Well, not exactly. The hobbits were totally ignorant, but the more wordly characters had at least heard of it in a historical context.

Well, Faramir correctly guesses that Isildur took a Whojiggy from Sauron when he chopped on him 3000 years ago, and correctly guesses that the Whojiggy is what ultimately caused Isildur's death, not just some random orc-arrow; so Faramir weasels out what "Isildur's Bane" means pretty easily. (With an assist from Sam's inability to shut up.) But Faramir is extra-special-smart, and also Gandalf's bitch, so he's kind of an extreme example.

But he's also evidence that, although "the Enemy had a Ring of Power 3000 years ago" was common knowledge, and "the Enemy went away to sulk 2999 years ago" was common knowledge, and "the Enemy's awfully confident all of a sudden" was common knowledge, not a lot of people put two and two together until the evidence was right in front of them.

It's funny to think what the Fellowship might have been like if Faramir had gone to the Council of Elrond instead of Boromir. For one thing, the company might not have split up at Rauros. (Or, the orcs could have killed them all!) Then again, with Boromir and Denethor reinforcing each other in Minas Tirith, we might have had a situation where the Ring is destroyed, and then there's a pitched battle over who will rule Gondor. (Sort of, come to think, exactly like the ending of The Hobbit. )

My first exposure to Tolkien was being read aloud The Hobbit. I don't know how old I was, but I remember it being a beloved rerun when my mother read it aloud to my brother when I was probably 9 or 10.

But he's also evidence that, although "the Enemy had a Ring of Power 3000 years ago" was common knowledge, and "the Enemy went away to sulk 2999 years ago" was common knowledge, and "the Enemy's awfully confident all of a sudden" was common knowledge, not a lot of people put two and two together until the evidence was right in front of them.

That's essentially what I meant by "heard of it" -- saying "The Ring of the Enemy" doesn't get a "the what of who now?" reaction, but it's known as a historical-legendary thing, rather than a relevant-today thing.

Well, Faramir got the vision first -- and more often than Boromir, but Denethor wouldn't have let Faramir go.

Also, a friend of mine went to London over the Christmas holidays and got to see the LotR exhibit. The 9 rings for mortal man? When they wore them as men, they had a red stone -- when they became wraiths -- it turned into the Eye.

It's not like there mightn't be other reasons the enemy gained confidence. He seems a reasonably inventive guy.

It's not like there mightn't be other reasons the enemy gained confidence. He seems a reasonably inventive guy

Well, yeah. From the way things are set up, if the Ring hadn't come into play, Sauron would totally have creamed the west and the Fourth Age would have been incredibly sucky. He had the good guys outnumbered eleventy million to one, and the good guys were deep in "we're not as cool as we used to be" mode, and Strider was still farting around the north country, frolicking with elves.

So, the Ring was gigantically dangerous to the west, but it's actually what helped them win.

OB was on et last night -- I didn't know! (It was about another movie he's doing.)

Oh and more LotR people on tv:

Aelfwine writes: I've researched the following LOTR-related appearances in addition to what's on the news right now:

Jan. 12: Sean Astin on "The View" Jan 13: Andy Serkis on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" Jan 14: Sean Astin on "Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn"

Plus -- ita, I saw something on TORN's scrapbook -- a scan of an OB piece where he says that it took him an hour to get up the nerve to do that bungee jump. Now I can't find it!

So, the Ring was gigantically dangerous to the west, but it's actually what helped them win.

But I think it was the fact that the ring still existed that allowed Sauron to regain power. If Isuldar had destroyed the ring, Sauron never would have come back.

That's probably true. But if the Ring had sat in a drawer, forgotten in somebody's study, Sauron would have beat the pants off the assembled good guys. Same again if the Ring had rolled down the river into the sea, which is what the Wise -- maybe Saruman himself -- posited, until the Bilbo/Gollum business came to light.

Good thing the Ring wanted to be found!

The closest thing I could find to that piece I saw (re: OB and bungee jumping) is this article.

I'd assumed there was a master stroke that would require Sauron to be at full power.

Orlando continues to be cute.

I had a terrible vision of Pippin with his hair in two short ponytails on top of his head, and I need it gone.