Thank you, appreciate this.
Yeah I knew that the Black Speech scene will be divisive when I decide to keep it, but for some reason I like it. Since this is my personal cut I know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
The Very Old Friends scene is when Gandalf and Bilbo talk and are interrupted by a knock on the door. In TC Bilbo says he needs to get away from these people / relatives. In EE he adds that Sackville-Baggins are after his house and that they haven’t forgiven him for living this long. Makes Bilbo’s reaction more rational rather then being old grump who doesn’t like people in general.
I didn’t keep the “Don’t worry, Sam” as that is part of the Green Dragon EE scene BUT let me revisit this and see if inclusion of that bit will work. In theory it shouldn’t affect the pacing as much as including the whole scene from inside of Green Dragon.
Ah! Of course, the first mention of the Sackville-Baggins! The later (lovely) Frodo/Bilbo convo doesn’t work without it, so great inclusion.
At first I thought you meant the Bilbo having a minor “where’s the ring” freakout during Gandalf’s ride into the Shire. Always disliked that scene, especially through the lens of a first-time viewer, because it sets up a dark/mysterious/maleveolent feeling around Bilbo far too early. Tips its hand too much.
And, as you’ve said, it’s your cut, do with it what you will! Can’t wait to check this out later.