1. An Introduction to Window on the West

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 ...

19 Aug 20250s

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 t...

7 Aug 20250s

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. Meanwh...

22 Juli 20250s

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 jour...

11 Juli 20250s

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 Juni 20250s

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 Juni 202546min

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 Maj 202543min

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 Maj 20250s