My goal is to get the outlines for Episodes 1-4 polished up enough to share them with the Execs within the next 24 hours. So, if anyone has any comments - do let me know! I know I have to regularize the use of Sauron/Mairon and Melkor/Morgoth. Gothmog should *always* use Sauron; Melkor should still be calling him Mairon. While the Noldor will not use the name 'Melkor' after this episode, the rest of Arda hasn't gotten that memo yet. Right?
Also, please let me know if any of this is unclear/confusing - I am attempting to summarize a discussion that I was part of, so the meaning is clear to me, but I may have left out something key.
Season 3 Episode 1: The Rebellion of the Noldor
Protagonist: Fëanor
Introductions: Boldog, Halbarad, Hamilcar
Final appearances: Indis, Nerdanel, Rúmil?
Characters: Melkor, Mairon, Gothmog, Boldog, Indis, Findis, Irimë, Fingolfin, Finarfin, Fëanor, Nerdanel, Sons of Fëanor, Earwen, Galadriel, Sons of Finarfin, Fingon, Turgon,
(Frame: Elrond, Estel, Gilraen, Halbarad, Hamilcar)
Summary: In the wake of Finwë's murder, the Noldor decide to seek vengeance. Melkor openly declares himself to be king in Middle Earth.
Theme: The importance of oaths and treating one's word as one's bond.
Teaser: Frame - Teenage Estel sits waiting by the gate of Rivendell. Halbarad and his son Hamilcar arrive. As Estel leads them to the main house, he speaks briefly with Hamilcar. The two are in stark contrast to each other - Estel dressed as the elves of Rivendell, and Hamilcar a bit more ragged and travel-stained. Estel is shorter and younger (about 16). There is some mutual distaste/scorn expressed (out of Halbarad's earshot), but when Elrond greets his guests, he invites both Halbarad and his son to join him in a conference...while shutting Estel out.
Act 1
1. Gilraen meets with Elrond. She is happy about the visit from the Dunedain, and wonders aloud if maybe it will soon be time for Estel to spend more time with his own people? Elrond cautions her not yet - that unfortunately he has some bad news. It seems that Sauron has returned to Mordor, and so it would be better for Estel to remain in Rivendell for now. Gilraen agrees, obviously shaken by this news. Estel has overheard this conversation.
2.
Meanwhile, in Angband. Mairon has been summoned to Melkor's throne room in the pit of Angband. When he enters, Gothmog is standing next to the throne. Melkor asks about the project he entrusted to Mairon before he left, and Mairon is quite happy to show off the results of his experiments on the captive elves. The fallen elves look a little withered and worse for wear, and flat-out worship Melkor as a god. Melkor seems...less than impressed with these results. This isn't quite what he had in mind. What use will these fawning creatures be for fielding an army to demonstrate his might? Gothmog takes the opportunity to make a scathing remark about Sauron's (sic) efforts. Melkor removes Mairon from control of the orc project.
3. The Noldor escort the body of Finwë from Formenos to Lorien by lamplight in darkened Valinor, with the stars overhead. Finarfin pulls his brother Fingolfin aside to discuss his urgent concerns over the current situation. Fëanor has already taken charge over what to do with Finwë's body, and in Finarfin's opinion, the Noldor can't really afford any more of his leadership. Also, Finarfin reminds [the audience] that Fëanor's ban from Tirion has not yet been lifted - while he has been pardoned, the time on his exile is not complete. Fingolfin doesn't disagree, exactly, but asks something along the lines of 'What would you have me do - go back on my word?' He considers himself bound by his words at the foot of Manwë's throne.
4. In Lorien, Finwë's body, heavily draped in fabric, is laid down on an empty bench next to Míriel's apparently sleeping form. Irimë weeps openly over her father's body. Indis looks at Míriel, and then approaches Fëanor in a last attempt to reach out to him and heal the divisions in their family. She acknowledges that his father loved him dearly and that it is right for Finwë to be placed next to Míriel, as they are now together in the Halls of Mandos. She is gracious and queenly, and shares his grief, but he is completely gutted - blank and closed off; he does not respond to her or even acknowledge that he has heard her. Fëanor leaves alone.
Act 2
5. Nerdanel is walking through a quarry in the starlight. She comes across Fëanor here; it is the place where they first met. It is unclear which one of them was looking for the other - an 'of course you would be here' comment between them.
A. Fëanor's silent shock has worn off. He is quiet, and vulnerable - we see his grief now, as an orphan who has lost his parents. Nerdanel offers him comfort; she too is grieving for Finwë.
B. But his anger isn't far behind, and he insists that Melkor must pay for what he has done. Nerdanel agrees, and says that there is no way the Valar will let Melkor get away with this. At the mention of the Valar, Fëanor's anger erupts, and he explains how all of this is the Valar's fault, and Melkor is one of them, and they are complicit, and he will not live under their rule any longer...and that Melkor is not worthy of that name and he never wants to hear it again.
C. Nerdanel refuses to join him in his rebellion. He accuses her of betraying him during his darkest hour. She defends her position, saying that he is the one who is betraying his people.
D. [Nerdanel knows she has lost him, so argues instead for her sons?]
6. Fëanor's sons lead the army of Formenos, which encamps outside the walls of Tirion. They are not permitted to enter the city, and are not happy about it, but Fingolfin's guards insist it is necessary to keep the peace. Maglor stresses that this situation is temporary and should not be taken as a slight. Maedhros insists that Fëanor will take care of his half-brother, who has attempted to usurp their father's rightful place. Nerdanel returns to the camp outside Tirion.
7. Finarfin speaks privately with his family to express his fears - he does not know how to prevent the impending disaster. Galadriel expresses her vocal desire to visit Middle Earth. Finrod scoffs - since when is she a fan of Fëanor? Finarfin speaks of the dangers of making important decisions when upset or hurt. He also speaks of his sense of duty towards his people and what leadership entails. Earwen expresses love of Valinor.
8a. Olwë, King of the Teleri in Alqualondë, sends messengers with condolences for the death of Finwë to Fingolfin in Tirion. Fingolfin discusses the current situation with his sons Fingon and Turgon. Fingon is happy to leave Valinor, so he does not feel the need to argue much. Turgon is very opposed to the idea because of his love of Tirion. His father points out that they could build Tirion anew in Middle Earth. Turgon retorts that they could just...not leave the one they have already built. There is more to Valinor than just the Trees.
8b. Fëanor returns to Tirion and enters the city. Most of the people greet him gladly, though there is some uneasiness.
Act 3
9. Finarfin tries to catch up with Fëanor and urge patience - Can he delay before doing something rash and public? Talk things through first? Fëanor has no patience and no interest. Fëanor dismisses him - if you don't want to be part of this, then don't. Finarfin snaps back that he won't abandon their people, either.
10. Indis says goodbye to her children (Fingolfin, Findis, Finarfin and Irimë) because she is returning to the Vanyar in the wake of her husband's death. Findis agrees to go with her; Irimë chooses to stay with her brothers. Before she leaves, Indis tells Fingolfin about the imminent fire, destruction and bloodshed that Míriel foretold. They both express being trapped by the promises they've made - these outcomes are unavoidable.
11. Nerdanel, meanwhile, is pleading with her sons to give some thought to their father's plan and not just blindly jump in to follow him. Fëanor's sons insist that Nerdanel will inevitably come around to Fëanor's point of view; she always does. At this point, she despairs of reaching her sons - she has already lost them.
12.
Meanwhile in Angband - Melkor raises the volcanic peaks of Thangorodrim in a show of power and defiance. The balrogs are involved in their construction, somewhat reminiscent of the Lamps. Melkor informs Mairon that the time for secrecy is over. Mairon tries to get himself put in charge of that project, but Melkor says something cryptic about his talents being needed elsewhere.
Act 4
13. The Noldor gather in the torch-lit square in Tirion. More of the soldiers of Formenos have entered the city, carrying torches. The somber, mourning mood has changed to one of anticipation. Fëanor does most of the talking. He names Melkor Morgoth. The destruction of the Trees make staying in Valinor pointless - he calls it a cage. He blames the Valar for the death of their king. He mentions that the younger race will usurp their place in Middle Earth. And he publicly reminds Fingolfin of his earlier pledge of loyalty.
14. Rúmil takes his parting shot at Fëanor. Galadriel finds herself in the awkward position of defending Fëanor's call to have kingdoms in Middle Earth in spite of her personal opinion of him - we will go with you, but we will never follow you. [Aredhel silently agrees with Galadriel.] Irimë reminds them of their obligation to get retribution for the death of their king (she speaks passionately from anger and grief). Turgon speaks of the beauty of Valinor and Tirion without gainsaying his father, which helps reinforce the voice of those who are calling to wait and proceed with caution. [Finrod silently agrees with Turgon.]
15a. The Oath of Fëanor. Fëanor recites the Oath alone. [Glimpses of Manwë, Varda, and Taniquetal when Fëanor names them.] His sons jump up from their places in the crowd and draw their swords, joining Fëanor in saying "So swear we all!" Nerdanel leaves the square. [Celebrimbor stands with the Fëanoreans, but does not take the Oath.] While some of the listeners are shocked [particularly Mahtan], after the next voice calling for a pause, the crowd makes it clear that they are impatient to leave.
15b. The final farewell between Fëanor and Nerdanel. She pleads with him not to take her sons from her. He retorts that she should just come with them, and then she can keep all of her children.
16.
Meanwhile in Angband - In the pits of Angband, Melkor informs Mairon that he has someone else to lead the orc project. Introducing...Boldog! Boldog is a proto-orc, a maia loyal to Melkor. He is clearly more of a warrior than the fallen elves. Mairon's 'lab assistant' fallen elf comments on how hideous Boldog is, and Boldog kills him. Melkor orders Mairon to undertake a mission outside Angband - the details are not overheard.
Tag: Frame - Estel sneaks out of Rivendell at night, disobeying his guardian. 
