Among the many monstrous beings in The Lord of the Rings, one of the most enigmatic is the Watcher in the Water. Unlike the Balrog or Shelob, this tentacled entity remains largely unexplained. Its brief but crucial attack forces the Fellowship into Moria, leading to Gandalf’s fateful battle with the Balrog. Yet, J.R.R. Tolkien provided little insight into its origins, leaving room for speculation.
A Key Obstacle on the Hero’s Journey
In Peter Jackson’s films, the Watcher appears as a massive tentacled beast, though Tolkien described its limbs with finger-like ends. It attacks after Pippin and Merry throw stones into the water, but in the book, it is Boromir who disturbs it. Regardless, the creature ensures the Fellowship must enter Moria.
Historically, the Watcher also prevented Dwarves from escaping when Moria was overrun. This aligns with Tolkien’s use of mythology — much like Cerberus, the Watcher serves as a gatekeeper, forcing the heroes forward into greater danger.
Theories Behind the Watcher’s Origin
Tolkien never clarified what the Watcher truly is, leading to various interpretations. David Day’s A Tolkien Bestiary suggests it resembles a Kraken from Norse mythology, though with distinct differences. Another theory, from Tony Tyler’s The Complete Tolkien Companion, speculates it could be a cold-drake, an ice-breathing dragon bred by Morgoth, though its form contradicts this idea.
Some theorists propose that the Watcher is a fallen Maia, akin to the Balrogs — an ancient, corrupted spirit serving dark purposes. However, Tolkien never confirmed such an origin.
Whatever its origins, the Watcher plays a crucial role in The Lord of the Rings, adding both narrative tension and mystery. By leaving its nature undefined, Tolkien enriches Middle-earth’s mythology, inviting endless debate about what this terrifying creature truly is.
