Celebrating Adar: The Best of Rings of Power

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has explored a wide range of stories within Middle-earth. Unlike the films directed by Peter Jackson, this Amazon Prime Video series is not a direct adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's works but expands on the Second Age based on Tolkien's various writings. This creative freedom has allowed showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay to craft unique narratives, with the orc leader Adar (played by Sam Hazeldine) standing out as a remarkable character.

Many key figures in The Rings of Power are younger versions of familiar characters, such as the immortal elves Galadriel (portrayed by Morfydd Clark) and Elrond (played by Robert Aramayo). Other characters include legendary figures like Elendil (Lloyd Owen) and Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker), as well as new takes on classic archetypes like the adventurous proto-hobbit Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and the stern dwarf Durin IV (Owain Arthur). However, Adar is a completely original creation, distinct from Tolkien’s texts and previous adaptations. For the first time, an orc is depicted with depth and complexity, opposing Sauron (played by Charlie Vickers) rather than serving him mindlessly.

Adar exemplifies what a fresh narrative in Middle-earth can achieve by filling gaps in the mythology and deepening characters that have been overlooked. He positions himself not as an overlord, but as a paternal figure to the orcs. Throughout the series, Adar persuades the orcs that attacking Sauron aligns with their best interests.

In a post-finale interview, Hazeldine shared insights about Adar’s perspective, stating, "The generations of orcs that are here now with Adar, they don’t know Sauron. They can’t possibly understand how bad it’s going to be if they are ruled by Sauron." Adar understands the stakes and feels the weight of responsibility as he attempts to rally the orcs against Sauron.

Adar also ties The Rings of Power to Tolkien’s The Silmarillion. His disdain for Sauron stems from his history with the previous Dark Lord, Morgoth, who transformed Adar from an elf into an orc. Adar cleverly uses Morgoth’s crown against Sauron, having destroyed his former self with it.

Unfortunately, Adar's attempts to kill Sauron again ultimately fail when he is betrayed by his own “children.” Despite his efforts to show the orcs that they could rise above being Sauron’s pawns, they ultimately succumb to his influence, giving Adar not just a personality, but a tragic storyline.

Hazeldine explains what makes Adar compelling: "What makes the character so interesting is the sense of responsibility he has to his children." He raises the question of whether the orcs are truly irredeemable, asserting that sentient beings shouldn’t be judged solely based on their origins. Adar believes the orcs are capable of more than just evil, and with proper leadership, they could evolve beyond their violent tendencies.

In the end, Adar’s ambition failed because he sought to use the orcs for violence, hoping to redirect their aggression towards vanquishing Sauron and securing a brighter future for their kind. However, the pressures of war led the orcs to side with the leader who promised them glory under Sauron's reign.

With Adar now gone, it seems the orcs will revert to serving Sauron for the remainder of The Rings of Power. Yet, Adar’s legacy shows that there are alternative paths for these characters, suggesting there is more to Middle-earth than what is commonly perceived.