I was revisiting the Lord of the Rings yesterday and it gets better and better each time I watch it. After 50+ viewings, I mostly put the plot aside to look for obscure details that maybe I missed before. I chose to focus on the Gollum, Frodo, and Sam dynamic more than usual this time, and in the process, I found a deeper meaning to the movies that I subconsciously knew all along. The more I watched, the more I realized that Gollum was prevented from ever making his redemption into Smeagol.  

We all know that Smeagol isn’t the best person. He can be a little treacherous one day and a little murderous the other, but how can you say no to those eyes? Overall, it’s clear that Gollum was more helpful than he was harmful to the fellowship. Sure, he frames Sam, bites off Frodo’s finger, and lures him into Shelob’s lair but showing them the way to Mount Doom ultimately won the war for good. It was made clear in the beginning, and it was obvious by the end that Gollum was going to try and reclaim his ring. The question is, was that always the case?

Let’s look at the events leading up to the ending. As the fellowship moved through the Mines of Moria, Gandalf says “Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill…” foreshadowing that Gollum could be good by the end.

Earlier in the same conversation Gandalf tells Frodo “It’s Gollum… the Ring had drawn him here. He will never be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the Ring, as he hates and loves himself.” Which describes the inner conflict that Gollum has going on. It might also suggest that Smeagol doesn’t want the ring, but Gollum is dependent on it.

Gandalf later reveals the Smeagol name to Frodo, and I think it’s important that Gandalf introduces him as the monster and not as the person. Most characters refer to him as Gollum, or as a monster. Sam is the most notorious person for doing this. Only Frodo calls him by his true name, and that respect gives Smeagol newfound hope.

Frodo had previously spared Smeagol’s life for his sneak-attack after the Mines of Moria. Offering him a kindness that he never received, nor offered himself. This parallels the events of Smeagol killing his cousin Deagol for the ring, where Frodo was able to handle the situation with kindness (from previous guidance from Gandalf). After agreeing to become their guide, in exchange for his life, Frodo quickly frees him of his Elven leash that Sam laid upon him.  

As the duo of Hobbits slept, Gollum/Smeagol has an inner dialogue with himself.  Gollum tells himself that the Hobbits will betray him, and that nobody likes him. Smeagol defends himself and says that Frodo is his friend. Gollum brings up the lies and the murder he committed. Smeagol then banishes Gollum from his psyche through the confidence that Frodo has given him. The next morning Smeagol is ecstatic from his triumph. He’s dancing and laughing and brings the duo a couple of rabbits to eat.

His good deed is instantly undermined when Sam and Smeagol argue over the way to eat the rabbits. (Boil ‘em mash ‘em stick ‘em in a stew). Sam scoffs at the savage nature of Smeagol and calls him hopeless. The scene quickly moves on, but the point is made. Even if he tries to be a good person, the people around him won’t let him move on.

The next time the trio are seen they have been captured by Gondor soldiers and Frodo does his noble best to hide the identity of Smeagol from the capturers. Only when they find Smeagol fishing in the Forbidden Pool, and the penalty is death, does Frodo give him up for questioning. Smeagol, unknowledgeable of the details, is reminded of the treachery that Gollum previously predicted. The soldiers mock Smeagol, who is once again reminded of his Gollum transformation. Culminating in Gollum gaining complete control over the vessel.

In theory, there was a change. Just not for very long. It was portrayed for a day, but still a change, nonetheless. A change that was quickly sabotaged. Feeling betrayed and alone, Gollum was the only one left to comfort Smeagol. Just before leading the duo into Shelob’s Lair, Gollum has one final moment of clarity as he sees Frodo asleep. He reaches out to strokes Frodo’s hair, signaling that he cares for him and is unsure of the treachery he’s about to commit. Sam once again appears to bash Gollum and ultimately seal the duos fate at the hands of the giant spider.

We know how the movie ends, he doesn’t get a final redemption, and there aren’t any obvious redemption qualities that follow this event. I find it interesting that Gollum is trying to be a good person throughout the last two movies. He’s long forgotten humanity and even forgotten his own name. He’s tormented by the ring, and for so long, that it’s easy to understand his resistance to the light. However, looking at the films, it looks like a few acts of kindness could have been enough to win him over.

The question becomes, if kindness was shared more often, or maybe hatred contained, would it have been enough to keep Smeagol in the light? I think so, but it would have taken time. There were a few moments where being treated with kindness would have made a difference in his life. Right or wrong, the world chose to judge him harshly. We the viewers know him to be a sympathetic character, yet the characters then didn’t care to find out. He’s a creature that paid for his transgressions, and along the way, tried to find some solace. If he were alive as the ring were destroyed, I think the cause of his evil would have vanquished just as it did for King Theoden. In the end, maybe Smeagol would have become a friend of the Fellowship and shepherd to the mountains.