The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Gandalf falls with Balrog into abyss, still fighting. Frodo and Sam lost in Emyn Muil. Multiple storylines in peril. World fragmenting under shadow.

Sam: "There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for." Theme of hope persisting in darkness, finding strength in friendship.

Three storylines: Frodo/Sam encounter Gollum. Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli track Merry/Pippin. Merry/Pippin escape into Fangorn. Rohan under Saruman's control. Scattered and vulnerable.

Gandalf returns as Gandalf the White. "I come back to you now at the turn of the tide." Hope reborn. Aragorn's group reunited with transformed wizard.

Should they help Rohan or go to Gondor? Théoden freed from Saruman's spell but his son is dead. People of Rohan flee to Helm's Deep. Can they survive?

Frodo captures Gollum, makes him swear by the Precious to serve. Uneasy alliance with dangerous guide. New phase of journey - trusting the untrustworthy to reach Mordor.

Aragorn and Éowyn. She sees him as he truly is. Aragorn's internal struggle between ranger and king. Love and duty. Meanwhile, Sam and Frodo's friendship tested by Gollum's manipulation.

Ents attack Isengard. Merry and Pippin drink Ent-draught. Gollum leads through Dead Marshes. Faramir captures Frodo and Sam. Multiple adventures playing out. Promise of epic scale.

Helm's Deep battle begins. 10,000 Uruk-hai vs. 300 men. Aragorn presumed dead (but survives). False defeat and false victory. Stakes at absolute peak. "What can men do against such reckless hate?"

Helm's Deep walls breached. Uruk-hai pour in. Faramir plans to take Ring to Gondor. Gollum's plan forming to betray Frodo. All fronts deteriorating. Darkness winning.

Helm's Deep overrun. "Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin!" Last desperate charge. Faramir nearly kills Gollum, further poisoning Frodo against Sam. Bleakest hour.

Théoden ready to die in glory. Men exhausted. Frodo sees Nazgûl on fell beast, Ring's pull strongest yet. Gollum plants seeds of distrust between Frodo and Sam. Relationships fracturing.

Gandalf arrives with Éomer and 2,000 Rohirrim at dawn. "Ride now! Ride for ruin and the world's ending!" Charge down impossible slope. Saruman's army broken. Light defeats darkness.

Helm's Deep saved. Ents destroy Isengard. Saruman defeated. Faramir releases Frodo: "I think at last we understand one another." Gollum fully commits to betrayal. Victories and looming betrayals.

Gollum: "She could do it. She could get us the Precious." Plans to lead Frodo to Shelob. Sméagol lost, Gollum wins. Dark path ahead even as battles are won. War far from over.