12-16-2003, 10:56 PM
I also felt that the return and Scouring of the Shire did a great job of showcasing just how much Merry and Pippin have matured and grown throughout their exploits. Afterall, for me, the biggest thing about that series of books is the character development of the characters as they come to know their strengths and weaknesses. Just look at the friendship that develops between Gimli and Legolas to see a great example of this maturation. Another is the near-salvation of Gollum's character since he very nearly throws off his dark past until he falls to brooding, once again, after the scene in which he feels he is betrayed by Frodo into the hands of the men of Gondor.
Personally, I always wondered if the destruction of the rings was really supposed to be the "climax" of the series given that, in the books, the actual scene where the ring is destroyed is only recounted to you. In fact, it is done with surprisingly little detail. Again, I've always felt it was the character development that was the big part of the series though you can't exactly destroy a ring of power without giving it at least a little time to describe how it happened. Much more detail is shown describing the very end where Frodo and company leave the shores and sail off as Sam returns home. :)
Personally, I always wondered if the destruction of the rings was really supposed to be the "climax" of the series given that, in the books, the actual scene where the ring is destroyed is only recounted to you. In fact, it is done with surprisingly little detail. Again, I've always felt it was the character development that was the big part of the series though you can't exactly destroy a ring of power without giving it at least a little time to describe how it happened. Much more detail is shown describing the very end where Frodo and company leave the shores and sail off as Sam returns home. :)
-TheDragoon