The Taming of Faramir

[Kalimac]

First of all - mods, I hope this is OK! I thought this could be a thread to discuss the changes to Faramir in the EE specifically, since Faramir was such a hot potato when the movie was first released, and the EE does have a lot extra stuff which is not specifically Faramir-related.<P>Like everyone else, I liked the added Faramir-scenes very much, but was wondering if others were left with the same impression as me about the lines that Denethor and Faramir share. Was it just me, or was Faramir saying "A chance...to show his quality" and "a mighty gift" with a distinct edge in his voice? I don't mean just that he sounded hard - they're hard lines - but in that exact mimicry, he seemed almost to be mocking the way that his father had spoken them earlier. In other words, he seemed to be acting *against his better judgment* in bringing the hobbits to Osgiliath, and he half-knew it at the time. <P>Why this was is slightly mysterious, since the flashback scene doesn't really delve into the major differences between Faramir and Boromir in temperament, except to show that Faramir is quieter and less popular with their father - also, it's hard to imagine Boromir, with all his good qualities, getting elegaic over an enemy's dead body. (It was good that they showed the scenes of the brothers getting along, though - it makes Faramir's grief at seeing Boromir's body very believable and immediate). I can only conclude that Faramir, being a bit more of the considering type, has begun to be automatically a bit dubious of anything his father thinks is a positive good - or else he wonders what such a weapon would be like in the hands of someone like his father. Hence, when he discovers the hobbits, he is torn between wanting to bring back a prize that would make even Denethor take notice of him, and between being unsure whether putting a weapon made originally by the enemy into Denethor's hands is such a wise thing to do - maybe it would be better to let the halflings proceed with whatever they're going to do? Boromir obviously endorsed their plan, at least for a time. But then, Boromir's dead, and *maybe* these guys know more than they're letting on. It's all very circular. <P>That indecision, combined with time pressing (remember how right before he says "The ring will go to Gondor" he's being told that Osgiliath is under attack, we have to go NOW) seems to have produced a state in him of "Well, my father wants it, he can HAVE it, good and hard."<P>Sorry if this is a bit confused - I'm probably missing some fairly obvious stuff. Does anyone have any other thoughts on the New Faramir?<P>PS One question - was it just me or did Denethor look like someone straight out of a Restoration-era portrait? Not that he looked bad or anything - just the periwig-like hairstyle threw me for a moment.