January 26, 2004

Sam
Tuor

Yeah, dwian, I wholeheartedly agree that Sam was the perfect companion for Frodo, both in movie and book. He just didn't understand what the Ring was doing to Frodo, and that Frodo was afraid he was going to become another Gollum. Of course, the fact Frodo feared this was probably what ultimately saved him. Sam's denial/common hobbit-sense is what kept him from the sway of the Ring in the book. Sam was just so faithful to Frodo that he would even let Gollum stay with them even after hearing Gollum plot to kill both of the hobbits. I have to admit, there was a lump in my throat when Frodo told Sam to go back home, and again at the Havens, even though I knew Sam followed Frodo many years later. In both the movie and book, the "point of no return" for Gollum was when they met up with Faramir. Smeagol just didn't trust anyone after the point he was captured, even though Frodo tried to explain to him it was either be captured or be killed. It is interesting how pity for a wretch like Gollum could lead Gollum into a fury. They definitely portrayed Gollum as more of an evil character in the third movie, which I still haven't decided if I preferred or not. Then again, it made it seem as if he was beyond saving, since both Smeagol and Gollum were participating in conspiracies then.

Tuor