# 210: FotR 15: Bilbo's mercy toward Gollum was more crucial than we expected

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/lord-of-the-rings-lorecast-j-r-r-tolkien-s-world-writings-explained-5072083/210-fotr-15-bilbo-s-mercy-toward-gollum-was-more-crucial-than-we-expected
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/lord-of-the-rings-lorecast-j-r-r-tolkien-s-world-writings-explained-5072083/210-fotr-15-bilbo-s-mercy-toward-gollum-was-more-crucial-than-we-expected.md
Podcast: [Lord of the Rings Lorecast - J.R.R. Tolkien's World & Writings Explained](https://stenobird.com/podcast/lord-of-the-rings-lorecast-j-r-r-tolkien-s-world-writings-explained-5072083)
Published: 2026-04-27T04:00:03+00:00
Episode link: https://www.robotsradio.net
Audio file: https://audio2.redcircle.com/episodes/b064c350-aaec-48ff-9526-d4919a37cef4/stream.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1858

## Resource

Frodo panics as he learns the dire news about Sauron discovering the Shire and Baggins, and laments that Bilbo did not kill Gollum. But Gandalf has a justification for why that was the right thing to do. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes, early access, ad-free listening, t-shirts and stickers: https://www.patreon.com/lotrlorecast Talk Lord of the Rings and join the Robots Radio fam: Discord: https://discord.gg/tVnB9ce Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LordoftheRingsLorecast Live Shows and game streams: twitch.tv/robotsradio BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/robotsradio.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@robots_radio Send me a note! Email: robotsnetwork@gmail.com Our Sponsors: * Check out Quince and use my code quince.com/ringslore for a great deal: https://www.quince.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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