The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 1 set up two main villains, Sauron and Adar, and season 2 may bring them together in some surprising ways. With The Rings of Power season 1 ending explaining that Halbrand was Sauron, the show set Sauron up to be “maneuvering out in the open” – in the words of showrunner Patrick McKay to The Hollywood Reporter. With the series’ two main villains evading capture and death throughout the skirmishes of season 1, season 2 will have to deal with the dynamic between the two to tell the overarching story of good versus evil.

While it seems that Adar was introduced to provide the show with a villain while Sauron’s identity was hidden, this is far from Adar’s sole narrative purpose. The actor joining The Rings of Power season 2 as Adar, Sam Hazeldine, commented to Entertainment Weekly that season 2 will show how Adar made a deal with Sauron, which went wrong and turned him from an Elf into an Orc. The enmity between the pair clearly sets them on an unavoidable collision course. However, other aspects of The Rings of Power season 2’s story mean that Adar and Sauron’s dynamic will likely be more complicated than a single fight.

Sauron and Adar Are Heading For Another Clash in Mordor Which May Disturb The Canon

Sauron Was Last Seen Heading To Adar’s Location in Season 1

The Rings of Power season 1 left Sauron heading towards Adar, but franchise lore may make it difficult for the show to justify an open conflict between them. After Sauron’s identity was revealed in the season 1 finale, Sauron was seen heading towards Mordor, black cape flying as he embraced his true colors. Adar was there already, celebrating the area’s recent transition into a barren, sunless wasteland, following the recent eruption of Mount Doom. Yet despite this collision course, there is simply too much story for season 2 to address for Sauron and Adar’s inevitable fight to dominate the narrative.

Speaking to TV Insider, Halbrand actor Charlie Vickers said “Adar and Sauron, we’re gonna see — and pretty quickly — their past, and gonna learn more about [it]” in season 2. However, beyond this, the show must also adapt the forging of more rings in season 2, as well as Sauron’s Siege of Eregion, if it is to stay true to Tolkien’s lore. Though perhaps one initial fight between Sauron and Adar makes sense, constant villain infighting may not fit with the rest of Second Age canon, impacting how extensive their on-screen conflict will be.

Sauron May Need Adar Alive For The Siege Of Eregion

Sauron And Adar May Team Up In The Rings Of Power Season 2

Although The Rings of Power season 2 could see continuing conflict between Sauron and Adar, the two will likely form a begrudging alliance. It makes most sense for the villains to team up so that the show can get on with progressing Sauron’s war against the Elves and rise to power. Although it was Adar who completed the creation of Mordor, Sauron was likely planning it all along, since he needed a new headquarters. This common ground could be an entry point for a negotiation between the two.

Season 2 should show how Adar managed to overpower Sauron prior to the events of season 1. In season 2, Sauron is starting to reach his former level of power, so it’s unlikely Adar will be able to beat him again. In The Lord of the Rings timeline, The Rings of Power season 2 should feature Sauron rallying troops to attack Eregion. Accordingly, Sauron may manipulate Adar into getting his Orc army to fight his battles, as this may be the easiest route to securing their service. Sauron can destroy Adar after, but keeping him alive would allow the show to explore the complexity and competing allegiances of the Orcs.

The Rings Of Power Season 2 May Dive Into Sauron’s Mind Control

Sauron’s Mind Control Is Not Without Limits

The Rings of Power season 2 is set to grow Sauron’s power as it gears up for the Dark Years known in canon, and Sauron’s invasion of Galadriel’s mind in the season 1 finale is likely the first of many mind tricks. However, Sauron needing Adar alive to access infantry for the war raises the question as to why he can’t yet control armies with his mind. In The Return of the King book, this ability is suggested by “spell-enslaved” Orcs “scattering like dust in the wind” as soon as Sauron falls, having relinquished his hold on them.

Sauron is defined by his “will to dominate all life“. But he did not directly control the minds of all Orcs at all times, as this was beyond even him. Orcs like Shagrat and Gorbag show ample proof of free will, questioning authority and dreaming of peacetime. With The Rings of Power set to explore Orc origins and Orc military organization, the show may raise further questions about Sauron’s involvement in Orc creation and Orc control. If this does become a key theme, it makes sense for Adar’s role in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to be more than a brief foil for Sauron.

Sources: Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, TV Insider