30. The eagles AREN’T a plot hole
This has to be addressed, because it’s the one thing that most people highlight when they watch the films for the first time.
The ‘plot hole’ that everyone mentions
If I had a note for every time someone had said this to me, then I’d be rich. I’m sure you’ve either heard the argument, or have argued it yourself.
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It goes something along the lines of this: if the eagles who save Gandalf (and the dwarves in The Hobbit) exist, then why didn’t they fly the Fellowship to the volcano?
Mount Doom
Tolkien actually addressed this himself: the eagles won’t fly to Mordor because of the growing evil, and because the Eye of Sauron is always watching what goes in and out of the gates.
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Even Boromir details this at the Council of Elrond,
“One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. And the great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland. Riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!”
“And the great Eye is ever watchful.”
So there you have it. Can we let this argument die now? It’s getting old, guys.
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