LotR3-RotK-Seq06

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”From these movements, we expected something serious was [to] be transacted. On Tuesday evening, the 18th, it was observed, that a number of Soldiers were marching towards the bottom of the Common. About 10 o'Clock, Dr. Warren Sent in great haste for me, and beged that I would imediately Set off for Lexington, where Messrs. Hancock and Adams were, and acquaint them of the Movement, and that it was thought they were the objets. When I got to Dr. Warren's house, I found he had sent an express by land to Lexington—a Mr. Wm. Daws. The Sunday before, by desire of Dr. Warren, I had been to Lexington, to Mess. Hancock and Adams, who were at the Rev. Mr. Clark's. I returned at Night thro Charlestown; there I agreed with a Col. Conant, and some other Gentlemen, that if the British went out by Water, we would shew two Lanthorns in the North Church Steeple; and if by Land, one, as a Signal; for we were aprehensive it would be dificult to Cross the Charles River, or git over Boston neck.” -- Col. Paul Revere regarding the events taking place 18 April 1775.

Or

One, if by land, and two, if by sea; -- Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1860.


Frodo, Sam and Gollum see Minas Morgul (formerly Minas Ithil) in the distance. It’s green glow, though sickly, reminds me somehow of Lothlorien. The city almost looks like it is constructed of hanging luminous green sheets. Gollum continues to play the tour guide, and leads the two hobbits from the bridge to the stairs. Frodo stares at the statue that brackets the causeway, and to me it looks like a horned representation of a devil. Gollum shows them that just in front of the bridge there is the ‘secret stair.’ It’s almost silly to call it that, as to me anyone walking on the paved way would see the rough-hewn stairs in the cliff wall. Sam looks skyward to take measure of the task, and the height is daunting. Sam starts the journey up the Straight (Up!) Stairs, but Frodo hesitates. Seems that he senses something in the dead city, and it calls to him. Hand on Ring, he crosses between the two statues and makes his way to the emerald city. As if caused by his action, the ground rumbles then a pillar of light shoots skyward from the tower in front of them. More than these three see it, and it’s bright enough to illuminate the balcony on which stand Pip and Gandalf (won’t go into the physics, but doesn’t the light seem brighter in Gondor than on Frodo?). Sam pushes Frodo ahead, back from the bridge, while Gollum yells to hide. Soldiers and people, seen in Minas Tirith, see this sign of doom also (note to civilians - now would be the time to start evacuating the lower levels). Pip looks up very anxiously to Gandalf, and though the wizard says nothing, he puts an arm on the hobbit’s shoulder, just like he did back in the Shire with Frodo. Pip swallows visibly.

Gollum, Sam and Frodo find a convenient place to both hide and view the green city. The first Winged Nazgûl appears - it is the Fell Captain of Despair, the Witch-King of Angmar, the Lord of Morgul. He lets out a scream that has increased in power and screechiness since first heard in the fields of Hobbiton. Frodo feels anew the wound given to him at Weathertop…err…that hill that they met the five Nazgul on back in FotR.

The Witch-King reigns in his Fell Beast (not everything, seemingly, is under his power as the beastie want to go elsewhere ), and I note that the creature’s wings look a lot like those seen on the Reign of Fire movie’s dragons. The Gates of Minas Morgul open and the troops pour out. Note the size of the doors. Are these the same size as those in Minas Tirith? The army with banners and torches and weapons makes its way west, getting ready to start the battle of the age. The Witch-King flies by, not seeing the hobbits and Gollum, who seemingly hide just off the side of the road (through up off of the road a bit). I know that the Witch-King is getting on in years, and his Ring too is a burden, but I would have liked to have seen him ride, not fly, but with Fell Beasts available, I guess it does make more sense to utilize them. Gollum chides Sam and Frodo to get moving. The climb appears to be nearly vertical, and so is a challenge for the hobbits.

Gandalf notes that the board is set and that the first move has been made.

Gollum, now with his prey safely approaching his trap, is gleeful. Sam asks what is in the tunnel, and threatens Stinker and Slinker. Gollum, having played the game longer than poor Sam, plans something interesting for the mean fat hobbit.

Back in the gloom of Minas Tirith, Gandalf sets yet another hobbit on a quest. “Go fetch me an apple, my lad. Prove yet again the great worth of the Shire.” Pippin scurries off to light the beacons of Minas Tirith. Many before have tried, but none have ever succeeded, as the journey is long, hand and the wood is guarded by a…guard.

Just a couple of questions: Why doesn’t Gandalf just buffalo his way past the guard and light the thing? He could even just throw Pip up to the fire. Why not clunk Denethor in the head a bit early and have him dive, flaming, onto it - wouldn’t that be funny/ironic? Why doesn’t Denethor call for aid? Even if he doesn’t want to turn the whole place over to Aragorn; still, I doubt that even if Gondor survives the coming storm that the populace would be happy with a Steward leader who did nothing to defend them, and may be more inclined towards someone, such as Aragorn, who made an effort. Denethor, by not calling for aid is shooting himself in the foot. And, while I’m on the topic, I can deal with a mad Steward if that Steward lost all sense AFTER his second son dies (or is near enough), but before?

Anyway, we’ll just have to wait to see what Pip’s quest really is.

Back at the Anduin, the enemy has arrived. The Gondorian army is at ease, not knowing that the orcs approach. Faramir converses with one of his men, and we learn that all is quiet on the eastern front. There are scouts north, and so any attack from that direction will be noted. Somehow no one looks east were, just recently in TTT, there were orcs shooting across the river.

The dark army paddles somewhat silently across the Anduin. Gothmog, the disfigured orc with the Claymation-gone-bad head, orders quiet when a trooper makes a noise, fumbling candy wrappers or something (I can’t tell). The Gondorian soldiers don’t see the black tide rising even when it is almost upon them. Can’t they even see the torches? One unlucky feller does see the invading armada, and the orcs target him, sending an arrow right into his heart - the armor that he wore must have been for show (unlike that much-touted Uruk armor that we saw at Helm’s Deep). Still, in death, the soldier raises the alarm. Faramir takes one look at the prone figure lying on the ground with arrow in chest and realizes that Sauron is not coming from the north.

Dead men do tell tales.

Quickly he rallies his men to meet the attackers. The tension builds as the defenders make their way to the shore, as do Gothmog’s marines. Sauron had his army use landing craft where the front of the raft drops down to make a ramp on which the orcs run to the shore. Cute, but could you really construct something like that out of sticks?

Faramir and his men let some of the orcs make landfall before countering the invasion. One can almost see the D-Day Normandy invasion (6 June 1944) here, with the resistance being less than provided by the Germans at Omaha beach. No landing craft is sunk, and almost immediately the orcs gain a foothold. Where are the archers that could have slowed the orcs from departing their boats? If the first few departees were shot, the progress of the others behind would be hampered. Faramir shows that he’s not just some wizard’s pupil but a man of steel like his older brother. Even his abilities here are no match for might of Sauron, as the Dark Lord can afford to pay dearly for the crossing. The tension of the scene can be felt, and there is a visceral excitement to it. I would have like to have seen Faramir wield more than just his sword - show that a weapon exists between his ears as well. PJ could have showed why Faramir was a great captain of men and why he was respected as such - though he would still lose Osgiliath (again!), Faramir could have had some ploy to at least slow the orc landing.

The Anduin is bridged, and more orcs pour into West Osgiliath. Maybe Denethor was right in his assessment of his second born, as within moments the city will be overrun.

Westward ho!