January 19, 2004

Gandalf, Political Statements
Tuor

First off, my fav character is Gandalf. Throughout the LOTR trilogy and the Hobbit, he is comic relief, a vast well of knowledge, and the leader of the forces of good. That being said, I'm right with you, Brett C., in that the scene where the witch-king breaks his staff gets left OUT of the EE. In fact, let's just pretend it never existed. I could see Gandalf maybe fall to his knees due to their contesting powers, but to break the staff just seems too final. It just does not make sense, especially considering the hierarchy of power. Sauron is a Maia, and Gandalf is a Maia but with slightly less power than Sauron, even after he becomes the White. But, the Nazgul are servants of Sauron, and were once men, so logically they can't be greater than Gandalf. All nine of them together just barely managed to drive off Gandalf the Grey AT NIGHT when their power is greatest. And there was the incident with the Balrog, though he did "die" after defeating it.

Secondly, Kat (and anyone else), the article did change how I felt about the actors. Their respective characters did not change at all since I get immersed in Middle Earth every time I watch the movies. I respect the fact they support a just cause and are trying to get their views across, but they are definitely choosing poor ways of expressing their views. I for one do not think it right to show up for a press conference, presumably for LOTR, in a shirt saying "no blood for oil" or to draw reference, however relevant it may be, from a world that exists in fantasy.

Tuor