Bring on the tough stuff. There’s not just one right answer.
- Why does Gollum defeat Sméagol? Is it Frodo's betrayal at the sacred pool that does Sméagol in? Or is Frodo's trust irrelevant when compared to the binding power of Gollum's desire for the Precious?
- Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? (i.e. should Arwen stay with Aragorn even though he will die and she will live forever, or should she travel west and try to forget about him?)
- Is Sam justified in his treatment of Gollum? Is Sam even right in his assessment of Gollum? Or does chance happen to place him on the correct side of the argument?
- Gandalf has a lot of names: Gandalf the Gray, Gandalf the White, The Gray Wanderer, The White Pilgrim, Gandalf Stormcrow, Saruman-as-he-should-have-been, Olórin (Dreamer), Tharkûn (Staff-Man). What do each of these names tell us about the Wizard?
- Is Théoden correct in retreating his people to Helm's Deep? Why does Gandalf try to convince him to face Saruman head on?
- What do you make of the orcs having more dialogue and personality in this film? Does it serve to make them more human and increase our empathy? Or are they still nothing more than mindless killing machines?
- When Gollum stops Sam and Frodo from heading toward the Black Gate, does he do this out of concern for their well-being and the safety of the Ring? Or does his obsession with the Precious get the better of him and he can't let them try to destroy it?