Lack of respect displayed by Gimli - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gwathagor · 01-18-2008, 04:24 PM

Not only is it unfair to the character of Gimli (a helpless and unwilling victim in the hands of the screenwriters), but it's also unfair to the audience. My sense of humor extends far beyond belching and drinking.

I didn't mind Gimli sitting in the Steward's Chair as much as I mind the comic relief Gimli, but I agree, it's still out of place and doesn't really make sense if you think about it. It's unlikely that Aragorn would have allowed it.

If anyone had the right to stand on Balin's Tomb, it would have been Gimli - not that I think he should, or would have in ordinary circumstances. If you think about it, Gimli was only standing on the tomb in order to protect it, to kill any nasty goblins that dared approach it or defile it. Not only that, but he was putting himself in the center of the battle, exposed, for the sake of Balin's Tomb. So, I would argue that Gimli was in fact showing a great deal of respect (in that case), and perhaps more that Balin would have expected.

Groin Redbeard · 01-18-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

If anyone had the right to stand on Balin's Tomb, it would have been Gimli - not that I think he should, or would have in ordinary circumstances. If you think about it, Gimli was only standing on the tomb in order to protect it, to kill any nasty goblins that dared approach it or defile it. Not only that, but he was putting himself in the center of the battle, exposed, for the sake of Balin's Tomb. So, I would argue that Gimli was in fact showing a great deal of respect (in that case), and perhaps more that Balin would have expected.

My sentiments exactly. Although it is a little wierd to say that Gimli was defyling Balin's tomb when we saw Gimli weeping over Balin when he realized he was dead. A very sad moment.

As for Gimli sitting on Denethor's chair, I don't see any lack of respect. Since we are taking things from a movie perspective it is only fair to say that Denethor was a madman. He ignored good council from Gandalf and chose not to listen to Pippin's plea's for him not to burn his own son alive! Why would you show that man any respect?

Gwathagor · 01-18-2008, 06:47 PM

It's not the man, it's the office and all that it represents.

**The Saucepan Man** · 01-18-2008, 07:05 PM

Good grief! I have seen some nits picked in my time here, but this must nick the prize for pick of the nitpicks ...

Alatar would be proud of you.

Bêthberry · 01-18-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

Good grief! I have seen some nits picked in my time here, but this must nick the prize for pick of the nitpicks ...

Alatar would be proud of you.

Gee, Pan, are you hinting that the posters here are simply monkeying around?

sometimes you stand on the shoulders of giants to see farther. I think that's Gimli's attitude. Whether it's PJ's of course is debatable.

alatar · 01-20-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

Alatar would be proud of you.

Great...

How I came about as having a nitpicking eye is anyone's guess.

If Gimli were so ready to 'let them come' in the Chamber of Mazarbul, he wouldn't have stood on Balin's tomb but stood tall out in front of the Fellowship where, just maybe, his short stance, arm reach and axe attack may actually have been of some benefit. Think that PJ intended no disrespect, as we know he treated each character with the dignity that we fans would expect, but merely had to put poor Gimli somewhere in order to 'get the shot.'

Not sure that PJ intended for Gimli to be showing the Steward's seat any disrespect either; Gimli may have sat on the Ruling Steward's throne - a place of honor for over 26 generations - as there just wasn't anywhere else for the Dwarf to be.

And there was always the possibility that he could fall out of it.

Bêthberry · 01-20-2008, 09:25 PM

Gimli is the Rodney Dangerfield of the movie.

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 01-20-2008, 10:52 PM

Well, I never thought of the whole sitting on the throne thing before, but I guess that Gimli standing on Balin's tomb was because he was defending it from the cave troll!

Groin Redbeard · 01-18-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

It's not the man, it's the office and all that it represents.

Well if you want to talk about disgracing the office than take a good look at Denethor. He nearly brought Gondor to it's doom! Besides, if it was really all that bad, why didn't Aragorn, Gandalf, Eomer, or Legolas say something? A friendly "Hey, you really shouldn't be doing that Gimli."

Gwathagor · 01-18-2008, 10:00 PM

Things don't work like that in PJ world.

01-18-2008, 04:24 PM	#1
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	Not only is it unfair to the character of Gimli (a helpless and unwilling victim in the hands of the screenwriters), but it's also unfair to the audience. My sense of humor extends far beyond belching and drinking. I didn't mind Gimli sitting in the Steward's Chair as much as I mind the comic relief Gimli, but I agree, it's still out of place and doesn't really make sense if you think about it. It's unlikely that Aragorn would have allowed it. If anyone had the right to stand on Balin's Tomb, it would have been Gimli - not that I think he should, or would have in ordinary circumstances. If you think about it, Gimli was only standing on the tomb in order to protect it, to kill any nasty goblins that dared approach it or defile it. Not only that, but he was putting himself in the center of the battle, exposed, for the sake of Balin's Tomb. So, I would argue that Gimli was in fact showing a great deal of respect (in that case), and perhaps more that Balin would have expected. __________________ Stories and songs.

01-18-2008, 06:47 PM	#3
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	It's not the man, it's the office and all that it represents. __________________ Stories and songs.

01-18-2008, 07:05 PM	#4
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Good grief! I have seen some nits picked in my time here, but this must nick the prize for pick of the nitpicks ... Alatar would be proud of you. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

01-20-2008, 09:25 PM	#7
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Gimli is the Rodney Dangerfield of the movie. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

01-20-2008, 10:52 PM	#8
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	Well, I never thought of the whole sitting on the throne thing before, but I guess that Gimli standing on Balin's tomb was because he was defending it from the cave troll! __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.

01-18-2008, 10:00 PM	#10
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	Things don't work like that in PJ world. __________________ Stories and songs.