Quote:
Originally Posted by The 1,000 Reader
Speaking to everyone here, since Gandalf's purpose in LOTR wasn't to save the day for the people, could PJ have made the scene to show that the people of Middle-Earth would have to save themselves? To me, all the scene appears to do is reinforce that idea. I don't see how Gandalf being bested by the Witch-King is an insult to his character--he just lost a fight. His character is still intact.
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Gandalf was the enemy of Sauron, so being overmatched by his servant is a sore blow to the integrity of Gandalf as a major power. As I have said before, Tolkein was probably worried that an enhanced Gandalf the White would have creamed the Witch King in his previous form; a tonic of power was needed to at least give the Witch King a chance in a direct encounter. Some posters (& PJ) here have interpreted this differently, ignoring the massively increased might of Gandalf the White, against an enhanced Witch King.
By the way, Eru himself increased Gandalf's power for good measure, with a prior knowledge of knowing what Sauron may do to increase the Witch King's power. With this in mind, Eru would not have left a debt in Gandalf's power versus the Witch King!