Great points again, as usual, Nar. I've always said that Sauron's tendency to micro-manage was the true cause of his downfall.
It's a fine point, but another small reminder: Uglúk was the front-man of the White Hand Band, not a direct servant of the Dark Lord. Saruman looks downright progressive next to Sauron, what with tasty perks like man's-flesh to eat. No wonder those Uruks were so big and strapping. And his esprit-de-corps! Look at the initiative and decisiveness Uglúk displays in the field! He's so mission-focused, so disciplined, those Western captains would no doubt be shoving each other out of the way to recruit him if they could only see him in action. There were alternative opportunities for upwardly-mobile Orcs after all, perhaps.
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