[HCIsland]

This didn't occur to me until this morning, but I think I know another main reason why Osgiliath was in TTT.<P>In the book RoTK, Faramir goes to Minas Tirith a few days after Pippin and Gandalf arrive. He reports to Denethor about the Halflings he encountered and Denethor surmises that he let the Ring slip through his fingers and is none too pleased. He bemoans that he should have sent Faramir to Rivendell instead of Boromir as Boromir would have brought him the Ring. Denethor then sends Faramir to Osgiliath to fortify the crossing and Faramir returns a few days later, poisoned and dying setting up the whole funeral pyre scene.<P>Putting Faramir in Osgiliath at the end of TTT really helps set this up. We'll get to see the host of Mordor overrun the crossing instead of just hearing about it and Faramir will arrive at Minas Tirith already wounded. One of his men (likely Parn) will see Pippin and tell about Sam, Frodo and Gollum. He will also relay the information that Faramir was going to send a "mighty gift" (a line that is well hated around here, but may have it's purpose) but he let the Halflings go. Denethor will again glean what this "mighty gift" is. Likely he'll bemoan to Gandalf over Faramir's still body about how he should have sent Faramir instead of Boromir. Gandalf of course will argue (as he does in the book) but with his only son dieing and the Ring of Power out of his grasp, Denethor will sink into depression (yes, I know there are other reasons for his behaviour which will become apparent) setting up the funeral pyre scene.<P>This works extremely efficiently (note: I'm not saying better) and efficiency is necessary in order to get as much of this story on the screen as possible.<P>H.C.