LOTR thread:

Something I’ve been interpreting differently after multiple rewatches of the trilogy for the first time in a long while is the relationship between Aragorn and Eowyn.

Or at least, how it’s presented in PJ’s film adaptation.

First off. I don’t recall what the books say (or don’t say) about these two. Watching these films in my youth (and I watched them a fuck ton) I always looked at this relationship as Eowyn being friend-zoned the entire time. Now I’m not so sure.

Also, I’m basing this off of the extended editions. I feel like this take isn’t as supported by the theatrical cuts. Or maybe the do? I can never remember what’s in the EE and not the theatricals.

So basically, when Aragorn and Eowyn first meet they have a few scenes that seem to grow more personal as they go. The first scene that I think is meant to show this is Aragorn calming Brego. After that, it’s Aragorn sneaking up on Eowyn while she practices with her sword.

Followed by their conversation on the road from Edoras to Helm’s Deep about Arwen. This is where things get interesting. There’s a flashback sequence where we see Aragorn essentially break up with Arwen because he doesn’t want to hold her back from Valinor.

We then see her leave and don’t know what becomes of her. I think the timing of these scenes is to convey that Aragorn’s interest may be shifting now that Arwen is out of his life. Of course there’s always the Evenstar that keeps Aragor tied to Arwen but that’s not important now.

Anyways, I think the moment that really supports that Aragorn is now looking at Eowyn as a romantic interest is during the warg attack when he does the slow-mo turn around to look at her before riding off.

Also, when the company arrives at Helm’s Deep thinking Aragorn is dead, Gimli makes it a point to go to Eowyn with the news, almost like he’s having to tell a wife her husband died. It’s like it was clear to all that they were interested in each other.

There’s even a moment when she’s upset that she’s being forced into the glittering caves rather than being allowed to fight by Aragorn’s side and she essentially lets slip that she has feelings for him and he doesn’t correct her at all.

After the battle they have a quick moment of relief with each other, and in the beginning of ROTK they also share a moment back at Edoras that is just so damn cute. But things don’t last.

It’s only after Elrond visits Aragorn with Anduril Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil that Aragorn decides to tell Eowyn it’s not working out. I think that this visit from Elrond and his support is what Inspires Aragorn to not give up on Arwen.

Here at the end of this thread I feel like these signs should have been obvious to me in my youth, but I was too interested in sword fights and battles to pick up on it. Kinda cool getting new perspectives in adulthood.