As a long-time Tolkien enthusiast and a devoted viewer of The Rings of Power since its inception, I must say that Adar, portrayed brilliantly by both Joseph Mawle and Sam Hazeldine, has truly become one of my favorite original characters in this expansive Middle-earth saga.
*Warning: Major spoilers ahead for The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8.*
In a heart-wrenching turn of events in The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8, we’ve lost several cherished characters. Among them is Celebrimbor, the skilled Elven smith portrayed superbly by Charles Edwards, and Durin, the noble dwarf king and devoted father played by Peter Mullan.
But perhaps the biggest loss of all? The fallen Elf and father of the Uruk, Adar, played by Joseph Mawle in season 1 and seamlessly picked up for season 2 by Sam Hazeldine. It’s been a long road to loving Adar, but he ended season 2 as perhaps the best original character The Rings of Power will ever have.
For those new to this world – Adar was among the earliest Elves who fell under Morgoth’s influence, a forerunner of Sauron. Initially, he was swayed by Sauron (Charlie Vickers), but upon witnessing the cruelty inflicted upon the Orcs, he switched allegiances and even ended up slaying him, though we all know that doesn’t keep him down for long.
In the first season, Adar embarked on a quest to secure a dwelling place for the Orcs. On the other hand, in the second season, he persists in tracking down Sauron and is contemplating a possible partnership with Galadriel, played by Morfydd Clark.
Creating unique characters within the detailed world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth is no simple task, as demonstrated by some characters from the last two seasons who have fallen short, often coming across as dull and lacking the depth that Tolkien’s characters effortlessly convey (my apologies to Arondir, but I can’t help but notice this).
Initially, Adar stood out distinctly. Throughout the show, he carried an enigmatic aura that left viewers questioning if he was more villain or hero. Ultimately, he embodied aspects of both, yet it wasn’t difficult to develop affection for this character, even though there were casualties along his journey, given that he is the father of the Uruk people.
It’s quite possible that Adar’s demise was unavoidable, given the signs we’ve witnessed of the Orcs revolting against him. If the series continues (which looks likely), it could be suggested that he might not have a defined role if the creators aim to maintain a faithful depiction of future events.
Oh, and as far as deaths go? It was a pretty good one.
But that doesn’t negate the fact that Adar could have had a lot more to give. Not only did he become one of the most interesting characters in the entire show, but he made others more interesting, too.
The relationship between Galadriel and Sauron grew more intense due to the enigmatic, corrupted Elf who, in a heartbeat, might have chosen to align with the virtuous powers or, just as swiftly, unleash flames upon Middle-earth in retaliation for what befell his kin.
Firstly, Adar played a significant role as an initial character – going beyond merely shooting some arrows (apologies to Arondir). As the leader of the Uruk (often referred to as Orcs), he brought humanity to them, swiftly demonstrating that they’re not merely evil beings.
In the presence of Adar, the orcs demonstrated sides that might have remained unseen in Tolkien’s portrayals: affection, devotion, uncertainty, and eventually, deceit.
In the second season, Adar emerged as a more intriguing character. Instead of Galadriel holding a grudge against him for too long, Adar consistently managed to outmaneuver her, aiming to win her over for an alliance. The goal was to jointly confront Sauron together.
His strategy, revealing his character’s intricacies (as he chose to form an alliance with someone who had always despised him and his offspring), also added depth to Galadriel, compelling her to grapple with her own moral dilemmas.
She openly acknowledged that she had taken more of your kin than any other Elf currently living. Before he responded, he expressed forgiveness, returning her ring and swearing to join forces with her in defeating Sauron.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. In a tragic twist, the Orcs betrayed Adar under Sauron’s command, mercilessly killing him, mirroring the manner of Sauron’s demise in season 2’s first episode.
At last, it seems that Adar resigned himself to his destiny, devoid of rage, and his closing words (“My children”) eloquently conveyed his essence up till the very end.
The drama series, often criticized for overemphasizing lesser narratives, brilliantly shone with Adar’s portrayal, largely due to the captivating performances of actors Joseph Mawle and Sam Hazeldine, who infused the character with a remarkable understated elegance.
As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I must say, it’s not everyday you come across a character recast so flawlessly that it feels like the original actor never left. That’s exactly how it was with Adar – his presence was seamless, a testament to both his strong character and the exceptional talents of Mawle and Hazeldine. In every scene he graced, I found myself utterly captivated, yearning to delve deeper into his thoughts, eager to unravel the mysteries behind that compelling character.
Season 2 has been an incredible improvement on season 1, and here’s hoping that a potential season 3 follows suit and ups the ante even more.
But it’s going to be a lot trickier without the Father of the Uruk glowering down at us.
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2024-10-03 19:34