Episodes

** Use the code “GREAT” at https://shop.theonering.com to get $2 off anything! ** It’s hard to believe, but this week we finish “Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age”–the last chapter of The Silmarillion! We talk about the the truth and beauty of Middle-earth (and how we’re not connected to it), how Peter Jackson portrayed the battle between Gil-Galad, Elendil, and Sauron poorly, and Saruman’s mysterious visit to the east–after which he took up residence in Orthanc and started his evil turn....

Many of us endured Amazon’s Rings of Power show last year… and now we’ve finally reached that part of The Silmarillion. Of course, here we actually talk about the Rings more than they were featured in the show for those, erm, amazing 5 minutes. This week we take Michael to task for defending Amazon’s show, why the rings were so seductive to each race, and why do the green elves also long for Valinor? Then, join us in our extended episode where we discuss how the idea of Galadriel and Halbrand ...

Join us as we look back on one year of Exploring Tolkien! This week we talk why we love Tolkien so much, the path that brought us to be a part of this show, all the stats for the show… and most importantly, we ask each other our EXTREMELY personal TORC Inquisition questions 🙂 ! And join us in our extended episode where we discuss what our families think of us doing this show, if we’ve had any big debates, and we think we each resemble in Tolkien’s legendarium! To get the extended episode, beco...

With the release of the new Gollum game, we decided to take a deeper dive at this character–not his motivations or history, but what Tolkien specifically said about him in his letters. Tolkien indicates that the most moving scene in all of the Lord of the Rings was Gollum’s near repentance on the stairs of Cirith Ungol, as he looked on Frodo and Sam sleeping: “Gollum looked at them. A strange expression passed over his lean hungry face. The gleam faded from his eyes, and they went dim and grey...

Dan had an unexpected work trip this week (I forgive him ????), and we weren’t able to record our expected 1 year anniversary podcast, In lieu of that, here is last weeks livestream where we talked about Galadriel’s “life-changing” event in Rings of Power season 2, the Gollum game releasing May 25, 2023, the newly announced MMO game from Amazon, if we accept the reason for Legolas walking on snow, and more! You can also WATCH ON YOUTUBE! ——————————————- ⛰ The Fellowship ⛰ ——————————————- Jo...

It’s a little sad that we spent 34 episodes in the 1st age, but the 2nd age only gets 2 ????… We finish up the Akallabêth this week talking about religion in Númenor, if the Valar gave up governing Arda (and for how long), if men of Númenor are addicted to the light of Valinor, and if the Rings of Power got ANYTHING right! Join us in our extended episode where we discuss if chasing the idea of “freedom” simply leads to more evil, if Ar Pharazon thought Sauron was evil or just a rival, and how m...

Jonathan, Michael, and Dan reach the 2nd age of Middle-earth, and with it are compelled to bring up The Rings of Power–and, particularly, how they couldn’t even get right the perfectly clear reason Tolkien gave for the Númenorean downfall! Join us in our extended episode where we discuss why Elwing chose to be immortal “because of Luthien”, if Tolkien made parallels between the story of Earendil/Elwing and the tale of Aldarion and Erendis (from Unfinished Tales), and what’s up with Maedhros yee...

Michael, Dan, and Jonathan finish the first age of Middle-earth! We see the final destruction that Fēanor’s Silmarils wrought, how Ēarendil’s desperate hope drove him to Valinor, and determine that–no–Elrond and Elros are not ACTUALLY half-elven! Join us in our extended episode where we discuss why Elwing chose to be immortal “because of Luthien”, if Tolkien made parallels between the story of Earendil/Elwing and the tale of Aldarion and Erendis (from Unfinished Tales), and what’s up with Maedh...

Here’s a bonus podcast this week — our inaugural Fellowship Fridays Live discussion! Listen in as Michael Grumbine (from Exploring Tolkien), John Trent from Bounding into Comics, John Carswell From The Tolkien Road podcast, The MIddle-earth Mixer, and Steve Babb from Glass Hammer talk Tolkien, movies, games, Steven Spielberg and more! Hope you enjoy this extra episode! You can also WATCH ON YOUTUBE! ——————————————- ⛰ The Fellowship ⛰ ——————————————- Jonathan from @TheOneRingCom https://ww...

The last great stronghold of the elves falls to Morgoth, even though Ulmo has been right to warn them all along. This penultimate chapter of the Quenta Silmarillion sets the stage for the final battle against Morgoth and the remaking of the world! Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they discuss Ulmo’s influence, Turgon’s pride, Maeglin’s treachery, and the Tolkien’s rule on fighting Balrogs! We also make a special announcement… Livestreams are coming on Friday, April 28th! Join us in our exte...

Podcaster, Tweeter, and Tolkien fan, we chat with The Middle-earth Mixer about Tolkien, The Rings of Power, and where these upcoming new films from Warner Bros might be going: • How the movies were his gateway drug into Tolkien • That there might actually be some positive parts to The Rings of Power • Where Warner Bros. new movies might be going • Which of Tolkien’s stories SHOULD be made into a film And stick around for our extended podcast for our patrons (30 more minutes! Get at https://...

Morgoth’s curse over Hurin and the Curse of Mandos over the Noldor come join forces and end up destroying the the oldest elven kingdom from the inside out. When the Nauglamir and the Silmaril meet, all hell breaks loose: the dwarves make a move, Beren makes his return, and Fēanor’s sons strike in the aftermath. In this episode, Jonathan, Michael, and Dan discuss the power of curses (and why didn’t Morgoth just curse more people), how the Silmaril is actually kind of like the One Ring (and even ...

In this episode, we find the footsteps of doom overtaking Túrin–despite naming himself “Turambar” (Master of Doom). We take a little extra time to discuss who is more responsible for the doom that leads to the death of so many–Túrin or Morgoth? Should we blame Túrin for any of it? Or should we blame Morgoth’s curse spoken of Húrin? Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they discuss the rest of the story of Túrin! And, yes, we do dive into the extremely unexpected issue around the talking sword… D...

The tale of Túrin Turambar is one of the great stories of Middle-earth — Tolkien even mentions it in 1951 as a possible publication after finishing Lord of the Rings. But it’s COMPLETELY different… Túrin isn’t really a hero–he makes bad decisions and runs from them. He refuses forgiveness. He ignores wise advice. Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they discuss this tragic counterpoint to Beren and Luthién–a tale of woe, sorrow, grief, death, and not much of a happy ending. Don’t forget to join...

Dan, Michael, and I had a thorough, deep, and fun conversation with Austin Freeman, author of “Tolkien Dogmatics”. In our free podcast, we discuss: How Tolkien’s theology is shown in his works (and how it changed) What Tolkien thought about criticism How fantasy is actually a DEEPER look into our world, and not a rewrite What sub-creation actually is and isn’t Balrogs! Stick around for our extended podcast for our patrons (35 more minutes!) where we talk more about: Austin’s experiences i...

John Carswell has been producing The Tolkien Road podcast for almost 8 years– and he’s written two books! Jonathan and Michael dive into what John finds so compelling with Tolkien, his own road to finding more depth and meaning in Tolkien’s works, and what Warner Bros can do to make truly excellent films set in Middle-earth (hint: it has nothing to do with money or effects). Become a patron to check out our extended podcast where we ply John for Confessions from the Comfy Chair! SUPPORT THIS PO...

Bounding into Comics isn’t the usual starry-eyed, Hollywood-glorifying, news magazine–the site reports on culture and geek news, but doesn’t ever hesitate to call out the hypocrisy, double-standards, and cronyism seen in those coastal, gilded, navel-gazing circles. Michael and Jonathan had the pleasure of talking with John Trent, founder and editor-in-chief of Bounding into Comics! We dive into Tolkien in the past, Tolkien in the present (Rings of Power :(), and Tolkien in the Future (the new W...

Tolkien holds nothing back when the races of Middle-earth decide to take on Morgoth. There’s treachery, gore, rage, victory, defeat–pretty much what Game of Thrones tried to be. Join Jonathan and Michael as they discuss chapter 20 of The Silmarillion, “Of the Fith Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad”. This is probably one of the hardest chapters to figure out; it brings together many of the characters we’ve met, but in new circumstances and starts tying together storylines that will see a future payoff....

Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they close up the story dearest to Tolkien. Beren and Luthien’s tale isn’t just a love story, it’s the apex of events that sets the rest of the history of Middle-earth into motion. We also talk about Luthien’s feminine power, Morgoth’s Kaiju, and how–after reading this story deliberately and intently–we all like it better now! And join us in our extended podcast as we look at what Vin Diesel said about Tolkien, how some folks think “Tampering” with Tolkien is ...

Did you know that “some parts of the book have aged poorly because they are problematic and offensive in ways that went uncorrected at the time.” Michael, Dan, and I TEAR APART this article that claims Tolkien’s original writing has problems that just aren’t successful with Modern Audiences ™. It’s a ridiculous, vapid, and completely meritless claim that deserves to be drawn, quartered, and burned to a formless ash. Read the Article SUPPORT THIS PODCAST AND BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the e...

The story of Beren and Luthien takes a dark turn with death and cruelty, but also reveals a more fairy tale side with all the shape-shifting, magic, and a talking dog! Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they get deep into the 2nd part of Beren and Luthien’s story! Don’t forget to checkout our extended podcast by becoming a patron–it’s almost another 30 minutes of Tolkien talk and free for the first month! SUPPORT THIS PODCAST AND BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the extended edition of this podc...

The story of Beren and Luthien is the beating heart of Tolkien’s entire Middle-earth. It’s one of the first two stories he wrote (while serving in World War 1), and was directly inspired by moments he spent with his not-yet-wife, Edith. In this episode, we look deeply into what it must have been like for Beren to meet Thingol and Melian, question how much Beren valued the Silmarils (if at all), and discuss the value of oaths and whether Finrod’s oath was “good”. And don’t miss our AI-generated...

“Among the tales of sorrow and of ruin that come down to us from the darkness of those days there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow of death light that endures. And of these histories most fair still in the ears of the Elves is the tale of Beren and Lúthien. Of their lives was made the Lay of Leithian, Release from Bondage, which is the longest save one of the songs concerning the world of old; but here the tale is told in fewer words and without song.” SUPPOR...

Sauron makes his big entrance into Middle-earth in this chapter, and does some serious damage to the elves and men. But Morgoth still seems to underestimate his foes. Join Michael, Dan, and I as we read through the second part of chapter 18 of The Silmarillion! And stick around for our extended discussion on CS Lewis’s thoughts on The Two Towers and The Return of the King… SUPPORT THIS PODCAST AND BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, me...