Unable to persuade Th\xe9oden, Saruman now tries to sway Gandalf, not realizing his former underling has gotten a promotion and executive sponsorship for his project since the last time they touched base. As before, Saruman totters between slick sweet-talking and explosive rage until finally Gandalf \u2014 amused/not amused \u2014 strips him of his staff and place on the White Council. We read Treebeard dialogue for almost the last time; unpack, hang, and whack the F\xebanor pi\xf1ata; and ponder what good Saruman might still have done for the war effort\u2026 if only.