What if Gandalf Was Not Resurrected? Theory

[@mariapazgonzalezlesme]

Gandalf is basically the moral pillar and guiding light of the story. I can't imagine how the story would go foward without him.

[@RomanHistoryFan476AD]

I would go as far to say, even though it is really hard for to me it say it as i love all the heroes of this great tale, but Gandalf i think is the hero of this story, without him returning and being the beacon he is there is no victory for good and light, He is the main hero. Frodo might have got the ring to Mount Doom but Gandalf was the one who built the path and rallied the builders.

[@timonsolus]

@@RomanHistoryFan476AD : Different universe entirely - but Obi-Wan Kenobi defeated Darth Vader by allowing Vader to kill him on the Death Star. (Planned in advance.) After which his spirit was able to guide Luke Skywalker to use the Force to make the shot that destroyed the Death Star. Luke would not have made that shot alone (turned off his targeting computer on Obi-Wan's advice). Point is, dying doesn't necessarily mean your cause is lost. You can be a great hero without surviving.

[@RomanHistoryFan476AD]

@@timonsolus Good point, but imagine if Obi-Wan never came back as a force ghost at all. never advised Luke.

[@timonsolus]

@@RomanHistoryFan476AD : That still leaves Yoda.

[@Phoenixesper1]

You forget that the valar sent 5 wizards to serve this purpose, and that one still remians, radaghast. I beleive that everything stated in this video would pass, however frodos journey is relatively unscathed until he gets to mordor. I believe the valar would have called out to radaghast and convinced him to rise up and take gandalfs mantle. I believe he would have sought out frodo and since by the time frodo in approaching mordor hes within relative spitting distance of south mirkwood where radaghast is, that radaghast would find them before they reached the black gate and with his power (yes he is far weaker then gandlaf in sheer power, but still more then a match for shelobe, gollum and the orcs) I believe he would have given frodo the edge he required to traverse the mordor plains, while bolstering frodos resolve just enough with his power to ensure they made it to mount doom and destroyed the ring, though they would shortly after die since radaghasts powers would have been spent and the eagles would not be coming but still....victory and radaghast would have fullfilled the valars dream. The meek hobit and the weakest of wizards truely triumping over evil.

[@garrettrieger7544]

Great job describing the despair without Gandalf present. I felt hopeless by the end of this movie... well done, haha! Thanks!

[@isaacewart107]

3 dislikes? I thought there was only 1 Balrog left

[@elijahbarker7007]

Help. They're multiplying! 😭

[@DamonNomad82]

Up to 12 dislikes now...must be the Balrog, Sauron, Saruman and the nine Nazgul!

[@thomaspreston3618]

21 Balrogs now. they are growing exponentially now.

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

@Isaac ewart - You *know* what they awoke here ... *shadow and flame* ... 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

@Rylee *"FLAME OF UDÛN...! GO BACK TO THE SHADOW...!"*

[@narri214]

What if gandalf wasn't resurrected... Nothing good would happen

[@RomanHistoryFan476AD]

What could i say, Gandalf is so important to the Free people's victory that, i would say he is the Main Hero even, He was the one who broke Saruman's power and ruined his plans. He is the one who gave will and strength to a tired Gondor and kept the darkness at bay, he is the one who set Frodo on his way and advised him to show mercy to gollum. plus many more other deeds of his, without Gandalf i would say there is no real true resistance or threat to Sauron's grand plans.

[@shadowofchaos8932]

The fall of Rohan and the quest to destroy the ring would have been pivotal. But with news of his death wouldn't the elves (elrond, Galadrial, cirdin the shipwright) step in to help assist with the quest?

[@wowjack8944]

They where fighting the orcs of Dol Guldur.

[@crankenstein20]

Brave Soldi3r False. That was 60 years prior during the events of the Hobbit. Once they were successful and drove the Nine and Sauron from Dol Guldur it would remain abandoned and empty.

[@wowjack8944]

@@crankenstein20 No you are false, they also fought the orcs of Dol Guldur during the lord of the rings. In 2951 Dol Guldur was re occupied by Khamûl, the second chief, and two other Nazgûl. They fought the Elves of Lorien and Mirkwood. Galadriel pushed them back to Dol Guldur and destroyed Dol Guldur after Sauron was already defeated. Also the Dwarves and Men of Dale fought a hugh battle against the Easterlings starting at the same time as the battle for Minas Tirith which they would have lost if news did not reach them that Sauron had died, after which most Easterlings abandoned the siege. (also Gimli and Gloin came to the council of Elrond because a messenger, probably a Nazgul, asked the dwarves to join Sauron. In return he would give them a few dwarven rings back and Moria) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp-cqWdnocR6isU a good video.

[@hardstyle2289]

@@crankenstein20 that is wrong actually, dol guldur launched multiple attacks against the mirkwood elves and lorien during the war of the ring. They just drove sauron from dol guldur to barad dur that doesnt mean his forces werent using it as a stronghold afterwards

[@tzatx7136]

What if gandalf the grey survived moria and never became gandalf the white?

[@danielb337]

I have been wondering about that a lot and have been asking the same question

[@benpilcher6798]

What if denethor had gotten hold of the ring. Ps I love your videos

[@SillyIdea]

I second this! I've never heard anyone talk about that.

[@LordTalax]

@Brythonic A man wouldn't be able to use the ring's full power. He would have just had invisiblity and such until it betrayed him and the nazgul picked it up.

[@littlefoot5013]

What if Bilbo never let go of the Ring? Of all the theories out there, this one is the one that came VERY close to actually happening.

[@littlefoot5013]

i do have another theory as well. What if Sauron NEVER made the Ring? What if he decided to try a different approach than the Rings of Power? Would he have fallen when Numenor sunk and was it only the Ring that kept him? Would he have perished when defeated by the Last Alliance if the Ring didn't exist? Also, if the Ring never was made, that would mean no Nazgul as well as Smaug being a lot harder to defeat.

[@brovold72]

Denethor had a great deal of innate strength, for a mortal. Like Aragorn, he was able to use a Palantír (though not fully understanding what was revealed to him) and his spiritual "dueling" with Gandalf is telling. And he was certainly one who, as Galadriel put it, had trained his will to the dominion of others. This all goes more so for Aragorn, had he been tempted.

[@timonsolus]

But there is one alternative you haven’t considered in your video. There are two others in Middle Earth with power like to that of Gandalf. Galadriel, Queen of Lorien. And Elrond of Rivendell. Wielders of the other two of the Three Elven Rings. With Gandalf dead, perhaps Galadriel herself would take a personal hand in the war, fulfilling the tasks Gandalf had left undone, although perhaps at the expense of her own people in Lorien. She might have been able to find Gandalf’s body and recover the Ring of Fire, which she might send back to Cirdan the Shipwright, use herself, or possibly even give to Aragorn. Galadriel could have met Aragorn and the hobbits in Fangorn Forest, and ridden Shadowfax to Rohan, giving hope to Men when all seemed lost. Galadriel too possessed the power to break Saruman’s hold over Theoden. Galadriel could have ridden to bring Eomer and his horsemen to Helm’s Deep, saving Theoden and Aragorn’s Company. Galadriel might not be powerful enough to overcome Saruman in Orthanc and break his staff, but perhaps she might influence Wormtongue to stab Saruman in the back, killing him and preventing his takeover of the Shire. Galadriel could ride with Pippin to Minas Tirith. Although she would be no more successful than Gandalf in preventing the madness of Denethor, she might be able to save Faramir from the Nazgul, and inspire the Men of Minas Tirith to resist the siege of Sauron’s army long enough for the Rohirrim to ride to the rescue. After giving Aragorn the Ring of Fire previously worn by Gandalf, Galadriel would ride with his army to the Black Gate, diverting the Orcs around Gorgoroth to that area and enabling Frodo and Sam to reach the Crack of Doom. What this might cost the Elves of Lorien I do not know - but Galadriel knew that saving Minas Tirith was more important than saving her own people. Perhaps Elrond and the Elves of Rivendell might be able to help them instead.

[@DamonNomad82]

Another possible recipient for the Ring of Fire in this scenario could be Celeborn. He would certainly be qualified to wield it.

[@nathanbaca5131]

I'm pretty sure the elves would have fled to valinor unwilling to fight the seemingly hopeless battle.

[@timonsolus]

@@nathanbaca5131 : Celeborn and his people were of the Sindar, formerly the Elves of Doriath, and had little experience of positive contact with Men. They had even fought a war with Dwarves back in the Elder Days. But Galadriel was of the Noldor, not the Sindar, and was more sympathetic to other races than the other Elves of Lorien. She had previously aided Gandalf, Saruman and Elrond in driving Sauron out of the stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood before the Battle of the Five Armies. So it's not impossible (or even unlikely IMO) that in the event of Gandalf's death, Galadriel would have decided to help Aragorn herself - even without her husband's approval if necessary. She may even have been able to arrange for a small 'personal guard' of Lorien Elves to come to defend Helm's Deep, as we saw in the Lord of the Rings movies. For Galadriel, risking her own life could seem like a fitting and final redemption for following Feanor to Middle Earth after the Kinslaying many centuries before.

[@MrAccidentalGenius]

gandalf rode with Erkenbrand, not Eomer, Eomer was already at helms deep with the company and the king.

[@crankenstein20]

Perfect, absolutely perfect and excellent opinion! *Applause* 👏👏 Also we’re never told much about Alatar and Pallando (the 2 Blue Wizards), they could possibly have been summoned or sought out from the East. Radagast could possibly have been called upon to help to the best of his ability and possibly even the dwarves of Middle Earth May have been convinced to help save the world in such a dire circumstance.

[@rorydonaldson2794]

Love these theory videos. I love seeing other people's perspective and theories of all aspects of LoTR

[@sharonsartisticcorner1195]

Now I'll do ya one better- What if Elrond had never been or decided to take Sauron's side?

[@alexshellnot4407]

Instantly clicked on this vid when I saw it! You always make the best content Yoystan. Thank you so much, we are all blessed to have a youtuber like you man! Keep up the amazing work :))))))).

[@Galadonin]

I follow you since a long time and truly this is your greatest video ! It's dark yet very accurate. You must have taken some time to compile all the information and write today's video. I'm great full that you're here making me love Tolkien even more

[@moreiglesias]

I believe that this would have made for an interesting canon

[@ErelasInglor]

If Aragorn saw no return of Gandalf nor much hope for reinforcements from Rohan he would have held the Oathbreakers longer until the last enemy was driven from Minas Tirith and beyond. So, it most likely would have changed much of this story in my opinion. Props on continuing to improve your pronunciation! :)

[@admiralnips8294]

For years you have done such great work with a strong passion and keen mind. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@ardascholar5289]

Great video Yoystan. I love how much time and energy you appear to put into the thinking of these What If videos. I really enjoy listening to them and visualizing just what would happen as you walk us through it. Keep up the great work good Sir!

[@choueriito2548]

Do one on what if the Kingdom of Arnor managed to repel the Witch King. Tolkien even said that had Arnor not fallen, the line of kings would have remained and many evil could have been avoided, so exploring the full repercussions would be quite interesting.

[@glennross85]

What if Frodo was never orphaned?

[@sunwukong6897]

I have my first day of work tomorrow, so thank you for giving me an easy rest this Sunday night with another great video!

[@jeffhallam2004]

I always am crazy about your videos! I wish there were more but I cannot imagine how much money and effort goes into them! Thank you for all you do! I dont know why I didn't subscribe before because youve been a favorite of mine for so long! I finally did!

[@jadejensin3016]

You should do a theory video on What if the Fellowship Never Broke. Like at Amon Hen, instead of Merry and Pippin getting caught, Boromir manages to save them (him still dying in the process is up to you) and then they all go after Frodo and Sam together to continue to Mordor as originally planned? It would be an interesting theory I think.

[@robiniowoodstonewomenwitch5467]

~Tree Beard The Wise ,Of Ancient Wood~By The Power Of The Light Of Gandalf The Wise The Staff Carrier~Transformation

[@Zurkan0802]

I love your Theories, it's probably much work, so thank you. It's just great how you think of so many details and outcomes and find the most fitting, creating a story that could be cannon

[@JoaoPedro-qp9cw]

Mae govannen mellon Can you do a "What if the elves stayed in Middle-Earth (with Melkor still being captured)?" someday?

[@sharonsartisticcorner1195]

Oh I would love this!

[@geviesanta3631]

Me too, that would be very interesting.

[@Mr07Jackdaw]

Here's an idea I'd like to see explored: What if Gandalf ignored Pippin's warning about Denethor's madness and rode out to help Theoden instead of going to save Faramir?

[@Sakuradragon639]

Gandalf is in my top five characters. He is my favorite of the maiar that were sent to arda

[@madambutterfly1997]

They were so worried about destroying Middle-earth that they decided their course of action would seem like they're doing something but in actuality it was nothing

[@Chronocrits]

Wow, that was truly bleak from start to finish. The importance of Gandalf clearly cannot be overstated. Very well written!

[@Lalvon_Zelpharr]

There is no denying that Gandalf was a major and incredibly important character in the Lord of the Rings that's why his death was so impactful and raised the stakes very high in the story. I think Tolkien could have worked with him being killed off permanently maybe have more of the characters Parish like Sam and Gimli or Legolas and have the fellowship search out the other wizard Radagast for help and guidance in bringing the one ring to Mordor and defeating Sauron I think that could have been interesting

[@JelloFluoride]

I thought it was cool how you inserted the characters with images of them in scenarios where they weren't present. This was a cool what-if video! Thanks :)

[@orangexlightning]

I have no shame in admitting I sometimes watch some of your videos on loop for 2-3 hours straight without getting bored of em.

[@80budokai]

Awesome video! 💯🙏🙌

[@Jack_of_Helsinki]

What if Gandalf has gone to the dark side and Saruman on the good side?

[@dangerdan2592]

I agree with most of it, however I don't agree that the hobbits would allow gollum to take the ring without putting up a fight and possibly killing him just because they pitied him. Frodo didn't want to needlessly kill him and he did pity gollum, but when it came down to it I think that Frodo and Sam would have taken their swords out and done what needed to done. They wouldn't drop their whole mission and doom all the free peoples of Middle Earth for him.

[@bombchus]

This reminds me of a quote from the end of Return of the King. "for Gandalf, the great mover and all you see before you without him, would be not."

[@crankenstein20]

My biggest question is why would Aragorn have to release the Oathbreakers after defeating the corsairs at the Bay of Belfalas? Since they were truly still needed and theirs services required could the free peoples not use them until they were victorious or until they were on the brink of utter destruction then Aragorn could release them just before he died? I always thought it was silly that they didn’t use them at the battle at the Black Gate as well to decimate Saurons legions. They literally can’t be hurt or killed so use them as long as they are needed, wipe Mordor clean and march directly to the Cracks of Doom as an escort for Frodo and once there he would be free to toss the One Ring into the chasm and if he didn’t then toss him in with it.

[@geauxburns]

What's a Yoystan, precious? In all serious, I've been enjoying your vids shortly after I finished binging LOTR and Hobbit films. Hope you get around to making more Lore Reviews for Desolation of Smaug and Battle of the Five Armies Extended Editions soon...

[@aj_8009]

I love these What If videos. Could you consider doing What if Gandalf had not fallen in Moria? How would the story have changed if the Balrog fell from the bridge, but was never able to snare Gandalf with his whip to bring him down with him. Would the Fellowship remain together? Would we find out more about how Gandalf planned to get the Fellowship into Mordor? Would the more subtle powers of The Grey Wizard be inefective in the final battles?

[@Trendle222]

why would anyone dislike ur video's is beyond me

[@nickace4373]

I disagree on two things. First, Aragorn Legolas and Gimli wouldn't have left Saruman to do as he will after they defeated him with the help of the Ents and left, they would have clearly recognized the threat he posed. Secondly, about the Frodo and Sam part. The events happening elsewhere wouldn't have affected their journey in that way, only at the time when Aragorn challenged Sauron and brought the orcs at the Black Gate. So, Frodo and Sam would either have to find another more difficult way to sneak in and failed, or they would have succeeded in doing so and died at Mount Doom. If they did succeed, that would have been a new spring of hope for the remaining few forces of free men in Middle Earth. Otherwise the end would have been as you described.

[@Steve-hk5ds]

Love this video, would love the (update) treatment or... one idea, if Gandalf is not resurrected what if instead Radagast the brown took his place in the events of the story? perhaps a vision of Gandalfs death or Gandalfs fëa urged his fellow wizard into action? He could call upon the creatures of middle-earth to take action against Saruman, deduce a natural remedy for Théoden. etc, etc. I feel Radagast's triumph over Saruman would be far more potent.

[@connorross4571]

I think it would have been different. For example, Eomer and the riders he could gather from around Rohan could defeat the Uruk-Hai. Thus saving Rohan, while Aragorn would go to Minas Tirith and become king increasing the morale of Gondor's military.

[@williamfrancis4912]

I think Frodos quest would have been successful, but Gandalfs absence would mean that Rohan and Gondor would have been wiped out. So the orcs and evil men would have had dominion in the south until their own infighting weakened them so much that men from the north could have reclaimed that land. I think Eru would not have intervened to help the free people defeat Sauron, but sending Gandalf back did not directly impact Frodos quest, it just meant the rebuilding after was much faster. It would have been a really sad timeline since Frodo would have been successful but almost everyone would have died, with the only hope coming many years in the future

[@zeoxyman]

Yeah this is my expectation too. The hobbits might get lucky in Mordor (Sam's willpower really seems unshakable there). But they'll die after their victory since the Eagles wouldn't know to come get them. Let's be generous and assume Aragorn also played it smart and retreated from Gondor after Minas Tirith fell (maybe held out in Dol Amroth or thereabouts?). Then we're still left with Dunedain remnants against Saruman; and the elves are weakened by the loss of the Three Rings. I think it's quite likely that Saruman would take control of some of Sauron's orcs, rather than them self destructing. So in the end, we get a different, less powerful dark lord. A slightly more interesting variant - same scenario, but Gandalf straight up loses to Durin's Bane. In that case, the Balrog will probably sit out the war in Moria, but eventually he'll emerge and we might see two rival dark lords in very close proximity (assuming Saruman retakes Isengard). Maybe we'd get lucky and see them destroy each other, but they'd probably settle more into rival empires - split North and South until Saruman feels strong enough to challenge his rival, maybe.

[@mitchindy8643]

Agreed, there's pretty much no scenario where Sauron doesn't win if Gandalf isn't there to pull some strings behind the scenes. Opposite question - What would happen if Pippin hadn't alerted Moria to their presence, and as a result they (including Gandalf) made it out of the mines without confronting the Balrog?

[@TrueRazarus]

Story with a very important and wise moral. Sometimes no matter how much you hope, how hard you try, how noble your intent or how many go towards a goal... its not enough. Without a "miracle" or just plain dumb luck you will fail. Then again would they fail if they abandoned their morals? No they would not. Sometimes you can only win you can win notnthe way you want to win. Bht a win is a win. Dont stick to any ideals if they hurt you or dont reward you.

[@Bryan-gy2zu]

Question: Why wasn't Sam tempted by the ring? From what I gather, the more "good' you are the more the ring calls to you?

[@jorgepalomo6417]

Sam was tempted by the wing promising that he will destroy Sauron and turns Mordor into a great Garden. But the problem is that Sam only desire a simple life

[@gibbletronic5139]

I was on board until the part where Gollum takes the Ring from Frodo and Sam. Why would things be different than they were in the books?

[@mjordansharp]

I see no reason for that part to play out differently, I'm with you here. I mean, they'd have both died and not been eagled away to safety, but they're part up until dying in lava would have played out the same.

[@Radiotomb]

What if Radagast stepped up and tried to help? He knew Saruman had tricked him. It would have been awesome to see him find courage and help the heroes.

[@dogman9183]

Thank you for the awesome videos!

[@pinkace]

Why would the oath breakers be ‘spent’ after fighting the corsairs? They could go on and on and on fighting until minas tirith was made safe. That was their oath, they can’t stop until it is done.

[@Voxdalian]

I actually think the story of Frode and Sam wouldn't change, except they'd die at the end because nobody was there to save them. Saruman would still have fallen to the Ents, but his armies would have destroyed Rohan. The Riders of Rohan would then avenge their fallen country and after that follow Aragorn to Gondor. At the siege of Gondor the Riders of Rohan would be present from the start, elves would come help Gondor instead of Helm's Deep and it would be a close battle. But with Eowin dead there's nobody to kill the Witchking, and with Gandalf dead nobody to keep them at bay, so in the end Gondor would fall. The orcs would continue pillaging the land until Frodo manages to destroy the Ring. At this point Aragorn & co would have died and the only important person around who still lives would be Faramir. So Faramir becomes the regent of the few remaining humans in Middle-Earth. Saruman, still imprisoned in Ortanc, gets sentenced to death by Faramir. The Shire is never attacked, so hobbits still have no clue about anything that happened.

[@SharonKofoed]

Thanks for the fascinating theory!

[@doreharbridgerobinsoncomed9799]

that was really good. makes me think what would of happened without other characters

[@Sh0ckmaster]

Gandalf has been described (I believe by Professor Tolkien himself) as an "Angelic being". He is the thread that ties together the tapestry of the story.

[@aumatomos7811]

A deadly sword, a healing hand, a back that bent beneath its load; a trumpet-voice, a burning brand, a weary pilgrim on the road. A lord of wisdom throned he sat, swift in anger, quick to laugh; an old man in a battered hat who leaned upon a thorny staff. He stood upon the bridge alone and Fire and Shadow both defied; his staff was broken on the stone, in Khazad-dûm his wisdom died.

[@DaDitka]

I can definitely see this scenario happening. Hope is so necessary to the mindset of people. Take that away, and you can wreck people faster than by going to actual war against them.

[@alejandroelizondo7078]

keep up the theory videos! they’re really good!

[@hughgedney3393]

Great video Men of the West.

[@sethmiller2534]

Yoystan, hearing your voice has an undeniable effect on me. I just can’t seem to not blush when I watch your videos. I’d say they are a cure for hypothermia because I assume you are so hot! Love you dude!

[@sbeach1971]

This was a perfect prediction. Gandalf wasn't just important, he was vital.

[@thejoker1323]

It is theorized that Eru also intervened in the very end of the story, tripping Gollam in his dance on the edge of the bridge, making him fall with the ring. Would Eru also abandoned the hobbits as he did with Gandalf in this timeline? I'm sure you are well aware of this, but I thought I drop my two cents in. Great channel, I literally thought of this what-if yesterday.

[@crankenstein20]

Can you or have you done a video on if Elrond chose to be mortal and Elros chose to be Elven??

[@TheBenjamin119]

great video. I still want to see "What if Gil-galad had lived" though.

[@robertwright4967]

Excellent storytelling.

[@Shubokai]

Great video and theory. If you ever do another one on Gandalf, can you do a theory on what if Gandalf never fell down the Bridge of Khazad dum?

[@timhutzler9441]

Eru Ilúvatar's character is sufficiently defined as a supreme being that loves his creation and would never abandon them to an evil antagonist. He also would not change his strategy regarding his plan and is consistent to the mainstream Christian theology that he was influenced by. Therefore, he would provide an alternate solution to Gandalf. Such a solution does not have to be a single new character. It can be a combination of new roles for existing characters... Galadriel for instance, or a combination of the great elves. ...and men... Éomer was a characterized as a great leader and it is conceivable that he would overthrow king Théoden due to his incapacity. Ther are so many possibilities.

[@geviesanta3631]

I would have been very sad if Gandalf did stay dead. 😢😢😭😭 He sure did played a very major role in the LOTR series both in the books and movies.

[@thejollypirate5669]

Spectacular what if scenario!

[@Bryce4Belle]

Does that mean that if another wizard dies they can be resurrected to? Like what if Saruman dies can he come back stronger?

[@ryderstockholm2365]

Bryce Cheng I don’t think so because Gandalf was the only wizard to carry on his task

[@gandalfolorin-kl3pj]

Saruman was rejected by the Valar, as you can see if you read that part of the Scouring of the Shire. So rejected, he could not return to life.

[@ryderstockholm2365]

gandalf66536 olorin you explained that way better

[@mojom.9221]

Love your videos , please tell me, wer did you find all the pictures of hdr you use in your videos. ?

[@secondson7573]

What if Elrond had joined the fellowship

[@someguy43210]

He would be a more effective leader than Aragon after Gandalf fell, keeping the fellowship in one piece, probably kick Boromir out of the party or at least chastise him along the way, but saving him the process.

[@benjaminlowe5057]

Question: have you read the novel The Last Ring Bearer, it's a Russian version of the Lord of the Rings that tells the story from Sauron's perspective.

[@ryderstockholm2365]

Benjamin Lowe i want to read that now

[@benjaminlowe5057]

I actually haven't read it haha. I really want to though, only knew it existed today.

[@johnycoho7830]

I should read that

[@TheMinecraftHype]

@@benjaminlowe5057 You saw the Reddit post too then eh? ;)

[@benjaminlowe5057]

Yeah. Still though, a very neat idea that I really want to get into, even if it's not canon

[@Insanity2039]

Where is the art from at 1 minute in the video, of Gandalf fighting the Balrog on the mountain top? I think that's my new desktop background

[@JCResDoc94]

i read somewhere that he never was resurrected. & it was actually snoke, since falling down a multi level shaft - even into a reactor or vulcano after being cut in half -wouldnt have injured someone in the extended lotrswu (*post Disney property merge). &, yeah. they switched on the way down the fall w/the balrog, & snoke pretends to be Gandalf the White via a powerful force illusion. we dont know why. it is a mystery box.

[@chevin0]

the what if videos are my favorites....followed by anything focused on the Elder Days, so I am REALLY happy right now, despite the video being dark. Great video Yoystan! you didn't mention because it wouldn't change anything, but they say that is what Gandalf used his ring for, to kindle hope, and you really drive home how critical that was

[@lucasmccloud9740]

What if Aragorn had brought the oath breakers to mordor? Would sauron be able to control them being so close to him? Or are they some how immune to his necromancy?

[@louiscox8602]

Spot on I say.

[@shadowofchaos8932]

Follow up question, what would've happened to his elvish ring of fire? Gwaihir could have found Gandalf and take is body and ring to lothlorian. Enter the new hero and the joining of the three rings.

[@orrointhewise87]

Needless we’re none of the deeds of Gandalf in life, we do not yet know his full purpose...... And this theory just proves it So if a wizard happens upon in your life, do not take them for granted 🧙🏼‍♂️

[@tathemrelag3123]

Can you do one about if Durin's Bane had killed Gandalf and survived at the peak of Zirakzigil?

[@johnycoho7830]

Yes

[@johnycoho7830]

And what if Durin's Bane found the ring?

[@pricey6184]

Love your vids you’re the reason I started reading the books

[@timsters5381]

I wouldn't think Aragorn on the black ships were see a taken Minas Tirith because it was his gaze into the Pilantir that moved Sauron hand faster so his stronger force wouldnt be as effective ,so i think Aragorn's 4,000 men would have bolster Minas Tirith defense force and Aragorn could direct the siege but it would be successful but the witch king would flee back to Minas Morgul but when Aragorn would go to the black gate he would be hit with all of the wraiths and the witch king of angmar, and the eagles would have come and save them, but the ring would be destroyed and Aragorn would taken on a more significant force from Mordor and would still win, just he would lose alot more men then he did previously since he let his 4,000 men stay in Minas Tirith rather then take them with him. So Gandalf not coming back wouldn't be as big as you thought it would be just that Rohan would not come to aid against Minas Tirith but i think the banner of Aragorn would be all that they might have needed, and by Sauron sending out a bigger Army to crush Minas Tirith he would not be ready for two hobbits to come through so pretty much what happens at Helms Deep happens in Mordor.

[@davidcontos7477]

Thank you. 💙

[@spencerblake5713]

I love these theory videos, make more please

[@candicecarter581]

That is really bad not send gandalf back. Good work on the video.

[@stranger9847]

How about what if the witch-king of agamar won the war for agamar Or if sauron got the ring Or what if frodo wasn't able to reach rivendale in time to stop his corruption And while I'm pretty sure this is impossible what if the witch-king betrayed sauron

[@campbellmays9900]

Please make a What if that doesn’t end with evil winning.

[@kyleedwards6026]

YESSSSSS I LOVE YOUR THEORY VIDEOS!!!

[@florencepinkston8663]

Haven't watched it yet, but I've thought it through, and literally every victory the Free Peoples had starting from Helms Deep and going to the final battle and the final victory would be replaced instead with a devastating defeat, all leading to Sauron winning the war. Without Gandalf everything would have likely fallen apart quickly and tragically, not through lack of valor, but through Sauron's sheer overwhelming might and influence, uncontested as it would have become with out Gandalf.

[@LaWraWaN]

I dont think the hobbits would lose to Gollum.. but they would possibly be captured anyways due to Aragorn's company not providing a distraction.

[@arlohollander6893]

What if Saruman corrupted Denethor instead of Theoden?

[@kratos6162]

Do a what if Boromir was never corrupted

[@kyleholbrook302]

Do you think the battle of Pelenor world have happened on the same timeline without Gandalf's contribution to getting the Orthanc Palantir stone? It seems like the urgency to attack would have been hastened by Sauron seeing Aragorn in the Palantir. Without that urgency from Sauron, I would think that the city wouldn't have fallen by the time Aragorn arrives. I still think that they get routed without Rohan though...

[@Phoenixesper1]

I call horse puckey on this. Yes with gandalf gone a great power of the free peoples has been lost...however.,There is still one last hope. If the valar sent the 5 wizards to middle earth in the first place to prevent saurons victory, Then I don't believe for a second their choice to prevent gandalfs return was merely happenstance, I believe if this was their action that they knew there was another who would rise up and take gandalfs place... an underdog that had been undervalued, shunned and otherwise cast aside and forgotten by the powers at hand in middle earth. That being is radaghast. With gandalf gone, saruman corrupted, the blue wizards taking turns running the land of oz and sauron on the brink of victory, I believe the valar would have called out to radaghast and convinced him to take up gandalfs mantle. radaghast is not so different from gandalf, he to is meek and fearful of sauron like gandalf was in the start, but no one believed in him and he sunk into obscurity. But I believe he would find strength, and power deep within, a confidence to protect the world of middle earth, and he would seek out those who needed him, namely frodo. considering by this theories logic when things really start to change for frodos part of the story, he's not far from mirkwood where radaghast dwells. I could see radaghaast finding frodo BEFORE he reaches the black gate with sam and golum. considering he is more then powerful enough to take on shelobe, and also deal with gollum, but yet is still weak enough to not draw the gaze of sauron in mordor. I think despite everything else that happens outside frodos journey radaghast would have ensured frodo got to mount doom and destroyed the ring, though to be fair he and frodo would likely have died after the fact as the eagles would not have saved them but still....victory and radagast has proven himself worthy of the task given him..

[@haberak3310]

Yeah this why I chose "What if Gil-Galad lived?" There were no surprises here, nothing terribly interesting going on. Everything was near fully predictable. I hope we can get that video though on Gil-Galad.

[@tombombadil8084]

What if Royen and Yoystan became the 10th and 11th members of the fellowship? See now that's the real theoretical question!

[@MenoftheWest]

Hahahaha that is hilarious 😂

[@MenoftheWest]

@Herr Darkurve I could see that! Two Lore-masters and warriors among men trying to use their knowledge of history to help guide the future haha

[@TheMinecraftHype]

Eru turning a blind eye eh? *screams in Feanor*

[@JCResDoc94]

gr8 entry ^^

[@MrBillclintin]

I think the more important part is if 'if eru illuvatar had turned a blind eye to middle earth'. Eru could have replaced Gandalf or changed the cuourse in favor in 'good'. But Sauron left alone, leaves the free people without a chance. Sauron lost the battles in Lord of the Rings (canon), but only just. Gondor and Rohan has lost most of their army. Sauron had the strength to strike again with a massive force. The free people only won, because Eru didn't turn the blind eye to middle earth.

[@nathanbaca5131]

What if Tom Bombadil fought Sauron 1v1?

[@Shaden0040]

What if Sauron moved 50 years earlier than he did, and Bilbo and the "Old" Gaffer went to destroy he ring instead of Frodo and Samwise?