The following contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1, Episode 6, "Udûn," now streaming on Prime Video.
On The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Adar has certainly cut a sinister figure as he tries to move out of Sauron's shadow. He wants to create a better world for free Orcs, as opposed to using them like slaves. It's why they're so faithful to him, calling him "father" as they try to build their empire.
And make no mistake, Episode 6 saw them make big moves to start their new lives. It crowned a brutal battle against Galadriel's forces, reminding the Elves and humans that these foul creatures were tremendous enemies. As the war unfolded, fans saw the villains' strongest trait emerge, something not really highlighted in the LOTR movies -- their military strategy and use of misdirection.
Adar Used the Southlanders as Cannon Fodder
The tactic debuted when Adar sent his first wave to attack Arondir's legion of Southlanders. Arondir was hellbent on protecting Bronwyn's people, which created a bloody fight that took out many Orcs. However, when they began removing the helmets and armor of the fallen enemy, the heroes realized the dead were human infiltrators, remixing the disguise Frodo and Sam used in The Return of the King.
They were traitors who swung back to Morgoth and Adar, defecting and buying into the dark vision once more. It was all to weaken Arondir's stronghold, tire them out, kill some of their soldiers and basically leave the camp vulnerable for the second wave: the real Orcs. A scary slaughter ensued, but thankfully Galadriel and the Númenóreans arrived to even the odds.
Adar's Secret Plan Ensured Success
The second sleight of hand in the field came directly after Galadriel's victory, in the wake of Galadriel taking Adar prisoner. Thanks to Halbrand's help, she retrieved the broken sword seemingly before the tyrant could use its power. However, when Theo unwrapped it, it turned out to be a plain ax.
The deceit had begun a few scenes prior when Adar tasked Waldreg with a mysterious quest before Galadriel's forces arrived. Flashbacks showed Waldreg secreted away to the dam that connected to the tunnels the Orcs dug. While Adar played the decoy, Waldreg used the sword as a key to unlock the Southlands' flood gates.
The crushing waves flowed, feeding the volcano and causing its eruption. As such, the genius Adar tricked the heroes, allowing the sun to be blocked, Mount Doom to come into effect and Mordor to begin its tenure as a macabre stronghold in Middle-earth. Ultimately, it reiterated these villains weren't just brutes with brawn, they had cunning as well, which caught Team Galadriel and Team Arondir totally off-guard, changing the landscape (literally) for the worse.
New episodes of The Rings of Power stream Fridays on Prime Video.