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I cannot guarantee his safety”

Thorin’s voice-over fades in over song, Gandalf responds:

“Understood.”

maegwen: We hear an exchange between Thorin and Gandalf which reminds us of the exchange between Elrond and Gandalf before sending the Fellowship out of Rivendell with the ring.   … Gandalf really has no problem with thrusting hobbits into danger, does he?

 

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“Nor will I be responsible for his fate.”

Demosthenes: Thorin is not being nearly as grumpy and haughty as I expected.

maegwen: Maybe not grumpy, but I won’t concede not haughty. Not yet.

 

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Where are we? Somewhere beautiful

Calisuri: Edges of Mirkwood?

Demosthenes: This scene brought to you by the NZ tourism board. 100% pure, you know.

Gordon: I hope the music used after “Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold” will become the Hobbit theme, as it is catchy and awesome. PJ has always told Howard Shore that he wanted the theme music hummable, catchy — which it is.

 

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No tra-la-lallying allowed: Dwarves in Rivendell

Demosthenes: These elves do not go “tra-la-lally in the valley”. It was always a doomed hope. Where’s Gandalf though? Is he busy with Galadriel? The light level seems roughly the same…

Liese: It looks like the taunting by the elves of Rivendell is going to be a bit more serious and less “tra la la lallying”.  It reminds me of the meeting between Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli and the Rohirrim.

maegwen: I won’t be sad if they lose the “la-lally” tone of the entire book, not just this scene. It’s the childish aspects of “The Hobbit” that long kept me from wanting a film. I’m quite happy if it skews darker.

Tehanu: Looks like the Elves might welcome the Dwarves to Rivendell with something a whole lot more aggressive and threatening than “Tra-la-la-lally”. What if the elves DO sing that ridiculous song, but do it mockingly, while harassing them from horseback?

 

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Elladan and Elrohir surround the company?

Random note: We speculate that these unnamed elves are in fact the sons of Elrond, having a bit of sport with the dwarves when they first arrive in Rivendell.

 

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Gandalf in Dol Guldur… ?

Demosthenes: More Dol Guldur stuff. I never imagined it would be either so ruined or so deserted, though. Gandalf looks to be in a hurry. Perhaps it’s the ruins of Dale and he’s hustling to find Bard.

MrCere: If this is Dol Guldur, I think it is a flashback.  Later I think it will be full of evil creatures, including goblins, who will be a more visible opposition to the White Council.

 

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Closeup of the above scene

 

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Cate Blanchett as Galadriel

 MrCere:  Studio: Did you know this big movie star and great actress is also in The Hobbit?  Just wanted to make sure . . .

 

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New Zealand IS Middle Earth

Demosthenes: This scene also brought to you by the NZ tourism board. Possibly the weather hills, more likely the foothills of the Misty Mountains?

MrCere:  So beautiful it almost looks constructed to be beautiful. Consider that a lot of work and money was spent just to get this shot.  Amazing.

 

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Dori, Fili and Bilbo in Bag End

Demosthenes: Bilbo looking extraordinarily pleased with himself. Presumably after having signed up for this crazy quest.

Garfeimao: Bilbo looking mighty pleased with himself. An educated guess is after all the dishes were stacked and not broken, his ability to host a lovely party was complimented, and maybe he just finished a Hobbit song. Dori and Fili look mighty pleased too.

maegwen: I love the stretching of the braces as the plates teeter precariously on the table. He’s proud as … a pint of 1420.