From Harfoots to Stoors: Exploring the Evolving Hobbit Lineage in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power"
Amazon’s "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" boldly ventured into Middle-earth’s Second Age, a period rife with epic tales and untold histories. While many wondered how the series could navigate a prequel without featuring the beloved Hobbits, the answer lay in the rich tapestry of Tolkien’s worldbuilding – the Harfoots, the nomadic predecessors to the Hobbits we know and love. However, as Season Two gears up, "Rings of Power" is taking a significant step into uncharted territory, introducing a distinct and contrasting Hobbit lineage: the Stoors.
The significance of introducing the Stoors is twofold. Firstly, it provides a fascinating exploration into the diverse tapestry of Hobbit ancestry. In Tolkien’s mythology, Hobbits are classified into three distinct groups: the Harfoots, known for their nomadic nature and affinity for the wilderness; the Fallohides, characterized by their love for the natural world and a penchant for the fringes of civilization; and the Stoors, who, unlike their counterparts, favor a settled life and have a deeper connection with human culture and settlements.
Season Two introduces us to Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh) and the enigmatic Stranger (Daniel Weyman), journeying through Middle-earth. Their path leads them to an intriguing community of Stoors led by Gundabel, played by Tanya Moodie. "The Stoors’ ancestry at some point was nomadic," Moodie explains, "But over the years, we as a group have settled and that has become our culture, to look after one another." This contrasting perspective on the Stoors’ history further distinguishes them from the Harfoots, who, as seen in Season One, retain a strong connection to their nomadic roots.
The introduction of the Stoors also serves to expand the narrative of Hobbit development. "We wanted to make something that was very different from the Shire that we’ve seen on screen," says Kristian Milsted, the show’s production designer. This emphasis on creating a distinct environment for the Stoors further emphasizes their contrasting identity: "So it was more like they have these abodes that are dug into the rock of this very hostile environment, which creates a very close-knit community. They have a written history, they have a library, they have a map of the stars, they have a whole history woven into this set."
The Stoors’ settlement in Rhûn, a vast and desolate region in Tolkien’s world, adds an intriguing layer to the eventual development of the Hobbits we know from The Lord of the Rings. Their location in this harsh landscape necessitates a different life philosophy and a unique way of interacting with their surroundings. It also hints at their eventual migration towards the more hospitable regions of the Anduin Valley, where they would become known as riverfolk. The Stoors’ history in Rhûn, therefore, becomes a fascinating link between the nomadic origins of the Harfoots and the settled lives of the Hobbits in the Shire.
The inclusion of the Stoors also signifies a deliberate shift in the narrative focus from the nomadic life of the Harfoots to the settled lives of another Hobbit lineage. This shift is symbolic of the evolution of the Hobbit culture, showcasing the diverse paths taken by their ancestors as they adapted to different environments and developed their distinctive characteristics.
The introduction of the Stoors in "Rings of Power" is a testament to the show’s commitment to exploring the vast and complex world of Tolkien’s creation. It avoids simply replicating the familiar Hobbit elements from the later era, instead venturing into the rich history of their predecessors and revealing a new perspective on their development. While the Harfoots provided a glimpse into the nomadic roots of the Hobbits, the Stoors offer a contrasting perspective, showcasing the adaptability and diversity of this fascinating race. They serve as a fascinating bridge between the nomadic origins of the Harfoots and the settled life of the Hobbits in the Shire, adding a new layer of depth and complexity to the narrative.
However, this raises an intriguing question: will "Rings of Power" delve further into Hobbit history and introduce the remaining lineage – the Fallohides? This third branch of the Hobbit family tree remains largely unexplored in the series, leaving a sense of anticipation for their potential inclusion.
With the Stoors taking center stage in Season Two, "Rings of Power" promises to delve deeper into the fascinating tapestry of Hobbit history, offering new insights into their origins and their evolution from nomadic wanderers to the peaceful inhabitants of the Shire. The show’s commitment to exploring Tolkien’s world with such depth and detail leaves fans eager to uncover the secrets held within its narrative, particularly regarding the Fallohides and the captivating story of the Hobbit lineage as a whole.
