Warning: No small amount of sarcasm and annoyance following, but *it is purposeful*-I am certainly not the only one who worries about this.

Perhaps the thread title would be a more fitting title for Peter Jackson's second Hobbit installment. I love the films but it's clear we are hitting on problems.

So, in An Unexpected Journey we've established the fact that Gandalf is answerable to the much more formidable Lady Galadriel, who is clearly far more powerful than even Saruman the White (or at least so the filmmakers seem to believe, though I hope our late professor would have a thing or two to say to them). Galadriel has commanded Gandalf to "show her" the Morgul blade and has been his listen lady when he needed to talk (Gandalf's line about "the small things" was great, but the tone of the scene was not). We have seen how Gandalf has been treated disrespectfully by each member of the council: Elrond questioning him and frowning at him, telling him that he is "not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth". Saruman being Saruman has of course belittled all of Gandalf's efforts.

Therefore, by the stage of film two Gandalf has clearly been singled out as the inferior. Sir Ian McKellen (who, in all seriousness is the best thing about Gandalf's portrayal) has told us that at some point Gandalf will be rescued by his friend Radagast, though this is acceptable, since they are of the same order. The real problem arises now that we know about the whole "Gandalf doll" scenario. I presume therefore that the Wizard is knocked out of the battle of Dol Guldur, having been injured by (knowing PJ) a lowly Orc, or even worse by his nemesis the Witch-King (We book fans haven't forgotten the RotK EE). But fear not, for help is at hand and in one sweep The Great and Mighty Galadriel picks up Gandalf's unconscious form and bears him out of the fray, returning in wrath to single-handedly throw down the walls of Dol Guldur (this is PJ, remember, and don't forget that this exact thing happened many years later).

Because of this, Gandalf is probably late to the battle of the Five Armies and is therefore denied several of his finest moments: saving Bilbo from Thorin's wrath and his delivery of "Halt! Dread has come upon you all!" Doubtless he will end up with his arm in a sling, just to make sure that several more non-book readers can have permission to dub Gandalf as "the worst Wizard ever".

Well, that was a rant. I know a lot of this isn't set in stone but some of the words dropped by cast/crew members are very worrying indeed.

Fellow Gandalf fans, tell me: how did it come to this?

for our greyish, pointy hat friend to deliver his EPIC monologue

a humble demeanor - which is a choice made by Gandalf about how he will present himself - with inferiority or powerlessness. Besides, despite the little bait-and-switch they did with Galadriel's first appearance, I thought it was quite obvious that Saruman was the one in charge, as head of the Istari - and so did he. What I saw was Gandalf being diplomatic and saying as little as possible when faced with an awkward surprise Council meeting he hadn't planned on or prepared for, and Galadriel picking up on it and trying to figure out what he's up to. And once she does, she's on his side. Elrond seems like the reluctant host. I have a mental image of Saruman showing up without warning and announcing to Elrond that he's called a meeting for tomorrow if not sooner and demanding to know what Elrond thinks he's doing assisting Gandalf and his rabble of dwarves to upset the status quo of Middle-earth. During the Council meeting, Elrond seems to me to be watching the proceedings from a deliberately neutral stance, and with a certain amount of ironical amusement at the wizards' conflict.

Here's the subtext I see in this situation:

Elrond: "You are not the only guardian of Middle-earth"
Subtext: "Saruman's all upset. You're in hot water, my friend! And if you bring him unexpectedly down on my head like this again, we will have words."

Gandalf: "Galadriel! I didn't know you'd be here! SO NICE to see you!"
Subtext: 'What's up with Galadriel, to make Elrond give me the stink-eye like that? Something's not right here. Be extra friendly."

Saruman: "I called this meeting!"
Subtext: "You're meddling again, and I'm going to show you who's boss!"

Gandalf: "Saruman!"
Subtext: "@(&!*#^! That explains Elrond. Must tread carefully."


For the rest of the meeting, Gandalf is feeling his way and trying to say as little as possible, while Galadriel digs to find out the truth, Saruman gives Gandalf a lecture on not rocking the boat (Saruman's boat most of all), and Elrond is not going to commit himself in any direction until he has all the facts - and can preferably avoid another annoying lecture from Saruman.

In the end, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and Gandalf's plans turn out quite well. He doesn't have to act large and in charge in order to be effective or powerful. He's both, even while his wisdom and power are cloaked and disguised in gray humility.

In the end, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and Gandalf's plans turn out quite well. He doesn't have to act large and in charge in order to be effective or powerful. He's both, even while his wisdom and power are cloaked and disguised in gray humility.