Saruman's snarky comments about Gandalf and Radagast being "under the influence" were just priceless! (Yet he eventually develops a pipeweed habit, so ironic... [I don't remember if they kept that in the movies?]) And yeah Saruman's fondness for power structures and reaffirming his own position... it was perfect :D

I do seem to have that affect on you, don't I? :) I'll go read and headcanon over there shortly!

I don't remember about Thranduil in the Silmarillion either, but I was reading arguments on the topic and if he was born in the First Age (I don't think he's mentioned either way? Iirc Oropher only really comes up in the Second Age/Last Alliance era, and according to Wikis he's never mentioned in the Silm either, only in some of the supplementary material of Tolkien's notes.)