[Tar-Palantir]

I've never thought about it quite like that. But on reflection is seems that it is almost a necessity to 'prolong the agony', so to speak. There is much buildup of Mordor being a hard land, to put it mildly. What a shame to not give it it's due as the most difficult task in the journey, truly befitting heroic status.

It takes time to develop true despair. Just how much can they stand as individuals and as a pair? How tenuous is the true nature of the Quest? I remember being shocked at the immensity of Mordor, I was also taken by surprise with the geography. No picture is truly painted until that time. You know that feeling on a long hike, oh no! Another hill to climb, we'll never make it! I like that the landscape is not revealed to us until the moment they cross it.

To heighten the despair, I believe that is why the Mordor journey lasted so long and why so many instances of near discovery or attack were presented. Shoot, I get getting fatigued just reading it, wondering all the while - what is happening outside of Mordor?!? Suspense, despair, unknown fate - it's a slow burn in those chapters.

By the way, there were three instances of 'Eagle Rescue' in LotR - Gandalf at Orthanc, Gandalf on Caradhras, Ringbearer in Mordor.