LotR2-TTT_Seq23

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Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. - Proverbs 27:6

Frodo Zombie walks on calmly to some unknown destination in the haunted city of Osgiliath while chaos abounds around him. Sam asks my question, as is this really the time to look for a Starbucks? And where are his guards? Isn’t Faramir concerned that his precious prize for his Pop might get away, or get into someone else’s hands? Brother Boromir didn’t let Frodo so far out of sight, and so methinks that Faramir isn’t as serious about the Ring as his brother. We see Frodo in almost real time atop some wall or tower, then up pops the Winged Nazgul. Its eyeless stare looks directly at Frodo, who then proffers the One Ring. Is he going to hand it over or put it on?

Faramir notices this crazy sight. “Should have sprayed the hobbits with ‘Off-Fell Beast’ repellent.” Frodo begins to get all dreamy-eyed - star gazing in Osgiliath, perhaps? - then makes to place the Ring on his finger. Sam tackles his Master just before the Fell Beast grabs the Ringbearer, and Faramir sinks an arrow into the creature to shoo it off. The Nazgûl, seeing the Ring, is content with almost getting it, and so flies East. Must be low on fuel.

Sam and Frodo bounce and tumble hard to the ground, and then we see that Frodo’s mask is off. He draws Sting and threatens poor faithful Sam. Frodo presses the blade to his companion’s throat, then regains himself and pulls back. Sting drops clangingly from Frodo’s hand, and despair falls upon his soul. He’s tired, constantly in peril and has just threatened the life of the one person truly on his side.

Is it just me or does this scene make no sense? Why would the Nazgûl break off the attack? Why would, in film three, would Sauron think that his One Ring, his Precious, is anywhere near Isengard or Meduseld? Wouldn’t he know that the Ring is now most likely in Minas Tirith? At least that gives him a good reason to assail the place in earnest.

But then wouldn’t his Eye be straining ever towards the path the Frodo must now journey, should he get the chance to travel East? Anyway…

Sam agrees that this is one messed up situation. How do we escape from this fate? Can he stop reading this tale and wake up in his Gaffer’s house?

Sam begins ‘monologuing.’ He makes an excellent speech – very inspirational - while we see the routing of Saruman’s forces at Helm’s Deep. Just in case you missed it, we see more water flooding across Isengard, washing that place clean of the filth.

Sam speaks about the characters in the truly great stories that had the chance to turn back, to turn aside, yet did not, stayed true to the straight and narrow, and that’s what made it such a great story in the end. Something drove those folk onward, and Frodo asks what drives he and Sam. It’s the good in the world, like the Shire, that keeps these two on their tired feet. Howard Shore’s ‘Shire’ theme is heard, and we remember why these two are here.

Gollum looks as if he could cry. Sam’s words have penetrated his black heart deeply. Does he miss sunlight on a green hill, the sight of family and friends and a warm home waiting?

It’s well known that steward’s sons are fools for motivational speeches. Faramir states the he and Frodo now have an understanding, and I have no idea what that means. Faramir is reminded of his duty and the law, yet sets his life aside for honor (I think).

Next week we wrap up part two of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.