PJ did TWO BIG things that really bothered me from these movies, one was with Eomer, the other Denethor.
Eomer was one of the more pivotal Rohan soldiers, you can even make an argument that in the story Eomer was even a more "powerful" character then Theoden. As already stated Eomer is loved by his people, probably just as much as Theoden is loved. During Helm's Deep, Theoden didn't do much, besides him making the decision of "Riding out" I can't think of a time when he did something. Maybe the reason is Theoden just recently became free of Saruman. Eventhough the book talks nothing of a "transformation," but there was no doubt he was under Saruman's control. Eomer on the other hand had been off fighting before Helm's deep, and now during Helm's deep he's off right in the thick of action, getting his butt saved by Gimli. Theoden's real glory came out during Pelennor fields, when he slayed a Haradrim Champion to his final death. Again, Eomer takes the glory, rallying the people around Theoden's body, then my favorite lines come into play.
Eomer to Aragorn: Let this be the hour when we draw swords together.
The movie has Theoden say many of Eomer's lines, I adore Theoden, he is one of my favorite characters but PJ give Eomer some credit. I mean come one, Rohan Soldier #35 gets more action then Eomer. It's like PJ just told Eomer to stand behind a pole while filming. Bernard Hill did a great job as Theoden but I always pictured him older then the movie made him. In "The King of the Golden Hall," Theoden was called "old king" many times and walks with a cane. When he decides to listen to Gandalf he drops his cane and stands up straight again, as it states...
Quote:
King of the Golden Hall
From the King's hand the black staff fell clattering on the stones. He drew himself up, slowly, as a man that is stiff from long bending over some dull toil. Now tall and straight he stood, and his eyes were blue as he looked into the opening sky.
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So there seems to be a new "look" to Theoden, instead of this old bent man, but I still tend to think he didn't "decling in age" atleast didn't appear to "decline." As the movie shows. I can see my babblings have gone on long enough, I will spare everyone my ramblings about Denethor, that has been discussed many times, there are many threads about that, and my view on anything said about Denethor is clearly made. Also this thread is about Eomer.