I saw that a few days ago and I can't poke any holes in the theory. Originally I thought if that was Gandalf's true plan he could have picked it back up when he rejoined the Fellowship in Fangorn Forest. But by then Frodo and Sam were already headed for Mordor and searching for them, even with the help of the eagles, would have given them away.
I think that's the point at which Gandalf decided they needed to distract Sauron by engaging his forces. He spoke the idea aloud after the battle at the Pelennor Fields when he suggested they assault the Black Gate, but I think he had that in mind even before the battle of Helm's Deep.
As a rule, if someone as smart as Tolkien seems to have made an obvious mistake, I assume I've missed something. It may not be clear on the movies but if you read the books there's a simple explanation - the eagles weren't just dumb beasts to be ordered around and they wouldn't agree to do it.
This is a plot hole the same way it's a plot hole that the Swiss army didn't roll in from the south to help Tom Hanks find Pvt Ryan.
Didn't the Ringwraiths have their own flying mounts? I would assume that Gandalf knew about them, too. He might have decided that the risk of interception would be lower with a stealth approach by ground than with what would by necessity be an open approach by air.
Matt W: You and Jake make good points. The eagles didn't rescue Frodo and Sam until Sauron's forces were already feeling the effects of the destruction of the Ring.
I think the eagles could probably have gotten past the Ringwraiths - there were only nine, after all - but Sauron may have had other air or anti-air assets within his own borders.
9 comments:
Because it would be a 5 page short story?
Heh
I saw that a few days ago and I can't poke any holes in the theory. Originally I thought if that was Gandalf's true plan he could have picked it back up when he rejoined the Fellowship in Fangorn Forest. But by then Frodo and Sam were already headed for Mordor and searching for them, even with the help of the eagles, would have given them away.
I think that's the point at which Gandalf decided they needed to distract Sauron by engaging his forces. He spoke the idea aloud after the battle at the Pelennor Fields when he suggested they assault the Black Gate, but I think he had that in mind even before the battle of Helm's Deep.
As a rule, if someone as smart as Tolkien seems to have made an obvious mistake, I assume I've missed something. It may not be clear on the movies but if you read the books there's a simple explanation - the eagles weren't just dumb beasts to be ordered around and they wouldn't agree to do it.
This is a plot hole the same way it's a plot hole that the Swiss army didn't roll in from the south to help Tom Hanks find Pvt Ryan.
Didn't the Ringwraiths have their own flying mounts? I would assume that Gandalf knew about them, too. He might have decided that the risk of interception would be lower with a stealth approach by ground than with what would by necessity be an open approach by air.
I always just assumed it was because Sauron had dozens of SAM batteries throughout Mordor, obviously presenting too great a risk to the Eagles.
As I said elsewhere, it works a treat provided you haven't actually read the books.
Matt W: You and Jake make good points. The eagles didn't rescue Frodo and Sam until Sauron's forces were already feeling the effects of the destruction of the Ring.
I think the eagles could probably have gotten past the Ringwraiths - there were only nine, after all - but Sauron may have had other air or anti-air assets within his own borders.
Or the Eagles could have picked the hobbits up from Rivendale and let the heavy humans/dwarves and elves walk.
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