144. Never Laugh at Live Dragons – The Hobbit #29

144. Never Laugh at Live Dragons – The Hobbit #29

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:

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

Jaksot(159)

140. Into the Mountain’s Throat – The Hobbit #27

140. Into the Mountain’s Throat – The Hobbit #27

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....

24 Kesä 20250s

139. The Problem with Thorin – The Hobbit #26

139. The Problem with Thorin – The Hobbit #26

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 ...

10 Kesä 202546min

138. What Tolkien Really Thinks About Politicians – The Hobbit #25

138. What Tolkien Really Thinks About Politicians – The Hobbit #25

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 ...

27 Touko 202543min

137. Do the elves have ANYTHING valuable to trade? – The Hobbit #24

137. Do the elves have ANYTHING valuable to trade? – The Hobbit #24

Were back looking at the first half of Chapter 10, “A Warm Welcome.” In this episode, we discuss the arrival of Bilbo and the dwarves at Laketown (check out Tolkien’s drawing), how this chapter leans ...

13 Touko 20250s

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

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 ...

29 Huhti 202544min

135. The Greedy and Petty Elves of Mirkwood – The Hobbit #22

135. The Greedy and Petty Elves of Mirkwood – The Hobbit #22

Bilbo fully embraces his role as hero and finds a way to save the dwarves — but not before we find out how the Elvenking distrusts the dwarves while comparing himself to the great wealthy kings of old...

15 Huhti 202546min

134. When Bilbo Became the Hero – The Hobbit #21

134. When Bilbo Became the Hero – The Hobbit #21

Bilbo is the only one left to save the dwarves–and to his own surprise, he’s up to the task! This week we also look at: Bilbo’s moment of transformation into the hero of the story. The size of these ...

1 Huhti 20251h

133. Ainulindalë – A Reading in JRR Tolkien’s Voice

133. Ainulindalë – A Reading in JRR Tolkien’s Voice

JRR Tolkien’s voice was, well, unique.  He was notably hard to understand (his students regularly complained that his classes were difficult because they simply couldn’t understand him), and even the ...

18 Maalis 20250s

Suosittua kategoriassa Politiikka ja uutiset

aikalisa
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
tervo-halme
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
politiikan-puskaradio
rss-podme-livebox
et-sa-noin-voi-sanoo-esittaa
otetaan-yhdet
rss-asiastudio
rikosmyytit
viisupodi
rss-vaalirankkurit-podcast
rss-mina-ukkola
the-ulkopolitist
radio-antro
io-techin-tekniikkapodcast
popcorn-with-esko
rss-polikulaari-humanisti-vastaa-ja-muut-ts-podcastit
rss-merja-mahkan-rahat
rss-50100-podcast