[Lyta_Underhill]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>If he (Billy Boyd) was referring to some of Tolkien's original verse from the book, then he must be as dumb as the character he plays in the movie. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>davem, do you really think that Pippin is a dumb character? He certainly comes off as airheaded and inattentive, but not dumb! I know M & P have been relegated in many instances to comic relief in the films, and this probably causes people to look at them as if they were less-than-bright as characters (Pippin in particular suffers this injustice), but I wonder how many people write off the Tolkien versions of M & P as dumb because of it?<P>On a different note, I certainly would love to see a scene between Pippin and Faramir to establish the bond between those two, and the bond would be strengthened when Pippin becomes instrumental in saving Faramir from Denethor's madness. I like your suggestion, HCIsland, that Pippin and Faramir meet and discuss Denethor and Frodo and Sam before Pippin's first meeting with Denethor; I fear that Denethor's subtleties will be lost in the movie version of necessity, but this will create a bond between Pippin and Faramir that will be followable as a thematic thread. Of course, I can see an emotional scene with Pippin offering his sword to Denethor, remembering Boromir the Brave not only by his relationship to Denethor and Gondor, but by his relationship with Faramir (and by extension the hope for Frodo and Sam and the quest)--a profound deepening of the seriousness of Pippin's oath. I do like to turn my views in favor of the development of my favorites! Ah, but I do read the story like Billy Boyd does, don't I? It's all about Pippin and some other people!<P>Now, I've got to think of something to do with Frodo before he chews all the scenery! Night all!<P>Cheers,<BR>Lyta