230 Choking on a Crust of Bread

Published: Nov. 21, 2021, 4 p.m.

Sm\xe9agol proves to be willing and able to show Frodo and Sam the way to Mordor, now that his promise on the Precious keeps him from running away (though Sting is still at hand to police him if necessary). But Gollum proves he\u2019ll always be king of pain when he totally overreacts to the elf-smell coming off the lembas his companions are eating. Once his diva moment passes, though, they\u2019re back on the road\u2026 but there\u2019s a much worse smell than Elvish cooking ahead. Plus, a look into the Gaffer\u2019s paternal word-hoard has us wondering if Sam is really okay, deep down.