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. Meanwhile, And Smaug the possessive is finally revealed.

We also discuss:

• Our Hobbit Fact: The Lonely Mountain is a…


• Thorin’s continued lack of a plan


• Tolkien’s precise definition of dwarves–exactly what we’ve been looking for for a long time!


• The dwarves’ not-so-complicated relationship with heroism and treasure


• The intoxicating allure of Smaug’s hoard and its effect on dwarves… AND hobbits

In our extended episode (available for our members), we dive deeper into:

• How much treasure did Smaug really have? Did Peter Jackson get it right?


• The dragon debate over two legs or four, and how Peter Jackson changed his mind (for the better?)


• We examine Tolkien’s depiction of smaug (linked below) in detail.

Here are the images we discussed in this episode:

• Mt Rainier


• The Lonely Mountain – Tolkien


• Conversation with Smaug – Tolkien


• Peter Jackson’s 2 Legged Smaug


• Dragonheart’s 4 Legged Dragon

If you’d like to hear the extended conversation and join upcoming live chats, become a member today (free for the first month)!

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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