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Gandalf's unfinished confrontation gives The Broken Sword a Tolkien question

The channel's only new upload explores the Witch-king encounter that Rohan's arrival interrupts in the book.

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The Broken Sword Story of October 10, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The channel's weekly summary: what went up this week, what is drawing views now, and where the channel stands among similar channels.

Could Gandalf Have Defeated the Witch-king of Angmar?

What if Théoden had arrived five minutes later? That is the counterfactual behind “Could Gandalf Have Defeated the Witch-king of Angmar?”, The Broken Sword's only new upload, which has reached roughly 175,000 views.

The video contrasts Peter Jackson's extended-edition staff-breaking scene with Tolkien's confrontation at the broken gate of Minas Tirith. In the book, Rohan's horns sound before either opponent attacks. From there, the discussion takes in Gandalf the White's power, Glorfindel's prophecy and Merry's Barrow-blade. Viewers keep returning to the film's treatment of Gandalf, while several make room for another steadfast participant: Shadowfax, who doesn't flee either.

Gandalf also anchors the channel's busiest older videos. “Everyone Gets Gandalf’s Magic Wrong.” is approaching 900,000 views and currently draws more than three times the daily views of the new upload. Its question is less about winning a duel than why the wizard spends so much time guiding others instead of throwing spells.

The subscriber count grew modestly over the week, although daily viewing is now well below its usual pace. Fellow Tolkien channels Nerd of the Rings, Men of the West and Tolkien Untangled also have slower-than-usual viewing days. Back on The Broken Sword, Saruman's failure to take Gandalf's ring remains another active mystery in the catalog.

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Where next?

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What viewers say

And let us also praise the courage of Shadowfax. A lesser horse also would have panicked and fled, I think.
@mattturner6017See it on YouTube
Gandalf wasn’t the only one that didn’t run from the Witch King.
Shadowfax was there as well!
A noble steed indeed!!
@carlambroson8872See it on YouTube
Even Gandalf's horse wasn't worried.
@PaulGuySee it on YouTube

3 more comments

No question. That staff break is one of the few creative decisions I truly wish the movies hasn't made.
@kevinoneil5120See it on YouTube
I always thought Gandalf at this point was more powerful than any being in Middle Earth except for Sauron, so I'm confident he'd have defeated the Witch King.
@brianwrabley132See it on YouTube
Gandalf fought off several Nazgûl on weathertop in the books
@GinaSantos-d1qSee it on YouTube

Public comments from the video's page on YouTube