Psychology of a Hero: BILBO BAGGINS

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Go to zocdoc.com/CINEMATHERAPY and download the ZocDoc app for FREE. Then find and book a top-rated doctor today.

[@americaroleplayer]

Fun Fact! The two sides you talked about in the book is called 'something Took-ish'. As Tooks were the last name of his mother's family (and Pippin's from lotr) and were known for going on adventures.

[@trinaq]

Martin Freeman was absolutely brilliant casting as Bilbo. He really embodied the relatively younger Hobbit, who simply wanted to sit in front of the fire with a good book, only to get roped into an unexpected adventure. The films may be divisive, but he was sublime.

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Absolutely!!

[@RedHood001-KA]

In fairness, the main casts were superb in the Hobbit films. The actors who played Balin and Bofur definitely stood out to me. Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, and Sir Ian McKellen... I mean, need I say more?

[@Luckypants2113]

I have a lot of issues with the hobbit movies but one thing is for sure, Martin Freeman was the perfect pick to play Bilbo.

[@BrotherhoodWorkshop]

Agreed. It's a sad example of the sum being less than the parts. Cause there's a ton of good stuff in these movies, but on the whole they are a mess.

[@kathilisi3019]

So much in this film was absolutely perfect, including casting, costumes, and set design, but the outcome was still a mess. I saw a fan-made re-edit where they cut the non-canon scenes and put some of the others in the right sequence and it was perfect.

[@TheDownrankTrain]

Bilbo carried the ring for decades and yet he still had the strength of will to give it up with minimal coercion. 100% Built Different.

[@alyssatheexcellent]

Sauron hadn’t really come into much power then… and the Shire is so far away from Mordor. The ring isn’t as heavy of a burden as it becomes in the LOTR

[@nancyhayes9958]

@@alyssatheexcellentStill, it took a remarkable amount of strength to let it go. I think part of it is Bilbo never used the Ring for evil: he started his “ownership” with an act of mercy and later used it to save his friends and avoid his relatives. He never lost his integrity, and the Ring had very little to work with.

[@corgi00butt78]

@@nancyhayes9958 "Avoid his relatives!" Yes, if only we all had a magical ring for that!😂😂Merry Christmas!

[@Monarchyman1]

He also came into ownership of it without violence, which greatly helped.

[@davidbeer5015]

As Gandalf once said, Bilbo began his ownership of the Ring with pity, rather than greed and murder, and that perhaps could’ve been a factor in its influence on him.

[@FlareHeart]

Bilbo is the personification of the quote: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."

[@Lady_ETHNE]

Yes!! Bilbo is probably the most relatable fictional character I’ve ever read/watched. My man just wanted to stay at home and not die and honestly mood. Merry Christmas y’all!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Merry Christmas!

[@nancyhayes9958]

Merry Christmas. I hope you have lots of tasty dinners, comfortable chairs, and god books in the coming year.

[@Lady_ETHNE]

@ thanks you too :)

[@missnaomi613]

@@nancyhayes9958 I'm not sure if you meant Gd books or good books, but 👍👍either way!

[@michaelkaduck1915]

Shoutout to Ken Stott, the actor for Balin. He really serves as the moral compass among the group in the book, and embodies it perfectly in the films.

[@nancyhayes9958]

It’s interesting to see reactors who remember LOTR well enough to connect the tomb in Moria with the dwarf who is the heart of Thorin’s company. It’s a sad moment.

[@stavroskassinos7834]

100% best dwarf. Even when the other dwarfs doubt Bilbo’s commitment, he’s the dwarf who always believes in Bilbo from beginning to end

[@roweng.4245]

Your comments about Bilbo's courage reminded me of this little verse by Danish mathematician Piet Hein: "To be brave is to behave bravely, when your heart is faint. So you can be really brave only when you really ain't."

[@jennyduong2466]

I adore Tolkien’s universe. The Hobbit trilogy films may not have been for everyone, but I felt that they were beautiful despite it all. I have a special soft spot for them

[@jadenwimee-ls1mn]

Strongly seconded.

[@madeleinereads]

I like the Hobbit films. I still believe it could have just been ONE fantastic film, but I still enjoy them.

[@RiveroftheWither]

I just got the Lord of the Rings trilogy in beautiful hardcover. I'm so excited to FINALLY read it, the books of my favorite movies ❤️

[@madeleinereads]

@@RiveroftheWither I have that edition also!

[@eraclese5638]

I've always loved them, they're just such a comfort for me to watch.

[@Orator31]

Whenever someone tries to say the Hobbit movies are bad. I always point out the “The Small Things” speech. It truly just feels like something Tolkien would write and it feels so true.

[@kaylabeshears6485]

The actors and script were great, in my opinion. What was bad was the use of visual effects in areas where the Lord of the Rings films used prosthetics and makeup.

[@BioshadowX]

You can hundreds of brillant of moments but if you are unable to tie them together you have failed to create a story

[@anthonyklanke1397]

​@BioshadowX Exactly! That's what makes it so disappointing, there are so many truly fantastic moments that are brutally ruined by things like Alfred, scrotum beards and barrel scenes 👎

[@matityaloran9157]

There were parts of it that worked and parts that didn’t.

[@hannahallard741]

pretty sure that speech was written by Tolkien.

[@nicholasloduca6668]

I think the reason Martin Freeman is so good as Bilbo is that he gets to play the role he's so good at: the normal guy in a bizarre situation. He did it as Tim in the original office and also has done it in Black Panther as Agent Ross. His quirks and mannerisms of 'what is happening' are what help make those characters so relatable and make the audience chuckle as well

[@rebajleonard]

John Watson in Sherlock Holmes BBC.

[@isq9901]

And Arthur Dent in Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

[@emilywilhite5807]

Great observation. I hadn’t noticed that link in his roles but it’s definitely there.

[@lindawilson8154]

Or even a normal (and very polite) guy with a bizarre job assignment? Love Actually lol.

[@AsteroidJesus]

26:15 “How could I hate more time in Middle Earth?” THANK YOU. It’s not perfect, but he did the best he could with what he was allowed. No matter what people think of The Hobbit movies, they’re chef’s kiss compared to Rings of Power.

[@nancyhayes9958]

ROP is getting better.

[@AsteroidJesus]

@ whatever makes you happy 😅 I thought season 2 was just as awful, if not more. The world feels so much smaller and unimpressive with Amazon’s treatment vs Jackson’s.

[@nancyhayes9958]

@ I’ll agree with that (Jackson being world’s better than Amazon) but I liked watching Sauron and Celebrimbor chew the scenery.

[@TheFantasylover96]

I liked getting to see how manipulative Sauron could be, as we only got a small taste at the end of season one

[@gryphonvert]

As they pointed out with that montage at the end -- PJ can make questionable decisions about what to include, or how to approach some things. So, not ALL of the things that people dislike about the movies is solely down to studio interference. It's just that, for me, everything I loved about these movies outweighs the parts I didn't like. I do wish we could know what they would have been like if PJ had gotten to do them as 2 movies, as he wished. That alone would have made them tighter. In the end, though, the parts that felt very much like Tolkien (and of course, the parts that WERE Tolkien -- PJ once again trying to use as much from the book as he could) were a thread through all the films. You can't write that "Small Things" speech if you don't *get* Tolkien. (And that's my chief problem with RoP.). Plus of course: phenomenal cast. (I also wonder if we would have gotten more location shooting and so on, rather than CGI, if they'd been given the same time as LOTR. Even so, the costuming and sets and so on are gorgeous and still show that passion and attention to detail as before.)

[@isaacdalziel5772]

Oh, this is PERFECT as a Christmas Eve video.

[@chronicler19]

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. -j.r.r Tolkien.

[@marykatezehr1074]

😢 RIP Thorin, son of Thrain. King Under the Mountain

[@bob1234881]

Says a man who was born rich and stayed there...

[@chronicler19]

@bob1234881 not really, his father was a bankrupt piano tuner....

[@bob1234881]

@@chronicler19 privately educated. 😆

[@chronicler19]

@bob1234881 that doesn't make you born into wealth. Nor does it mean tolkien is lesser in moral standing because of it. It's no more moral to condemn someone for the circumstances of any amount of wealth one may have been born into than it is to condemn someone for being born poor. He had no choice in the matter, the difference is he made the most of it, not many can say that rich or poor.

[@kaylovesdisney4582]

As a massive fan of the original Lord of the Rings I understand there are issues with The Hobbit. However, I agree with Jonathan that the fault is with the studio more than Peter Jackson....and there is still so much to enjoy with these movies. Martin Freeman's best role, Ian McKellen IS Gandalf, the Shire is as beautiful as ever....and can we please appreciate the awesome design of Smaug. 🔥

[@LisaZoe86]

Absolutely!!! ❤

[@goldxiong6900]

Yes!! And Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) did such an incredible job as Smaug!!

[@OlessanYT]

Shout out to Richard Armitage as Thorin, Lee Pace as Thranduil, and Luke Evans as Bard for three of the most insanely good casting decisions I've seen for any LotR adaption. Thranduil in particular is THE haughty elf lord, like Viggo is THE Aragorn II Elessar.

[@MorwenAncalime]

Bless you for this. Richard Armitage is supremely underrated.

[@missyj3960]

​@@MorwenAncalimeAbsolutely! I think a lot of people sleep on him because he does a lot more stage work and less Hollywood.

[@gryphonvert]

The casting of these films, as usual, is second to none. Richard Armitage in particular deserves so much credit, that he seldom gets. In a broader way, I hate when people say that the passion and care that went into LOTR isn't there in The Hobbit films. It absolutely is. You can SEE it in all the details, and especially in the performances. (What The Hobbit films did not have, that LOTR did, was time. And a few other issues, yes, that are more complicated to summarize.) I feel like, even if you don't watch the BTS stuff, you CAN feel the passion in these performances. RA was deeply committed to the story and the role, AND he's an underrated actor. I also know that people had some issues with some of the choices made for the dwarf characters. But overall, I don't think the films get enough credit for taking THIRTEEN dwarves and making them all distinct personalities. (Granted, most viewers will probably only be able to identify six or seven of them... but you have only to look at past adaptations to appreciate that previously, you'd be lucky if two or so made any impression on you -- Thorin, and perhaps Balin.) Kudos to the props and costuming and make-up for them, but also to all of the actors who were very committed to developing these characters. I do sometimes wonder if part of the reason Armitage and the others don't get as much credit is because they were so heavily made up... but then you have to admire the acting they did THROUGH all of those prostheses and so on.

[@emilywilhite5807]

I love Lee Pace. He is stunning and could absolutely always play a handsome, leading man type, but he chooses instead to play all these interesting roles where he’s often buried under so much makeup he’s unrecognizable. And I also loved Pushing Daisies.

[@TheWinglessHawk]

Always said it, watching Lord of the Rings and Hobbits throughout christmas is just perfect holiday entertainment.

[@nancyhayes9958]

They embody what Christmas truly is.

[@darthnazgul]

Damn the editor for putting the Bilbo jumpscare in the intro

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

How rude!

[@Skooskah]

the all caps title had me reading it like Gandalf being outraged that he's been taken for some conjurer of cheap tricks

[@nicholasgoodard5746]

🤣🤣 Brilliant

[@adedow1333]

They are not trying to rob us! They are trying to help us!

[@maryannedangelo4676]

This is so funny 😭😭😭

[@hannahgray6931]

We’re going on an adventure!! ❤

[@AlexMetamorphCamel]

Yes, I know, the meme

[@TheDownrankTrain]

10:55 This line was really formative for me. It shaped how I approach the world and really made me realize that even though I am not a rich, powerful man, I can still make a difference by making someone elses life just that little bit better than it might otherwise have been. In a world full of greedy evil people and rouge algorithms profiting off of division, bitterness and hatred, taking the time to remind someone that there is actually good out there can be incredibly powerful.

[@CW-nm2uc]

Talking of Martin Freeman… would love to see you guys’ take on Sherlock .. both Holmes and Watson. I know it’s not strictly ‘cinema’ but would love to see an exception 😂

[@KuscosPoison]

Jonos's reaction to Alan singing "Bilbo Baggins" was SOOOOO funny. I loved that. My poor hubby is watching It's a "Wonderful Life" during one of its many emotional scenes and I am sitting beside him laughing my rear off at Jono. I was getting the strangest look from my Hubbins, LOL.

[@coffeeaddict9605]

I love the scene where Thorin thinks Bilbo is stealing something only to find it's an acorn, just that look of pure fondness for Bilbos gentle and caring nature.

[@KayveePlays]

I've been to Hobbiton and eaten dinner at the Green Dragon and it was the best thing I've done. I even have a recording of me doing a reenactment of Bilbo running through that path where he says the "I'm going on an adventure." It was absolutely awesome. Even ti learn the little tidbits like they remade the tree above Bilbo's home leaf by leaf to make it look similar. After lotr the entire tree above the Baggins household is fake.

[@trinaq]

I always love seeing Jonathan and Alan get excited over the acting, cinematography or soundtrack. Their enthusiasm is simply infectious. 🥰🎭

[@BarefootDani]

This last year was the most horrible I've ever experienced. I've witnessed so much deaths, so much senseless hate, to much destruction, so much unfairness and cruelty. Living a war is the most horrible experience I don't wish my worse enemies. It is stories like this that give me courage, and it's experiencing war that made me appreciate so much my mundane, boring life.

[@mels607]

it has been absolutely horrible seeing the way people respond to war. it makes me sick to my stomach when they try to justify genocide. this is only promoted by the most deeply dangerous mentally insane people on the planet and anyone who agrees with it needs to go to the front lines and see what exactly they're proudly claiming their God wants them to participate in. it's not always the good guys who are getting the good publicity.

[@Blackavian]

Your show does not suck. It helps me and others in so many ways. I am glad for all those things you share.

[@reemyfairy09]

Whenever a character from LOTR / the Hobbit is discussed here am the happiest ever. There is just so much depth, meaningful moments and comforting lessons also it is on Christmas Eve 🎄 Bilbo was such a relatable character on a personal level .

[@SunnyLovetts]

The Hobbit Trilogy is so underrated! Sure, it could have been compressed into like 2 movies but I did not mind at all! :D

[@ankebosing1968]

I think one film would be okay, then make a film about the important stuff they left out in the Lord of the Ring movies!

[@ElizaKnows]

6:38 as a 14 year old, reading the hobbit for the first time, I didn’t really appreciate his “boring Baggins” side. As I grew up I realized just how important it was for him.

[@CosplaysConsCuisineEtc]

I like to think that Bilbo always had a sense of justice. He was perfectly content and everything was right with his world. When Gandalf expanded his world to the dwarves, Bilbo tried to turn a blind eye. But his sense of they don't have a home and I do and it isn't right their home was stolen from them pushed him to go on this adventure. He knew his limitations. But he was very quick witted and could either talk or hide from the situation long enough to do what was necessary. Even his compassion with Golem. He knew it wouldn't be right to kill a creature who's mind was so poisoned by loneliness, a fate Bilbo could see in himself if he didn't allow his world to expand.

[@anthill1510]

Oh this is the best for christmas, thank you so very much! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everybody!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

Merry Christmas!

[@darknesswave100]

I loved the scene at 13:05. Bilbo realized that he has somewhere to go home to. That's something he's always had. The Dwarves home was taken from them and he's never had to deal with that. So more than anything he wanted to give them the feeling he's always had. A home to go back to

[@littlegiantj8761]

I wouldn't call them trash; strung out definitely (this probably could have been two movies), but it's competent and still fun. My favorite part of it is they fell behind schedule one point because Christopher Lee started sharing stories between takes and everyone stopped shooting to listen to him speak.

[@gryphonvert]

Peter Jackson wanted them to be 2 movies. It was the studio that mandated they be 3, because they wanted the additional revenue that a trilogy would bring. (And they wanted to replicate the experience of LOTR.). I think one of the great unanswerable questions is what they would have been like as 2 movies. I will definitely go to bat to argue that they could not have been just one. (The book is short, but that's because it's written in a breezy style that often conveys major pieces of action in a paragraph or two. That fits its storytelling style, but you can't do that in a movie. You have to show those things unfolding, and that takes up time.) (Funny story: when we were hearing about the movies in development, and at that time thought they'd be 2 films, I was talking with some friends, and I was making the argument they needed more than 1 movie, based on what I just said above. I ran through all of the major beats: you have to do the opening in the Shire, you have to do the Trolls sequence, you have to do Rivendell, and then the Goblin caves, the whole Gollum sequence, the attack by the goblins and wargs (with the pine trees), then Beorn's house, then Mirkwood and the spiders, then imprisonment by Thranduil and the barrels escape, then Laketown, and that's before you even GET to the dragon... And one friend, who hadn't read the book since she was very young, burst out, "THERE'S A DRAGON???" I fell over laughing. Imagine FORGETTING the dragon! That's the whole POINT! (Anyway... and then you have to get into the mountain, and then there's all the stuff with the dragon, and then the Arkenstone, and then the Battle of the Five Armies, which you can't get away with breezing past because you've knocked Bilbo unconscious. That's a LOT of story pieces! I honestly don't think even a 3 hour movie could have done it, and by the time you're looking at a 3 hour movie, you might as well do 2 movies and let some of those pieces breathe a bit. Unfortunately, once 3 movies were mandated, there was far too much time to fill.)

[@garyjones2561]

That was very well put! I've been thinking about this a lot recently as I reread the Hobbit. I agree 2 films would've been perfect. Unexpected Journey definitely had the best pacing and least fluff, and could've done with trimming here and there (like that long Misty Mountain escape), and I think still fit in Beorn, at about 3 hours. The Bree scene from DoS could be put in the prologue (maybe extended version idk). I picture the 1st film ending with them entering Mirkwood and the camera panning up over the trees to the Lonely Mountain.​ Sounds like I'm leaving a lot for the 2nd movie, but not really once you remove all the usually mentioned stuff (Tauriel, Legolas, gratuitous fight scenes, freakin' Alfrid), and condense the BotFA (I agree with you it needed to be fleshed out, but not a whole movie). I think you could even keep the Dol Guldor subplot, just cut the pit stop @ Rhudaur. If u followed those beats, it'd be no longer than RotK theatrical. I'd like to hear your thoughts tho. @@gryphonvert

[@PhoenixAurelius-138]

It definitely has occurred to me that Bilbo is kind of a stand-in for many of us who hide or escape from our true natures by taking the easy way over the beneficial way. And he also represents the person who pushes through and realizes (afterwards) that the risk was worth it in a way that is hard to articulate. As usual, I find this video so timely! Every other year, I re-read the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. And, well, it's that time again: I just got done with the Hobbit and Fellowship. What a coincidence!

[@bowmaster626]

I love that you mention the two sides of Bilbo! Throughout the book he thinks about how much he misses home and the “narrator” says “and not for the last time.” Eventually it’s no longer there but you know he still feels and thinks it, the best change the moves made was putting that part of Bilbo at the front of his character. His love of his home being a motivational factor for him staying with the dwarves was a simple but masterful bit of storytelling told subtly in the book and made grand for the screen.

[@RazorO2Productions]

The Lady of Mourning, Nienna, taught Olorin, Gandalf, the meaning of mercy. He taught Bilbo. Without Bilbo sparing Gollum, Sauron would have prevailed seventy-eight years later! Mercy saved Middle-earth.

[@ReiseLukas]

The smallest gestures of kindness and care towards anyone in this depressing world can make a big difference. Maybe if we learned to love our fellow man the world would be a little better to live in

[@MCU_Wizard]

Yessss!!!! Thank you cinema therapy!!! Been waiting for this one

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

You're so welcome. Enjoy!

[@flixchix95]

One thing I'm surprised wasn't mentioned was the acorn reveal scene. How we see Thorin soften up, like the sickness lost hold of him. How Bilbo's simple souvenir almost broke Thorin's gold/dragon sickness. That's another reason Bilbo does this, because he knows that this crack could happen again

[@KatyTerBerg]

Petition to hear Alan sing a full version of the Bilbo Baggins song. 😅

[@hallaloth3112]

oh my gosh, that was so unexpected.

[@TotoIsWriting]

That first scene when he flees the Shire with ambition is simple sublime

[@americaroleplayer]

Video about the main character of my favorite book/movie?!!! Now THAT'S a Christmas present!!! Side note- My favorite thing about Bilbo is that he has second thoughts and regrets. Every other hero does the heroic thing and shoves down any misery because 'it's the right thing to do'. Over and over again in the book Bilbo complains about the weather, how he misses his home, how cold he is- but he keeps going anyways. Personally I think that's both more realistic and more meaningful then just pretending bad things don't exist in good places.

[@barnabassebesteny1490]

5:31 this is still probably the most ahead of it’s time bit of dialogue in like the last 20 years

[@Nobody-s6g6r]

The Hobbit films are very respectable films, and that’s a hill I will die on.

[@paradisecity0406able]

Glad this is a safe haven to enjoy the Hobbit movies

[@kyleferreira3742]

"It's the small things. Everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love." This advice guided me through helping take care of my mother while she struggled with cancer for 8 years. "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." This advice is helping me get through my mother passing away last February. Gandalf's words of wisdom are truly worth paying attention to.

[@Fragglerocker93]

I was not expecting to geek out so much when Alan started singing “Bilbo Baggins” by Leonard Nimoy. I discovered that song by complete accident years ago while watching a movie tribute to the animated Hobbit film. It’s such a silly song, but the music video for it is EVEN sillier. Hope you and your family have a safe and wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎉

[@pastaplumber9000]

Speaking of little touches, 9:15 is such a perfect little bit by Mr. Freeman. That look and glance at Gandalf where his Took and Baggins start fighting, like "Holy SHIT, he's giving me a SWORD, but oh, I can't." Then you can hear the Took side win because the only other justification he uses from there is that he's never used a sword before. Not that it's barbaric, not that it's uncivilized, but that he's just never done it before. He WANTS to carry Sting, but at this point he's more worried about being judged by the Dwarves than leaving his comfort zone

[@josabby474]

I watched the “book edit” and thought it was great, but I missed the friendship that developed between Bilbo and Thorin and how well it was set up. Thorin talked about valuing the loyalty, honor and willing hearts of the Dwarves that came on the quest. He resented Gandalf bringing Bilbo into the company and the way Bilbo was a homebody in the beginning. Thorin of course, wasn’t going to let Bilbo be harmed, despite resenting his presence (the trolls and the rock giants), then Bilbo showed the loyalty, honor, and willing hearts Thorin valued with small acts throughout the quest and Thorin admitted he’d been wrong about Bilbo. In the second movie when the dwarves were captured by the woodland elves, Thorin clearly had faith that Bilbo would get them out. There’s also the great moment in the barrel escape scene when Bilbo was telling them to get in the barrels. Even Bofur, Fili, and Kili-who had been Bilbo’s biggest advocates- were like WTF. Bilbo looked to Thorin and Thorin just says “do what he says!”

[@jasonlee0290]

I'm so glad that you guy's did a bit on the Hobbit trilogy. It frustrates me when average viewers thought the Hobbit was horrible, but thought that ROP was better (it really WASN'T and you all know this!) and yet still has genuine moments like these calling back to the familiar "Concerning Hobbits" track. You can't deny that PJ was still trying his best to immerse us back to Middle Earth despite the greedy studio and production executives setting him up for the most backhanded trap of all! All of the behind the scenes footage was PROOF enough that he was done dirty. The Hobbit trilogy (although it shouldn't have been a trilogy) still counts in honoring Tolkein. Moreso than the desecration that ROP can hope to ever accomplish.

[@CrimsonCharan]

Not gonna say it were great, but I do have a soft spot for the Hobbit trilogy. And Bilbo is a big part of that.

[@nancyhayes9958]

I love seeing Bilbo fall in love with Rivendell.

[@ElisabethKisselstein]

Thank you for this Christmas present! All 6 films have such a special place in my film library. RIP Ian Holm (even though he’s LOTR and not The Hobbit). May your trip to NZ be fulfilled! And thank you for the bonus present of The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins! 🖖

[@JonathanDecker]

Oh, but he's in The Hobbit films as well 😊

[@m.d.s.9658]

Being an introvert isn't a bad thing but some people are forced to be. For instance, I'm disabled and homebound. The only time I leave my house is for necessities or doctor's appointments. I'm mobility limited so I can't go hiking and camping like I used to, I also can't travel anymore. Does it suck? Yes. Absolutely. 😂 But I've learned to make the best of it and lean into that hobbit lifestyle!

[@byuftbl]

That’s not what an introvert is. An introvert isn’t “someone who stays home a lot”. An introvert is one who doesn’t get energy recharged by being around people, but by being alone. Where extroverts recharge by being around a lot of people. A lot of introverts do go outside and attend events with people, but we easily can get overwhelmed if we’re with too many people for too long, and then we’ll have to go home and be alone to recover. Your situation makes you someone who is forced to stay home due to disability, not an introvert. Which, you might be one because that’s your personality

[@LuckyStar2516]

Thank you for doing a video on Bilbo. I made a comment to have a video about him, but people were saying that the Hobbit trilogy were awful and that you guys shouldn’t do it. Well, even if those comments were said, you and many others see the good of these films. Bilbo is definitely a great character and what a great Christmas gift to receive from you guys. So thank you again! And Merry Christmas! 🎁

[@AuDHD_Mom]

Yay!! A new Cinema Therapy! Merry Christmas to us viewers!

[@sketchygetchey8299]

I feel like I can relate to Bilbo the most when it comes to LotR. I came back from a mobilization in Europe not too long ago, and it was my first one ever. There was a point where I was helping out at a maintenance center for battle damaged equipment coming back from a certain country that got invaded a couple years back (I’m trying not to get flagged by anyone, if you know you know). I’m not going to pretend that I did anything significant (I didn’t even turn wrenches) or that I was in any immediate danger, but that mission I was on was perhaps the best part of the mobilization. I felt like I had a spark self-actualization and I was helping out people (though rather in a small way) who lost their homes. Also Europe in general was so much more interesting than my hometown. When I got back, I was like “wow! This place is disappointing!” 😅

[@wrestlingwithlife7297]

Attempt #(32) of asking for Spirit : Stallion of the Cimarron!! Was my absolute childhood movie growing up and the filmmaking is so beautiful with amazing scores and concepts of loss and staying true to once nature even in the face of adversity!

[@marykatezehr1074]

I was literally just thinking about you guys doing this!!!! Bilbo is one of my favorite characters in fiction, and his journey is very relatable and inspiring!! “That’s where I belong. That’s home. And that’s why I came back because… you don’t have one. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can.”

[@octaviamacisaac8062]

We connect through our shared experiences. I wouldn't give up my years of trauma, because they shaped me into the loving, kind and caring person I am. In my life I strive to use my trauma to help as many people as I can, and that's also why I love this show.

[@AustinTexasPowers]

I’m going on an adventure!

[@CinemaTherapyShow]

We all are!

[@heynhamnham]

His home is right there at the Shire waiting for him, but for the dwarves their home is right in front of them and they can't reach it

[@OlessanYT]

"Richard Armitage is underrated" - no matter what they did they made sure to not hide his smouldering, moody portrayal of Thorin under too many prosthetics. The Thorin prosthetics are mostly nose, chin, and forehead.

[@danydevina7246]

I just finished my annual re-read of The Hobbit so this is PERFECT timing, merry Christmas!

[@aisyluuu]

NOW THAT'S A CHRISTMAS GIFT. I love The Hobbit more than LOTR, and I'm so happy!!

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

The story of balancing routine/comfort and adventure/growth, the risk of stagnating yet also terrified of the risks that come with exploring the world but still yearning to do so, all of that feels so relatable. I’ve spent most of my life moving due to my parents job, every four years a different country, then when i studied i had the choice to stay in the country i was born or go abroad again and man years after the fact im so glad i decided to pursue my studies abroad, its scary as hell at times but you get used to it and can be so rewarding. Even if i backslide on my routines and comfort staying inside the fact i am living abroad is achievement enough. In a way you understand what it feels like for Bilbo and Frodo to return with such a different view/perspective of the world, kind of alienated for it by those who decided to stay or weren’t able to leave. However shitty it is to go out into the world, in the long run you’ll be grateful that you tried and you had those experiences. Even if when you return home, it doesn’t feel the same anymore, or like Frodo he pretty much loses the innocence and satisfaction/comfort of being home

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

Oh my gosh YES!! I absolutely love these movies. I kinda het the “hate” around tye extra characters, but I do NOT get the haters that say they’re an irredeemable dumpster fire. Of course they’re not as good as the original LOTR films… But there’s so many great things about them! Not the least of which is Martin Freeman as Bilbo. The casting literally couldn’t have been better, he makes me laugh AND CRY every single time I watch these movies. In fact, the casting across the BOARD is phenomenal. I’ve just never been that bothered by the extra characters and plot lines. 🤷🏻‍♀️ They’re not my favorite parts of the movies, but they’re not THAT bad.

[@nancyhayes9958]

I can rant with the best of them, but these movies have moments of brilliance and heart. They aren’t as good as LOTR, but it’s the difference between an A and a B+.

[@sarah.the.clumsy]

The 'I'm going on an adventure' gif, is what I post to my fb pretty much whenever I leave my house. Haha

[@Chenedawg]

Such a great episode! One about Thorin would be fascinating

[@unapologeeky]

Thank you for doing one of these videos for one of my all time favorite characters. This video feels like an early Christmas gift to me

[@Kornelia_the_cornetto]

In the last few months every single episode of cinema therapy I've watched that has been released has been exactly what I needed to here in life and this episode I no different ❤ thanks internet dad's as always

[@Az-pool]

YES , FINALLY! I'VE ASKED YOU GUYS TO MAKE THIS VIDEO WHEN I JOINED YOUR DISCORD SERVER AND THIS IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER 🎉

[@scottibrown3274]

The Hobbit trilogy holds a special place in my heart because when An Unexpected Journey premiered in 2012, by that time I really was into the LOTR films after not really being that into them until Thanksgiving of 2009 when I was old enough to understand what was happening. Martin Freeman as Bilbo understood the assignment! And can we get a Psychology of a Hero episode on Thorin? Because that would be cool; taking care of his people, greed, revenge, etc. Side note: the actor that plays the Orc Azog, Manu Bennett, is the same actor who portrays Slade Wilson/Deathstroke in Arrow, Crixus in the Starz series Spartacus, and starred alongside Austin Butler in The Shannara Chronicles.

[@colleenmueller7556]

I just want to thank you guys for this episode. It really hit me personally. I'm at a place in my life where I'm "comfortable" but I'm in no way satisfied or fulfilled in it. Finding that satisfaction I crave is going to require me to get out of my comfort zone, which is tough for anyone but for an extreme introvert like me, it's especially difficult. But the message of this episode has encouraged me to keep taking those next steps towards the life I crave. Thanks KZbin Dads!

[@OtakuAnime01]

I can relate to Bilbo as I’m a total introvert. Video games and movies are my comforts. I’m 41 years old and hadn’t done much in my life. I had always dreamt of traveling the world, but couldn’t afford it. A couple years ago I took a 6 day vacation In Tokyo and it changed me. I was scared of flying and I was scared when I got there because I was alone in a foreign country. But after a few days there when the jet lag wore off, I began to have fun on my biggest adventure of my life. And I can’t wait to do it all again in Europe or the UK

[@CynthiaWarren]

I loved Alan singing "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins!" That was GREAT! I don't know how other viewers of your channel feel, but I think you guys are doing an awesome job! You always inject just the right amount of silliness for the audience, even when you're discussing the deeper topics.

[@krikorajemian8524]

Jess of the Shire did a video called "The Curse of the British Everyman", where she used three examples: Arthur Dent, John Watson, and Bilbo Baggins. No one plays "everyman" like Martin Freeman.

[@robertgerrity878]

And who has played 2 of them?

[@krikorajemian8524]

@@robertgerrity878 All three, actually, that was my point.

[@LiathsVibes]

I've always worn my scars with pride; knowing I survived that pain, and I cherish the lessons I've learned from each one. And that quote from Thorin just before he dies ALWAYS hits my heart because of how resonatingly true it is. Both in my country and the whole world.

[@TheDragonsRose]

The Hobbit book holds a special place in my heart. My father would read it as a bedtime story to me. Even if it wasn't intentional, it was a stone in the pyramid of what gave me such a love for fantasy stories.

[@LisaZoe86]

The Hobbit touched me so deeply. Even though there are looots of absolutely unnecessary action sequences I wished weren't in the movies I absolutely love Martin Freeman as Bilbo, Richard Armitage as Thorin and Aidan Turner as Kili. I wasn't happy how the love story was handled in the third movie, but I am one of those who loved that elven-dwarven-romance. To me, it added another level of depth to the character of one of the dwarves. It also made his death so much more tragic. It honestly broke my heart. In the book, Kili is no more fleshed out than any of the other dwarves. All we know about them as individuals is the colour of their hoods and maybe what instrument they play. Kind of who's the oldest and who's the youngest. That's it! So I loved the Kiliel attraction. Her healing him reminded me of Tristan and Isolde, actually. I just hated the cheesy bit in the third movie and the kiss when he was already dead. Anyway. There is much to not love about the three movies, but just as much that in my eyes is almost as great as everything in The Lord of the Rings. ❤

[@arigino33]

Love this! Sometimes the smallest person can make the biggest difference.

[@animator02]

That’s what I’ve always liked about Bilbo while growing up. He’s like me and I assume most of us, that we’re stuck between staying home and going on adventures. The duality of each trying to define who I am, but Bilbo finds the balance. And that’s what I strive to do in my life. Whether it’s something simple like going on a hike, or something big like traveling to another destination. I’m trying to achieve that balance where I earn that euphoric feeling of coming home after a long trip. It’s the best feeling.

[@mzbeth8238]

This past year has been really tough for me. Knowing I can still laugh at/with the both of you has really helped me get through this year.

[@SneoDrake]

I always thought this trilogy was underrated. I like them a lot. For the record, this show is so great and I love what you guys do. This show has helped put things in perspective for me as someone who struggles a lot. You guys rock and keep doing your thing - you're both great at it.

[@wunnup3229]

The Hobbit is my favorite book, and I absolutely loved the Hobbit movie trilogy, I don't understand why so many people hate it.

[@tunafarrell2067]

The Hobbit films had some amazing moments, and some unfortunate ones that should not have been. The addition of the Bilbo Baggins song was a treasure I was not prepared for.

[@Roof5tone]

I think the scene after the dwarves have left is so beautiful in it's own way. The lack of colour, the home seeming so big and empty, Bilbo slowly losing the pep in his step. It is such a good showcase of that nagging dread of knowing you missed out on something. Then into the wide sweeping shots of Hobiton full of colour as Bilbo once again runs full of excitement. It is such a good little mini story in that short sequence.

[@ericthompson3982]

We would sit on our porch and read this book out loud every summer when I was a kid. The story brings back some absolutely wonderful memories and feelings. Merry Christmas, all!

[@hidden_animator522]

The hobbit films always have a special place in my heart as I saw them before lord of the rings, but they wouldn’t have nearly as coveted of a place if they didn’t have Freeman’s fantastic portrayal of Bilbo in them. It is a fantastically relatable character- to want a comfortable life but also adventure and to see the world- and he pulled it off wonderfully.

[@WaftingCurtains]

Bilbo is one of my favorite literary characters and I think the movies did him justice. The Hobbit movies may have their issues but the things they did well they did VERY well and Bilbo is pitch perfect. I also love Frodo so deeply. Excited you did this vid. :)

[@succinctsucculent9007]

Oh these movies had a chokehold on me in high school. My friends and I were obsessed and they introduced me to film-making and the Tolkien universe as a whole! They are indeed very ‘precious’ to me, despite their flaws. Thanks for taking a look at them! Love Bilbo ❤

[@girlwtuba]

I am so excited for more Murder She Rolled! And the fact that Jono is joining the cast (for a short time) is a super pleasant surprise that is getting me more and more hyped for the continuation

[@bowmaster626]

This video is such a great gift! I’ve always felt a strong kinship with Bilbo Baggins so this was a really wonderful way for me to wind down from the chaos of the holiday

[@rebeccat715]

I've always related to Bilbo with a Tookish side craving adventure in the great wide somewhere and a Baggins side that just wants to make my home cozy and take comfort in the small things. (Also, my opinion on the movies that no one asked for: the 4 hour cut can take out the scenes that din't make any sense, but it can't add the things that were never shot. Like Bilbo's extended riddle time with Dragon Sherlock or Fili and Kili dying shielding Thorin with their bodies. But love Freeman as Bilbo)

[@marshallmarvin1369]

I was hitchhiking to the next state and was picked up by a man who said I reminded him of Bilbo . Love cinema therapy

[@ignacnovotny2808]

Thank you so much for making this episode Bilbo is one of my favourite characters and I was annoying in comments section by suggesting it for a long time. Thank you for also including "why the halfling" scene which is my favourite moment from anything lotr related. I must say that even though I grew up watching lotr and reading hobbit I'd say I like this trilogy more than book version and equally as movie lotr. I just don't get lot of criticism and mostly disagree that movie should be shorter. All characters have much more depth and personality than in books (and not just dwarves and bilbo, but also gandalf, bard and thranduil). Azog and Necromancer give it higher and more personal stakes and while romance isn't my favourite part of the movie I don't really mind and I'd say I'd prefer to have relationship like kili and tauriel than like arwen and aragorn. Only part I'd remove are some weird action scenes, legolas from love triangle and yes that terrible wilhelm scream :-D I probably also like it so much because I don't like movie Frodo. Bilbo is so relatable for me. I'd say how his relationship with dwarves (especially Thorin, Balin and Bifur) develops is my favourite part. In books he is still too much of a tool to them, while in movie it's more about friendship and respect. I especially love acorn scene, but also Bifur leting Bilbo run away, Balin defending him and all dwarves protecting him from Thorin. Armitage is absolutely underrated. He was also great as villain turned antihero guy gisborne in bbc robin hood series and he is absolutely great in castlevania. And as straight man I must say he is annoyingly hot. What is also great aspect of making Bilbo so relatable and compassionate is that the moment when he kills spider who touched his ring hits much harder than any moment with frodo being corrupted. Having character with this level of integrity being consumed by greed and rage is really terrifying.

[@annaoneill9139]

I really love your commentary on Bilbo's character and the way you look at the films, thank you so much it really brightened my night. Also I love your show it is always so interesting to hear your views so thank you both.

[@thomasfort1013]

First of all, how dare you on the last edit of the intro. That was diabolical, and I loved it! 😂 Secondly, I love your assessment on Bilbo wanting to stay home, but also wanting to go on an adventure. You asked the question, "What caused Bilbo to walk out of the door?" I like Tolkien's explanation that Bilbo got that sense of adventure on his Took side of the family. Tooks were the most adventurous of all the hobbits and took many adventures, and got into trouble. Which explains Pippin's character a lot. 😂

[@kp4692]

I am legit BEGGING you to do Elrond next!!!!

[@alejandrakira7367]

LMFAO Thank you!! Y'all always make me smile and laugh! Happy holidays sweeties!!

[@tawnia6950]

Yes!! I can’t get myself to watch the reactions to these movies cause they just weren’t the same during quarantine, but I love these movies so much!!