After a surprisingly emotional storyline, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star Robert Strange looks back on season 2, reflecting on his experience playing Uruk Glug and adding new depth to the forces of Sauron. Glug served under Adar (Sam Hazeldine) throughout the season, dedicating himself to the fallen elf’s promises of a better future for all Uruks. However, with Adar focused on ensuring Sauron (Charlie Vickers) cannot regain power, he neglects the wellbeing of his people, leading to Glug taking action against his former leader.

With The Rings of Power concluding its most surprising story arc focused on Adar and the plight of the Uruks, Strange took to Twitter to share a fond farewell to his character in a heartfelt thread. The actor stated that he was honored to have played a role within J R.R. Tolkien’s world, and be able to explore a little-explored corner of Middle-Earth through a story centered on the Uruk. Sharing his belief that Glug and Adar’s tale would become one passed down within the fantasy world, he thanked viewers for how they responded to the story arc.

*𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀* 𝕰𝖙 𝖙𝖚, 𝕲𝖑𝖚𝖌𝖊? • The dust has settled long enough to post a little farewell to my Glûg. Poor, tortured, gooey Glûg. Honoured to have been entrusted some incredibly meaty, moral moments to explore in @theringsofpower… pic.twitter.com/HN6IJJZGGr — Robert Strange (@_RobertStrange_) October 6, 2024

…to have played a little part in telling the story of what could have happened in Tolkien’s Second Age; to dig deeper into the Uruk experience. Maybe we can imagine Sam & Frodo overhearing some Orcs in Cirith Ungol, discussing the Tale of Adar the Lord Father & Glûg the son… — Robert Strange (@_RobertStrange_) October 6, 2024

Thank you all out there for the brilliant messages & ridiculous memes – yes I see them all 🧐🕵‍♂️ Ultimately it just means the world that Glûg’s story touched people in some way. That’s what this is all for..! — Robert Strange (@_RobertStrange_) October 6, 2024

What Strange’s Post Means For Glug’s Future

The Character Is A Casualty Of Season 2’s Conflict

With Strange saying farewell to Glug, it appears his unfortunate end at the hands of Sauron in The Rings of Power’s season 2 finale is confirmed. With Adar becoming more desperate in his attempts to stop Sauron, his tactics became just as reckless, doing what he saw as necessary no matter the cost. Even after his attempts to explain the risk to Glug, his methods left the Uruk’s faith in his leader and father figure shattered.

As such, when facing the Dark Lord, Glug joins forces with Sauron to assassinate Adar, as he and the other Uruks played on their former leader’s compassion for their kind to take him by surprise. However, as Adar warned, Sauron had little consideration for Uruks despite pledging their loyalties to him, Sauron shows no care as they are overwhelmed by Dwarves. When Uruk tries to intervene, he is slain by Sauron himself.

Our Thoughts On Glug & Adar’s Journey

New Perspectives Have Been Added To Middle-Earth

Glug and Adar’s storyline in The Rings of Power season 2 was perhaps one of the more unexpected developments of the show, after having a heavier focus on its more humanoid cast. While Adar’s motives were established and well-woven into his character within season 1, but Glug adds an extra emotional layer to the story by adding a character who represents the Uruks in this conflict.

While Tolkien had begun to develop the complex nature of the Uruks in his writings, past portrayals of Middle-Earth have taken a less charitable perspective to the Uruks, portraying them as ravenous, violent, and hungry beasts only dedicated to war. As such, while viewers may have been taken aback by The Rings of Power’s story, Glug’s development helped make Tolkien’s world richer.