tTT: What's up with Wormtongue?

[King_Stannis]

That's my take on Wormtongue too, Crazy Mage. I don't see Wormtongue loving Eowyn. She'd just be a possession to him.

I also agree.

Brad Dourif is a brilliant character actor, too. Just as McKellan was perfectly cast as Gandalf, so to was Dourif as Wormtongue.

And as to why would anyone trust someone named "wormtongue"...that may not be the only reason he's called that, if you know what I mean.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

I figured Saruman had just stepped on his foot.

ROLFMAO!

 

[Scribe Ineti]

And as to why would anyone trust someone named "wormtongue"...that may not be the only reason he's called that, if you know what I mean.

Kinda makes you wonder why Eowyn wasn't interested in him....

 

[WayneLigon]

I figure that he thinks, up to that point, that Saruman is going to conquor Rohan and that he'll be given some high position. When he sees the army, he realizes that Saruman means to kill all of them. Whether he cries because he realizes that he's played a part in the utter destruction of the human race or because he realizes that some orc captain is going to boff Eowyn long before he does, I dunno

 

[bondetamp]

My question about Wormtongue has always been "Why the hell would you EVER trust someone named Wormtongue?"

I can picture the king going "Well, if it's one thing I pride myself on, it is that I'm an exellent judge of character. Wormtongue, was it? You're hired."

 

[Lurks-no-More]

My question about Wormtongue has always been "Why the hell would you EVER trust someone named Wormtongue?"

Well, the Wormtongue is a cognomen; after all, his real name is Grima Gamold's son. Theoden calls him Grima, since he trusts his faithful advisor; everyone else fears or loathes or envies the unctious creep, and calls him Wormtongue (especially when Theoden doesn't hear).

As for Wormtongue on the balcony scene: I think what goes through his head is something like this.
"What? Since when did Boss have all these orcs? Just how badly I'm out of the loop? Okay, I'm in way over my head here. Here goes Eowyn and ruling Rohan, but maybe I can still live through if I don't botch."

 

[LostSoul]

I figured that Wormtongue was looking for some personal power. He wanted to rule over Rohan and take what he wanted.

When he found out that his betrayal could destroy the entire nation, he regretted what he did. That tear says, "What have I done?"

Wormtongue failed the Ring test.

 

[Negative Zero]

... he realizes that some orc captain is going to boff Eowyn long before he does, I dunno

ROTFLMAO

oh yeah ... what LostSoul said

~NegZ

 

[Squire James]

As for why Wormtongue was needed with the King being ensorcelled like that, I think it was basically to keep someone like Theodred or Eomer from taking control and making Rohan an effective foe of Saruman despite the loss of the King. It was important that Rohan had NO King, not just the shutting down of Theoden.

As for the tear in the movie, it is hard to say. It seems out of character to be anything aside from a tear of pure joy at the fact that success is staring him in the face. Then again, perhaps he had suddenly realized that things have gone too far, and that the kingdom of Men he thought to rule was probably going to be wiped out entirely.

It would be interesting to see what Grima's actor would say on the matter in the audio commentary on this movie's expanded DVD. Having all the "new crew" (ie: those who weren't in "Fellowship") do the commentary itself, perhaps with a couple of others, would be even better!

 

[Mark]

He told me he just had something in his eye and I couldn't bring myself to call him a liar...

I think he hadn't fully realized the extents to which Saruman was planning destruction and he now regrets getting on board. Why put it in unless it is foreshadowing? Wouldn't they go with something less ambiguous like Wormtongue gently resting his head on Saruman's shoulder and giving a contented sigh? Well, maybe not. Nonetheless, if I (and others) are correct in my assumptions then it bodes well for his turning against Saruman and other scenes, though I doubt they will move on the Shire, of course. That would be too mush falling action for the story, as being told by PJ, that is.