41. Why Tolkien is Great – with John Carswell from The Tolkien Road

Smaug is gone, so the Bilbo and the dwarves… just sit there?!  For a couple of days they do–and eventually they reach the treasures.  Bilbo, though, makes a choice to REALLY become the burglar when he sees the Arkenstone. We explore: The deep lore connection between the Arkenstone and the Silmarils. Bilbo’s big “burglar” moment—what are the moral implications of his decision to pocket the Arkenstone? How getting a glimpse of treasure suddenly fills the dwarves with unexpected courage (or maybe just classic dwarvish greed). Why Tolkien’s details about mithril, ancient armor, enchanted harps, and precious gems make Middle Earth feel so real. All the little moments and missed opportunities in Peter Jackson’s movie adaptation—what did the films completely mess up in this part of the story? In our extended episode (available for our members), we dive deeper into: Was the Arkenstone ever meant to be a Silmaril? We look deeper into Tolkien’s drafts and unique connections between Fëanors gems and the Dwarves greatest gem. If you’d like to hear the extended conversation and join upcoming live chats, become a member today (free for the first month)! 🔗 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

4 Syys 52min

Smaug is finally fully revealed! This week, we finish “Inside Information”, where Bilbo finally comes face-to-face with the unassessably wealthy dragon. We break down the wordplay Bilbo engages in as he denies Smaug his real name, Smaug’s memorable boasts, and how Bilbo manages to outwit Middle-earth’s greatest dragon (or maybe it’s just… luck?). We explore: Why names and riddles matter so much in Middle-earth (and how they protect Bilbo) How Tolkien redefined dragons for fantasy—leaving old fairy tale clichés behind The thrush’s “snail anvil,” Bilbo’s lucky break, and whether Tolkien’s worldbuilding is brilliant…or just a little too convenient Dwarven treasure: legendary loot or worldbuilding gold? In our extended episode (available for our members), we dive deeper into: The mystery of Erebor’s “most useless” door—and why it locks the party inside King Bladorthin: a video-game waiting to happen Tolkien video game adaptations: what works, what flops, and our dream Middle-earth game The famous Samwise monologue in Peter Jackson’s films—does it live up to Tolkien’s original? Here are the images we discussed in this episode: Mt Rainier The Lonely Mountain – Tolkien Conversation with Smaug – Tolkien Peter Jackson’s 2 Legged Smaug Dragonheart’s 4 Legged Dragon If you’d like to hear the extended conversation and join upcoming live chats, become a member today (free for the first month)! 🔗 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

19 Elo 0s

The new game, Tales of the Shire was released last month after numerous delays… so, I took a bullet for the team and bought the game.  I livestreamed playing the game for the very first time earlier this week–and it was everything I thought it would be! Here’s the YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/HsU4yfM4g7U I review the game early in the review… but you can listen to the whole thing as “enjoy” this new experience after that. Make sure to become a member and join us for our monthly chats (membership is free for the first month)! 🔗 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

7 Elo 0s

Bilbo finally becomes a real burglar in this chapter, venturing alone into the heart of the Lonely Mountain as Thorin and company are once again exposed for the unprepared adventurers they are. Meanwhile, And Smaug the possessive is finally revealed. We also discuss: Our Hobbit Fact: The Lonely Mountain is a… Thorin’s continued lack of a plan Tolkien’s precise definition of dwarves–exactly what we’ve been looking for for a long time! The dwarves’ not-so-complicated relationship with heroism and treasure The intoxicating allure of Smaug’s hoard and its effect on dwarves… AND hobbits In our extended episode (available for our members), we dive deeper into: How much treasure did Smaug really have? Did Peter Jackson get it right? The dragon debate over two legs or four, and how Peter Jackson changed his mind (for the better?) We examine Tolkien’s depiction of smaug (linked below) in detail. Here are the images we discussed in this episode: Mt Rainier The Lonely Mountain – Tolkien Conversation with Smaug – Tolkien Peter Jackson’s 2 Legged Smaug Dragonheart’s 4 Legged Dragon If you’d like to hear the extended conversation and join upcoming live chats, become a member today (free for the first month)! 🔗 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

22 Heinä 0s

Here’s the next episode in our series of interviews from the December 2, 2003 roundtable discussions! In this interview–just before The Return of the King was released–Elijah wood reflects on the journey of becoming Frodo Baggins. From long days on set in New Zealand to forging real friendships with his castmates, he shares what made filming The Lord of the Rings so special—and why he’d happily do it all over again. He discusses: Four years of filmmaking and friendship The camaraderie at the heart of Middle-earth What Elijah learned about himself through Frodo Life as “Frodo” in the eyes of fans 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! BECOME A MEMBER! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, and  live chats. Click here! 🔗 Episode Links Submit a LOTR Film Change 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Google 🔍 If You Like Tolkien Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat The Silmarillion The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice!

11 Heinä 0s

Erebor’s secret door: clever storytelling or a bit too convenient? In this episode, we discuss one of The Hobbit’s quieter chapters, where Bilbo and the dwarves finally reach Erebor’s hidden entrance. We break down why the dwarves seem at a loss, how Bilbo’s perspective has shifted on the journey, and whether this chapter signals Tolkien’s move from fairy tale logic toward a more realistic fantasy world. We also look at: Why the thrush and its “snail anvil” are more than just a quirky detail What the dwarves’ lack of a plan says about their role in the story The line between chance events and plot devices in Tolkien’s writing Bilbo’s all-important homesick mindset In our extended episode (available for members), we talk about: How Tolkien’s view of dwarves changed over time—and what inspired it The first mentions of dwarves in Tolkien’s legendarium Warhammer armies, 3D printing, and tabletop gaming Answering listener questions from YouTube and Discord If you’d like to hear the extended conversation and join upcoming live chats, become a member today (free for the first month)! 🔗 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

24 Kesä 0s

As Thorin and company finally reach the Lonely Mountain, reality sets in—and it doesn’t smell so pleasant. We examine Tolkien’s skillful prose and worldbuilding as the company confront the desolation left by Smaug and realize they really have no plan–just the map they carry. We also look at: Why are the dwarves so quick to lose hope? Is Bilbo the real leader of this quest? How do Tolkien’s maps shape the story? Dragon desolation: does Smaug’s evil actually change the land? In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about: Our guilty pleasure reads—what fantasy and sci-fi books do we binge when we’re not in Middle Earth? 3D printing, wargaming, and hobbies we nerd out over when we’re not podcasting. 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! Images in Episode The Front Gate – Original The Front Gate – Colored The Lonely Mountain – Early Sketch The Lonely Mountain 🔗 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

10 Kesä 46min

Tolkien makes it pretty clear what he thinks about politicians in this chapter… While Thorin and company regain their royal swagger, the Master of Laketown plots to save his own skin and run them out of town. We also look at: Our 3 Year Anniversary! The men’s songs are a little too positive. Are the dwarves getting TOO confident? What happened to Bilbo?  Where’d he go in this part of the chapter? In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about: We talk about the last 3 years, our favorite episodes, and where we’re going next. What was the WORST change Peter Jackson made to Laketown in The Hobbit films? 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

27 Touko 43min