GoF Reduction Discussion

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 104484

Sherry Gomes wrote:
> So, I guess I stand corrected about losing the second task.  I'm 
> glad, because I'd like to see it. <snip>
> 
> It makes me wonder, though, because I was convinced that the second 
> task could go, why is it being included?


Carol:
I've already mentioned Harry's hero complex and several other reasons
why I think it should stay in and I'm glad to know that Kloves and
Newell agree that it has to be there.

Another reason relates to the Barty Crouch Sr. subplot. He's too ill
to judge the second task and Percy takes his place. (And then poor
Percy falls under suspicion and doesn't get to judge the third task, a
turn of events that has a bearing on his less admirable behavior in
Book/Film 5.) The viewer needs to *see* the absence of Crouch Sr. to
understand how unlikely it is that he'd be prowling around Snape's
office in the Marauder's Map scene (a key red herring) and to
comprehend the Imperius-caused madness that sets up his murder by his
even madder son. 

All these interrelated elements are crucial to the Crouch!Moody/
Unforgiveable Curses portion of the main plot. For that reason, it
would be a serious mistake if either Steve Kloves or Mike Newell chose
to eliminate them and JKR will no doubt make that known.

IMO, they can't do what Cuaron did to PoA and strip away or alter key
scenes. The parts have to fit together, red herrings and all, even if
it takes three and a half hours to do it.

Carol