[HCIsland]

I think you're close to the money there Frodo. It seems a recuring theme that the forces of Sauron get to an individual through their desires and Wormtongue's desire for Eowyn might have been Saruman's ticket. I agree entirely that he wasn't a scum bag all his life and that his infatuation with Eowyn had roots that were more pure. This infatuation turned into his fatal flaw.<P>Speaking of Wormtongue, I really liked the tear they had going down his cheek when he saw the armies of Isengard. Although he certainly was working to see Saruman in command of Rohan with himself as his right (or is that left) hand man with Eowyn at his side. I don't think he really had any glimps of Saruman's "vision" though until that moment.<P>I also think this is to set up Wormtongue's rage and Saruman's fate in RoTK.<P>H.C.