- Location
- Spain
Ok. I will be more explicit and directly quote Sanderson:
Sure, Gandalf solves quite a few problems Including a rather major one (Ie, the Balrog). But ultimately, he doesn't uses magic to resolve the main problem (Ie, getting rid of the ring). The only problem solved by magic towards the end of the jorney itself is killing Shelob with the vial.
And note, both those problems are magical in nature as well, and presented shortly before being defeated. Not a long-standing obstacle.
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Pulling a Jedi trick, not previously shown, to bypass some random mook mid movie is fine! But a complete new trick to solve the main issue it's just not.
Sanderson's First Law of Magics: An author's ability to solve conflict with magic is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to how well the reader understands said magic.
Sure, Gandalf solves quite a few problems Including a rather major one (Ie, the Balrog). But ultimately, he doesn't uses magic to resolve the main problem (Ie, getting rid of the ring). The only problem solved by magic towards the end of the jorney itself is killing Shelob with the vial.
And note, both those problems are magical in nature as well, and presented shortly before being defeated. Not a long-standing obstacle.
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Pulling a Jedi trick, not previously shown, to bypass some random mook mid movie is fine! But a complete new trick to solve the main issue it's just not.
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