Old discussion but I never replied. I was somewhat disappointed on how the season turned out so I checked out from this discussion thread. I didn't like how the writers took immense liberties with literature.
I can't remember what I meant when I stated that if it is Gandalf, it would contradict later films. I was probably wrong in whatever thinking I had because the films do not address which Wizard came first.
However, most Tolkien experts believe Blue Wizards came to Middle Earth in the Second Age, which is when the events of this series happen. Gandalf and Saruman do not come to Middle Earth until the Third Age. This is why I am pissed it's Gandalf.
Then I read this article which basically said the writers are fucking with the timelines.
https://www.gamesradar.com/lord-of-the-rings-rings-of-power-timeline-second-age/
"When does The Rings of Power take place on the Lord of the Rings timeline?
The Rings of Power is set during Middle-earth's Second Age. This epoch spans nearly three and a half thousand years, with many of the series' events taking place around the middle of this period, circa SA 1500-1701. During this period, Celebrimbor starts the creation of the One Ring and the other rings of power after he's twisted unknowingly by Sauron – expect to see the rings in the show (as heavily hinted by the series' title).
However, those who know their Tolkein may wonder why characters who lived in a later period of the Second Age – like Elendil and Isildur – are also present. That's because the events in the show are also closer together compared to Tolkien's work as the timeline has been condensed. We know, for instance, that Isildur will cut off Sauron's hand around three and a half thousand years into the Second Age, thus bringing the Second Age to a close and starting the Third Age – we see this event take place in the prologue to Peter Jackson's movies.
Why condense the timeline? Realistically, if the show stuck to Tolkien's work exactly, only the Elven characters would be in every episode, as they're the race with the longest lifespans – hence why Galadriel and Elrond appear in both The Rings of Power and the movies, whereas other characters do not.
Speaking to Total Film earlier this year, showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne explained how a non-linear series was considered, but that would have stopped the audience from emotionally investing in the show. Payne points out how plenty of real-life historical dramas do the same thing and says their guiding principle was respect for the "spirit and feeling" of the Second Age."
And then I read the below article from Bernorange post that the writers now have access to the stories of all the Wizards. That may explain why this wizard is Gandolf and not the Blue Wizards who would be more correct from a canon timeline. They wrote with what they had access to.
https://knightedgemedia.com/2024/02/amazons-the-rings-of-power-now-has-the-rights-to-all-5-wizards/
I'll keep my nitpicks to a minimum and try to enjoy this series. I just hope they quit trying to be clever and focus on writing great storylines and characters. Blaming Galadriel (saving Sauron and access to Celebrimbor) for 1000s of years of Middle Earth misery is already stupid enough.