Exploring Tolkien

Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exclusives! As season 3 of the Rings of Power approaches just a few weeks. I hope you enjoy this retrospective look at season one that we first published on April Fool’s day… where Michael and I decided to look back at our favorite scenes, favorite characters, and favorite quotes from our favorite television show! Join us as we rediscover all those times this show took our breath away with it’s ability to weave expertly crafted scenes into a holistic story where almost award-winnning actors perfectly portrayed characters Tolkien should have written. We talk about Our favorite characters Our favorite scenes Quotes from the show that took our breath away! In our extended episode (available for members who’ve downloaded the Exploring Tolkien app and at https://theonering.com/members), we discuss how Tom Bombadil will become a new (and better) part of Middle-earth through The Rings of Power! BECOME A MEMBER! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, and live chats. Join for free for 1 month or subscribe on Patreon! 🔗 Episode Links Get the Exploring Tolkien App! The Children of Húrin The Story of Kullervo The Silmarillion Unfinished Tales 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Get the Exploring Tolkien App Get the Extended Podcast 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Húrin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat   As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exclusives! In this episode (a replay of an episode from 2024) we discuss that  renowned Tolkien scholars Christina Scull and Wayne Hammond published a new book with NEW content by Tolkien–The Collected Poems of JRR Tolkien. I take a look at their announcement, highlighting some of the details they mentioned. I also take a bit of time to discuss therevised and expanded version of Tolkien’s letters. In our extended episode (available for members who’ve downloaded the Exploring Tolkien app and at https://www.theonering.com/members), we get into: An old Tolkien commentary published in 1969! Why I have a couple of “Middle-earth for Dummies”! Why the Tolkien Estate threatened us legally in 2005! 🔗 Episode Links Get the Exploring Tolkien App! The Children of Húrin The Story of Kullervo The Silmarillion Unfinished Tales 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Get the Exploring Tolkien App Get the Extended Podcast 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Húrin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exclusives! This week, we look at the second half of The Children of Húrin Chapter 6 and discuss the manifestation of Morgoth’s curse. We discuss Morgoth’s shadow… this “mist” that operates curiously like the One Ring, weaponizing Túrin’s pride against him right when he has the chance to accept grace and redemption. We also look at: Why Beleg is the only messenger to keep searching for Túrin when all others gave up, and the true power of his friendship. The moment Túrin realizes his own pride and shortcomings… and does nothing about it. The points where Tolkien  reveals Morgoth’s shadow taking over Túrin right when he is about to repent. How Túrin’s own pride creates the open wound that Morgoth’s curse infects and manipulates. In our extended episode (available for members who’ve downloaded the Exploring Tolkien app and at https://www.theonering.com/members), we get into: The Rings of Power rumor that Sauron needs a Balrog to forge the One Ring completely misunderstands Tolkien’s lore and the true nature of Balrogs. 🔗 Episode Links Get the Exploring Tolkien App! The Children of Húrin The Story of Kullervo The Silmarillion Unfinished Tales 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Get the Exploring Tolkien App Get the Extended Podcast 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Húrin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exclusives! Túrin Turambar has officially abandoned the protection of Doriath, choosing instead to live as an outlaw among murderers and cutthroats. In our breakdown of the first part of Chapter 6 of The Children of Húrin, we explore Túrin’s tragic descent into darkness, his absolute refusal to live under anyone else’s law, and how a deadly “accident” turns him into the captain of the Wolf-Men. We also look at: How Túrin’s slaying of Forwëg perfectly mirrors the tragedy of Saeros in Doriath. Ú The fascinating real-world Anglo-Saxon history behind Tolkien’s “Wolf-Heads.” The exact moment in the lore where Tolkien paused writing The Silmarillion to start The Lord of the Rings. Túrin’s Toll & Titles: Adding new names and fresh victims to our running tally! Plus, a quick “look” of the Rings of Power DVD release and great news about J.R.R. Tolkien’s favorite pub reopening. In our extended episode (available for members who’ve downloaded the Exploring Tolkien app and at https://www.theonering.com/members), we get into: Is Túrin good? We debate his morality and choices 🔗 Episode Links Get the Exploring Tolkien App! The Children of Húrin The Story of Kullervo The Silmarillion Unfinished Tales 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Get the Exploring Tolkien App Get the Extended Podcast 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Húrin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exclusives! In this episode, we explore an incredibly rare event in Tolkien’s legendarium: a formal Elven trial. We examine King Thingol’s judgment of Túrin after the death of Saeros, uncovering how law, evidence, and mercy operate in Doriath. We also look at: How Mablung’s testimony and Nellas’s surprise appearance shifted the king’s verdict. The evolution of Thingol’s character since his harsh treatment of Beren. Túrin’s growing list of titles and his first official toll. Why The Rings of Power repeating “the very” over 30 times highlights poor writing. In our extended episode (available for members who’ve downloaded the Exploring Tolkien app and at https://www.theonering.com/members), we get into: User comments on Beleg’s sword choice Son of Mowen vs Son of Húrin Why writers like Damon Lindelof fundamentally misunderstand how to adapt source material — particularly when it comes to what fans ACTUALLY want. 🔗 Episode Links Get the Exploring Tolkien App! The Children of Húrin The Story of Kullervo The Silmarillion Unfinished Tales 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Get the Exploring Tolkien App Get the Extended Podcast 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Húrin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.