Re: (Next to no) discussion on extended version of TTT?

On 26 Nov 2003 01:54:45 GMT, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Russ) wrote:

> They understoof Edoras was not as defensible as Helm's Deep, so they 
> retreated (or as the Marines say, 'advanced in anothe direction') to 
> a more defensible position.  I don't get the whole change to Theoden.  
> Why is he now opposing the counsel of Gandalf and Aragorn? And why is 
> he maing these catatonic speeches?

(This is speculation, as I haven't heard the whole of the
director/writer commentary yet, and I've only been through the
documentaries once.)

Theoden has recovered from the overtaking of his mind to find that the
world somehow went to hell while he was not able to pay attention, his
only son has died, and his people have little support or help in a
desperately dangerous time.  That would throw anyone for a loop,
reinforced for the audience by the conflict with Gandalf and Aragorn.

This gives Theoden an opportunity to complete a character arc by coming
fully back into command of himself and his people as he regains
sufficient hope to come to the aid of Gondor, rather than despairing in
the inevitability of defeat by staying home in Rohan.