Bilgewater

So I'm trying to re-watch movie!FotR for the first time in over a decade, and it is irksome.

Among many other issues too numerous to mention, I can see no reason for the hobbits to escape the Black Riders on the road, in the forest, and at the easily-jumped dock (other than plot armor).

And why is Merry stealing Sam's lines?!

Book!FotR:

'I am being eaten alive!' cried Pippin. 'Midgewater! There are more midges than water!' 

'What do they live on when they can't get hobbit?' asked Sam, scratching his neck.

Movie!FotR:

MERRY [smacking cheek]: What do they eat, when they can't get hobbit?

[PIPPIN falls into water for no reason.]