146. Smaug’s Hydrophobia – The Hobbit #31

146. Smaug’s Hydrophobia – The Hobbit #31

You’d think the death of the dragon is is the climax of The Hobbit… right? In this chapter, Tolkien gives us action, destruction, and the rise of a new unlikely hero. We look at Bard’s big moment, the politics of Laketown in crisis, and what Tolkien’s original idea for Smaug’s demise actually entailed. , we geek out on Hobbit facts, Tolkien’s fondness for enchanted gems, and the curious significance of talking birds.

We also look at:

  • How Bard came out of nowhere, and whether the films were right to introduce him sooner
  • All those talking birds!
  • Smaug’s hydrophobia
  • Why the old black arrow is the best arrow–and why might it be black?
  • Tolkien’s love for alliteration, and the details that make this chapter so satisfying
  • How the Elvenking is more like the elves of Middle-earth now.

In our extended episode (available for our members), we discuss:

  • Comments and feedback from our listeners on the Arkenstone
  • How Tolkien’s distinction between magic and enchantment shapes the whole story

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

Avsnitt(165)

108. What Went Wrong with Tolkien’s 1960 Hobbit Rewrite : The Hobbit #4

108. What Went Wrong with Tolkien’s 1960 Hobbit Rewrite : The Hobbit #4

Join our Free Discord Channel! When Tolkien set out to rewrite The Hobbit in 1960, much was lost, but much was gained… Do the gains outweigh the losses? We review his rewritten 1st chapter of The Hobb...

23 Juli 20241h 1min

107. How the Baggins Side of Bilbo Lost : The Hobbit #3

107. How the Baggins Side of Bilbo Lost : The Hobbit #3

Join our Free Discord Channel! Bilbo loses the comfort of his home and finds that the Tookish side of his mind is starting to overcome the Baggins side We discuss: * The three things that pushed Bilbo...

16 Juli 202453min

106. The Hobbit was NOT Originally in Middle-earth : The Hobbit #2

106. The Hobbit was NOT Originally in Middle-earth : The Hobbit #2

Join our Free Discord Channel! As we get into the first chapter of The Hobbit, we discuss how coming at The Hobbit from a how does this fit into the Middle-earth cosmology perspective is probably not ...

9 Juli 202455min

105. Tolkien Changed The Hobbit Twice : The Hobbit #1

105. Tolkien Changed The Hobbit Twice : The Hobbit #1

Join our Free Discord Channel! This week we begin our read through of The Hobbit–but we’re focusing first on how Tolkien actually evolved the Hobbit from his first edition in 1937 to a revised edition...

25 Juni 202449min

104. The REAL War of the Rohirrim, According to Tolkien

104. The REAL War of the Rohirrim, According to Tolkien

Join our Free Discord Channel! You know that the film The War of the Rohirrim will be released later this year, right?  Well, here is Tolkien’s story of Helm Hammerhand, as HE told it.  Michael and Jo...

18 Juni 202450min

103. Tom Bombadil, The Hunt for Gollum, and Viggo Mortensen are Back… and so is Dan!

103. Tom Bombadil, The Hunt for Gollum, and Viggo Mortensen are Back… and so is Dan!

Join our Discord Channel! Join our Discord Community (for free)! 👉 https://discord.gg/fRATdAqEFr On what I just realized was our 2 year anniversary, we brought our original amigo, Dan Coats, back to ...

4 Juni 20240s

102. An Interview with Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry)  – 2003 Roundtable Interviews

102. An Interview with Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry) – 2003 Roundtable Interviews

Join our Discord Channel! Here’s one more episode in our series of interviews from the December 2, 2003 roundtable discussions (check them all out at https://www.theonering.com/interviews-with-the-cas...

29 Maj 202433min

101. Bree’s Dark Turn

101. Bree’s Dark Turn

Join our Discord Channel! The films brought us a dark and evil Bree — but Tolkien calls it “friendly” and “familiar”! And Barliman Butterbur has a simple cameo. And then nearly the entire “Strider” ch...

21 Maj 202446min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

aftonbladet-krim
svenska-fall
rss-krimstad
p3-krim
spar
aftonbladet-daily
flashback-forever
rss-sanning-konsekvens
politiken
rss-krimreportrarna
motiv
blenda-2
rss-flodet
rss-frandfors-horna
grans
rss-vad-fan-hande
rss-aftonbladet-krim
dagens-eko
svd-ledarredaktionen
olyckan-inifran