"For Frodo."

I think that is one of the best moments in the entire trilogy, and I still get goose bumps thinking about it.

I watched the extended edition of Return of the King on Saturday night, at last. One wouldn't think that increasing a 3 and a half hour movie by a whole hour would make it better, but it did. It's far more satisfying, and some of the secondary characters get the treatment (and/or comeuppance) that they deserve.

While I can't remember them all, here are some of my favorite additions:

• Since Jackson did not film the Scouring of the Shire (a decision I agree with), Saruman is vanquished at Orthanc, in a fittingly gruesome manner. We also see the seeds of doubt, which seem to pop up out of nowhere later on, planted into the heads of Theoden and Gandalf by the Voice of Saruman. And it's cool how the Palantir actually gets into the water.
• The Mouth of Sauron. Gross. EW. Scary. And we get the displaying of Frodo's mithril shirt, which only adds to the emotional response by the fellowship when they realize that Frodo succeeded.
• The Houses of Healing scenes, which I really enjoyed in the book. While very brief, they did a nice job of etching the relationship between Eowyn and Faramir, explaining why they were so chummy at the crowning of Aragorn.
• All of the expanded stuff on the Pelennor battlefield that involved Eowyn, Merry, Theoden and Eomer. I was so taken aback when I saw Eomer rush to the fallen Eowyn, screaming in anguish. Damn, I feel like crying again.
• All of the extra Gandalf and Pippin scenes, from the big Witch King confrontation at Minas Tirith (I never noticed he didn't have his staff for the rest of the movie!) to the small look that Pippin gives Gandalf during the celebration at Edoras.

While I could have done without the Gimli/Legolas drinking game scene, I take objection with nothing else that was added. It's just an exquisite movie.

I don't know which I want to do - watch it again or delve into the gazillion hours of bonus material.