I was just about to say this. People's preferences are wildly different as are their expectations. This is true of parents too.

💯 this.

Brilliant.

Yes this is it. Fwiw I think gandalf is probably wrong about him at the council. But certainly not wrong in the way I've been silly about. We just don't know.

And this is fun because it means Tolkien might not be right about stuff.

Yes and even remembering he is Master sort of raises my hairs. That's a very big title.

This is my earlier point. Because Horatio..

Which means my question if of course ridiculous but part of the reason it is we don't know much about him. Not does gandalf really. So it invites pointless speculation.

As a serious point I do find Tom fascinating and brilliant precisely because of how deeply strange he is even in middle earth. Something inexplicable. I think this is the role he plays. @jamespmurphy.bsky.social @mrmountstevens.bsky.social @jameshandscombe.bsky.social

I can imagine.

I'm glad you're giving this the proper attention it deserves now. I'm not certain gandalf is right. I see Tom as having parallels with the ents but yes obviously the only power he has is in his lands. So perhaps the final outcome is dark everywhere around an island of light.

Oh Jonathan it's the best. I'm reading them to my girls and they love them.

Just say if you don't know, Jonathan.

There is some nuance about where and when it takes place but at heart the question is "who would win in a fight between Tom and Sauron."

James. Jonathan. Let's get to it.

Ha @jameshandscombe.bsky.social @mrmountstevens.bsky.social and I have a rich history of years of these conversations. The best was James and Jonathan getting exasperated with me over The Tom Bombadil Question.

Ah yes of course!