136. The Lowest IQ Elves of Middle-earth? – The Hobbit #23
Exploring Tolkien29 Huhti 2025

136. The Lowest IQ Elves of Middle-earth? – The Hobbit #23

In this very special episode, we reveal the exact barrel music sung in Thranduil’s halls as the dwarves were tossed into the river! 😉 Then, we get into the details of barrel physics, the river, and why there might be “raft-elves”.

Make sure to become a member to listen to the full versions of the barrel song!

We also look at:

  • Is Thranduil a direct stand-in for Thingol?
  • Lots of elves live in caves…
  • Tolkien’s beautiful watercolor paintings inspired by this chapter.
  • The parallels between the Dwarves song and the Barrel song.
  • Why being saved by giant eagles is more believable than surviving a barrel rapid-ride from The Hobbit films.

In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about:

  • Peter Jackson’s slapstick barrels out of bond scene in The Hobbit film.
  • Why suspense matters–and Tolkien’s was wonderful in The Hobbit.
  • Do we have any confidence in someone building a Lord of the Rings attraction?
  • Lord of the Rings online portrays Thranduil’s halls wonderfully.
  • 3 full versions of the elves barrel song!

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

Jaksot(162)

33. Sauron’s Great Entrance – The Ruin of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 22

33. Sauron’s Great Entrance – The Ruin of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 22

Sauron makes his big entrance into Middle-earth in this chapter, and does some serious damage to the elves and men. But Morgoth still seems to underestimate his foes. Join Michael, Dan, and I as we re...

17 Tammi 20230s

32. There is a Tempest in Him – The Fall of Fingolfin – The Silmarillion – 21

32. There is a Tempest in Him – The Fall of Fingolfin – The Silmarillion – 21

We delve into the first half of Chapter 18, “Of the Ruin of Beleriand and Fall of Fingolfin”, taking a long look at this valiant elf’s hopeless assault on Morgoth–an elf who ACTUALLY HAS A TEMPEST IN ...

10 Tammi 20230s

31. Middle-earth’s Actual Strong Woman – Of the Coming of Men, Part 2 – The Silmarillion – 20

31. Middle-earth’s Actual Strong Woman – Of the Coming of Men, Part 2 – The Silmarillion – 20

Who is the REAL “strong” woman in Tolkien’s Middle-earth? Why do men fear elves? Death really weirds-out the elves… and why we measure our lives in milestones, and elves do not! Join Jonathan, Michael...

3 Tammi 20230s

30. Noel, a Christmas Poem, by J.R.R. Tolkien

30. Noel, a Christmas Poem, by J.R.R. Tolkien

This poem, titled “Noel”, was written by J.R.R. Tolkien before The Hobbit was published, and only just discovered in 2013 in a 1936 copy of The Annual of Our Lady’s School (a school magazine). The bea...

27 Joulu 20220s

29. When Elves met Men – Of the Coming of Men, Part 1 – The Silmarillion – 19

29. When Elves met Men – Of the Coming of Men, Part 1 – The Silmarillion – 19

Do elves regard men as enemies? Foes? Invaders? How did the elves treat men the first time they met them? Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they look at how the Noldor (surprisingly) treated men VERY...

20 Joulu 20220s

28. Tolkien’s Disney Princess!? – Of Maeglin – The Silmarillion – 18

28. Tolkien’s Disney Princess!? – Of Maeglin – The Silmarillion – 18

Dan’s Big Thought is a little TOO controversial… a Disney princess!? And of course we meet the Dark Elf, Eöl — even though, as we find out, his name is not the first time Tolkien uses the capital “D” ...

13 Joulu 20220s

27. He’s an Angry Elf | Of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 17

27. He’s an Angry Elf | Of the Noldor – The Silmarillion – 17

As Turgon builds the city of Gondolin in secret, the bitter seeds of distrust between the Noldor and the Sindar find fertile ground, for Melian warns Thingol, “Their swords and their counsels shall ha...

6 Joulu 20220s

26. This Map is HELL – Of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 16

26. This Map is HELL – Of Beleriand – The Silmarillion – 16

Location and placement were incredibly important to Tolkien–so important that an entire chapter of The Silmarillion is dedicated to who is where! While it can definitely feel like a geography lesson, ...

29 Marras 20220s

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

uutiscast
aikalisa
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
politiikan-puskaradio
tervo-halme
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-podme-livebox
rss-asiastudio
otetaan-yhdet
viisupodi
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
rikosmyytit
the-ulkopolitist
rss-tasta-on-kyse-ivan-puopolo-verkkouutiset
aihe
radio-antro
rss-hyvaa-huomenta-bryssel
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-girls-finish-f1rst