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Radagast-Aiwendil
Gondor
Jan 30 2015, 6:52pm
Post #1 of 42
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That moment when Gandalf tries to clean his pipe...
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What did people think of this scene? I will confess that I, among others, was initially annoyed that Gandalf would think of smoking given everything that had just happened, particularly given his own absence from Ravenhill at the time...but having seen it subsequently I realized that it is one of his most tender moments across the course of the six films. I suppose even a wizard as wise as Gandy understands that sometimes words cannot offer comfort, hence he tries to bring a smile to Bilbo's face with his silly antics-it reminds me of his moment with Pippin in RotK: "There never was much hope-just a fool's hope!"
Really curious to know how people felt about this moment...
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."-Gandalf
(This post was edited by Radagast-Aiwendil on Jan 30 2015, 6:52pm)
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arithmancer
Grey Havens
Jan 30 2015, 7:50pm
Post #3 of 42
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...was my first impression. I thought Gandalf sat down next to Bilbo to provide companionship, and did the pipe cleaning really as a soet of subtle/gentle way to get Bilbo's attention, and also sort of say "life goes on". I think it is a great scene, and I love both actors in it.
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Thrain II
Lorien
Jan 30 2015, 8:09pm
Post #4 of 42
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in mentioned thread my disgust with this scene, and why I think it is totally inappropriate considering that Thorin has just died on Bilbo's arms. If someone close to me just died and somebody other tried to cheer me up with a stupid joke, I would think that he is out of his mind. I would never expect something like that from someone as wise as Gandalf. 
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Starling
Half-elven
Jan 30 2015, 8:18pm
Post #5 of 42
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I think the way Gandalf behaves in this scene is a perfect demonstration of his wisdom.
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elf-lady
Rivendell
Jan 30 2015, 8:36pm
Post #6 of 42
(3045 views)
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Different people react differently but that doesn't mean it's wrong...
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I loved this little exchange between Gandalf and Bilbo. Certainly eased my sorrow just a little bit. Having had 3 loved ones pass during the course of my life, not to mention beloved pets, I definitely would have welcomed Gandalf's silent companionship while carrying on...
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stoutfiles
Rohan
Jan 30 2015, 8:40pm
Post #7 of 42
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It'd make more sense if he was only trying to cheer up Bilbo, but he traveled with them all as well. He should be sad himself but he comes off as uncaring.
It wasn't really about Bilbo anyway, the scene was to try and cheer up the audience. Especially those who never read The Hobbit, after two movies of invincible Benny Hill action scenes, no one could have though there'd be three deaths rapid fire.
Also, Gandalf's arm should have been broken.
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Thrain II
Lorien
Jan 30 2015, 8:44pm
Post #8 of 42
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It'd make more sense if he was only trying to cheer up Bilbo, but he traveled with them all as well. He should be sad himself but he comes off as uncaring.
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Spriggan
Tol Eressea
Jan 30 2015, 9:12pm
Post #9 of 42
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Occasionally, I feel a pang of sympathy for Jackson.
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If the porridge isn't too unsubtle, it's not unsubtle enough.
Very much a highlight for me. Rich, human, nuanced, realistic, sad, funny and warm - all without a word needed.
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Starling
Half-elven
Jan 30 2015, 9:39pm
Post #10 of 42
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Sometimes I wonder if I have watched the same scene as other people.
There is such emotional truth in this scene. I think it stands as one of the greatest moments of all six films.
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Eruonen
Half-elven
Jan 30 2015, 10:25pm
Post #11 of 42
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It was a perfect scene and totally in character.
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Pipe smoking is a passion throughout both The Hobbit and The LOTR. After all, it is the small things in life that keep us rooted. What do people do at the end of a long hard day? Some have drink, others a smoke, and others a long walk etc. etc. These influences are directly from JRRT and the habits of the people he knew.
It was a gentle wake up for a stunned Bilbo.
(This post was edited by Eruonen on Jan 30 2015, 10:26pm)
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Meneldor
Valinor
Jan 30 2015, 10:30pm
Post #12 of 42
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I don't think Gandalf "decided" to have a smoke.
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The impression I got was that he sat down and his hands automatically went for his pipe because that's what they do. When he realized what he was doing he just went on with it and stayed there with Bilbo and they quietly shared a moment. After everything that had just happened, there were no adequate words, so they just stayed close and understood that they were there for each other. I thought it worked beautifully, and was a welcome less-is-more moment in a trilogy of too-much-is-not-enough moments.
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. -Psalm 107
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stoutfiles
Rohan
Jan 30 2015, 10:41pm
Post #13 of 42
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$450 million dollars. I think he'll cope with some people hating all the stuff he chose to make up instead of following the book.
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Spriggan
Tol Eressea
Jan 30 2015, 10:54pm
Post #14 of 42
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I'm not sure what that has to do with the scene in question.
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Mooseboy018
Grey Havens
Jan 30 2015, 11:19pm
Post #15 of 42
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That scene was just showing how emotionally exhausted they both were, and Gandalf naturally went for his pipe but couldn't manage to light it. I don't see how that scene comes across as him not caring...
"Also, Gandalf's arm should have been broken."
Ooooh, so that's why it's a bad scene. How could you, PJ?!?!?
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Mooseboy018
Grey Havens
Jan 30 2015, 11:21pm
Post #16 of 42
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Who says it was supposed to be a joke? I think Gandalf was just exhausted and was genuinely struggling to light his pipe.
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Glorfindela
Valinor
Jan 30 2015, 11:32pm
Post #17 of 42
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I didn't see this at all. I actually thought Gandalf looked very sad, and somewhat at a loss as to what to say to Bilbo to console him, so he just sat there with him in companionship. In my view the scene worked very well indeed, without being over the top.
It'd make more sense if he was only trying to cheer up Bilbo, but he traveled with them all as well. He should be sad himself but he comes off as uncaring.
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RosieLass
Valinor
Jan 30 2015, 11:32pm
Post #18 of 42
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I have mixed feelings about this scene.
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For a variety of reasons.
It did seem a little callous, considering that Bilbo had just suffered the traumatic, violent death of a friend. It just seemed to soon for levity.
It was also annoying because he kept digging and scratching at it, until I wanted to yell at the screen "Oh shut up already!" GAH!
But it did kind of break up the intensity and horror of what had just happened, and perhaps that was a good thing. (Although, IMO, the emotion of Thorin's death scene had already been destroyed by the untimely intrusion of yet another pointless Tauriel/Kili scene.)
"BOTH [political] extremes are dangerous. But more dangerous are team fanboys who think all the extremists are on the OTHER side." (CNN reader comment)
It is always those with the fewest sensible things to say who make the loudest noise in saying them. --Precious Ramotswe (Alexander McCall Smith)
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entmaiden
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jan 31 2015, 12:32am
Post #19 of 42
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Yes, once a thread has moved off the front page,
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it is OK to start a new thread on the same topic. Our message board software does not "bump" threads back to the top, so starting a new thread keeps the conversation going.
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Jan 31 2015, 4:12am
Post #20 of 42
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This is one of my favourite scenes of all
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In its simplicity and warmth.
Bilbo has been through so much during this Quest. He was already staggering in shock seeing Fili killed, and he just suffered a serious injury... but Thorin's death broke him, finally, into tears. As the Dwarves gather around their fallen King, Bilbo has gone off and sits alone in shock.
Gandalf, I'm sured, searched for him and saw the state he was in. He approached Bilbo in a way a Hobbit would be the most comfortable with. Quietly, simply sitting with him and ... as he watched Bilbo carefully out of the corner of his eye ... began doing the most mundane and common task that would slowly bring Bilbo back at his own pace, but in clear friendship and concern. It works. Bilbo doesn't respond at first... then registers the sounds... then the task... then the Wizard... and they smile at each other.
If you've ever been tramautized to your soul and are fortunate enough to have someone who understandsyou and guides you softly back ... it helps you find your way without more distress.
This is the one scene I wait for each time I see this film... and it still moves me... and makes me smile with them.
Hobbit: BotFA Geeky Observation List draft #5 1/30/15
6th draft of TH:AUJ Geeky Observations List - November 28, 2013
4th draft of TH:DOS Geeky Observations List - May 15, 2014
"There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West."
I'm SO HAPPY these new films take me back to that magical world!!
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Gwytha
Rohan
Jan 31 2015, 4:37am
Post #21 of 42
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This was one of my favorite scenes and I felt Gandalf's quiet presence
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was exactly what Bilbo needed at the moment. I think that when people are grieving, a quiet presence is more often what they need. I'm surprised at the negative reactions and will watch closely next time to see if I can understand it better.
I genuinely would like to know--how do you think Gandalf(and PJ) should have handled that moment?
Growth after all is not so much a matter of change as of ripening, and what alters most is the degree of clarity with which we see one another. -Edith Pargeter
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cats16
Half-elven
Jan 31 2015, 4:55am
Post #22 of 42
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And for me, the scene can be viewed as a very necessary moment for Gandalf, too. He's gone through quite a journey in these films, too!
The character appears very shaken in this scene. Not necessarily from one singular moment--I think he's coping with the fact that the battle (as well as so many of the bad things that happen in the films) took place.
He's jittery, and needs a smoke to settle himself down. Not all grief appears as openly sobbing; Gandalf may very well be in agony on the inside here.
Join us every weekend in the Hobbit movie forum for this week's CHOW (Chapter of the Week) discussion!
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Farficom
Rivendell
Jan 31 2015, 6:53am
Post #23 of 42
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I agree with you. It ranks up there as one of my favorite moments too.
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No words needed to be spoken here, and yet it was at this moment that I stated to cry. Partially because because it was so wonderfully done, and brought the right amount of levity to a tough situation... but also because it dawned on me that we may never see Middle-earth, or any of these beloved characters in a movie ever again.
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Thrain II
Lorien
Jan 31 2015, 12:05pm
Post #24 of 42
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cleaning of the pipe. If they just sat there in quiet it would be fitting. Or if he wanted to do it like that, place it much after the death and parting scene. This way it is too soon, and everybody in the theatre laughed out loud when he started to clean it. This happened every time I watched it (5 times), which annoyed me very much since it is just after Thorin's death, very inappropriate time to laugh if you ask me.
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But since it's dropped off the first page it's OK to start a new one, I think (?). 
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