The first season of Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power might have concluded, but the speculation over what's to come has only begun. Fans are waiting out the release of a second season by rewatching the first, looking for any clues or easter eggs that the writers might have let slip, and analyzing the characters to determine their next move.
The most ruthless characters in The Lord of the Rings are the ones that drive the story and plot, and they aren't always villains. Any person who refuses to compromise is someone the viewer can admire, even if they might not like how that person is using their power. Fear not, book readers, the second that Feanor appears on film, he'll go on the list.
7 Adar
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Speculation continues regarding Adar's specific origin and identity. Hints at his backstory and his scars seem to indicate that he's as old as Galadriel, equally ruthless, and also participated in the War of the Jewels and lost someone dear to him in the process.
Adar is equally sensitive and sadistic, caring for the orcs he refers to as his "children" while he seems oblivious to their pain. Whether or not he was lying when he told Galadriel that he had killed Sauron is still a point of contention, but there's no debate that he must have done something pretty drastic to even think it might be possible.
6 Galadriel
The whole story is driven by the unrelenting nature of the main character, Galadriel. This is a far cry from the serene figure who watched over Lothlorien in The Lord of The Rings, but in those days Galadriel was a grandmother waiting to retire to the seaside.
From the very first scenes of the series, it's made clear that this is who Galadriel is anyway, and the death of her brother only seems to feed that fire. Even if Finrod had survived, she would probably still be pursuing the forces of Morgoth to the frozen ends of the earth.
5 Halbrand
For a while, Halbrand sat back and let Galadriel do most of the driving, acting like he was just along for the ride. However, that's exactly how Sauron rolls, tricking someone into thinking his plans were their idea the whole time.
The last episode of this season not only gave viewers the titular rings but also revealed this infamous villain in all his ruthless, evil glory. Unapologetic until the end, he used Galadriel's deepest feelings against her, and he might have succeeded in tricking her again if she was not just as strong-willed as he is.
4 Disa
The princess of Moria and the wife of Durin IV, Disa already has considerable power and authority. She was introduced as a kind but stubborn character with strong opinions, and when he husband was rebuked by her father-in-law, she revealed herself as a ruthless, long-term planner.
King Durin is reluctant to mine the mithril, but his son wants to open the veins up, not only for the prosperity of his people but because it can save the Elves. Disa seems content to wait for the old man to die and is making her own plans while she patiently waits.
3 Al-Pharazon
A character that excels at having two faces, Al-Pharazon shows his kind and friendly side to the world, but in the shadows, he's a ruthless planner. He openly supported the Queen riding to the aid of the Southland but secretly made plans to sabotage the mission, and even recruits his son to do some of his dirty work.
In Tolkien's literature, Al-Pharazon was so determined to sit on the throne of Numenor, partly to bring the Cult of Melkor to the kingdom, that he married the Emporer's daughter against her will. Fans of the show can't help but wonder if something similar will happen in Rings of Power, especially since Miriel has lost her eyesight and the Emporer has passed away, creating an opportunity for the former advisor to get a promotion.
2 The Dweller
Known only as the Dweller, this was one of three mysterious figures that were seeking out the Stranger. It's never been confirmed, but the general consensus is that the trio were members of the Cult of Melkor and mistook him for Sauron.
The Dweller was a person of few words and usually expressed herself by starting large fires or using illusions. She torched the whole Harfoot caravan and impersonated Nori to trick the Stranger into trusting her, and somewhere between burning everything down her and her friends were planning on taking the Stranger back to Rhun whether he liked it or not.
1 King Durin III
Dwarves seem to have a hard nature anyway, but King Durin seems to be especially ruthless when it comes to what the fates have in store. He seems indifferent to the plight of the Elves, reasoning that helping them would only be a way to cheat death, which seems just like petty jealousy for their life span.
Durin's strict ways aren't just for politics. He's just as hard on his son, even to the point of denying him his inheritance and disowning him for pushing back against his command to leave the mithril alone. Luckily his daughter-in-law is just as fierce as he is, if not even more so.