056 - Everybody’s Dead in “The Tower of Cirith Ungol”

This week we discuss book 6, chapter 1: The Tower of Cirith Ungol from "The Return of the King". We’re back with Sam, and somehow things in Mordor are going both much better and much worse than expected. Sam crosses into Mordor, discovers the orcs of Cirith Ungol have mostly murdered each other, battles haunted security statues, chases an orc up approximately ten thousand stairs, and finally finds Frodo alive at the top of the tower.We also dig into Sam’s temptation by the Ring, Frodo’s brutal reaction when Sam returns it, the mysterious Watchers, Gondor’s original purpose for Cirith Ungol, and why Tolkien’s descriptions of Mordor are so unbelievably good. Plus: Mordor farmers markets, Samwise the Strong fanfiction, filthy Tarks, raccoon-based military strategy, and a refreshing Mordor Sunrise.Conversation TopicsSam crosses the pass and finally enters MordorThe Ring tempts Sam with visions of becoming “Samwise the Strong”Gorbag and Shagrat’s orcs completely destroy each otherSam encounters the mysterious Watchers of Cirith UngolShagrat escapes with Frodo’s mithril coatSam finds and rescues Frodo at the top of the towerFrodo lashes out when Sam returns the RingThe history and original purpose of the Tower of Cirith UngolTolkien’s incredible descriptions of Mount Doom and MordorOrc language, “Tarks,” Snaga, and the chapter’s deeper lore00:00 Welcome to The Tower of Cirith Ungol and the beginning of Book Six03:50 Catching up with Frodo, Sam, Shelob, and the split timeline08:05 Sam crosses the pass and finally enters Mordor13:20 The Ring tempts Sam with visions of becoming “Samwise the Strong”18:06 Sam encounters the mysterious Watchers guarding the tower26:06 Sam chases Snaga through Cirith Ungol and up a ridiculous number of stairs34:55 Sam confronts Shagrat and gets hit with Frodo’s mithril coat41:01 Sam attacks Snaga and finally rescues Frodo44:50 The Ring turns Frodo against Sam in a heartbreaking moment50:54 Galadriel’s phial helps Frodo and Sam escape the Watchers56:51 Why Tolkien’s descriptions of Mount Doom and Mordor are so effective1:02:50 The Gondorian origins and original purpose of the Tower of Cirith Ungol1:18:44 “Filthy Tarks,” Snaga, and the meaning behind Tolkien’s Orc language1:26:51 Food for Thought Today's "Food for Thought": Mordor Sunrise Cocktails (with Watcher garnish)This felt like a great chapter to show off a cocktail introduced to me by my friends Mark and Vicki. 2 parts vodka2 parts cranberry juice1 part Amarettofresh-squeezed orange juice to tasteThis can be served shaken with ice, or over ice. I chose over ice so that my toothpick garnishes would have something to rest on. The garnishes are a 3-headed peep to represent the vulture heads of the Watchers. I simply snipped off the heads of 2 peeps and stuck them onto a whole peep, then skewered it with a toothpick. Cheers! ----------------------------------------------------Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed todays episode, give us a like and subscribe and share this video with someone who likes The Lord of the Rings. Content Warning: ExplicitSupport the pod on Youtube! @FoolofaTookPodcast Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/foolofatookpodcast/)TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@foolofatookpodcast) Original music for the show composed by Chris NewhardGot a question? Email us Foolofatookpodcast@gmail.comFollow the fools on IG:Chris (https://www.instagram.com/chrisnewhard)Robbie Jean (https://www.instagram.com/robbiejean815)Pat (https://www.instagram.com/rolling.seas2023)Laura (https://www.instagram.com/kennylaura525)Listen on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fool-of-a-took-podcast/id1770780731)Listen on Spotify Link (https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3myYq2eUbKMMtiV7qAl7)