10 Times Gollum from The Lord of the Rings was actually helpful

The Lord of the Rings trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, was loved by fans all over the world for its faithful adaptation of the bestselling novel series by J. R. R. Tolkien. The movies depicted and brought the epic battle of The One Ring of Middle Earth to our screens.

It also introduced us to many characters, some helping to destroy the Ring and some opposing it, making the task challenging. Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee’s journey to Mordor to destroy the Ring was dangerous and life-threatening. However, with Gollum’s (played by Andy Serkis) help, they were able to fulfil their task in the end.

As told by Gandalf, Gollum had a love-hate relationship with the ring. He cannot give up seeking the ring for himself and is also scared of it because it has caused him so much harm.

In this article, we list 10 times when Gollum intentionally or unintentionally helped in the quest to destroy the Ring.

10) Promises to take them to the Black Gate in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Scene from The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy | Image via New Line Cinema

Gollum is properly introduced in the second The Lord of the Rings movie when he attacks Frodo and tries to snatch the Ring from him in Emyn Muil. However, Frodo and Sam tie him with the Elvish rope. The rope made up of hithlain becomes painful for Gollum, and he begs them to release him.

Frodo then tells him they will only release him if he takes them to Mordor, specifically to the Black Gate. Gollum swears on his precious (The Ring) that he will take them to Mordor. Therefore, even with ulterior motives of his own, Gollum takes them to Mordor and keeps his promise.

9) Gollum leads Frodo and Sam through the difficult terrain of Emyn Muil

Even though Frodo and Sam were tasked to destroy the Ring, they did not have enough knowledge to reach Mordor safely. Gollum’s help was necessary as we could see how he helped Frodo and Sam in navigating through the difficult terrain of Emyn Muil.

After trying to kill Frodo a little while ago, Gollum then helps them on their perilous journey.

8) Gollum guides Frodo and Sam through the Dead marshes

In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Gollum guides Sam and Frodo through the treacherous Dead Marshes.

The Dead Marshes were an essential path to reach Mordor, but the path was disorienting and dangerous. It was filled with little pits, and it would have been difficult for the Hobbits to pass through it alone. Therefore, Gollum’s guidance was important and necessary for them.

7) He gives insights about the Dead marshes

In the second The Lord of the Rings movie, we also get a glimpse of Gollum’s knowledge about the dangerous paths around Mordor.

As shown during their journey through the Dead Marsh, Gollum shares with the Hobbits the history of the marsh. The historic battle that took place there and the lives it took are still haunting the place.

He also tells them what to avoid while passing through the Marsh.

6) He brings dead rabbits for Frodo

In The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum enter Ithilien after crossing the Dead Marsh. As they stop to take a rest for a while, Gollum hunts and brings rabbits for Frodo to eat.

Even though he does this to win Frodo’s trust and trick him into getting his precious ring, he does help them unintentionally by bringing food for them.

5) Gollum saves Frodo’s life

Even after Gollum’s warning of not following the lights, Frodo ends up being tempted by the magic of the Dead Marsh. He is in a half-trance and gets drawn to a face that he sees in the swamp. He then falls into the swamp and is chased by the spirits of the Marsh until Gollum brings him ashore.

Therefore, without Gollum, Frodo would have been killed in the swamp, and the quest would have remained unfulfilled.

4) Gollum talks with his good half, Smeagol, who sends Gollum away

In a scene in The Lord of the Rings' second movie, Gollum talks to his good half, Smeagol, while the hobbits are asleep. He tells Smeagol that they need to take the ring back, which the Hobbits have stolen from him. To which Sméagol replies that his master (Frodo) is his friend.

Gollum shuts him down by instigating that he doesn’t have any friends because nobody likes him. Smeagol, hurt by Gollum’s words, orders him to go away and never come back.

This particular scene shows the viewers that Gollum’s good side still exists, and while trying to trick Frodo, he also has grown to like him for his kindness toward him.

3) Gollum takes Frodo and Sam through an alternate path to Black Gate

In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Gollum, Frodo, and Sam reach the Black Gate. However, they see that the gate is heavily guarded and looked like they cannot pass through it. Gollum then reveals his knowledge of an alternate path to reach Mordor. The alternate path to enter Mordor was through the stairs of Cirith Ungol and the tunnel through Shelob’s lair.

Although this was also a plan to kill Frodo and take the ring from him, there was no other way of entering Mordor alive for Sam and Frodo, and hence, they had to take the route suggested by Gollum.

2) Gollum unintentionally destroys the ring

In the final movie of The Lord of the Rings, Frodo is met with a conflicting decision. After reaching the fires of Mount Doom, Frodo gives in to the desire and wears the ring.

However, Gollum’s obsessive desire makes him fight an invisible Frodo for the ring. He takes the ring from Frodo by biting his finger off.

In the end, while fighting with Frodo, he falls to his death in the fires of Mount Doom with the ring, unintentionally destroying the ring with himself.

1) Gollum’s presence gives a powerful insight into the Ring’s influence

With Gollum’s presence in The Lord of the Rings movies, the viewers get to see the power and control the Ring has on someone and how dangerous its influence can be.

Gollum’s obsession with the ring and also being afraid of the ring depicts how helpless he has become because of the Ring. It also showcases the burden Frodo is carrying with the Ring by restricting himself from being influenced by the power of the Ring.