Exploring Tolkien
Politikk og nyheterExploring Tolkien is a weekly show that dives deep into JRR Tolkien and all the ages of Middle-earth. Jonathan Watson and Michael Grumbine are your hosts as they read through Tolkien’s works, interview other Tolkien enthusiasts and authors, and critically examine how Tolkien’s world is being treated by mega-corporations like Amazon.com and Warner Bros.
Siste episoder av Exploring Tolkien podcast
- 140. Into the Mountain’s Throat – The Hobbit #27 (00:00:00)
In this episode, we discuss one of The Hobbit’s quieter chapters, where Bilbo and the dwarves finally reach Erebor’s hidden entrance.
- 139. The Problem with Thorin – The Hobbit #26 (00:46:15)
As Thorin and company finally reach the Lonely Mountain, reality sets in—and it doesn’t smell so pleasant.
- 138. What Tolkien Really Thinks About Politicians – The Hobbit #25 (00:43:16)
Tolkien makes it pretty clear what he thinks about politicians in this chapter.
- 137. Do the elves have ANYTHING valuable to trade? – The Hobbit #24 (00:00:00)
Bilbo and the barrel-sealed dwarves make it to Laketown--with most of them barely alive!
- 136. The Lowest IQ Elves of Middle-earth? – The Hobbit #23 (00:44:21)
In this very special episode, we reveal the exact barrel music sung in Thranduil's halls as the dwarves were tossed into the river!
- 135. The Greedy and Petty Elves of Mirkwood – The Hobbit #22 (00:46:37)
Bilbo fully embraces his role as hero and finds a way to save the dwarves.
- 134. When Bilbo Became the Hero – The Hobbit #21 (01:00:08)
Bilbo is the only one left to save the dwarves--and to his own surprise, he's up to the task!
- 133. Ainulindalë – A Reading in JRR Tolkien’s Voice (00:00:00)
Here is an approximation of Tolkien's voice reading Ainulindalë from The Silmarillion that we put together including some of his idiosyncratic pauses and speech patterns.
- 132. Evil or Elves or Both… Terror in Mirkwood : The Hobbit #20 (00:54:05)
In this first half of chapter 8 of the hobbit--Flies and Spiders--Jonathan and Michael discuss the evil enchantment of Mirkwood, and if the elves might have a small part in it.
- 131. The Weirdest Chapter in Middle-earth (with dancing bears!?) : The Hobbit #19 (01:04:27)
With talking animals, animals serving food and dancing bears, this may just be the oddest chapter in all of Middle-earth!
- 130. Where did Beorn Originate (and what was Tolkien’s inspiration)? : The Hobbit #18 (00:00:00)
Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves are dropped off on the Carrock, and find themselves in the company of a man who rather doesn't like dwarves--but who loves a good story!
- 129. Tolkien Loved Eagles (too much?) : The Hobbit #17 (00:52:22)
Stuck in trees with fire at their heels, the company find themselves surround by intelligent wolves and taunting orcs.
- A Song of Ice and Fire (00:00:00)
Life took an unexpected turn this week with the fires in Southern California this week.
- 128. A Courageous Hobbit and Disloyal Dwarves : The Hobbit #16 (00:40:35)
Bilbo makes it out of the Misty Mountains with more courage than ever before, while the dwarves prove their disloyalty.
- Revisiting Tolkien’s Lost ‘Noel’ Poem (00:00:00)
This poem, Noel, was written by J.R.R. Tolkien before The Hobbit was published, and only just discovered in 2013. Here’s how that happened!
- 127. Where War of the Rohirrim went Wrong – In Depth Review (01:09:38)
We all had high hopes when War of the Rohirrim was announced a few years ago. Are those hopes realized in this anime Lord of the Rings film?
- 126. Why Did Tolkien Change The Hobbit (and what did he change)? : The Hobbit #15 (00:00:00)
Once Tolkien finished writing The Lord of the Rings, it became clear to him that The Hobbit needed to change--particularly Bilbo and Gollum's interaction. But what exactly did he change?
- 125. Bilbo Trembled and Found Pity : The Hobbit #14 (00:00:00)
The 2nd half of "Riddles in the Dark" is the most rewritten part of The Hobbit in the 1951 rewrite! And it's where Bilbo takes a giant leap (so to speak) into the future of his adventure.
- 124. Miserable Riddles in the Dark : The Hobbit #13 (00:51:44)
"Riddles in the Dark" is not only the most memorable event from all of Middle-earth -- it's also the turning point that ultimately let to The Lord of the Rings.
- 123. Nightmare in Moria : The Hobbit #12 (00:46:51)
The goblins of moria grab the dwarves (and hobbit) who decided to camp out on their "front porch", leading to some real terrifying moments!
- 122. The Real Misty Mountains : The Hobbit #11 (00:00:00)
The first part of Chapter 4, Over Hill and Under Hill, is unique for it's direct correlation with Tolkien's own past. We discuss: Tolkien's hiking experience and how it influenced this section of The Hobbit VERY obviously. Stone Giants... are they even necessary or part of Middle-earth? And what ARE they? What's the significance of Bilbo's dream? In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about: What we would change if Tolkien had continued with his rewrite. What are the differences between goblins and orcs? Is there a difference? And when did Tolkien stop using the word "goblin" altogether? Here are the pics to go along with today's episode! Rivendell Roof in Switzerland Jungfrau Mountain from Tolkien's 1912 Switzerland Hiking Trip BECOME A MEMBER! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, and live chats. You can also join for on Patreon! 🔗 Episode Links The History of The Hobbit The Annotated Hobbit Join our Discord Community (for free) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The History of The Hobbit The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat
- 121. Tolkien Gave Up on Fixing The Hobbit : The Hobbit #10 (00:45:24)
When Tolkien attempted to rewrite the Hobbit in 1960, he just gave up halfway through Chapter 3. In this episode we look at: Changes in time and distance Changes in Prose and style Why he gave up His detailed notes on timeline and itinerary that outlined his changes to The Hobbit In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about: What are the least Lord of the Rings/Middle-earth type events in The Hobbit that Tolkien would likely have changed. Here are the pics to go along with today's Hobbit Fact about the Hildebrandt brothers! An Unexpected Party The Fellowship of the Ring The Return of Gandalf Éowyn and the Nazgûl City of the Nazgûl The Healing of Éowyn Shannara Star Wars BECOME A MEMBER! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, and live chats. You can also join for on Patreon! 🔗 Episode Links The History of The Hobbit The Annotated Hobbit Join our Discord Community (for free) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The History of The Hobbit The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat
- 120. Where the Children’s Story Ends and the Epic Story Begins : The Hobbit #9 (00:42:58)
In the second half of Chapter 3, A Short Rest, Tolkien seems to start a shift from a children's story to more of an epic quest.
- 119. The Rings of Power Leaves us with Dwarf Politics and Randomly Shouting Elves (02:08:10)
The final episode of The Rings of Power (season 2) wraps up by revealing Dwarf politics, Númenorean politics,
- 118. Yes. Elrond kissed Galadriel. (02:15:33)
The Rings of Power abandons all lore to satisfy their dumbest desires.