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. 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
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🔍 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

Episoder(159)

132. Evil or Elves or Both… Terror in Mirkwood : The Hobbit #20

132. Evil or Elves or Both… Terror in Mirkwood : The Hobbit #20

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131. The Weirdest Chapter in Middle-earth (with dancing bears!?) : The Hobbit #19

131. The Weirdest Chapter in Middle-earth (with dancing bears!?) : The Hobbit #19

With talking animals, animals serving food and dancing bears, this may just be the oddest chapter in all of Middle-earth! It kinda feels like it just doesn’t fit. We explore why the animals walk and t...

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130. Where did Beorn Originate (and what was Tolkien’s inspiration)? : The Hobbit #18

130. Where did Beorn Originate (and what was Tolkien’s inspiration)? : The Hobbit #18

Bilbo, Gandalf, and the dwarves are dropped off on the Carrock, and find themselves in the company of a man (so-to-speak) who rather doesn’t like dwarves–but who loves a good story! This week we look ...

4 Feb 20250s

129. Tolkien Loved Eagles (too much?) : The Hobbit #17

129. Tolkien Loved Eagles (too much?) : The Hobbit #17

Stuck in trees with fire at their heels, the company find themselves surround by intelligent wolves and taunting orcs… but the eagles notice the commotion and decide to save Gandalf and his friends. T...

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A Song of Ice and Fire

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Life took an unexpected turn this week with the fires in southern California.

15 Jan 20250s

128. A Courageous Hobbit and Disloyal Dwarves : The Hobbit #16

128. A Courageous Hobbit and Disloyal Dwarves : The Hobbit #16

Bilbo makes it out of the Misty Mountains with more courage than ever before, while the dwarves prove their disloyalty.  This is the chapter where Bilbo finally comes into his own as a Burglar–he’s be...

7 Jan 202540min

Revisiting Tolkien’s Lost ‘Noel’ Poem

Revisiting Tolkien’s Lost ‘Noel’ Poem

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! In 2013, Tolkien scholars Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull ...

25 Des 20240s

127.  Where War of the Rohirrim went Wrong – In Depth Review

127. Where War of the Rohirrim went Wrong – In Depth Review

We all had high hopes when War of the Rohirrim was announced a few years ago–particularly since it was attached to Philippa Boyen, screenwriter of the original trilogy. So, Michael and I went out this...

24 Des 20241h 9min

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