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Great - I like the way TTT opens. It gets going pretty quickly... Boromir's funeral being the only bit of "standing around and singing" we get. I'm going to insult all our Dwarves and ask why Gimli didn't even try to make up a song for Boromir, Dwarves can't sing or something? ;-)

This is the turning point for the series, where Aragorn decides to go after Merry and Pippin rather than Frodo and Sam. Now the Ringbearer has to go on alone, and the things that must come to pass in the other parts of the world will happen. There is a sense of destiny about much of LotR, and this bit is one of places where, IMO, it comes through most strongly. If, if, if - look at all the things that are set in motion here -not mentioning them for spoiler reasons - that will result in the eventual outcome.

Also, I would point out that Gimli and Legolas follow Aragorn unquestioningly; he has become the leader now and they know it. No comment on anyone else since there are no other characters to talk about here!

Yes, it does start out quickly and with much confusion.

Orcs of many different types lay about... What are all these strange symbols they have on their armor?

Everyone wonders at the riddles... wonders where Frodo is. Where's Sam? - Missing boat. Poor Merry and Pippin... Not dead, we think. Boromir said they were bound and carried off. What is the right course? 'Maybe there is not right choice,' said Gimli

Aragorn doubts his decisions... doubts his ability to lead.

Still reading!

Of the three volumes, I think that TTT is the most exciting -- so much that is new is introduced here and the action is at a break-neck pace. (And to get way ahead of the thread, the cliffhangers at the end are perfect).

Boromir had to die so that his antithesis, Faramir, could have his chance. It is fascinating construction, on Tolkien's part, to think of placing the Boromir character where he did. Had Boromir not startled Frodo with his open lust for the ring, would Frodo have ever decided to set off on his own? The seed of conflict had to be placed in the Fellowship, for otherwise it could not have been broken when it truly needed to be. Had it not been broken could Saruman have been dealt with effectively? Who would have gotten the Ents to rise up ? (I'm getting ahead again). Boromir was there to break up the Fellowship (Elrond's wisdom?) when it had to happen for the quest to continue.

I'm going to insult all our Dwarves and ask why Gimli didn't even try to make up a song for Boromir, Dwarves can't sing or something? ;-)

Aragorn and Legolas are wind hogs!

'You left the East Wind to me,' said Gimli, 'but I will say naught of it.'
'That is as it should be,' said Aragorn. 'In Minas Tirith they endure the East Wind, but they do not ask it for tidings.'

I'm going to insult all our Dwarves and ask why Gimli didn't even try to make up a song for Boromir, Dwarves can't sing or something?

Well g'nad and I do, but we're above average.

Dwarves channel their creativity through the work of their hands, not their voices. We're doers rather than talkers (or singers).