Mar
09
Riddles in the Dark Episode Four!
Episode Four is now available!
Prof. Corey Olsen and Dave Kale finally get to the heart of the matter and discuss Thorin Oakenshield. They compare his different portrayals across The Hobbit, Appendix A of The Return of the King, and different versions of The Quest of Erebor and analyze how they may be combined and adapted by Peter Jackson’s team in the upcoming The Hobbit films. They focus in on his testy relationship with Gandalf, as well as his rivalry with Bilbo over the leadership of the group, and they speculate how the filmmakers may craft his story arc and character development. Finally, they zero in on one specific moment: will the filmmakers preserve Thorin’s early capture by the elves of Mirkwood, or will they add him to the battle with the spiders?
Prediction of the Week: How will Thorin end up in the Elvenking’s dungeon?
(A) Just as in the book: he will be taken by the elves prior to the spider conflict. (B) He will be captured with the rest of them, after the spider fight; they won’t be separated. (C) Neither of the above.
Thorins age is quite an interesting topic. I think Daves point about the visual distinction of Wisdom and Authority is a great one, I think Thorins character arc may strive more toward the headstrong desire to reclaim his own, to make a name for himself, and get revenge, so his great age and wisdom are in many ways a hindrance to this visually. Though there is grey in those black locks of his, so he is clearly not that young.
In many ways, though Thorin is 17 years Balin senior, it is Balin that seems to play the elder statesman figure even in the book, being kindly, and reasoning, especially to Bilbo. What intrigues me also is Dwalin, he is only 9 years younger than Balin but looks a darn sight better! I think they are really trying to visually represent the main drive of the Character as they see fit, after all there are so many of them. Balin is kindly and wise, so he is a cuddly old man in a bathrobe, Dwalin is a tough warrior, so he is big and strong and gruff, Thorin is stern and haughty, so he is dark and klingon looking… a joke, sorry! But I think this fits for all the characters, Bofur will be cheeky, Bifur wild and physchotic, Nori will be wily and mischievious, Even Ori who we know writes the book of Marzabul, has been given a scholarly geeky look in a cardigan.
I also had a final thought about the Spiders… a ‘shadow and a thought’ of my own if you will. What if the Elves rescue the dwarves? I too think Thorin will not be removed from the party and will be there when the spiders attack, and I’m sure there will be a fight scene of sorts with plenty of opportunity for Bilbo to prove his quality and Thorin to look on, but I had this awful fear that the Elves (probably Legolas and Tauriel and company) come in at the end to slay the last few, and cart them off at bow point to Thranduils halls? It would be expedient, and cut dead screen time, love to hear your thoughts on this.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for these podcasts, I always look forward to listening and engaging with the flow of the conversation… if only there were more time for such things. You efforts are much appreciated, thank you.
BW
Adam
Interesting idea about the elves butting into the spider fight. It makes sense that we would not want to have to wait till the BOFA to see a taste of Legola’s and Tauriel’s uber fighting skillz! Oy!
I have something to say about Frodo’s age in the films:
I remember too, that Philippa Boyens said Frodo was too young in the films. She said that in one of the bonus features on the DVDs of the Two Towers. That was the moment the film makers lost any credibility; it was the moment that I stopped believing they knew what they were doing. I mean: Even if they do something as it’s described in the books, it’s by mistake? (Not to mention the arrogance she shows there, especially since she’s wrong.)
Frodo had the Ring for those 17 years. That’s why he doesn’t age in that time. And that’s not just something I claim, it’s right in the books:
“As time went on, people began to notice that Frodo also showed signs of good ‘preservation’: outwardly he retained the appearance of a robust and energetic hobbit just out of his tweens. ‘Some folk have all the luck,’ they said; but it was not until Frodo approached the usually more sober age of fifty that they began to think it queer.” (Chapter II, The Shadow of the Past)
So, Frodo is not too young in the films.
(I hope there aren’t too many mistakes in the comment, since I’m not a native speaker.)
Predictions: Umm, C? Even though it looks like Thorin is present for the spider attack, I’m going to say he gets separated at some point. So far the arguments for B are very convincing from a film-making standpoint, but there is just something in my mind that pushes me away from that chance. We shall see!