The Lord Of The Rings: 8 Confusing Plot Holes The Movies Never Explained
7. Why Does Frodo See Sauron When Wearing The Ring But Bilbo Doesnt?
When Bilbo first wears the ring in An Unexpected Journey and the horror draped landscape Frodo endured was replaced by a greyed out ghosting everyone was pretty accepting of it; Sauron is still busy Necromancing around Mirkwood and is far from full power. By the time Fellowship Of The Ring kicks off, however, he is, hence Frodos experience. What level of awareness Sauron and the Nazgul have of the rings location and use is strongly up to contention. Sauron clearly couldnt see the wearer every time the wearer saw him (Sauron is definitely aware Frodo twice, at Amon Hen and Mount Doom, but all other times its not made clear) and the Ringwraiths only knew its location when it was being worn (hence Gollums torture). As this, like many of Middle Earths magical elements, isnt determined I cant really discuss what the evildoers see. What can be looked at is the effect from the ringbearers side. Judging by his jovial treating of the One Ring at his birthday, Bilbo never sees the Eye of Sauron, something Frodo certainly does mere weeks (or years, depending if you're in Tolkien or Jacksons tale) later. As it's never mentioned again, I guess it's just another element of the ring of (plot convenient) power.
