Arwen vs Glorfindel

[Galin]

Originally Posted by GrayMouser

Storywise, it would make far less sense to send Legolas out to find Frodo and company, since he's an Elf from Mirkwood who's never been to Rivendell- he's the guy you're going to send out looking through the trackless wastes of Wilderland?

Far less sense than 'sending' Arwen Undomiel alone? if so I can't agree.

I can't recall for certain, but I don't think Jackson even bothered to really explain -- internally in the films I mean -- why Elrond's beloved daughter turns up in the woods, or what actually happened that led to her presence here.


Jackson fans have tried by attempting to draw comparisons to Luthien, but again, general comparisons of character do not substitute for actual storyline in any case. Tolkien's tale of Beren and Luthien is a specific story with its own particular circumstances and motives... and simply pointing to Luthien's helping of Beren in a wholly different context and set of circumstances does not automatically serve to explain Jackson's Arwen substitution -- not serve well enough for me anyway.

Plus you lose the "Gathering of the Free People" scen at the Council- though I suppose you could put in "an Elf from Mirkwood whom you've already met". Especially to somone who hasn't read the books, to who all these Elves look alike anyway.

Yes I submit that only people who have read the book will really stop and wonder why Legolas of Mirkwood was sent; but Jackson has already raised that question for book readers with Arwen in any case.

The non-Tolkien audience is going to see 'Elf from Elf realm' here, and the Tolkien audience would have to accept that although an internal detail has been altered for arguable cinematic reasons (but not wholly certainly 'necessary' cinematic reasons, it might be said), at least the scene from the book can be followed fairly closely, and a character is introduced who will be part of the rest of the tale.