Tri-Wizard Blues

[socialmike]

So I’m sat listening to Stephen Fry read the Goblet of Fire to me for what must be the 18th time and something has been bothering me. Perhaps you can shed some light or even agree with me, anyway…


The Tri-Wizard Tournament

Ok so it hardly took up so much time that they had to cancel Quidditch but I understand that if a champion was a house player it would disadvantage the house. But how come the students were satisfied with it…. I mean three events over the year (four including the Yule Ball), but apart from the first task they are hardly a spectator sport. Watching a lake for over an hour has to be kind of boring, what was the point in Bagman being there to commentate, it the Merpeople that had to tell the judges what had happened at the bottom of the lake.

And then there is the third task if they can’t see that Krum is going around cursing champions they clearly can’t see into the maze… so what was the point in sitting there for so long.

It just seems like a very dull spectator sport and I fail to see what enjoyment the students would have got from it.

This is ruining my enjoyment of Book 4

Any thoughts?

Michael
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[Solace_Forever]

(nice first post)
i think that they only watched the tasks to see who the winners were, i understand what you mean though because it would be no fun till the end.
probably because it comes after a long time and they would want to see what it brings??? sorry
but i think that they watched for the winner

[ahsweape]

I've always thought this was a pretty lame spectator sport as well. Especially since I assume there is probably some magic way of broadcasting what is going on under water or in the maze.

Anyway, the real reason that Quidditch matches were cancelled was because Rowling hates writing them.

[Half_Blood26]

I don't really get the Thread name, but here goes, I think that the spectators veiw of the competition was not very good, but they have some vision, otherwise, why have spectators there at all.

[sllagnire]

This actually just came up in another thread, about why there would be spectators if they could not tell what was going on. However, my impressions of the final task had always been that the spectators were sitting in the quidditch boxes, which would give them some view of the maze, but this is not what is in the movie (although I know that movie is not cannon, JKR has imput in it). I do find it strange.

[socialmike]

I agree I had always thought that sitting in the stands would allow spectators to see. however this then doesnt explain why krum was not stopped from cursing the other champions surely at least DD would have picked up on that... and the second task would be incredably dull

Michael
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[morsmordre7]

Originally Posted by socialmike

I agree I had always thought that sitting in the stands would allow spectators to see. however this then doesnt explain why krum was not stopped from cursing the other champions surely at least DD would have picked up on that... and the second task would be incredably dull

Michael
x

I'm not sure about that either! Maybe they all got hit with the Confundus Charm or something, and thought they were watching an extremely exciting Quidditch match?
I would have been bored out of my mind!

[Refinnej7]

I agree, I think that the second and third tasks would be mighty boring to watch. I always thought they'd be much better if some sort of TV were created and they could watch the action...like attach a camera to the champion's shoulders (I understand normal Muggle electricity doesn't work at Hogwarts, but surely they could think of some sort of magical alternative.)...this would ruin the plot, but would be much better for those watching.

[McGonagall32]

Maybe its really more of an opportunity to socialize.

[Lillbet]

Originally Posted by McGonagall32

Maybe its really more of an opportunity to socialize.

Well, that and probably to validate the experience- the cheer those who emerged from the task and bear witness to failure.

Besides which, how dull would it have been if Harry said, "Right, well, I'm off to fight the dragon!" and have Ron and Hermione troop off to classes without him.

But you're right- the whole experience is not very spectator-friendly.

[socialmike]

EXT. THE STANDS ALL THE STUDENTS ARE WATCHING THE SECOND TASK

Ron asleep wakes with a start

RON
What did I miss?
Hermione snores loudly.

BAGMAN
(his voice magically amplified)
And Yes! All the champions are still in the Lake! It must be mighty cold in there!

RON
Hermione, I’m bored wake up!

HERMIONE
Huh!! What? What’s wrong? Is Harry okay?

RON
I don’t know... I’m sure he’s fine, but you’re drooling Hermione.
Hermione glares at Ron.

BAGMAN
(his voice magically amplified)
Wait what’s this, I think, yes someone surfacing. And the first champion out of the Lake is... The Giant Squid

Bagman’s glares at Hagrid

BAGMAN (CONT’D)
Hagrid do you really think this is the time to be feeding the Squid?

HAGRID
It’s gotta eat, nothin' betta t' do.

FADE OUT.

[LikeLuna]

Socialmike: The above scene would work if it weren't for the fact that Ron and Hermione were at the bottom of the lake during the Second Task.

But yeah, the whole thing does seem pretty boring, and doesn't explain the cancellation of Quidditch except that the Champions would be too busy to play. (We can't have Quidditch without Harry!)

[socialmike]

that is a very good point lol just got bored decided to write something showed myself up now lol

[Fostwolf]

I agree it would be very boreing just to set there waiting for someone to come out.

[fruitia pickleweed]

No more boring than watching a bunch of automobiles covered with logos go round and round and round and round. Until one or more of them cracks up.

You've got a point. But it could be really scary, just imagining what's happening out of sight. The lake task was only 1 hour, and it was cold, so no one's going to sleep. The maze task was probably shorter, and there was always a chance of seeing someone shoot up red sparks and get rescued, at least.

Enjoyed your screenplay anyhow, socialmike.

[LeanneJO]

I agree they didn't need to cancel Quidditch, the excuse given was that the teachers would be too busy but I don't think the teachers had that much extra work to do during the tournament, more was done by the Ministry.
The tournament was on 3 days out of the year, it really wasn't fair on the 28 players who play for their house team. And if the Champion happened to be on the team just choose another player, a reserve player. They could have scheduled it so it wasn't on the same night.
But then again the students from Beaxbatons and Durmstrang would also be missing out on playing for the Quidditch teams at their own schools (if they have them) so perhaps it was fairer for none of the students to have Quidditch.
That brings up interesting points, would the other students of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons have had Quidditch and classes as normal that year. It would have been interesting not having a headmaster/mistress for a whole year!

[DarthExecute]

I was hoping for more then 3 events when I first had a read through the book.

[cupsoftea]

I think there reason for the lack of Quidditch in GOF was just due to plot and time constraints, GOF is pretty complex as is, it didnt need Quidditch matches on top of it.

But yes it makes no sense that Quiditch was cancelled for the year but then again a lot of GOF is pretty weak plot wise. for example if Voldemort intended killing Harry at his re birth why not just take him at the start of the year, have fake Moody plant a Portkey much sooner, why did he wait for the Triwizard and the whole year to pass and let Dumbledores and a few others suspicison mount? bad planning there Voldie, not so smart

Course it wouldnt have been much of a book then, but I do think this is one of Rowlings biggest plot holes.

[socialmike]

another thought grabs me.... "accio broom" in the third task might make it alittle easier

Michael
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[Vdmrt123]

how about "accio egg" in the first task