Glossing the Hobbit Heroes' Homecoming

Frodo and Sam took on the role of civic leaders to first negotiate with the usurpers and then rightfully restore the freedom and property to the populace of Hobbiton. With wisdom and nobility won by hard trial and as emissaries of the King, they confronted the evil-doers, Saruman and Grima, who had ensconced themselves at Bag End. As Gandalf had done at Orthanc, Frodo chose the path of mercy, releasing 'Sharkey' and Wormtongue, but banishing them from the Shire. Frodo furthermore forbade the Hobbits from harming these two despicable villains in revenge and hatred for what they had done. Thereby this decree, Frodo established himself as a community leader, restraining the Hobbits from participating in acts of evil themselves. Thus, he attempted to preserve their innocence and re-establish the blissful nature of the Shire.

Omitting these scenes, the essence of one of the most important chapters of a heroic saga, the Hero's Homecoming, was a regrettable choice by Mr Jackson. Their omission robs the viewer, especially those witnessing Tolkien's saga for the first time, of the opportunity to realize the extent of the interior growth of four of its primary characters. We can only hope that these scenes along with many other important ones, will be reinstated in the extended version of the cinematic narrative.

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