[Anguirel]

So you think Dwarves should be reduced, but exempt all but one from being reduced on various grounds. Other Dwarves than Thrain are, as you yourself say, going to have to go.

And on Thranduil's character-objectionable, yes, but certainly not uninteresting. His real fault in your eyes is that you don't happen to like the cut of his jib.

If he was a similarly morally ambiguous type whom you did like-say, the Master, who I liked also-you would defend him on the grounds that he is interesting to viewers.

Similarly, with characters who have perfectly spotless records but who you find unappealing (eg Aragorn, Faramir), you attack them by accusing them of being uninteresting to the viewers.

Clearly this unvarying, sophistrical method of condemning and defending is-despite whatever higher reasons invoked-ultimately subjective.

That said, Thranduil should stay because his regal gallivanting, despotism and feasting are interesting to the viewers. So there.