Jacob and Ben attacked this chapter so "savagely" that I am left with no choice except to defend it. I submit that this is the greatest chapter in the whole series.
Jacob and Ben first point out that the chapter is pointless, that the chapter involves random "Wild Men" and could have been streamlined with other chapters or cut entirely. Well, Jacob and Ben are wrong. How else would the Riders of Rohirrim have gotten around orc patrols guarding the road? If the Riders had to fight their way through the orcs, the forces of Sauron would have been better prepared. So this chapter is critical both in terms of plot and pacing.
Then Jacob and Ben complain that the Wild Men don't "fit" with anything. Not so. Jacob and Ben fail to mention that the Wild Men are very much like the Wights we saw earlier in Fellowship of the Ring. Specious at first glance, yes, but after you analyze it further, you realize how fundamental they are to the plot.
Jacob and Ben then complain that the Wild Men are lazy stereotypes. Even if that is true, isn't anything a type of stereotype? And isn't calling something a stereotype . . . stereotypical? What Jacob and Ben don't realize is that their critique of the Wild Men is nothing more than a stereotypical criticism about stereotypes.
Finally, Jacob and Ben forget that this chapter provided critical character development for Merry and Dernhelm. By reading this chapter, the reader gains rock-solid insight into who Dernhelm is. The reader learns slowly that Dernhelm doesn't talk much, but his presence affords Merry protection so that Merry can talk, even though Merry was not allowed to come. The reader also learns that Merry is good at snooping--the chapter reveals who these Wild Men are by Merry eavesdropping into their plotting. So that point was critical as well.
All in all, a masterful chapter.
And that leading pun... it cut me to the quick. "Savage" indeed.
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