Adar and Sauron Are Traveling Towards Another Conflict in Mordor That Could Affect The Canon
Sauron was headed toward Adar at the end of The Rings of Power season 1, but franchise history could make it challenging for the show to rationalize an open confrontation between them. Following the revelation of Sauron's identity in the season 1 finale, he was seen headed toward Mordor, black cape fluttering as he embraced his actual hues. Adar was already there, commemorating the area's recent change into a sunless, desolate wasteland following Mount Doom's last eruption. Still, there is simply too much plot for Season 2 to handle for Sauron and Adar's inevitable struggle to rule the narrative, even with this collision course.
Halbrand actor Charlie Vickers said while speaking with TV Insider "Adar and Sauron, we're gonna see — and pretty quickly — their past, and gonna learn more about [it] in Season 2." Beyond this, though, the show has to additionally modify the forging of new rings in season 2 and Sauron's Siege of Eregion if it is to remain faithful to Tolkien's mythology. Although perhaps one early struggle between Sauron and Adar makes plausible, ongoing villain infighting may not match with the remainder of Second Age canon, therefore affecting the scope of their on-screen combat.
Why would Season 2 of The Rings of Power be setting up a huge Villain Showdown?
Two key antagonists, Sauron and Adar, built up by the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1 set up season 2 may unexpectedly bring them together. The show set Sauron to be "maneuvering out in the open," in the words of showrunner Patrick McKay to The Hollywood Reporter, with The Rings of Power season 1 conclusion stating Halbrand was Sauron. Season 2 will have to deal with the relationship between the two to convey the overall narrative of good against evil, as the two primary villains of the series evade arrest and death across the skirmishes of season 1.
Although Adar was hired to provide the program a villain and Sauron's name was kept under wraps, this is hardly the only narrative goal Adar was meant to fulfill. Sam Hazeldine, the actor joining The Rings of Power season 2 as Adar, told Entertainment Weekly that season 2 will explain how Adar negotiated a bargain with Sauron, which went sour and converted him from an elf into an orc. The hostility between the two obviously points the pair in an inevitable collision path. Other elements of The Rings of Power season 2's narrative, though, suggest that Adar and Sauron's dynamic will probably be more nuanced than a single fight.
Adar (Joseph Mawle) is being recast in The Rings of Power season 2, which forces Amazon to figure out why his look differs.
Adar (Joseph Mawle) is recasting in The Rings of Power season 2, which forces Amazon to figure out why his look differs. Sam Hazeldine, the actor portraying Adar in season 2, is a quite different actor.
The writers are not revealing whether the narrative will openly acknowledge the change in look or how they will explain it. It could rely on the way the manufacturing crew handles the problem. Given the success of the program, the viewer should demand some sort of acknowledgement; but, this might easily be addressed in the form of a throwaway comment describing how the character has evolved or how her appearance is a new interpretation of Adar's looks.
Sauron May Need Adar Alive To Siege Eregion
Though there will probably be ongoing conflict between Sauron and Adar in The Rings of Power season 2, the two will probably create a begrudging partnership. The villains teaming up makes most sense so the show may continue with advancing Sauron's fight against the Elves and ascent to power. Adar finished building Mordor, although Sauron was most certainly planning it all along since he required a new headquarters. One may start a negotiation between the two from this shared ground.
The simplest way for Sauron to get his Orc army to fight his battles is probably manipulation of Adar. Season 2 should reveal how Adar defeated Sauron before season 1 started. Sauron is beginning to reach his old degree of power in season 2, hence Adar will probably not be able to surpass him once more. The Rings of Power season 2 should have Sauron gathering forces to attack Eregion based on The Lord of the Rings chronology. As such, Sauron might use Adar to recruit his Orc army to fight his battles since this would be the simplest way to guarantee their service. Sauron can kill Adar later, but keeping him alive would let the show examine the complexity and conflicting allegiances of the Orcs.
Season 2 of Rings of Power might explore Mind Control for Sauron.
Sauron's invasion of Galadriel's mind in the season 1 finale is most likely the first of many mind tricks; the Rings of Power season 2 is designed to increase Sauron's power as it gets ready for the Dark Years known in canon. But why Sauron cannot yet control troops with his mind? He needs Adar alive to access infantry for the conflict. Once Sauron releases his hold on them, this capacity is hinted in The Return of the King book by "spell-enslaved" Orcs "scattering like dust in the wind".
From his "will to dominate all life" Sauron defines himself. This was beyond even him, hence he did not directly control the brains of every Oracle at all times. Orcs such as Shagrat and Gorbag exhibit plenty of evidence of free choice, challenging authority and fantasizing of peacetime. The Rings of Power might generate more doubts regarding Sauron's participation in Orc creation and control since it sets to investigate Orc roots and Orc military structure. Should this turn into a major motif, Adar's part in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power makes logical for more than just a fleeting counterpoint for Sauron.
The Rings of Power: Describe it.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power presents to screens the heroic tales of the famous Second Age of Middle-earth for the very first time. Set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power will examine a period in the franchise where kingdoms rose and fell, where The One Ring itself was created and tells the story of the rise of the greatest foe in the Lord of the Rings Franchise, the Dark Lord Sauron. Starting in a period of peace, the show features an ensemble cast of both known and fresh characters facing the long-feared reemergence of evil in Middle-earth. From the depths of the Misty Mountains to the elf-capital of Lindon, to the island realm of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, The Rings of Power claims to compress the vast works of Tolkien in a condensed but all-encompassing TV program form. On September 2, 2022 The Rings of Power's first season started showing just on Prime Video on September 2, 2022.
Setting to be a big draw for Amazon, The Rings of Power will keep changing its narrative over the next seasons. The program will surely keep adding to the franchise's legendary legacy.
