defeat Sauron. Somehow he would prevent this. 3) Even Gandalf could not conquer Tom Bombadil.

[@BJETNT]

If there was one person on Middle Earth that could resist the effects of the Ring I think it was gandalf. Out of all the creatures on Middle Earth he did the most good out of all of them. I don't think it would be that easy for sauron to overtake him. There was no will on Middle Earth more able to create good and see what was going on then Gandalf. Why is sauron always the greatest will in the Middle Earth? Gandalf is of the same level is him. If anybody could have used it for good it was him. And no I don't count Tom bombadil

[@1mol831]

@@BJETNT what if the brown wizard gets the ring?

[@andrewg.carvill4596]

@@BJETNT In the book, the chapter 'the Shadow of the Past', Gandalf explains to Frodo that this is not true, and implies that to believe this would be Gandalf's greatest temptation and Sauron's greatest lie. In some ways the whole epic is about the temptation of will-to-power, that is will-to-order-all things, which corrupts by making the one who succumbs to it become diabolic, the destroyer of all freedoms bar his own.

[@puzzlingcentaur]

I can't get enough of this. Each of your theories/alternate universes are amazing.

[@n00n87]

Really happy to see this remade! This has long been my favourite theory of yours, and I always appreciated the realism and sticking to a possible, inevitable, outcome of one of the ainur taking the one ring.

[@christianwilliams2617]

I LOVE these 'What If' stories! I did have a question, though, if it wouldn't be a bother to see idea from. Is it possible that there can be a 'What If Sauron Stayed Good' or 'What If Gollum Became Good' theory? Anyways, love your content, as always!

[@Thentherewasbim]

I second this request

[@Jesse_andrew]

I third

[@georgipopov8973]

Please do a "What if Gollum had remained faithful to Frodo" video. Great work!

[@emmonstrex65]

I agree- this revamped theory is more spot on. Amazing talent, thx for posting!💯

[@hudsonball4702]

HAH! You put this video out today on the same day I happen to find my long lost prec... The One Ring replica.

[@mrwalronda]

Great updated video Yoystan! And also an amazing surprise in the middle of the week!

[@NateAdamsMadeofAdams]

Now I want a video on what happens if I got the One Ring

[@MenoftheWest]

Dude... if Nate Adams got the One Ring.. RIP Middle-earth, it doesn’t stand a chance.

[@NateAdamsMadeofAdams]

I often think back to this reply and it makes me smile

[@glorfification]

"Let me explain, Frodo. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. But it rocks absolutely, too."

[@timonsolus]

"Alright, Gandalf. I'll give you the Ring, and in return, you can give me a rock."

[@tylersoto7465]

Gandalf: frodo heres a guitar now your a ROCKSTAR LMAO 😂

[@randysavage1]

" power TENDS to corrupt"

[@elias_xp95]

@@randysavage1 Power always corrupts. Even if the corruption is something trival.

[@Strifegar]

Dang man, awesome work. Seriously, you've outdone yourself. I read the title and everything and I was still sitting here saying to myself "That's not how it happened, right?" Haha. It gets no better than Men of the West!!

[@omarflores9011]

He will bring peace, freedom, justice, and security to his new empire

[@Steel-101]

Oooooh I love “what if” videos! Thank you Mr. West! 😎👍🏼

[@AC-zn1ty]

I really enjoy your musings. There are many lessons to be learned in the LOTR, that is why it remains in my heart and heard back collection for all these years. When I need some encouragement it is always good to review. Keep up the great work! Camber here.

[@MrAchilleez]

This was so good. I’d love to read that alternate timeline anytime

[@arlo5740]

I love the dark lord gandalf art it is so scary! Awesome theory as always.

[@DamonNomad82]

Mae Govannon Yoystan! I've always loved contemplating this scenario, and I'm glad you revisited it.

[@tmwbadh]

"Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks! I'm not trying to help you, I'm trying to rob you."

[@willc1294]

lol sounds like something a dodgy politician would accidentally say out loud to his voters :D

[@trollkenobi6727]

You will not stop me, Gandalf will become more powerful than either of us!

[@darthjarjarbinkstherealsit6832]

Much fait in your aprentice, you have.

[@ChaoticHarmony431]

I preferred the OG theory, but this was enjoyable too. Keep up the good work ^^

[@CantGetEnoughBach]

Well done! As Tolkien himself illustrated so well, the familiar adage "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely," still, without exception, applies to all created beings. May all take heed, like Cirdan, and avoid the deadly perils of pride and lust for power. Such may be done only in cooperation with Iluvatar. The sacred beauty of free-will depends entirely on the Designer's plan from Creation until the final Return of the King.

[@TK-si3nb]

I would absolutely love to see a video about what would of happened if Pippin hadn’t of awakened the goblins and balrog in Moria. How long would Gandalf have stayed grey if he didn’t fall?

[@ChrisLfc92]

You Should do a theory on Sauron winning and the host of the valar coming back to beat him!

[@theflourishersguild9010]

Perfect! This makes me want to do an Aragorn or Gandalf piece of artwork! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@fgtrhwu2]

I very nearly decided to not go to work, thinking it's a Sunday. Thx for the bonus video

[@Robridgy93]

Saw this uploaded and I was instantly confused on what day it was lol awesome video dude

[@MenoftheWest]

LOL same while I was making it, I keep thinking today is Sunday haha

[@sethwallwork3670]

Thank you for making this I like to see all the creators videos on this theory

[@bigmo611]

I liked the first one, but this one is even better! Thanks a lot!

[@nathaniellong4281]

These theories on what if Gandalf took the ring remind me of a video made by MatPat at Film Theory some years ago. He was addressing the question about should the Ring had been flown to Mordor by the Eagles. To answer that question, he said he read every Lord of The Rings material, including the books and Tolkien's letters. In his video, he said that the only race that made the best Ringbearers were the Hobbits because the more powerful a race is, the greater the Ring's corruption, and Hobbits are actually the weakest race in Tolkien's Legendarium. Gandalf being a Maiar, meaning one of the Ainur, makes him a member of the most powerful race in Middle Earth, with only the Valar, more powerful Ainur, in Vallinor and Eru Illuvatar, the true God of of the universe(who lives outside the universe in the Timeless Halls), being more powerful. This is why any what if where Gandalf takes the Ring will not end well for Middle Earth, and if I remember correctly, Tolkien himself said so in one of his letters.

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

Bad Gandalf = the domination of middle earth! Great Video!

[@lordoftherings999]

Great video, thank thee for gathering all these informations 😊 Just an (albeit minor) detail: Tolkien himself stated that, if Saruman took the Ring, he would set himself in Barad-dûr and the Dark Tower wouldn’t be destroyed (also because it was founded upon the Ring). I also questioned which is the meaning of the sentence: “The Ring would be the master at the end” (in the letter that explains what would happen if Gandalf took the Ring). Doth it mean that Sauron would come back, or simply that the Ring would corrupt Middle Earth as if Sauron was wearing it? Anyway really thank thee 😊

[@orrointhewise87]

“Don’t....tempt me Frodo. I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe” Just goes to show u; either u die a hero or live long enough to become the villain 😏 Very glad this did not come to pass, Gandalf the White is a far better outcome than Gandalf the Black 😬

[@YakMotley]

Wow! Great video!

[@yogidemis8513]

Whaaaaaaaaat!!!! A new video on a Wednesday. Today is a good day.

[@tomcross3000]

i liked your previous version too tbh, both of them were very skilfully broken down

[@tathemrelag3123]

Didn't Tolkien say that if another Maiar, a High Elf, or a sufficiently strong-willed Dunedain became master of the One, Sauron would be destroyed in the same way he was when the One was destroyed?

[@mechadoggy]

Yeah

[@_Kalfy]

Exactly but then a new Sauron might appear

[@taylenday]

That would be hilarious, because it would imply that Gandalf should have taken the ring from Frodo and that would've been the end of it.

[@Crafty_Spirit]

Hi guys, somewhat of a random question. Do you think that Sauron was only able to rebuild his body after the downfall of Numenor because the ring tied him to the earth? I'm not sure if he had the ability to recover a physical form without the ring, and here's why: Morgoth was afraid of fighting on his own because he knew he could perish for good if he'd be slain. None of the eliminated Balrogs apparently ever returned, and Saruman was said to wander the earth as an 'immaterial' spirit after he was stabbed. And Gandalf after dying returned on behalf of Eru we are told. Could it therefor be that Maiar can only return to physical form after being slain if some powerful extra magic is at work?

[@willjackson7548]

These videos are just 👌 absolutely spot on and I love it!

[@freezalo7521]

Yay my favorite video from you has been updated

[@fatrick9001]

Pretty compelling and likely seeming take.. Well done.

[@NANA-kf1cs]

Please do "What if the ents didn't attack Isengard?"

[@jameshetfield3105]

I have always wondered if this scenerio played out ever since seeing that scene where gandalf tells why he wouldent wield the ring.

[@joshivanmel]

He probably knew that he will be a far terrible Ring-Lord than Sauron. He is smart and thats scary. He definitely knew this would happen

[@davidrider9866]

Amazing video. Well done

[@RadBrad1986]

Good job on this video! At some points in this video, you could branch it off into different part two's.

[@benturner3458]

Awesome mate. Brilliant stuff

[@MrKzup]

Much better than than the previous version,

[@coleton7048]

This is fantastically well done!

[@atimidbirb]

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, the au

[@roberthornibrook6344]

Ohh update! Love it!

[@gandalf7262]

Fools, stop imagining to take the Ring. The One Ring is evil and has his own will. The Ring must be destroyed

[@invisiblejaguar1]

I like both versions of the theory, you tell it well as always 🙂

[@Halbared]

Sauron wasn'ttable to hold corporeal form, he wouldn't be able to come forth, save in a way that other spirits could see him, I would guess at. I reckon if Gandalf did try and use the ring, he'd wouldn't be corrupted, or at least not for a long time and would see himself at the end and give it up. Nice theory.

[@sageofcaledor8188]

That is a good video. But would have it gone differently if he ignored Sauron? Or will it delay the inevitable? Like In his pity, Gandalf is enraged the Valar stood back and allowed middle earth to suffer under their watch.

[@jgking847]

Whaaaatttt, and updated theory today?? Day is a thousand times better already yoystan!!🙌🏼🙌🏼👏🏼

[@DrunkJester]

I would like to see what if golloum got the ring back before he swore a oath to Frodo like if he threw a boulder down on sam and frodo in those rocky crags before he got ambushed.

[@willc1294]

This is quite good but I recall another video about if Gandalf had taken the ring, which was imo better, maybe it was a different channel, I'll have to look around youtube.

[@brianmessemer2973]

Fascinating take

[@JoshTerror]

This is perfect. It's quite the cautionary tale.

[@jacobdoster4054]

I like this one better than the original good job!

[@marionbaggins]

Man, that was scary, Just re re-imagining Gandalf with the one ring and how it would change/affect Middle Earth to the time to come!!! Thanks for another *the fourth* Video Early Mellon, It was Great and Terrifying to reimagine...Until the Kinslayings of the 1st Age...Marion Baggins Out

[@littlefoot5013]

I would think if Gandalf put it on that it also may have created a "disturbance in the Force" that may have alerted Sauron (the maker) as well as the Nazgul (who also had possessed nine of the lesser Rings) and were certainly bound to the One Ring. Granted, Frodo put it on a couple of times but it didn't alart Sauron till he claimed it, but that's because he wasn't really that powerful. If someone like Glorfindel, Celeborn, Elrond, Saruman (good or otherwise), or Gandalf wore it, though, it might have alerted Sauron and the Wraiths immediately.

[@DarthKhayman420]

Everyone always asks this and imagines him getting it when its offered to him. But I want to know what would happen if Gandalf the White got the one ring. Would he be more powerful than Gandalf the grey getting it. Would he be able to control it better since alot more of his actual self was unlocked when he resurrected or would it still corrupt him just as fast.

[@hynjus001]

This was so well done!

[@arturleperoke3205]

Very Nice Video Men of the West! I think Sauron would have still held supreme power over the 9 Nazgul? 'Sauron, who still through their nine rings (which he held) had primary control of their wills' -> from a Letter of Tolkien. 'At length Sauron resolved that no others would serve him in this case but his mightiest servants, the Ringwraiths, who had no will but his own, being each utterly subservient to the ring that had enslaved him, which Sauron held' -> from unfinished Tales Also I have slight doubts that Gandalf would team up with the rest of the council, since the rings prime effect on others was to deceive them in believing that they have supreme power.

[@littlefoot5013]

I think you did this one once before, though. I'm curious as to what would have happened in Gimil (or Thorn, and yes it's possible, as Biblo had it with him in The Hobbit) had gotten the Ring or if Bilbo had kept it. Also an interesting one would have been What if Bilbo had killed Gollum in The Hobbit? This would have been an interesting one as the act may have made him less inclined to give up the Ring and also it would have delayed Sauron finding out who had the Ring and where as it was Gollum that he, very reluctantly, got the information out of to send the Nazgul to the Shire.

[@kylewetzel1750]

One thing that has always slightly confused me is why the council didn't send more elfs on this errand. It wouldn't have drawn any more attention than the regular crew but would have added much needed protection and help. I understand that may hamper the adventure side of things as far the reader being concerned but it just makes so much more since. I understand they wanted them to be relatively unnoticed but when your talking about escorting the one thing that would litteraly be the doom of all I think you could add a few more troops to protect it. For example if 10 elves where added they could have acted as scouts. They could of pursued Frodo and Sam when they split while still allowing the rest to go after merry and pippin. It just makes way more since. Not to even mention how much safer all would of been. You should make a video explaining why or why not this would have been bad. If you agree with me and think they should have sent more you should make a what if video. I want to add just regular warrior elfs not Elrond or anyone too powerful that'd draw attention. Just a thought and a good video idea I think!

[@ProfessorChaos56]

"Gandalf as Ring-Lord would have been far worse than Sauron. He would have remained 'righteous', but self-righteous. He would have continued to rule and order things for 'good', and the benefit of his subjects according to his wisdom (which was and would have remained great)". -Tolkien

[@margaretalbrecht4650]

Why would Elrond and Galadriel be ensnared? The wearers of the three rings weren't ensnared by Sauron when he put on the One Ring and tried to rule all the other rings. They immediately knew and took their rings off to hide them.

[@whoopwhoop3660]

well thought written and spoken!

[@ollep0lle]

I liked the other one more... It felt more dramatic and I could visualise everything in my head. Im sorry to see you removed that version :(

[@chanonnaluta7958]

Suggestion for a "what if " video: What if Gandalf stayed on the Quest of Erebor?

[@djlejeune-author]

Wow well done!

[@melkormorgothbauglir.4848]

I know in the timeline this make's no sense but please do what if Melkor had the one ring?

[@sphere9457]

Melkor is a tier above Sauron in terms of godhood so it probably would do nothing. He could just snap it in half with his fingers if he wanted.

[@Starman256]

love the video, my man

[@android584]

Very good although required methods of testing the ring other than personally wearing it to be discarded. I think Sauron could be killed without any impact on the outcome. Unless he cannot be killed without destroying the ring? The most entertaining One ring theory for me was it being discarded in the ocean. Thanks for the video.

[@agilagilsen8714]

I think this was good, although I don't think that it would have gone quite like this. Gandalf might have been able to force the one ring to his will. But I think that the ring would have at some point simply have abandoned him and returned to it's true lord. Leaving Gandalf finally in a position where he saw exactly what he had done, seeing how he in his desire to help had only built a throne for Saron to usurp the moment it was properly prepared.

[@JeffYPbPr]

This was an awesome what if. Great job

[@zzzl4656]

Whoa. It’s Wednesday and we got a video yasssss

[@billhart3728]

A vision where people are compassionate through threat of force. Great line

[@timw483]

Somehow I suspect that Sauron would have been more insidious planning for the ring's effect on others. Think about it, seeing Morgoth thrown down he would have known that the same could happen to him and plan accordingly. The ring then, would have had safeguards against any race that Sauron knew of at the time. This is why only hobbits could safely handle the ring, as it's evil was never designed with them in mind. For all other races there would have been a safeguard built-in. I think after enough time, the new bearer would have been so corrupted that Sauron would have overthrown their mind.

[@michellejacoby1241]

Love this 💜

[@littlefoot5013]

Considering how she watched the greed for the Simrals wreck havoc on her people, I don't think Galadriel would be in favor of Gandalf putting it on to test it (especially when the fire test would work too, as it did in the actual timeline.), as she might fear it would corrupt him.

[@shanenolan8252]

Thanks this was a pleasant surprise

[@jakegetsreel4024]

Would it be possible to reupload the original video? I like this one, but it's a little hard to follow.

[@iainsonofjohn3514]

Advice and goog counsel are always better than force (war). 🧝‍♂️✌

[@Talion-jv1zp]

Great video! Could you maybe make a theory video about an alternative event in the first or second age. For example: What would have happened if Feanor survived the fight with the Balrogs?

[@Feanor6450]

Not sure but I wish I hadn't died

[@ResonantChemist]

Rather than testing it by wearing the ring, wouldn't it have been simpler and safer to put it in the fire and see if Sauron's motto appeared? Or are we assuming in this alternate series of events that Gandalf either wasn't aware of this facet due to not researching it, or that the ring's influence had pushed him towards the more direct method of putting it on?