Re: All the way to Mount Doom. Frodo and Sam work their way along with Smeagol

[ket_the_jet]

that could be an interesting option....

Actually, there is a slight problem. Playing Smeagol via You Must Help Us would not remove the burden. You can just pack a few extra copies of Smeagol, though, which could help by healing Smeagol or allowing you to play him (after being discarded, of course) to remove a burden companion.

With the Shire Countryside, I think there is enough healing to play 3 copies of Smeagol in addition to the one in your starting fellowship at the cost of two You Must Help Us and one Don't Look at Them.
-wtk

Edit: I'd replace one Gollum, Stinker with We Must Have It.