First Time Readers

The Two Towers: Ch 7-8

Episode Summary

Jon, Jenn, Danny, and Lizzy talk about how good of a battle scene that Helm's Deep is in the book and what exactly that darkness was in the Road to Isengard.

Episode Notes

Chapter 7 - Helm’s Deep

Q1 - Who is your favorite character so far in the whole story?

Q2 - Can you guys help me walk through this whole chapter?

• They turned and ran. At that moment some dozen Orcs that had lain motionless among the slain leaped to their feet, and came silently and swiftly behind. Two flung themselves to the ground at Eomer’s ´ heels, tripped him, and in a moment they were on top of him. But a small dark figure that none had observed sprang out of the shadows and gave a hoarse shout: Baruk Khazaˆd! Khazaˆd ai-meˆnu! An axe swung and swept back. Two Orcs fell headless. The rest fled. Eomer ´ struggled to his feet, even as Aragorn ran back to his aid.

Q3 - What do you think of the whole battle?

Q4 - What do you think about Aragorn poking his head out and treating with the Orcs?

• There suddenly upon a ridge appeared a rider, clad in white, shining in the rising sun. Over the low hills the horns were sounding. Behind him, hastening down the long slopes, were a thousand men on foot; their swords were in their hands. Amid them strode a man tall and strong. His shield was red. As he came to the valley’s brink, he set to his lips a great black horn and blew a ringing blast.

Q4 - Thoughts on Erkenbrand

Q5 - Thoughts on the changes of this chapter from book to movie?

Chapter 8 -The Road to Isenguard

Q1 - What do you think of the hillmen and men of Dunland?

• In the midst of the field before the Hornburg two mounds were raised, and beneath them were laid all the Riders of the Mark who fell in the defence, those of the East Dales upon one side, and those of Westfold upon the other. But the men of Dunland were set apart in a mound below the Dike. In a grave alone under the shadow of the Hornburg lay Ha´ma, captain of the King’s guard. He fell before the Gate.

Q2 - What do you think of Hama dying?

Q3 - Has the forest moved? 

• A mist gathered about them. Above them a few stars still glimmered faintly; but on either side there arose walls of impenetrable gloom; they were in a narrow lane between moving towers of shadow. Voices they heard, whisperings and groanings and an endless rustling sigh; the earth shook under them. Long it seemed to them that they sat and were afraid; but at last the darkness and the rumour passed, and vanished between the mountain’s arms.

Q4 - Are these Ents?

Q5 - What do you think or Orthanc?