[HCIsland]

I'm not sure I would count it as pointless. It cleaned up the Saruman loose end and it really showed how much different the Hobbits were from when they left (especially Merry and Pippin), and that victory doesn't come without a price. It's wonderful in a book format (especially a large book). If there was ever a LoTR TV series (man am I dreaming), it would make a great next to last episode, but in a movie, it would be distracting.<P>As for Gollum redeaming himself, the point was made that if Frodo couldn't destroy the ring, Gollum sure as hell can't make that decision consciously. I don't know. It's best to just watch and see what happens and how well it works.<P>H.C.