Trop rewatch. 'Family and friends'.
Adar face reveal. We see a tormented face that looks like a mix of elf and orc. 1x04 "The Great Wave". Adar scene analysis. Now that Adar has fully entered the chat I will focus on his scenes (in episodes where he has many scenes I will pick the ones that appeal the most to me).
An act of love Adar eases the pain of his injured son and kills him. We understand he cares deeply for him, his kind eyes gazing into the uruk’s eyes. He smiles with a heavy heart, you see the pain as he cuts him, teary eyes, and he kneels in front of the body.
It is an act of mercy: the act of killing someone who is very ill or very old so that they do not suffer any more. A common TV trope, especially used to humanize a villain so they become more likable. I think it really works here, because the show does not shy away from his horrible deeds (and I think these multi-layered aspects of him are something that become more prominent as the season goes on).
The camera lingers from Arondir’s angle, making sure that we see this through his eyes. He acts as the audience representation here as he looks surprised that the orc leader shows this act of kindness and shares a tender moment with the dying orc. In Adar’s first proper scene, everything we thought we knew about him is questioned. This doesn’t seem like the merciless killer he has been built up to be in the previous episodes.
Adar smiles back at Magrot. The last thing this orc sees is his father’s tender face. But important to note that Adar does this for him, as fast as he is finished, you see the distraught in Adar’s face. You see how pained he is when no one is watching.
Every life matters to him because they are his family. He sits down in silence and mourns Magrot. When he nods to the other Uruks to carry him away, you can tell that he trust these orcs, it's not a cold order, but an understanding in between them.
"Nampak uglursha", they say as they carry him out, and you can feel the weight in their words. Likely meaning something along the lines of "rest in peace". We see the orcs being way more tender and respectful than we have seen them in the previous episode, indicating that they care deeply for each other. Their community/family is strong. I find it fascinating, also in contrast to other portrayals we have seen before – the main difference is because of who their leader is. Adar may harm others, but it is indicated here that his bond with his children is very strong.
Origins, age, and change Speaking in Quenya, Adar asks where Arondir was born, and we get the memorable sage blossoms story.
In this scene, we get hints at just how old Adar is, at least old enough to remember Beleriand. He also says "when I was young", implying he is very old and the way he speaks to Arondir implies he is much older/wiser than him. Like he possesses a knowledge he does not.
You have been told many lies. Some run so deep, even the rocks and roots now believe them. To untangle it all... would all but require the creation of a new world. But that is something only the gods can do. And I am no god. At least... Not yet.
This quote tells us so much of what he is about to do, and his problmeatic relationship with elves; we understand he is not one of them (yet he looks more elvish than orcish).
Arondir asks him why they call him father and what he is, but Adar does not reply, but only asks him to deliver a message. I believe this line is put there for the viewer to make the connection that he is their father – he does not need to answer it. The fact that he does not harm him also speaks to what kind of leader he is. He is using Arondir for a bigger purpose; the future he is promising his children.
A moment of stillness for Lord-father I have to mention the scene where Adar watches the warg. The way he looks so calmly at the warg violently eating the arm suggests that he takes comfort in violence (at least in some instances). We will see this further down the road, but physical pain doesn't bother Adar because of his previous experiences; he has become numb to it. As we see in the first scene, he is obviously disturbed by the pain brought on his children, but he does not show that same compassion towards humans (the elves and men captured and worse are a good example of that).
The wargs are his pets, and they are part of the orc family too, so seeing them get fed comforts him. The shot implies that he has an advantage through his calmness; his plans are in motion, and it establishes him as a leader in control. We can see something rare in him that almost looks like a smile and happiness for what's to come. Hope, even in its cruelest form.
@troprewatch Trop reforged: Home • Depths • Sun
