LotR3-RotK-Seq09

[alatar]

Damosel, said Arthur, what sword is that, that yonder the arm holdeth above the water? I would it were mine, for I have no sword. Sir Arthur, king, said the damosel, that sword is mine, and if ye will give me a gift when I ask it you, ye shall have it. By my faith, said Arthur, I will give you what gift ye will ask. Well! said the damosel, go ye into yonder barge, and row yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you, and I will ask my gift when I see my time. So Sir Arthur and Merlin alighted and tied their horses to two trees, and so they went into the ship, and when they came to the sword that the hand held, Sir Arthur took it up by the handles, and took it with him, and the arm and the hand went under the water. - Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory


Sam tries to keep watch on the snoozing Gollum, but Sam’s eyelids are heavy with sleep. Finally, he succumbs to the Sandman and quits his sentinel duty. Gollum immediately awakens and begins his mischievous plan.

Any else think that Sam is nuts for sleeping on the edge of a cliff, regardless of his Uncle Andy’s exploits? Also, wouldn’t have been a great plan for some small group of Gondorians to push rocks over the side of the cliff where Sam sleeps? From that height, the rocks would devastate the city, making craters like those in the moon for which it was originally named.

Anyway, as our two free climbing hobbits sleep (the steepness of this path has gone beyond silly - does anyone even see steps on the outcropping on which they lay - and soon I figure we’ll see Sam bringing out the hammer and pitons), Gollum opens a pack and gathers up some lembas. He sprinkles a few crumbs on the fat one and throws the rest over the side. A wonderfully devious plan for PJ to hand to poor Sméagol, who would have been better served - and been more in character - to send the fat one over the edge and then deal with being the only servant for Frodo. But a small creature going over a cliff, to return later, as Sam surely must for the story to remain somewhat like the books, is a gotcha that PJ will save for later.

Sam awakens, as the sound of food falling in the sky is music to his ears. He immediately accuses Gollum, who then whines that he’s always being false accused. His performance (and that of Andy Serkis) is so convincing that Sam regrets his words and even apologizes. Gollum turns Sam’s less harsh words right back on him. Sam goes and rouses Frodo, as the quest must continue regardless of any sneaking. Sam opens his pack to find that the cupboard is bare! He panics and then accuses Sméagol of the crime. Frodo, of course, states that Gollum does not eat said bread, and so therefore concludes that the creature could not have taken it. That’s pretty stupid, as, as we know, Gollum could have taken it and destroyed it. But that kind of logic wouldn’t keep the scene rolling, and so we’ll just let it pass. Gollum, after establishing his innocence beyond a reasonable doubt, turns prosecutor and accuses Sam. CSI: Ephel Dúath shows the evidence on Sam’s jacket, and the crumbs fall as low as his heart soon will. Sam snaps when his continual sacrifices for his master all seem for not. When called a liar, he grabs and pummels poor Sméagol, who plays the beating for maximal sympathy. Sam finally stops and returns to his concern for his master. The conversation turns to the Ring, and Sam falls again into another trap laid for him by the cunning Gollum. This is the one thing that would turn Frodo from Sam.

Frodo decides the case, and sends Sam packing. Sam sobs, and I do as well as I just can’t see Frodo ever turning away Sam’s help. I also don’t see why Sam would not follow. I still can’t see Sam walking back down the cliff through Minas Morgul then west back to the Shire - was that what he intends? And can’t figure out how they did all of that wrestling around/sleeping on the side of a cliff. And I won’t even mention anything anymore about being stealthy.

Back in Minas Tirith, people smile as the dead ride out to retake Osgiliath. Not sure if the people are just trying to be positive, or they are laughing at ill-fitting pot atop Faramir’s head. Sure, most of the onlookers’ faces are downcast, but if you look closely, you’ll see one happy older woman. Flowers are cast on the road, and they should all be lilies. Suddenly, out of the crowd, a voice is heard and it’s Gandalf. He calls for Faramir, and tells him not to throw his life away in a mad dash. The wizard tells his former pupil that Denethor loves his second son, and will remember it before the end. Faramir hears little of Gandalf’s words, and seems a bit mad himself, intent on riding off to his death.

The mounted Gondorian knights ride out through the gates and across the Pelennor Fields. They form a line (or double line) and ride towards Osgiliath. Can’t get a firm number, but do we have about 200 soldiers riding east?

An orc, looking more orangutan than elf, looks out and sees the approaching army. Gothmog sees them as well; well, as well as he can see anything. More and more heads pop up like gophers from the ruins. So are we to believe that the learned Faramir, not as brash as his older and now dead brother, is leading an attack, on horse, on an enemy entrenched in difficult terrain in the light of day? Again I’m siding again with Denethor when he thinking that his second son is witless.

While the charge is taking place, Denethor, obviously a glutton (why else would he continually eat? ), asks Pippin to sing. Haven’t we been punished enough?!? Pip digs out a fitting song, well sung, while Denethor slobs away at his board and while about 10 billion orcs make ready to shoot at Faramir and his men. The insanity gets even better as we see Faramir draw his sword.

Note that this attack on Osgiliath would have had a better chance of working if (1) the horses on which the soldiers rode could fly like Pegasus, (2) Faramir’s ride was actually a feint to keep the orcs’ attentions while the real army came down from the north, or (3) the attack took place at night. With ninjas. With lasers…

Anyone else see Longstreet's Grand Assault here? You might have heard of that, but by another name.

When the arrows are finally loosed, red blood, or something that seems to be, runs from the Steward’s mouth. The juxtaposition of the song, the ride and Denethor work well in this scene, as we do not need to see all of the failed assault to know what is happening. Pippin’s heartbreak, at the end of his song, tells us all that we need to know. PJ was more subtle here than usual, and I like it. Gandalf, sitting like an old fisherman by the sea, knows the fate of the soldiers as well. Bells toll off in the distance, for whom we know.

Meanwhile, after that little interruption, back on Highway 1 trolls experience the first known instance of traffic in Middle Earth. They push siege engines across the East-West Osgiliath bridge, which, amazingly, has been not only rebuilt (yes, I know that in the last sequence that the bridge drops down as the river assault happens, but is this the same bridge?) but can hold the weight that sits upon it.

And Faramir feared that Sauron would come from the north…

More people get ready for battle. In Dunharrow, the Rohirrim camp and await orders from King Théoden. Riding through the camp, Théoden gets a count of the spears that are at his command. 6000. Hopefully that will be enough.

By the way, what’s with RotK and cliffs? Beacons and hobbits and now Kings all are thousands of feet in the air on an edge of a ledge.

Aragorn tells that ‘other king’ that 6000 won’t be enough, and that they cannot wait until more come. The other king agrees not to wait. The horses and men are quieted or not by the shadow of the mountain under which they now walk. Éomer explains the issue to Legolas and Gimli, who learn of the Paths of the Dead. Aragorn himself gets a chill when he looks at the narrow way through the White mountains. Gimli, who thankfully hasn’t made a joke in the last minute, returns Aragorn to the present.

Éowyn plays dress up with her new toy, and amidst the uncertainty of war, the recent death of her cousin, the dismissal of her love, she seems downright perky. She arrays her Merry action figure as an esquire of Rohan, and he almost slices her sideways when drawing his sword. Reminds me of a funny story that I might tell later. Anyway, is this the same Merry that learned swordplay from Boromir in Eregion? The one that fought orcs and a cave troll in Moria, that fought Uruks at Parth Galen? Merry then explains that his sword is dull - do magical swords get dull, or is this sword not magical? (note that Sting and the Shards of Narsil, both magical swords, remained sharp). An interesting question considering who feels the hobbit’s blade later in the movie. Finally, Merry leaves the tent swing his sword like a three year old (trust me, I know what I’m talking about) and makes for the human smithy to get his nonmagical weapon sharpened. Éomer chides his sister for encouraging the little toy that she’s found, and she asks why Merry has to be left behind. We know that Éowyn makes the case not just for the new esquire, but for herself as well. Éomer states that war is not pretty, a dress up play, and should only be engaged by men. His argument is shallow, hollow, as Merry is a ‘man,’ and though at times acts like a child, has seen battle before (see above). A better case is that he would be a hindrance, and that he’d either get in the way or, if he could not keep up, would slow the army down as they would not want to leave him behind. We’re left with the eyes of Éowyn that do not cool at her brother’s words.

Note that I did not see any Púkel-men on the path turning points in the far night shot of Dunharrow, but see something statue-like when a dark hooded figure rides a pale horse up the path. Is the stone ‘thing’ a weathered wose/ Drúedain? Anyway, how this stranger gains access to the top brass is interesting, and I assume that whomever it is uses the ‘force,’ as Aragorn’s sleep is disturbed by the newcomer. In his dream Aragorn sees Arwen speaking the words of Sam (about Rosie or the Gaffer?) and the Evenstar shattering on the ground. He awakes violently with knife in hand.

King Théoden asks for Aragorn to join him. When Aragorn enters that other king’s tent, the older man leaves, leaving Aragorn alone with the hooded figure. Oooh scary! Who knows what lies beneath? Why it’s Elrond, traveling from Rivendell, presumably alone, without more elven soldiers (what a waste they were) to aid Théoden’s and Aragorn’s plight. Elrond explains that Arwen is dying and that only a special potion, or a dragon’s tooth, or some other impossible cure, found only atop Mount Olympus or in the netherworld can keep fair Arwen alive…or something like that. Aragorn learns that Sauron must die for Arwen to live - no pressure there to put on a future son-in-law. Elrond knows that Aragorn will (now, unlike before) join the war against the Eye, but that his chances of succeeding are slim to none.

Not only are armies pouring across the Anduin, but they’re sailing up it as well. No need for a palantir to tell us; we have Lord Elrond to increase the gloom. Outnumbered, Elrond tells Aragorn that he needs to recruit more. No elves this time (and we realize why), but there are fertile grounds in the White mountains where men are just dying to take part in some epic battle with the Heir of Isildur. Aragorn gets a vision of the Dead King, and let’s us know that these dead warriors are not only “traitors” but also “murderers” and tax collectors . Aragorn loathes to have these men fight under his banner, though without them he loses Arwen, his life and most if not all of Middle Earth.

“But they dun murder before!”

Aragorn’s second round of excuses is that the dead will not follow him. Elrond counters that a shiny bit of sword will do just the trick. Andúril, Narsil reforged, is brought forth. Me wonders that if that didn’t get Aragorn going what else Elrond could pull out of his sleeve. Durin’s Axe… Thranduil’s Bow…the Gaffer’s best taters…

“Yours for only four easy payments.”

Aragorn now accepts the sword and his destiny and the task of recruiting the dead. Nice to see his and Elrond’s hands on Andúril at the same time - something is being passed from one generation to the next. Aragorn then says that Sauron surely will remember the blade that cut off his fingers, and that the blade will go to Minas Tirith. Elrond gets a little too excited, stating that the person that can wield the sword can summon an army greater than any that now walk the (middle) Earth. Is this an Arthurian Excalibur thing? Can another get ‘the power’ by holding the sword? To me it seems that the sword is key, not the wielder.

Aragorn must sense this as well, as he quickly loses hope. Nice to hear Gilraen’s words spoken in Elvish, though Estel saying that he has no hope? Is there anyone remaining in Middle Earth with any hope?