Sadly in this one, Gimli and Legolas barely spoke a word. Sam became so brave and I finally recalled why I liked hime so. Frodo on the other hand is not a character to be loved (and Bilbao in the hobbit is more adorable, a bit like Pippin and Merry).
The first time I watched, I liked Sam best. The second time I watched I preferred the non-hobbits in the fellowship. Before I watched the extended version, I didn't know a movie could be so long.