Sam Hazeldine as Adar in his fair elf form in The Rings of Power season 2 (2024)

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Rings of Power season 2, episode 8, “Shadow and Flame.”

The Rings of Power season 2 brings Adar’s story to a close during its finale, but the villain’s inevitable replacement makes the prospect of season 3 even more exciting. Adar plays a crucial role in The Rings of Power‘s first two seasons, playing directly into Sauron’s hand with his destruction of the Southlands and his attack on Eregion. Adar is a tragic figure, as he’s a victim of Morgoth who becomes a leader of the Orcs — and an antagonist to the Elves and Men he views as their oppressors.

Adar does terrible things during both seasons of the Lord of the Rings show, but he sees the error of his ways during The Rings of Power season 2’s finale. After wearing Nenya, he tells Galadriel he wants to destroy Sauron and make peace between his army and the rest of Middle-earth. However, his story is too short-lived to see that through. Sauron turns his forces against him, and he and the Orcs kill Adar. This means Adar will be replaced as the show’s main villain in The Rings of Power season 3, which will make the next outing even more exciting.

Adar’s Death Makes Sauron The Sole Villain In The Rings Of Power Season 3

He’s Meant To Be The Lord Of The Rings Show’s Big Bad

Sauron (Charlie Vickers) looking evil in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 5Image via Prime Video

Adar‘s death at the end of The Rings of Power season 2 will make Sauron the sole villain of the third season. This is an exciting prospect, as Sauron is meant to be the Big Bad of Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series. While minor antagonists, like Adar and Rhûn’s dark wizard, keep the show’s multiple storylines moving and interesting, it’s about Sauron at its core. He’s the one who pushes for the creation of the titular rings, and he’s the one who attempts to conquer Middle-earth using their power.

Charlie Vickers’ character becoming the main villain of season 2 means the stakes will get higher, leading to a more intense outing overall.

And with all 19 Rings of Power created, things are poised to get really interesting heading into The Rings of Power season 3. The upcoming episodes will show how Sauron manipulates the Men of Middle-earth, and they’ll likely cover his creation of the One Ring. While Adar’s story is officially over, Sauron’s is just getting started. And Charlie Vickers’ character becoming the main villain of season 2 means the stakes will get higher, leading to a more intense outing overall.

Adar Was A Great Addition To The Rings Of Power, But His Story Had To End

There Isn’t Room For Him Beyond Season 2

Adar (Sam Hazeldine) with his army of orcs attacking Eregion in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 Episode 7

Adar is a great addition to The Rings of Power during seasons 1 and 2, with his narrative showing a new side of the Uruk and Orcs — and revealing that even the most sinister forces in Middle-earth try to stop Sauron’s rise to power. Unfortunately, Adar’s story has to come to an end during season 2. There’s no room for him in The Rings of Power season 3, which needs to place its full focus on Sauron to emphasize his influence over Middle-earth.

Adar’s story does exactly what it needs to during The Rings of Power season 2, and there’s no purpose for his character beyond the latest episodes. His entire journey leads him to exactly where Sauron wants him. He brings the Orcs to Middle-earth’s Dark Lord, giving Sauron the chance to recruit them for his army. This is Adar’s purpose in the Amazon series, and he dies right after fulfilling it. With Adar not appearing during the Third Age, his Rings of Power death was inevitable. And with Sauron likely to dominate the later seasons, it’s fitting it arrives when it does.