[Lalaith]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> The relationship and warmth between Theoden and Merry is completely cut out! There is no "tell me of the herb lore of the Shire when we have more time" and such. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Because the film Theoden is not the book Theoden. The book Theoden is "a kindly old man" who inspired immediate affection in Merry, the film Theoden a bitter, angry one, who would not be so approachable.<BR>I didn't like the change in his character, or the "what do we owe Gondor" business. <BR>Rohan's unquestioning allegiance and loyalty to Gondor was for me an integral and most appealing part of that culture's identity. For any king of Rohan to consider shirking his oath of fealty to Gondor was for me as much of an irritation as the Faramir personality change was to Faramir fans.