After studying the works of Peter Jackson and George Lucas long and hard (erm, watching the films), it has come to my attention that there are some parallels between DARTH VADER, LORD OF THE SITH and Gollum, neighbourhood schizophrenic.

Force, ring, whatever!

Both were seduced by the lure of the dark side, and both effectively sacrificed themselves (a stretch with Gollum, I know!) to bring balance and peace.

Both suffered inner turmoil as they fought against the darkness which had enveloped them - Sméagol with Gollum and Anakin with Vader. I suppose the key difference is that Gollum, not Sméagol, brought peace through his lust for the ring whereas Anakin, and not Vader, returned balance to the force through the love of his children.

Ooh, ooh! Can I try?

Both had followers who ran the risk of copying their fates. Frodo knew this to be true, but attempted to believe he could bring Sméagol back from the darkness of Gollum. Luke thought the same of Anakin, but perhaps did not realise the Emperor's intentions to supplant Vader with him. In either case, the potential for history to repeat itself was removed by Anakin/Gollum breaking the cycle, redeeming their past actions in one fell swoop. Nice.

In short, Anakin and Sméagol are both tragic characters, falling foul to the lures of power and greed.