Middle-earth Bad Popularity Cup

[Groin Redbeard]

++The Master of Laketown

Old Man Willow just doesn't have enough substance. The Master of Laketown actually talks!

P.S. Why was The Master of Laketown (we have got to abbreviate that name) put in the evil category? Although he was conniving and corrupt, I never considered him to be evil. Speaking of evil, why isn't Thranduil on the list?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

P.S. Why was The Master of Laketown (we have got to abbreviate that name) put in the evil category??

Well, aside from being a coward, he was a manipulative thief, who stole gold meant for aiding the widows and fatherless shildren of Laketown. But as with all such villains in Middle-earth, Tolkien has him starve to death alone in the wilderness. I am sure he would have a place on the board of Haliburton if he lived today.

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

Speaking of evil, why isn't Thranduil on the list?

One might as well ask why Thorin isn't listed among villains; after all, it was due to his stupid greed that Laketown was destroyed and many people died needlessly. In addition, he nearly caused a war between Dwarves and Elves and Men. Thranduil? he imprisoned the dwarves for trespassing and stirring up the deadly spiders (as was his kingly right), but he didn't abuse them, and he also benvolently aided Bard and the people of Laketown when they most needed it. I don't get your point.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Other debatable villains:
Feanor (probably not)
Caranthir and Curunir (probably)
Thingol (probably not...but)
Saeros (very probably)

[Andsigil]

Originally Posted by Tuor in Gondolin

Other debatable villains:
Feanor (probably not)
Caranthir and Curunir (probably)
Thingol (probably not...but)
Saeros (very probably)

I would consider Feanor a villain. Nothing can excuse, or atone for, the Kinslaying.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Tuor in Gondolin

Other debatable villains:
Feanor (probably not)
Caranthir and Curunir (probably)
Thingol (probably not...but)
Saeros (very probably)

Saeros is definitely a negative character, but not sure if I would call him a villain, poor one, he is the most disgusting character ever.
Caranthir and... Curufin, you probably mean? But it's Celegorm and Curufin; Caranthir is the third one. At least the two of them are definitely villains, Caranthir is quite nice (he helps the Men after they are decimated by the Orcs... even though late).

But hey, I would not really make such a trouble out of that. I would not stretch it: we have some list and I suggest we stick to it, even now it's quite enough of them.

And certainly, at least this far, we have been sticking to villains (more or less, let's say the Master of Laketown being on the border, but being still there). With those listed above, we'd be somewhat crossing the border... because then what about Denethor etc...

[Aganzir]

Hey Fëanor and his sons are far from evil! ♥

++ Old Man Willow

I've disliked the Master of Laketown even before the RPG that featured his jerk son, whereas the Old Forest is one of my favourite places in Middle-earth. Old Man Willow is a lovely character, and I even managed to include him in the werewolf game I modded.

The atmosphere when he traps the hobbits is ever so wonderful.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Originally posted by Legate

Sa
Caranthir and... Curufin, you probably mean? But it's Celegorm and Curufin; Caranthir is the third one. At least the two of them are definitely villains, Caranthir is quite nice (he helps the Men after they are decimated by the Orcs... even though late).

Yep. You're quite correct.

Voting at present, 3-3 (but MoL wins so far on tiebreaker).

[Andsigil]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Well, aside from being a coward, he was a manipulative thief, who stole gold meant for aiding the widows and fatherless shildren of Laketown. But as with all such villains in Middle-earth, Tolkien has him starve to death alone in the wilderness. I am sure he would have a place on the board of Haliburton if he lived today.

Strange... I'd always pictured him more as an ACORN director.

++Master of Laketown for being a slimy, skullduggering poltroon.

[Groin Redbeard]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

One might as well ask why Thorin isn't listed among villains; after all, it was due to his stupid greed that Laketown was destroyed and many people died needlessly. In addition, he nearly caused a war between Dwarves and Elves and Men.

Typical talk from an elf fan. I have a much different picture on Thranduil, but that is a different topic for another time.

Thranduil? he imprisoned the dwarves for trespassing and stirring up the deadly spiders (as was his kingly right)...

Kingly right? Mule fritters! You forget that Thorin was also a King!

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

Typical talk from an elf fan. I have a much different picture on Thranduil, but that is a different topic for another time.

Kingly right? Mule fritters! You forget that Thorin was also a King!

King? Of what? Actually, Thorin would have been barbequed Naugrim-bites(tm) if it hadn't been for Bard of Dale, Dain of the Iron Hills and Thranduil of Mirkwood (yes, Thranduil, my confused dwarvish dupe). Thorin was literally given his throne back by the blood of Men, Elves, and Dwarves (like Dain's folk, who were not homeless vagrants like Thorin).

As far as your take on Thranduil, your obvious dorf-bias casts a pall over your short-sighted sensibilities. I suggest you reread the book and get back to me when you can come up with a reasonable argument.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Master Of Laketown-3
Old Man Willow-3

MoL wins on tiebreaker.

Next: Maeglin vs. The Witch King

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

++The WK

With no question. Okay, I did not want to say it when we were voting about Eöl not to lose support of those who liked his son, but not him, but let's face it: he is as stupid as his father! Actually, he reminds me of teenage Anakin Skywalker...

Whereas WK is so charming, so clever (sometimes), he is a Nazgul (that's the main point. He is cool!), and what more, he is a fallen Númenorean lord!

And he is not afraid of entering the River (Bruinen).

And he fought Glorfindel (and Gandalf (and Éowyn, of course) ).

Oh, and he is the lord of Minas Morgul! Now come on, one of the coolest cities in Middle-Earth? (Forget the weird, even though not that bad by itself, portrayal of it in the movies... I just don't imagine the city like that.)

And, he called the Barrow-Wights to dwell in the Barrow-Downs in the first place! Now come on, isn't that a reason by itself to vote him?

[Morthoron]

Funny thing, I would vote for Eol, but I wouldn't vote for Maeglin. At least Eol showed some testicular fortitude in going to Gondolin to get his family back; Maeglin, however, was whiney and weak, and was cowed by Morgoth when Elves such as Fingolfin and Maedhros were not.

++The WiKi