Gollum and Eagles: Deux ex machina?

[Celuien]

Agree with you about the Orcs, lmp. Shagrat and Gorbag do seem far more than beasts. Maybe the non-sentient Orcs of Myths Transformed (something I have yet to read) are a later modification. Heren Istarion's article does an excellent job attempting to reconcile the differences, I think.

Back to Deux ex Machina...

Adding that Gollum is too integral to the story as a character to fit the definition. His death and simultaneous destruction of the Ring fit with the tale. It feels natural, almost, for the character that became so consumed by the Ring to fall with it in the end, both figuratively and literally.

As for the Eagles, their appearance is more troublesome. Although if taken in context with The Hobbit, not enirely unexpected. The birds seem to have a penchant for appearing out of nowhere and saving the day.

Throwing out some more ideas, how about Tom Bombadil as an example? Granted, he isn't at the end of the book but his only appearance is in the Old Forest to save the hobbits from the clutches of Old Man Willow/The Barrow-Wight. His arrival is certainly unexpected, then he vanishes from the plot forever, other than a few references.

EDIT: just perused the old thread and saw that the Tom Bombadil = deus ex machina idea was previously put forth by none other than The Saucepan Man. Interesting...