Of all the chapters we've covered so far, this one probably benefits most from our close reading analysis. Aragorn gathers the captains for a Council of Elrond redux, but the differences from that first meeting are extremely revealing. We finally, and quietly, learn the limits of Gandalf the White and "doubt" is introduced as the most powerful weapon against enlightenment / knowledge. Tolkien also sets the stage for the sort of graveyard blowout I wanted from GOT's finale while also kinda re-enacting a classic scene from Macbeth. On the other side of things, we have a glorious reunion between Gimli, Legolas, Merry, and Pippin that is an avalanche of callbacks, payoffs, and bookends. Three types of hype, another appearance / interpretation of the "Grey Company," and almost every strange little idea or theory we've brought up in the past few months. It's kinda creepy and feels a little like Tolkien has been reading our minds from beyond the grave – or maybe he's just that good a writer!

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