Fans anticipating the upcoming Rings Of Power are thrilled to be returning to the epic world of Tolkien. Middle-Earth is a world filled with heroes, whether large or small in stature. The quest to destroy the One Ring centered around nine of these heroes, and each race of the Free Peoples lent at least one representative to this Fellowship of the Ring.
One member of the Fellowship, however, consistently proves that without him there could be no quest. Sam Gamgee is not only Frodo's most trusted friend, he's the most valuable member of the Fellowship by far. Whether using his pots and pans for stewing rabbit or bashing Orcs, Sam's courage and heroism is unmatched.
Frodo's First Companion
Even before the Fellowship forms, Sam proves his worth. After being caught eavesdropping by Gandalf, Sam is sent with Frodo to be his companion as he takes the Ring to Bree.
Sam could easily have turned back after Gandalf leaves the two Hobbits. Instead, he promises Gandalf he'll follow Frodo until the bitter end. Faced with dangers he has never imagined, he doesn't flinch. He knows nothing of the wider world, having never been outside the Shire, but Sam commits to his friendship with Frodo knowing full well it may mean sacrificing his own life.
Peril By The Roadside
After finding Merry and Pippin filching vegetables from Farmer Maggot, the Hobbits stop in the Road to gather a few mushrooms. Frodo senses danger coming, and ushers them into a hollow log just before a Nazgul arrives in search of the Ring.
Sam essentially saves the quest at this moment. As the Nazgul attempts to sniff out the Ring, Frodo falls under its hold and slowly begins to put it on his finger. Sam notices just in time, grabbing his hand bringing him out of his trance. If Sam hadn't done this, the Ring would have been taken and the Hobbits likely killed.
Standing Up To Strider
When the Hobbits arrive in Bree to find that Gandalf has not arrived as promised, they're at a loss. Frodo's mishap with the Ring causes Strider to pull him aside in another room, but he doesn't escape Sam's watchful gaze.
Despite not knowing what dangers may await, Sam gathers Merry and Pippin and bursts through the door to the room Frodo and Strider are in. He demands Strider release Frodo, and brandishes his fists, ready to do battle despite the long sword in Strider's hand. Sam's courage overrides his common sense in this moment, but his commitment to Frodo's safety is beyond reproach.
The Breaking Of The Fellowship
After the loss of Gandalf in Moria, the Fellowship travels down the river Anduin and debates its next steps. Frodo resolves to go to Mordor alone, and runs from both his friends and pursuing Orcs.
Sam realizes what Frodo intends to do just in time, and refuses to let him go alone. His loyalty to Frodo runs so deep that he's willing to risk drowning to fulfill his promise never to leave his side. If Sam had let Frodo go alone, the quest would have failed. Knowing this full well, he did whatever was necessary to ensure that Frodo could not leave him behind.
Tough Love For Frodo
As Frodo and Sam get closer to Mordor, Frodo begins to fall further under the Ring's influence. Sam notices the increasing obsession manifesting in Frodo, and confronts him openly.
This action angers Frodo, but Sam is showing how deeply he cares for his friend by challenging him. Having Gollum at their side has given Sam a stark reminder of the terrible changes the Ring can cause in a person, and he will do anything he can to keep Frodo from that fate. Sam is exactly what Frodo needs in this moment: a mirror for his behavior, whether he wants to look at it or not.
Rescue From The Nazgul
Captured by Faramir and marched toward Minas Tirith, Frodo comes face to hood with another Ringwraith, and the Ring nearly forces him to put it on again. Sam tackles Frodo and pulls him away, seconds before they fall into the clutches of the fell beast of the Nazgul.
Despite being nearly killed by Frodo while he's still under the Ring's influence, Sam's devotion to his master does not waver for an instant. Sam comforts Frodo in that moment, and his kindness breaks the hold of the Ring's spell on Frodo. Not only does Sam once again keep the Ring away from the Enemy, he keeps Frodo's feet on the path laid out for them and reminds him he's not alone.
Not Trusting Gollum
Having captured and subdued Gollum Frodo believes he can be rehabilitated. Sam, however, never believes that Gollum can be rid of his lust for the Ring, and is proven correct when Gollum's betrayal leads Frodo into the trap of Shelob's lair.
Having been banished by Frodo because of Gollum's lies, Sam returns in the nick of time to prevent Frodo from being carried off and eaten by Shelob. Sam battles and defeats the giant spider, and though he doesn't know it at the time, he saves Frodo's life. Had Sam trusted Gollum and continued on home, Frodo would have died and Gollum would have captured the Ring.
Saving The Ring
Sam mourns what he thinks is Frodo's death from Shelob's poison, but the blue glow of Sting warns him Orcs are approaching. Forced to think of duty instead of his loss, Sam takes the Ring from Frodo, prepared to continue the quest alone.
By taking the Ring Sam assumes a terrible responsibility, and he only has seconds to decide whether or not to do it. For all he knows, he will have to take the Ring across Mordor alone, facing death at the end of the road if not sooner. But he takes it anyway, knowing his responsibility to the people of Middle-Earth outweighs the mortal peril involved.
Carrying Frodo Up Mt. Doom
After a torturous journey through the barren wastes of Mordor, Frodo and Sam at last reach their goal. At the foot of Mount Doom, however, Frodo's strength gives out. Sam puts him and the Ring literally onto his back, carrying them both towards the doom foretold for them.
Sam's strength has also given out, and having given the last of his water to Frodo he has nothing left but the will to continue. That will alone gives him the ability to lift and carry Frodo up half a mountain, and is one of the greatest feats of determination in the history of Middle-Earth. In that critical moment, Sam's stubborn resolve saves the quest and the world.
Taking The Red Book
Upon the Hobbits' return to the Shire, Frodo records the story of their journey in the Red Book of Westmarch, the same book Bilbo used to record his journey. Having decided to leave Middle-Earth for the Undying Lands of Valinor, Frodo entrusts the book to Sam.
Sam keeping the Red Book safe is the only reason anyone knows the story of the Lord of the Rings at all. According to Tolkien's lore, the book is passed down through Sam's descendants and preserved until it is found thousands of years later by Men, who translated and published it. It's a clever way for the author to contextualize his work in its own universe, and its only possible thanks to Sam.