Small Beans

956. Shooting Threes - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Jan 3, 2026
Bridgett and Sarah dive into the epic finale of a legendary trilogy, exploring the extended edition's depth and the captivating arcs of Gollum and the hobbits. They celebrate Eowyn's fierce victory and applaud Aragorn's leadership while analyzing the film's stunning visuals and sound design. The conversation spans battle tactics, surprising heroics from hobbits, and the poignant themes of sacrifice and journey. Wrapping up, they offer insights into the cultural impact and cinematic achievements, teasing the next trilogy to spark excitement.
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INSIGHT

Return Of The King Is The Biggest In Scale

  • The final film delivers the biggest scale and stakes of the trilogy, making it the most cinematic entry.
  • Bridgett and Sarah felt the movie stands on its own as a revisitable, grand fantasy experience.
ANECDOTE

Gollum Backstory Grew On The Hosts

  • Bridgett disliked early Gollum scenes but admitted the extended opening added useful character context.
  • Sarah called the worm-hooking shot brilliant for quickly conveying Smeagol's nature.
INSIGHT

Hobbits Earn Their Heroism

  • The hosts highlight that hobbits gain depth by fighting for friends rather than being natural warriors.
  • The film reframes hobbits from cuties into fiercely loyal defenders with earned heroism.
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