Episodes

We delve into the first half of Chapter 18, “Of the Ruin of Beleriand and Fall of Fingolfin”, taking a long look at this valiant elf’s hopeless assault on Morgoth–an elf who ACTUALLY HAS A TEMPEST IN HIM, and not the dust devil in The Rings of Power’s Galadriel. Join us as we look at things like: Tolkien Gives us the end of the story at the beginning Fingolfin’s “Fire” Why are the eagles late? Morgoth is not unscathed–he’s scarred and limping! SUPPORT THIS PODCAST AND BECOME A PATRON! Get a...

Who is the REAL “strong” woman in Tolkien’s Middle-earth? Why do men fear elves? Death really weirds-out the elves… and why we measure our lives in milestones, and elves do not! Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they tackle the 2nd half of Chapter 17, of the Coming of Men into the West! SUPPORT THIS PODCAST AND BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, messageboards, and comments. Click here! Episode Links Stephen R Lawhead Website Taliesi...

This poem, titled “Noel”, was written by J.R.R. Tolkien before The Hobbit was published, and only just discovered in 2013 in a 1936 copy of The Annual of Our Lady’s School (a school magazine). The beautiful imagery Tolkien creates with his words resonates profoundly with the winter season’s cold and desolate landscape… but the heavens and earth are overwhelmed with joy by the eucatastrophe (as Tolkien would put it) of Christ’s birth. Episode Links Watch the Video on Youtube! SUPPORT THIS PODCAST...

Do elves regard men as enemies? Foes? Invaders? How did the elves treat men the first time they met them? Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they look at how the Noldor (surprisingly) treated men VERY differently than the Sindar. Find out about something new in our “All that is gold” this week… and see what happens with that Burger King toy! If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for another Tolkien fan, don’t forget to check out Tolkien’s wonderful Letters from Father Christmas! SUPPORT THIS...

Dan’s Big Thought is a little TOO controversial… a Disney princess!? And of course we meet the Dark Elf, Eöl — even though, as we find out, his name is not the first time Tolkien uses the capital “D” Dark Elf moniker! Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan in this discussion of Chapter 16, Of Maeglin. We talk about Rohan on steroids, a philologist’s greatest punishment, and why Michael has to eat crow. If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for another Tolkien fan, don’t forget to check out Tolkien’s...

As Turgon builds the city of Gondolin in secret, the bitter seeds of distrust between the Noldor and the Sindar find fertile ground, for Melian warns Thingol, “Their swords and their counsels shall have two edges.” Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan in this discussion of Chapter 15. They talk about Rohan on steroids, a philologist’s greatest punishment, and why Michael has to eat crow. If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for another Tolkien fan, don’t forget to check out Tolkien’s wonderful Le...

Location and placement were incredibly important to Tolkien–so important that an entire chapter of The Silmarillion is dedicated to who is where! While it can definitely feel like a geography lesson, hopefully our overview will help you remember just a little bit of it! If you’re looking for some great maps, check out our map page. And don’t miss “If You Like Tolkien”! We learn just how much Michael REALLY gets into the spirit of the season! SUPPORT THIS PODCAST AND BECOME A PATRON! Get access...

Tolkien sets out the pieces of Middle-earth’s chess board, putting the characters in their proper places before the doomsday of Fëanor’s unspoken realization bears down on all the players… and we get our first glimpse of a Middle-earth dragon! In episode 17 of Window on the West, Michael, Dan, and Jonathan discuss the last sections of Chapter 13, dive deep into some AI-generated art in All that is Gold, and enjoy a blast from the past with the Lord of the Rings board game. AI Art Links One ri...

With Chapter 13 of The Silmarillion, Tolkien tells us Of The Return of the Noldor, revealing that the houses of Feanor, Fingolfin, and Thingol are the ORIGINAL Game of Thrones! Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they discuss Chapter 13, try to figure out which quote is Tolkien’s (thanks to our patron Linnaelin!), and lament the loss of so many listeners who aren’t hearing our extended podcast! 🙂 SUPPORT THIS PODCAST AND BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our p...

************************** In “Of Men”, Tolkien gives us the first glimpse into Man-Elf relations–and it wasn’t all toxic at first (just incsrutable!). Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they talk Chapter 12 of The Silmarillion, and–as usual– again test their Tolkien aptitude with “All that is gold does not glitter” (thanks to our Patron, Naia!). SUPPORT THIS PODCAST AND BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, messageboards, and comments....

I had the pleasure of sitting with Steve Babb from the band Glass Hammer to talk The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power, and what it’s like to be a creator inspired by Tolkien. Glass Hammer kicked off their career in the 90s with their first album, “Journey of the Dunadan”, a concept album based around the story of Aragorn. Then, in 2000, they recorded “The Middle-earth Album”–think of it as a live album recorded during a performance at The Prancing Pony. And today, Steve is still creating m...

In “Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor”, Tolkien taps into a grander myth of Middle-earth and returns to the two trees of Valinor to explain how the sun and moon were made. Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they talk Chapter 11 of The Silmarillion, and once again test their Tolkien (and Rings of Power) aptitude with “All that is gold does not glitter”! SUPPORT THIS PODCAST AND BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, messageboar...

In our darkest dreams, we never imagined Amazon would change Tolkien’s work as dramatically as they did in The Rings of Power. In our final in-depth review, we discuss the stupidity of Celebrimbor, the Nazgirl (?) moments, and our prayer for a rapture before 2024! BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, messageboards, and comments! Click here! Subscribe to our Podcast Apple Google WindowontheWest.com If You Like Tolkien ???? The Silmarillio...

In our longest review yet, Jonathan, Michael, and Dan stand amazed at the volcano survivability rate in Middle-earth, stare bemused at Galadriels’ all new personality, sit frustrated at how the Harfoots apparently forgot their traditions, and collapse with frustration at the Mithril (aka Mithricillin) storyline being foisted on us. And there’s a leaf that delved too deep. BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, messageboards, and comments! ...

Jonathan, Michael, and Dan go in-depth on The Rings of Power Episode 6, “Udun”, and dive into questions like: Is Galadriel allowed to lecture us on humility? Do the Orcs OR the villagers actually have a strategy? Should they have recruited The Three Amigos? Would Arondir give you good psychological advice? BECOME A PATRON! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, messageboards, and comments! Click here! Subscribe to our Podcast Apple Google WindowontheWest.c...

In “Of the Sindar”, Tolkien returns to the OTHER elves–the ones who never left Middle-earth for Valinor. These elves created the fairest dwelling that has ever been east of the sea, worked with the Dwarves, and shielded themselves from Morgoth. Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they once again test their Tolkien aptitude with “All that is gold does not glitter”, and take a brief look back two decades to how media looked at fandom (the word “toxic” wasn’t automatically attached to it). SUPPORT...

The more we watch the show, the clearer it is that all the details don’t matter to The Rings of Power. Jonathan, Michael, and Dan discuss Episode 2 and Galadriel’s “I’m fine” face (????), Encino Man and the Harfoots, the made up Morgoth story, and how Elrond ghosted Durin. Become a Patron Join our private Discord chat, access our messageboard, and listen to our extended podcast! Become a PATRON Subscribe to our Podcast ???? Apple Google If You Like Tolkien ???? The Silmarillion The Atlas of...

Jonathan and Michael dive into a deeper discussion of Episode 1 of The Rings of Power, “A Shadow of the Past”. They look at how much of Tolkien’s work is in the show, if the show is standing up to the excellence Tolkien’s work demands, and where the show channels its inner Michael Scott :). Become a Patron Join our private Discord chat, access our messageboard, and listen to our extended podcast! Become a PATRON Subscribe to our Podcast ???? Apple Google If You Like Tolkien ???? The Silmari...

Jonathan, Michael, and Dan discuss why Tolkien is worth defending–and defending ardently. If Tolkien’s work is truly excellent, how much excellence should we demand from those sub-creating in his world? Subscribe to our Podcast Apple Google If You Like Tolkien ???? The Silmarillion The Atlas of Middle-earth The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien The Book of Lost Tales The Children of Hurin Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! Just become an Audible Premium Plus member, get your first month (and bo...

We tackle one of our favorite chapters in The Silmarillion: “Of the Flight of the Noldor”. Finally the ill choices of Fëanor are brought to bear as we watch the grievous opening to a long tale that inevitably leads to “unnumbered tears”. Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they continue to test their Tolkien aptitude with “All that is gold does not glitter”, and find out what might be Tolkien’s best book–outside of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit! Episode 12 Links The Children of Hurin Sub...

This week we dive right in and get deep into Ungoliant, what she does, who she might be, and how even Morgoth fears her. Episode 11 Links The Book of Lost Tales Subscribe to our Podcast Apple Google If You Like Tolkien ???? The Silmarillion The Atlas of Middle-earth The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien The Book of Lost Tales Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! Just become an Audible Premium Plus member, get your first month (and book credit free), use that credit to get The Silmarillion, and th...

Michael tries to stump Jonathan and Dan with “All That is Gold Does Not Glitter”… As we dive further into Fēanor’s story, Dan realizes that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, while Michael … and Jonathan points out that Melkor is officially the strongest Valar. Episode 10 Links A Tolkien-esque Pipe Subscribe to our Podcast Apple Google If You Like Tolkien ???? The Silmarillion The Atlas of Middle-earth The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! Just be...

This week, Jonathan quizzes Dan and Michael on some important numbers, Dan sees similarities between the two big characters, Jonathan realizes Melkor was a nice guy, and Michael takes a deeper look at Fëanor's fire.

Dan gets TWO big thoughts this week as we review both Of Thingol and Melian, and Of Eldamar and the coming of the Eldaliē. He realizes that love can make you do stupid things–like gaze into each others’ eyes for 100 years… and he says what we’re all thinking in the 2nd chapter–what in the world is going on! And for good measure, Michael refers to his great elven diagram diagram (linked below too) again. Tolkien Resources Get The Silmarillion Get The Atlas of Middle-earth Get The Silmarillion a...