Alcarlótë
Active Member
We didn't get much done in terms of new things, but this session certainly helped to clarify and tidy up some big picture things that should help us with the detailed discussions of the next episode - and it was very fun, too I also think we at least mostly convinced Corey that Beor can have a seaside vacation. I like the Tuor being the first man at the sea as mythic moment in the text, but I don't see a way we could convey that information to the viewers in anything but frame exposition or a narration voice-over unless Ulmo says it. And even then, it would put more strain on most viewer's suspension of disbelief than it would come across as meaningful and mythic, in my opinion - and it's not like Tuor's time near the sea lacks mythic qualities anyway.
The only things I'm unclear on is firstly what to do with the suggestion about the prophecy of Huan being public and during a battle (?). Was the battle thing a purpose in itself or was it just an idea why there's bad guys around to hear it in public? It could not be a secret and even public knowledge among the local Elves, and still be discovered by a spy being around.
Secondly, the whole "Finrod's location" business at the end went a bit over my head - why can't Finrod be anywhere we want him to? And why couldn't he take a week or two to come to the Bragollach from Nargothrond and then be cut off in the Fen of Serech? It takes time to besiege Barad Eithel and Minas Tirith, and it will be important to stop the western Noldor from flanking Morgoth's eastern forces or disrupting supply and reinforcement lines between Angband and the fronts. And if Dorthonion is already at least partly fallen at the point Finrod is rescued, it makes sense that Barahir and his army would leave it temporarily. My spontaneous idea for the course of events would be that Finrod lifts the siege of Minas Tirith, drives the orcs back to relieve Barad Eithel or Dorthonion, and then gets caught between an army from the east that was victorious in Dorthonion and an army from the north that gets between him and Minas Tirith - either from the force attacking Hithlum or fresh reinforcements from Angband.
As far as the frame goes, I'd like to start in Minas Tirith - with optional inclusions of Ecthelion and Denethor - to show the viewers where Gandalf is going instead starting with "He's somewhere in the south". But maybe the southern mountain border of Mordor could be an alternative landmark to orient the viewers.
The only things I'm unclear on is firstly what to do with the suggestion about the prophecy of Huan being public and during a battle (?). Was the battle thing a purpose in itself or was it just an idea why there's bad guys around to hear it in public? It could not be a secret and even public knowledge among the local Elves, and still be discovered by a spy being around.
Secondly, the whole "Finrod's location" business at the end went a bit over my head - why can't Finrod be anywhere we want him to? And why couldn't he take a week or two to come to the Bragollach from Nargothrond and then be cut off in the Fen of Serech? It takes time to besiege Barad Eithel and Minas Tirith, and it will be important to stop the western Noldor from flanking Morgoth's eastern forces or disrupting supply and reinforcement lines between Angband and the fronts. And if Dorthonion is already at least partly fallen at the point Finrod is rescued, it makes sense that Barahir and his army would leave it temporarily. My spontaneous idea for the course of events would be that Finrod lifts the siege of Minas Tirith, drives the orcs back to relieve Barad Eithel or Dorthonion, and then gets caught between an army from the east that was victorious in Dorthonion and an army from the north that gets between him and Minas Tirith - either from the force attacking Hithlum or fresh reinforcements from Angband.
As far as the frame goes, I'd like to start in Minas Tirith - with optional inclusions of Ecthelion and Denethor - to show the viewers where Gandalf is going instead starting with "He's somewhere in the south". But maybe the southern mountain border of Mordor could be an alternative landmark to orient the viewers.
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