I firmly believe that depicting meals is important in works of fiction, including films. All beings have to consume sustenance to survive, however fantastical their circumstances - be they selkies, dwarves or hobbits. In The Lord of the Rings, for instance, many scenes feature the various races indulging in meals and drinking.

To be sure, such interludes can provide comic relief, like the hobbits' frequent repasts or Gimli and Legolas's alcohol-fueled competition. But they also showcase character nuances and the burgeoning bonds between these otherwise unlikely fellow sojourners. We find ourselves charmed by the same modest pleasures that sustain them amidst their epic trials. Transcending cultural divides, the communal act of eating and drinking humanizes these fantastical creatures. Thus it often foreshadows greater triumphs through teamwork ahead.