The Hobbit - The Movie: Speculation and Discussion

[Lindariel]

Keep in mind that Dol Guldur was not torn down by the White Council in The Hobbit. It remained standing after Sauron was driven out and was later reinhabited by 3 of the Nazgul. Dol Guldur was eventually thrown down by Galadriel at the end of the War of the Ring.

[Riv Res]

Thanks Merry and Lindariel, I think I have time this week to re-visit the timelines and plots in the book(s). LOLOLOL ... PJ can certainly get me putting the cart before the horse. I need to get straightened out here.

[Merry]

We've argued about this before, haven't we, Lindariel! I feel more certain than ever after the second movie that PJ is setting us up for a big old fight at Dol Guldur with Galadriel there. Since he didn't include its destruction in LOTR or any reference to it at all, I imagine he will have fun blowing the place to smithereens! I imagine a last battle something like the Battle of Hogwarts. Great: two big battles in the last movie. But I do look forward to seeing how they imagine Galadriel doing this.

[Merry]

I have a question. I watched the second half of the first movie tonight (rather than watch the State of the Union address--some days I just can't take politics!). So I get it that Smaug has been asleep for sixty year, but is PJ trying to suggest that the thrush trying to crack open a snail is what awakened Smaug?

[Riv Res]

Merry, I have always taken that seen to mean that the thrush was 'annoying' the sleeping Smaug ... and, it was PJ's way of showing us that yup, Smaug is still there and very much alive. IMHO

[Merry]

So you don't think they've been implying that Smaug has been asleep for sixty years?

By the way, there is a scathing review of DoS that was posted at TOR.n a couple days ago that, unfortunately, contains much truth.

[Riv Res]

So you don't think they've been implying that Smaug has been asleep for sixty years?

I think Thorin says straight out in Bag End that Smaug has been asleep there for 60 years. I don't think PJ needs to imply anymore other than to show us ... yup ... he's still there and the thrush interrupted his sleep and he is (perhaps) a wee bit annoyed and looking pretty formidable.

[Riv Res]

By the way, there is a scathing review of DoS that was posted at TOR.n a couple days ago that, unfortunately, contains much truth.

Merry, can you supply the link to that review?

[Merry]

Here 'tis:

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2014/01 ... -of-smaug/

[Riv Res]

Merry, whether you agree with Monteath on all things or not, that is a brilliant review in many ways ... and there are many, many points for discussion both here and at V-W.

More to come!

[Merry]

Glad you found it useful! You do have to admit the whole Golden Dwarf thing was pretty dumb!

Sorry about the Broncos.

[Lindariel]

Thanks for sharing this review! It is excellent! I found myself agreeing with him on almost every point.

[Merry]

Yes, I did, too, Lindariel, although I'm kind of sad to say it. I think we all wanted these movies to be very good!

[Riv Res]

He kinda nails it, don't you think?

[Merry]

Here's another one: even a gamer knows there are problems with this movie, even though he writes for Forbes!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/20 ... gs-to-end/

Some interesting suggestions at the end---