The Tolkien Professor
The Tolkien Professor podcast is a series of lectures, discussions, and seminars on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien by Corey Olsen, President of Signum University. All are welcome to enter – even those without any party business!
473: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 9
May 14th, 2022
Join Corey and Maggie as they discuss their whirlwind trip to London for Amazon Prime Video's Sneak Peek Rings of Power experience!
Other Minds and …
472: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 8
April 23rd, 2022
Today we are joined by the Voice of Geekdom, to talk about the idea of "canon".
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien …
471: SilmFilm 6-09: Beren and Lúthien – Part 3
April 23rd, 2022
Tonight: How many dogfights do we really want to do in one episode? And how do we depict the dynamics of Beren and Luthien's relationship at this …
469: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 6
April 15th, 2022
Today we are joined by Tolkien scholar Robin Reid, to discuss different approaches to talking about race in Tolkien.
Other Minds and Hands: An Open …
470: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 7
April 15th, 2022
Today we will think through the Elvish political situation in Eriador in the Second Age, considering the opportunities and challenges that the Rings …
467: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 5
April 3rd, 2022
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 5,
recorded on March 30, 2022
Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the …
466: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 4
March 26th, 2022
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 4,
recorded on March 23, 2022
Today, Corey and Maggie are …
465: SilmFilm 6-07: Beren and Lúthien – Part 1
March 22nd, 2022
Tonight we start on the Beren and Luthien story, and we decide the order of the first part of the season.
464: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 3
March 20th, 2022
Today we pause to take a real look at the Rings of Power trailer -- not to speculate about events or to worry about details, but to consider themes …
463: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 2
March 14th, 2022
Today we have both cohosts, and we are also joined by our first guest: Knewbettadobetta, whom you can follow on TikTok. Today we'll discuss the …
462: SilmFilm 6-06: Nargothrond and Doriath
March 10th, 2022
So how do we shape the Nargothrond and Doriath suplots of the Beren and Luthien story?
461: Other Minds and Hands, Episode 1
February 27th, 2022
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 1,
recorded on February 23, 2022
In the first episode of Other …
460: SilmFilm 6-05: Glaurung, Thingol, and...?
February 21st, 2022
So, what exactly is Glaurung up to during the Beren and Luthien story?
459: Character Posters from #LOTRROP: Who are these people? Part 2
February 8th, 2022
Let's discuss the Character Posters that dropped today!
458: Character Posters from #LOTRROP: Who are these people? Part 1
February 8th, 2022
Let's discuss the Character Posters that dropped today!
456: SilmFilm 6-03: Sauron and Thuringwethil
January 31st, 2022
Okay, so what is Thuringwethil's story, anyway? How did she die, but also, how did she live? And what does this tell us about Sauron?
457: SilmFilm 6-04: Villains - Dorthonion
January 31st, 2022
Meanwhile, what exactly happened in Dorthonion? How is Sauron involved? Thuringwethil?
455: SilmFilm 6-02: Villains
December 24th, 2021
And now to plan one of Sauron's big moments: his rise and fall in the Luthien story. And what happened to Thuringwethil anyway?
454: SilmFilm 6-01: Big Picture Questions
December 13th, 2021
The day has come! It is finally time to embark on the first-ever film adaptation of the story of Beren and Luthien. Let's do this!
453: SilmFilm 5-41: Episode 13 - End of Dagor Bragollach & Fingolfin's Duel
November 1st, 2021
Join us for the final session of Season 5, as we discuss the end of the Dagor Bragollach and the Duel of Fingolfin and Morgoth.
452: SilmFilm 5-40: The Music of Season 5
October 20th, 2021
What's the score? Tonight we hear and discuss the music composed for Season 5!
451: SilmFilm 5-39: Season 5, Episode 12 - Dagor Bragollach, Part 1
September 29th, 2021
It's time for Episode 12, the first half of the Dagor Bragollach. Join us as the flames sweep across northern Beleriand!
450: SilmFilm 5-38: Frame Discussion
September 13th, 2021
Tonight we discuss the Frame story! Incanus in Harad. Will Gandalf smoke a hookah and ride a white oliphaunt? What is the origin story of the …
449: SilmFilm 5-37: Episode 11 - The Athrabeth and Fingolfin's Big Push
September 8th, 2021
Tonight, the heart of Season 5: the Athrabethof Finrod and Andreth! This is awesome stuff.
448: SilmFilm 5-36: Sets, Locations, and Props
August 18th, 2021
Silm Film 5-36 (08/12/21) Sets, Locations, and Props
Corey Olsen and Dave Kale are joined by Marie Prosser for a post-production session to discuss the possible Locations, Set Design choices, and Props that will be used …
447: SilmFilm 5-35: Season 5 Episode 10 Continued - Fingolfin's Vision
August 5th, 2021
Silm Film 5-35 (07/29/21)
Corey Olsen and Dave Kale are joined by Nick Palazzo to continue discussing Episode 10. While the story of Aredhel's death …
446: A Special Emergency "The Trees are in the Amazon Show!?" Livestream
August 4th, 2021
SilmarillionOnPrime? Really? Let's talk about this!
445: SilmFilm 5-34: Season 5 Episode 10
July 10th, 2021
Silm Film 5-34 (7/8/21)
Season 5 Episode 10: Bound Together
Corey Olsen and Dave Kale are joined by Marie Prosser to discuss the final episode for …
444: SilmFilm 5-33: Season 5 Casting
July 6th, 2021
Silm Film 5-33 (7/1/21)
Season 5 Casting Session
Corey Olsen and Dave Kale are joined by special guest Håkan Walles to discuss the results of the …
443: SilmFilm 5-32: Season 5 Episode 9
June 18th, 2021
Silm Film 5-32 (6/10/21)
Season 5 Episode 9: A Brief Flame
Corey Olsen and Dave Kale are joined by Nick Palazzo to discuss Episode 9 of Season 5, in which Andreth and Aegnor fall in love, but the rom com goes off the …
441: SilmFilm 5-30: Season 5 Episode 7
May 22nd, 2021
Silm Film Session 5-30: Episode 7 - The Council of Estolad
The Silmarillion Film Project is a theoretical adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The …
442: SilmFilm 5-31: Season 5 Episode 8
May 22nd, 2021
Silm Film 5-31 (5/20/2021)
Season 5 Episode 8: To the Horizon
Corey Olsen, joined by Dave Kale, Nick Palazzo, and Marie Prosser, discusses the Aredhel subplot from S05Ep07 as well as the first draft script for Episode …
440: SilmFilm 5-29: Culture of the Edain
May 8th, 2021
Silm Film 5-29 (4/22/2021)
Season 5 Culture of the Edain
Corey Olsen discusses the culture of the Edain in Season 5, joined by Nick Palazzo and Marie …
439: SilmFIlm 5-28: Season 5 Episode 6
April 23rd, 2021
Silm Film 5-28 (4/8/2021)
Season 5 Episode 6: Freedom
Corey Olsen discusses Season 5 Episode 6, the action-packed escape from Angband! He is joined by Nick Palazzo, Script Editor. Rhogrin and Annael escape from …
438: SilmFilm 5-27: Season 5 Episode 5 (cont'd), Elves vs Men (cont'd)
April 3rd, 2021
In which we discuss Haleth among the giant spiders, Gandalf in Harad, and more about the differences between Elves and Men.
437: SilmFilm 5-26: Season 5 Episode 5
March 14th, 2021
Episode 5 tonight -- Let's talk about the unfriendship of the Green Elves (not to mention the Grey!).
436: SilmFilm 5-25: HARAD - Culture and Frame Story
March 1st, 2021
Tonight: Harad! Let's do some world-building and figuring out what Harad is like (or one corner of it, anyway).
435: SilmFilm 5-24: Season 5, Episode 4
February 21st, 2021
Tonight we discuss the script for Episode 4: the battle at the Stockade, and the emergence of Haleth!
434: SilmFilm 5-23: Casting Criteria
February 21st, 2021
Tonight we discuss the criteria for casting the new characters for Season 5. What are we looking for in Humans?
433: SilmFilm 5-22: Season 5, Episode 2
January 16th, 2021
Join us tonight as return to discussing our Episode Outlines. We will discuss the B plot of Episode 2 and then Episode 3, which will deal centrally …
431: SilmFilm 5-21: Creative Commissions
January 9th, 2021
Tonight we resume our SilmFilm discussions discussing what creative works we would like to commission in conjunction with this season, with a heavy …
417: SilmFilm 5-07: Pre-production Storylines - Men (Part 3) Hador and Amlach
September 14th, 2020
Silm Film 5-07 (06/18/20) House of Hador
Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert continue the pre-production process of developing season-long storylines for the Men of Beleriand. The House of Hador does not have …
416: SilmFilm 5-06: Pre-production Storylines - Men (Part 2)
September 14th, 2020
Silm Film 5-06 (06/04/20) House of Bëor
Corey Olsen and Trish Lambert continue the pre-production process of developing season-long storylines for the Men of Beleriand. The migration of the Men into Beleriand is not …
415: SilmFilm 5-05: Pre-production Storylines - Men (Part 1)
September 14th, 2020
Silm Film 5-05 (05/21/2020)
Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert discuss the human stories in Season 5. Pre-production moves into discussing season-long storylines. For the Men, we will be focusing on stories for …
410: Podcast Feed Changes
March 17th, 2020
Please subscribe to our new feeds below!
Mythgard Academy
- RSS Feed: https://feeds.fireside.fm/mythgardacademy/rss
- Apple Podcasts: …
409: SilmFilm 4-32: Post Production - Music
February 14th, 2020
408: SilmFilm 4-31: Post Season - Sets and Locations
January 30th, 2020
407: SilmFilm 4-30: Post Production Final Script Review - Part 6
January 30th, 2020
406: SilmFilm 4-29: Post Production Script Review - Part 5
January 30th, 2020
345: SilmFilm 3-08: Episode 4 – Kazhâd a mênu!
November 2nd, 2017
344: SilmFilm 3-07: Episode 3 (cont’d) – Meanwhile, (still) in Beleriand…
October 31st, 2017
342: SilmFilm 3-06: Episode 3 – Meanwhile, in Beleriand…
September 25th, 2017
341: SilmFilm 3-05: Episode 2 – The Kinslaying
September 25th, 2017
339: SilmFilm 3-04: Episode 1 – The Rebellion of the Noldor
September 1st, 2017
338: SilmFilm 3-03: Creative Challenges
September 1st, 2017
337: SilmFilm 3-02: The Season Frame Narrative
September 1st, 2017
336: SilmFilm 3-01: The Season Story Arc
July 20th, 2017
335: SilmFilm 2-24: Music – Scores, Soundtracks and Character Themes
June 14th, 2017
329: SilmFilm 2-18: The Killing of the Trees, Frame and Bad Guy Subplots
January 17th, 2017
328: SilmFilm 2-17: Episode 13 – The Season Finale
January 12th, 2017
325: SilmFilm 2-14: Episode 10 – The Kinstrife
December 5th, 2016
323: SilmFilm 2-13: Episode 9 – Finally! The Flippin’ Silmarils!
November 12th, 2016
322: SilmFilm 2-12: Episode 8 – Everybody Loves Fingolfin
November 6th, 2016
320: SilmFilm 2-10: Episode 6 – Finwë has a lot of reproductive work to do
October 13th, 2016
321: SilmFilm 2-11: Episode 7 – Spirit of Fire (aka The Silmarillion needs more Rap Battles)
October 13th, 2016
319: SilmFilm 2-09: Episode 5 – The Enemies and The Surfer Elves
September 12th, 2016
318: SilmFilm 2-08: Episode 4 – The Avari (The Unwilling)
August 30th, 2016
317: SilmFilm 2-07: Episode 3 - DeGreat DeBate
August 19th, 2016
316: SilmFilm 2-06: Episode 2 – “Don’t Get in the Van, Elwë!”
August 4th, 2016
315: SilmFilm 2-05: Episode 1 – Crisis in Cuivienen
July 25th, 2016
314: SilmFilm 2-04: Linguistics, etc.
July 11th, 2016
313: SilmFilm 2-03: The Elves
June 27th, 2016
312: SilmFilm 2-02: Episode Calendar
June 10th, 2016
311: SilmFilm 2-01: Brainstorming
May 25th, 2016
SilmFilm 1-20: Script Outlines
May 12th, 2016
SilmFilm 1-19: Music
April 27th, 2016
SilmFilm 1-18: Casting Poll Results and Costuming
April 16th, 2016
SilmFilm 1-17: Envisioning Arda - Sets/Locations
April 3rd, 2016
SilmFilm 1-16: Casting
March 13th, 2016
SilmFilm 1-15: Episode 13 - The War to Begin All Wars
March 7th, 2016
SilmFilm 1-14: Episode 12 - Can’t Kick the Orc Can Anymore
February 18th, 2016
SilmFilm 1-13: Episode 11 - Aulë and the Dwarves
February 4th, 2016
Episode 302: The Last (Really!) RITD Episode -- BotFA EE Review
January 24th, 2016
In the final episode of Riddles in the Dark (really), Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Dave Kale and Trish Lambert go over the extended …
SilmFilm 1-12: Episode 10 - Fall of the House of Ainur (Part the Second)
January 18th, 2016
300: SilmFilm 1-11: Episode 9 - The Fall of the House of Ainur (sort of), Part the First
January 12th, 2016
299: SilmFilm 1-10: Episode 8 - The Two Trees (Aftermath)
January 9th, 2016
298: SilmFilm 1-09: Episode 7 - Finally, Something For The Fëanturi To Do!
January 5th, 2016
296: SilmFilm 1-08: Episode 6 - Murder of the Lamps
December 5th, 2015
295: SilmFilm 1-07: Episode 5 - Creating the Lamps, Distressing the Damsel
December 5th, 2015
294: SilmFilm 1-06: Episode 4 - Yay Melkor!!
December 5th, 2015
293: SilmFilm 1-05: Episode 3 - He Who Shall Not Be Named Morgoth
October 19th, 2015
292: SilmFilm 1-04: Episode 2 - From Chaos to Harmony
October 19th, 2015
291: SilmFilm 1-03: Episode 1 (Pilot) - The Ainulindalë
October 2nd, 2015
290: SilmFilm 1-02: Narrative Overview
September 2nd, 2015
289: SilmFilm 1-01: Plot Overview
August 26th, 2015
Episode 288: Tolkien Chat: Makin’ Movies in Middle-earth
August 12th, 2015
Adaptation has been a topic that has intrigued many Mythgardians, including Signum University President Corey Olsen (also known as The Tolkien …
287: SilmFilm 0-04: Plot Mapping
July 24th, 2015
286: SilmFilm 0-03: Storytelling
July 13th, 2015
285: SilmFilm 0-02: Big Decisions
June 20th, 2015
284: SilmFilm 0-01: Introducing the Silmarillion Film Project
June 9th, 2015
Episode 283: Mythgard Monday at Ales and Tales-Frodo and Sauron: What Were They Thinking?
April 18th, 2015
In the Lord of the Rings Online, Mythgard gathers at Ales and Tales to celebrate Gondorian New Year and the 7th Anniversary of the Lonely Mountain Band kinship. Corey's talk is on Frodo and Sauron at the Cracks of Doom: …
Episode 282: Riddles in the Dark, The Ultimate Episode (Really!)
April 3rd, 2015
In the final episode of a long journey there and back again, Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Dave Kale and Trish Lambert wind up the …
Episode 281: Riddles in the Dark, The Penultimate Episode
February 15th, 2015
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Trish Lambert and Dave Kale discuss three of the six "leftover" riddles that needed more discussion. …
Episode 280: Riddles in the Dark, The Beginning of the End
February 4th, 2015
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Trish Lambert and Dave Kale conduct a lightning round of the Year Three riddles and conundra to arrive …
Episode 279: The Riddles in the Dark Team Debriefs The Battle of the Five Armies
December 25th, 2014
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Trish Lambert and Dave Kale share their thoughts about The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Episode 278: The Tolkien Professor Debriefs The Battle of the Five Armies
December 25th, 2014
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen offers his own reactions, observations and insights about the third installment of Peter Jackson's adaptation of …
Episode 277: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Postgame Episode 7
December 24th, 2014
In the second ending to the Riddles in the Dark series, The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Dave Kale and Trish Lambert wrap up their …
Episode 276: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Postgame Episode 6
December 21st, 2014
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Dave Kale and Trish Lambert go over more of the information that has been released prior to the launch …
Episode 275: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, DOS Extended Edition Analysis
November 30th, 2014
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Dave Kale and Trish Lambert considered the extra footage included in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug …
Episode 274: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Postgame Episode 5
November 27th, 2014
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Dave Kale and Trish Lambert are happy to finally be able to dig into material being released for the …
Episode 273: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Postgame Episode 4
November 6th, 2014
Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Trish Lambert and Dave Kale are relieved to finally have material to consider for the third Hobbit movie.
Episode 272: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Postgame Episode 3: It's LEGO Time!
October 21st, 2014
Just in time to save us from an episode of wandering speculations in the void created by Warner Brothers and Peter Jackson, the LEGO sets for The …
Episode 271: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Postgame Episode 2: Not a Banner Episode
October 5th, 2014
Co-hosts and live listeners found it hard to like the promotional banner for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Fortunately, there are some …
Episode 270: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Postgame Episode 1: On with the Analysis
September 21st, 2014
The analysis phase kicks off by pondering the trailer for the extended edition of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, among other things
Episode 269: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.16: The Riddle Roundup, Time to Vote!
September 6th, 2014
The whole Riddles in the Dark gang races through all 15 riddles and conundra while Corey casts his votes for all to see. Submit your answers by …
Episode 268: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.15: The Journey Home
August 24th, 2014
We wrap up the riddle game with the key question: Will there be a Bag End auction?
Episode 266: Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory Episode 6
August 19th, 2014
Corey and Laura share listener observations and present the final five conundra of the riddle game
Episode 267: Tolkien Chat 19: Mythgard at Mythcon 2014
August 19th, 2014
Corey talks to Mythgard students who joined him at Mythcon 45 in August of 2014, as well as an impressive list of drop-by guests
Episode 265: Tolkien Chat 18: Comments on the release of Tolkien's Beowulf translation
August 19th, 2014
Professor Olsen comments on the release of J.R.R. Tolkien's translation of Beowulf
Episode 264: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.14: The Aftermath
August 9th, 2014
What happens when the dust settles after the battle? Corey and Trish ask the tough questions.
Episode 263: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Bonus Episode: Comic-Con and the Teaser Trailer
August 4th, 2014
Dave and guest listener Karen offer up a first hand view of the Comic-Con experience. Then Corey launches into a two-minute-per-second analysis of the teaser trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Episode 262: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.13: Farewell to Thorin
July 28th, 2014
Corey and Trish put the "fun" into "funeral" in this installment of Riddles in the Dark, while Dave is off running around San Diego Comic-Con.
Episode 261: Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory Episode 5
July 19th, 2014
Corey and Trish (standing in for Laura) share great listener observations about the Battle of Dol Guldur (RITD Episodes 3.09 and 3.10)
Episode 260: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.12: The Battle of Five Armies, Part 2
July 17th, 2014
Who's gonna die? That's the big question in this episode of Riddles in the Dark, as The Tolkien Professor and fellow co-hosts ponder the …
Episode 259: Riddles in the Dark Bonus: Pronunciation Guide
July 6th, 2014
In response to a listener query, Corey walks through Tolkien's language pronunciation and how the names in The Hobbit films are supposed to be …
Episode 258: Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory Episode 4
July 6th, 2014
Corey and Trish (standing in for Laura) go over all the riddles covering the Siege (RITD Episodes 3.06, 3.07 and 3.08)
Episode 257: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.11: The Battle of Five Armies, Part 1
June 30th, 2014
Why will the Elves march to Erebor? Will Bilbo be conscious for the battle? Does Roac constitute one of the armies? These and other pressing questions are considered in this installment of Riddles in the Dark
Episode 256: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.10: Dol Guldur Part 2 - The Black Hats
June 18th, 2014
What is Sauron up to? Where are all those Orcs going anyway? And what's going on with the Nazgul? We don't have the answers, but we have LOTS of …
Episode 255: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.09: Dol Guldur Part 1 - The White Hats
June 1st, 2014
In a Daveless episode, Trish and Corey consider what will be happening at Dol Guldur in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, with excursions …
Episode 254: Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory, Episode III
May 22nd, 2014
The third episode of the Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory. The Tolkien Professor addresses your comments and questions on RITD 3.04 and RITD 3.05.
Episode 253: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.08: The Siege,Thief in the Night
May 18th, 2014
Moving right along toward the Battle of (the) Five Armies, Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and his Riddles in the Dark co-hosts actually talk …
Episode 252: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.07: The Siege,Laketown View
May 3rd, 2014
Our hosts were very talkative in this episode, starting with a rant about the new name for Hobbit Movie 3, then moving on to considering how the Siege of Erebor might look from the Laketown side of the table. And Corey …
Episode 251: Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory, Episode II
April 23rd, 2014
The second episode of the Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory. The Tolkien Professor addresses your comments and questions on RITD 3.02 and RITD 3.03. …
Episode 250: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.06: The Siege,Erebor View
April 21st, 2014
Corey extols the virtues of Roac, Trish attempts to be a human sound effects machine, and Dave holds it all together as the talk centers on what the …
Episode 249: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.05: Smaug's Attack
April 5th, 2014
How epic will the attack of the dragon on Laketown be? Will there be any red shirts among the cast? And what about that oily Master? Inquiring minds examine these and other questions about The Hobbit: There and Back …
Episode 248: Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory, Episode 1
March 29th, 2014
The first episode of the Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory. The Tolkien Professor addresses your comments and questions on RITD 3.01
Episode 247: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.04: Meanwhile, Back in Laketown
March 22nd, 2014
What's going on in Laketown while the Dwarves are zigging and zagging around Erebor with a dragon in close pursuit? We theorize about this and other …
Episode 246: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.03: There and Back Again - The Beginning
March 9th, 2014
Saddle up the battle pigs! The RITD team go from serious to silly and back again as they consider the many ways that Peter Jackson could choose to …
Episode 245: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.02: Those Elves
February 22nd, 2014
Talking Elves in the second episode of the third year of Riddles in the Dark.
Episode 244: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 2, Episode 3.01: Action and Violence
February 16th, 2014
The first riddle episode of the last year of Riddles in the Dark considers how action and violence impact the first two Hobbit movies and how these …
Episode 243: Silmarillion Seminar 35: Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, Part 2
February 8th, 2014
The thirty-fifth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, Part 2
Episode 242: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 1, Episode b
January 31st, 2014
The second installment of Phase 1 of Year 3 of Riddles in the Dark team sees us revisiting The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug one last time. Three key …
Episode 241: Riddles in the Dark Year 3, Phase 1, Episode a
January 16th, 2014
The Riddles in the Dark team returns for the third and final round of the "how will Jackson tell the story" game. Phase 1, Episode a is a general …
Episode 240: Tolkien Chat 17: Reactions to the Desolation of Smaug Part 2
December 23rd, 2013
Part 2: Professor Olsen discusses his reactions to the second Hobbit movie, The Desolation of Smaug
Episode 239: Tolkien Chat 16: Reactions to the Desolation of Smaug Part 1
December 23rd, 2013
Part 1: Professor Olsen discusses his reactions to the second Hobbit movie, The Desolation of Smaug
Episode 238: A Bit of Wookie: Riddles in the Dark Year 2 in Review
December 12th, 2013
As The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is unveiled around the world, Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen, Laura Berkholtz, and Trish Lambert review all the …
Episode 237: Riddles in the Dark: Hail Fellow and Fewmets!
November 24th, 2013
Warming up by looking at some more materail from The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, our Riddles in the Dark co-hosts move on to talk about the extended …
Episode 236: Riddles in the Dark 2.16: You Be Dragon?
November 17th, 2013
Checking out a flood of material released by Peter Jackson for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, with a little dissension amongst our Riddles in the …
Episode 235: Riddles in the Dark 2.15: Fringe Festival 2
November 17th, 2013
Considering the fringe characters in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug by way of Lego set interpretation. There is a visual companion PDF for this …
Episode 234: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.11: Blame it on the Arkenstone
November 13th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz take on the weighty theme of bromance in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Episode 233: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.10: Ring? What Ring?
October 24th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz discuss listener opinions on when Bilbo will reveal the presence of the Ring.
Episode 232: Call-In Office Hours 5
October 16th, 2013
The fifth Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on October 7, 2013. Topics discussed include invisible Ringwraiths, getting a PhD in Tolkien …
Episode 231: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.09: Barrels on the Brain
October 16th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz discuss opinions on the relationship between the elves of Mirkwood and the men of Laketown in The Desolation of …
Episode 230: Riddles in the Dark NOT 2.15: Trailer 2 Mega-Episode
October 15th, 2013
A 3.33-hour discussion of the 2.5-minute second trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
Episode 229: Tolkien Chat 15: Ethan Gilsdorf and Noble Smith
October 8th, 2013
Professor Olsen chats with authors Ethan Gilsdorf and Noble Smith
Episode 228: Riddles in the Dark 2.14: Fringe Festival 1
October 2nd, 2013
Kamikaze Thrush, Bald Raven, Radish Hat, Galion the Butler, and That Girl Elf
Episode 227: Riddles in the Dark 2.13: The End of All Things (In the Second Movie)
October 1st, 2013
From what cliff will we be left hanging at the end of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug?
Episode 226: Tolkien Chat 14: Bernd Greisinger
October 1st, 2013
Professor Olsen talks with Bernd Greisinger of the Greisinger Museum, home of the largest collection of Tolkien artifacts in the world
Episode 225: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.08: Smog and Thrane
September 9th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review listener comments and opinions on the start of The Desolation of Smaug.
Episode 224: Riddles in the Dark 2.12: Smaug Smack Talk
September 9th, 2013
Considering the big flying lizard in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Episode 223: Riddles in the Dark 2.11: We'll Always Have the Carrock
August 26th, 2013
Bromancing the (Arken)Stone in the Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Episode 222: Riddles in the Dark 2.10: Is This a Ring I See Before Me?
August 26th, 2013
The most prominent inanimate character in the Third Age of Middle-earth is discussed in the context of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: Desolation of …
Episode 221: Tolkien Chat 13: Mythgard Takes Mythcon
July 22nd, 2013
Mythgard Students presented a variety of papers at this year's Mythcon in Lansing, MI
Episode 220: Riddles in the Dark Midyear Review
July 13th, 2013
Corey Olsen, Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review all the riddles and conundra posed so far for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Episode 219: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.07: Revenge of the Zomborcs
June 28th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review reader's comments and analyst opinions on Bolg's role in The Desolation of Smaug.
Episode 218: Riddles in the Dark 2.09: In Case of Emergency, Call the Elven King
June 19th, 2013
Laketown and its socio-political-economic position in the region are examined.
Episode 217: Special Trailer Episode: Did You Remember to Pack the Trebuchet?
June 16th, 2013
All four Riddles in the Dark cohoses review the first trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Episode 216: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.06: No Holds Bard?
June 13th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review reader's comments and analyst opinions on Riddle 2.06 on Bard's support (or lack thereof) for the Dwarves' …
Episode 215: Riddles in the Dark Digest: The Bonus Episode
June 10th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Breana Melvin talk through a video that Breana compiled of all of Peter Jackson's public videos (prior to release of the first …
Episode 214: Riddles in the Dark 2.08: The Beginning of Desolation
June 7th, 2013
Prof Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert talk about how Peter Jackson will begin The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
Episode 213: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.05: Who Let the Dwarves Out?
June 6th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review reader's comments and analyst opinions on Riddle 2.05 on Bilbo's role in the escape of the Dwarves from the …
Episode 212: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.04: Legolas to the Rescue...or Not
May 6th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review reader's comments and analyst opinions on Riddle 2.04 dealing with the meeting of Thorin and the dwarves …
Episode 211: Silmarillion Seminar 34: Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, Part 1
April 29th, 2013
The thirty-fourth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, Part 1
Episode 210: Riddles in the Dark 2.07: Half-Baked Bolg Weirdness
April 28th, 2013
Prof Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert wander around Dol Guldur and consider how Azog and his little boy will take part in The Hobbit: …
Episode 209: Riddles in the Dark 2.06: Vengeance for My Dolly!
April 18th, 2013
Prof Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert talk Dale politics and consider how the enigmatic Bard will be portrayed in The Hobbit: Desolation of …
Episode 208: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.03: Black Spiders and White Harts
April 17th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review reader's comments and analyst opinions on Riddle 2.03 dealing with the elves of Mirkwood and their defences …
Episode 207: Riddles in the Dark 2.05: In Thranduil's Hall
March 31st, 2013
Prof Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert enter the Hall of the Elven King to consider how events will unfold there in "The Hobbit: Desolation …
Episode 206: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.02: Thrain in Vain
March 26th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review reader's comments and analyst opinions on Riddle 2.02 dealing with the fate of Thrain, Thorin's father.
Episode 205: Silmarillion Seminar 33: Akallabeth, Part 3
March 19th, 2013
The thirty-third session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the Allkalabeth, Part 3
Episode 204: Silmarillion Seminar 32: Akallabeth, Part 2
March 18th, 2013
The thirty-second session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the Allkalabeth, Part 2
Episode 203: Riddles in the Dark 24: The Long-Expected Podcast
March 15th, 2013
At long last, the much anticipated, recording-breaking 3-hour RITD Christmas Special! The trio fully debriefs The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and …
Episode 202: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2.01: Flogging a Dead Beorn
March 14th, 2013
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review reader's comments and analyst opinions on Riddle 2.01 dealing with Beorn's relationship to the goblins.
Episode 201: Riddles in the Dark 2.04: Attercop and Tomnoddy
March 9th, 2013
Prof Cory Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert tap into their spidey senses to consider Mirkwood's arachnids in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaugh.
Episode 200: Riddles in the Dark 2.03: Into the Woods
February 8th, 2013
Prof Cory Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert stroke imaginary beards over how Mirkwood will be portrayed in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, and how …
Episode 199: Silmarillion Seminar 31: Akallabeth, Part 1
February 5th, 2013
The thirty-first session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the Allkalabeth, Part 1
Episode 198: Silmarillion Seminar 30: Quenta Chapter 24
February 1st, 2013
The thirtieth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 24 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of Wrath, …
Episode 197: Riddles in the Dark 2.02: Where's Poppa?
January 30th, 2013
Prof Cory Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert wonder what happened to Thrain and what we will learn about him in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: …
Episode 196: Riddles in the Dark 2.01: Ursa Major or Ursa Minor
January 17th, 2013
Prof Cory Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert consider Beorn, his place in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, and his possilbe role in Peter Jackson's The …
Episode 195: Tolkien Chat 12: Adaptation and The Hobbit Movies
January 5th, 2013
Prof Cory Olsen offers his thoughts on Peter Jackson's first Hobbit film and its adaptation from J.R.R. Tolkien's book. Major themes and minor …
Episode 194: Riddles in the Dark 23: Riddle Me Not
December 9th, 2012
Prof Cory Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert review a year's worth of riddles for Movie 1.
Episode 193: Riddles in the Dark 22: The White Council
December 6th, 2012
Prof Cory Olsen and Dave Kale respond to the listeners by discussing the winning topic: The White Council. Which inevitably leads to talk of Saruman.
Episode 192: WC Faerie Course, Session 40
November 22nd, 2012
Conclusion - Recorded 05/04/11.
Episode 191: WC Faerie Course, Session 39
November 22nd, 2012
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Chapter 24 - Epilogue Recorded 05/02/11.
Episode 190: Riddles in the Dark 21: Songs and Poems
November 20th, 2012
In this musical version of Riddles in the Dark, Prof Cory Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert get down and get funky talking about the songs and poems in The Hobbit: book, animated feature, and upcoming film.
Episode 189: WC Faerie Course, Session 38
November 19th, 2012
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Chapter 18 - 23 Recorded 04/29/11.
Episode 188: WC Faerie Course, Session 37
November 17th, 2012
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Chapter 12 - 17 Recorded 04/27/11.
Episode 187: Silmarillion Seminar 29: Quenta Chapter 24
October 31st, 2012
The twenty-ninth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 24 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of …
Episode 186: Riddles in the Dark 20: Of the Rings of Power and the First Film
October 31st, 2012
After some time looking at some of the media articles that have been showing up about Jackson and his movie, Prof. Corey Olsen and Dave Kale (and Trish Lambert in more than a cameo appearance) consider the Rings of …
Episode 185: Riddles in the Dark Digest 9: Orcs, The Brown Wizard, and Thror
October 30th, 2012
Dave Kale and Trish Lambert review Orcs, Radagast, and toy figures in this digest episode, among other things. A collage of Comic-Con interview …
Episode 184: Silmarillion Seminar 28: Quenta Chapter 23
October 15th, 2012
The twenty-eigth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 23 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin"
Episode 183: Riddles in the Dark 19: Sauron - Hot or Not?
October 14th, 2012
Talk turns to the bad guys in this episode. After checking out the most recent movie scroll, Prof. Corey Olsen and Dave Kale (with Trish chiming in …
Episode 182: WC Faerie Course, Session 36
October 8th, 2012
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Chapter 6 - 11 Recorded 04/25/11.
Episode 181: Silmarillion Seminar 27: Quenta Chapter 22
October 5th, 2012
The twenty-seventh session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 22 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Ruin of Dorian"
Episode 180: Silmarillion Seminar 26: Quenta Chapter 21
October 5th, 2012
The twenty-sixth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the third part of Chapter 21 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Turin Turambar"
Episode 179: Riddles in the Dark 18: Hobbit Day Panel - The Director's Cut
September 29th, 2012
It is a first-time "group episode" as Prof. Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert are joined by a panel of analysts and experts who are playing the prediction. Broadcast as part of the Middle-earth Network Hobbt Day …
Episode 178: WC Faerie Course, Session 35
September 25th, 2012
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Prologue - Chapter 5, Recorded 04/22/11.
Episode 177: WC Faerie Course, Session 34
September 15th, 2012
Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Unicorn", Chapters 12-14, Recorded 04/20/11.
Episode 176: Riddles in the Dark 17: Radagast the Brown and the Movie App
September 15th, 2012
Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert consider Radagast the Brown as he appears in The Hobbit and other Tolkien works, and as …
Episode 175: Riddles in the Dark Digest 8: Escape and Talking? Animals
September 12th, 2012
Dave Kale and Trish Lambert review Riddles in the Dark episodes 14 and 15, covering Bilbo's escape from the Misty Mountains and the idea of talking animals in Peter Jackson's first Hobbit film. Plus they check out the …
Episode 174: Riddles in the Dark 16: Orcs and Goblins (and Zomborcs!)
August 31st, 2012
Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and Dave Kale talk about goblins and orcs as they appear in Tolkien's book and then consider the role these groups will …
Episode 173: Riddles in the Dark Digest 7: Controversy!
August 29th, 2012
Welcome to The Riddles in the Dark Digest Controversy episode! Dave and Trish relook at RITD Episode 13 (about Comic-Con), respond to critical …
Episode 172: Riddles in the Dark Digest 6: All Gollum All the Time
August 23rd, 2012
Dave Kale and Trish Lambert talk Gollum, first talking about the now-answered-by-Andy-Serkis riddle presented in Riddles in the Dark episode 11, then …
Episode 171: Riddles in the Dark Digest 5: Beginning and Bilbo
August 22nd, 2012
In the fifth episode of Riddles in the Dark Digest, co-hosts Dave Kale and Trish Lambert share analyst and listener comments about Riddles in the Dark episodes 9 & 10. True to RITD tradition, our verbose co-hosts …
Episode 170: WC Faerie Course, Session 33
August 22nd, 2012
Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Unicorn", Chapters 9-11, Recorded 04/18/11.
Episode 169: Riddles in the Dark 15: Wargs and Eagles and Bears, Oh My!
August 21st, 2012
Prof. Olsen and Dave discuss talking animals. After all, that's what the Hobbit is all about, right? The films will probably be rife with them! They …
Episode 168: Silmarillion Seminar 25: Quenta Chapter 21
August 21st, 2012
The twenty-fifth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the second part of Chapter 21 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Turin Turambar"
Episode 167: Riddles in the Dark 14: Escape and ahem, Trilogy Announcement
August 20th, 2012
Prof. Olsen and Dave discuss more character development stuff, Bilbo and the Company's escape from the goblin tunnels of the Misty Mountains, and the possibilities for developing Bilbo's character by changing the story. …
Episode 166: Tolkien Chat 11: The Princess and The Hobbit
August 20th, 2012
Did you know that J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were both released in 1937? Coincidence? Or not? Join …
Episode 165: Mythgard Swoops in on Return of the Ring
August 19th, 2012
Mythgard students and faculty attending the Tolkien Society's Return of the Ring conference with Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen come together to talk …
Episode 164: Silmarillion Seminar 24: Quenta Chapter 21
July 31st, 2012
The twenty-forth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the first part of Chapter 21 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Turin Turambar"
Episode 163: Silmarillion Seminar 23: Quenta Chapter 20
July 31st, 2012
The twenty-third session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 20 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad."
Episode 162: WC Faerie Course, Session 32
July 26th, 2012
Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Unicorn", Chapters 5-8, Recorded 04/15/11.
Episode 161: Riddles in the Dark 13: What else but Comic-Con?
July 24th, 2012
Digest co-host Trish joins Prof. Olsen and Dave as they cover all things Hobbit and Comic-Con. And Christopher Tolkien! They set a new record for …
Episode 160: Riddles in the Dark Digest 4: The Split
July 21st, 2012
Dave and Trish wrap up their marathon Saturday podcasting session with one more digest. This week we revisit The Split and The Battle of Dol-Guldur!
Episode 159: Riddles in the Dark 12: The Riddle Game
July 14th, 2012
This episode we discuss our namesake Hobbit chapter: Riddles in the Dark. We can't wait so see The Riddle Game on-screen, but how many of the …
Episode 158: Riddles in the Dark Digest 3: Rivalries and Trollish Dilemmas
July 11th, 2012
Dave and Trish are on a roll! In this episode we review predictions, analysis, and feedback on Riddles 4 and 5 and address copious listener comments …
Episode 157: WC Faerie Course, Session 31
July 9th, 2012
Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Unicorn", Chapters 1-4, Recorded 04/13/11.
Episode 156: Riddles in the Dark Digest 2: Now with More Azanulbizar
July 9th, 2012
The Digest is back! Trish Lambert joins the Riddles team and helps Dave review predictions, analyses, and listener feedback on the third topic, The …
Episode 155: WC Faerie Course, Session 30
July 5th, 2012
C.S. Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", Chapters 12-17, Recorded 04/11/11.
Episode 154: WC Faerie Course, Session 29
June 17th, 2012
C.S. Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", Chapters 7-11, Recorded 04/08/11.
Episode 153: Riddles in the Dark 11: Gollum...and Romance?
June 15th, 2012
This week we discuss two topics that go hand-in-hand: Gollum and romance. Duh.
Episode 152: WC Faerie Course, Session 28
June 13th, 2012
C.S. Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", Chapters 1-6, Recorded 04/04/11.
Episode 151: Silmarillion Seminar 22: Quenta Chapter 19
June 9th, 2012
The twenty-second session of the Silmarillion Seminar, in which we spend an unprecedented third week on Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of …
Episode 150: Riddles in the Dark 10: We finally discuss the "Hobbit!"
June 2nd, 2012
Only four months into the podcast, we finally get around to talking about The Hobbit's titular character, Bilbo Baggins...for two hours!
Episode 149: WC Faerie Course, Session 27
May 29th, 2012
J.R.R. Tolkien, Smith of Wootton Major, Pages 35-39 Recorded 04/01/11.
Episode 148: Riddles in the Dark 9: Framing the Issue
May 25th, 2012
We go back to the very beginning...of first Hobbit film, that is. How will The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey open on-screen?
Episode 147: WC Faerie Course, Session 26
May 20th, 2012
J.R.R. Tolkien, Smith of Wootton Major, Pages 9-34 Recorded 3/30/11.
Episode 146: WC Faerie Course, Session 25
May 9th, 2012
George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, Chapters 21-32 Recorded 3/28/11.
Episode 145: Riddles in the Dark 8: Cinemacon Emergency Edition
May 2nd, 2012
The hosts hop on the Cinemacon debate bandwagon and weigh in on the "Tomb of the Ringwraiths." How will Sauron's most terrible servants factor into …
Episode 144: Riddles in the Dark 7: The Split, Part 2
April 27th, 2012
The second in a two-part series on the most hotly debated Hobbit question: where will the two films be split? In this episode, we are joined by special guest Fr. Roderick Vonhogen of SQPN to talk about The White Council.
Episode 143: Riddles in the Dark 6: The Split, Part 1
April 26th, 2012
The first in a two-part series on the most hotly debated Hobbit question: where will the two films be split? In this episode, we address the main Hobbit storyline and predict the "tone" of the ending of An Unexpected …
Episode 142: WC Faerie Course, Session 24
April 8th, 2012
George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, Chapters 11-20 Recorded 3/25/11.
Episode 141: Silmarillion Seminar 21: Quenta Chapter 19
March 29th, 2012
The twenty-first session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing the second part of Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Beren and Luthien"
Episode 140: Riddles in the Dark 5: Troll Dilemmas
March 23rd, 2012
The first RITD episode to address humor in the Hobbit; this week we focus on Bilbo's first "successful adventure" with the trolls.
Episode 139: Riddles in the Dark Digest 1
March 17th, 2012
Co-host Dave reviews the first two topics, Thrain and Thror, and presents predictions, arguments, and feedback from RITD analysts and listeners. We also give a few RITD-related updates and news items.
Episode 138: Silmarillion Seminar 20: Quenta Chapter 19
March 14th, 2012
The twentieth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion, " Of Beren and Luthien"
Episode 137: Riddles in the Dark 4: Thorin Oakenshield
March 10th, 2012
A discussion of the great dwarf leader, Thorin Oakenshield, one of the main characters of The Hobbit and how he will be portrayed in the upcoming …
Episode 136: Riddles in the Dark 3: The Battle of Azanulbizar
February 23rd, 2012
A discussion of the great Battle of Azanulbizar, and an analysis of the possiblity of its conflation with the Battle of Five Armies in the films.
Episode 135: Riddles in the Dark 2: The Fall of the House of Durin
February 12th, 2012
A discussion of the misfortunes of the House of Durin, Thror and predictions based on casting for the character.
Episode 134: WC Faerie Course, Session 23
February 4th, 2012
George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, Chapters 1-10 Recorded 3/23/11.
Episode 133: Silmarillion Seminar 19: Quenta Chapter 18
January 30th, 2012
The nineteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 18 of the Quenta Silmarillion, " Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of …
Episode 132: Riddles in the Dark 1: Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror
January 28th, 2012
A discussion of Thror and Thrain, and predictions about Thrain's depiction in the film.
Episode 131: Announcements: January 25 2012
January 27th, 2012
What's new at The Tolkien Professor, including two new podcasts and an updated website.
Episode 130: Return and Recovery
December 14th, 2011
The Hobbit Series Lecture 8 in which we discuss the death of Thorin and Bilbo's return to Bag End. Text: Chapters 18 and 19: " The Return Journey" …
Episode 129: Silmarillion Seminar 18: Quenta Chapter 17
December 11th, 2011
The eighteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 17 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of Men into the West"
Episode 128: The Hobbit Grows Up
December 7th, 2011
The Hobbit Series Lecture 7 in which we discuss the death of Smaug and the Battle of Five Armies. Text: Chapters 14, 15, 16 and 17: "Fire and Water," "The Gathering of the Clouds," "A Thief in the Night," and "The …
Episode 127: Mythgard Question and Answer Call-in Session
December 1st, 2011
Professor Corey Olsen answers questions from people interested in taking courses at the Mythgard Institute (www.mythgard.org).
Episode 126: Bilbo Earns His Reward
November 30th, 2011
The Hobbit Series Lecture 6 in which we consider the foolishness of the dwarves and the final turning point of Bilbo's career. Text: Chapters 11, …
Episode 125: Bilbo Builds His Resume 2
November 24th, 2011
Finally! The return of the hobbit series! The Hobbit Series Lecture 5, Part 2, in which we consider one of the major turning points in Bilbo's life. Text: Chapters 8, 9, and 10: "Flies and Spiders," "Barrels Out of …
Episode 124: WC Faerie Course, Session 22
November 19th, 2011
Lord Dunsany, The Book of Wonder, Part 2. Recorded 3/21/11.
Episode 123: Silmarillion Seminar 17: Quenta Chapter 16
November 10th, 2011
The seventeenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 16 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Maeglin"
Episode 122: Tolkien and Horror: A Halloween Special
November 5th, 2011
Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, Laura Berkholtz, and George Naylor discuss themes of horror in Tolkien's writings.
Episode 121: Silmarillion Seminar 16: Quenta Chapter 15
November 3rd, 2011
The sixteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 15 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Noldor in Beleriand."
Episode 120: The Tolkien Professor Visits Hollywood
October 28th, 2011
Corey Olsen and Dave Kale, program director for Middle-earth Network Radio, discuss the making of the documentary for the video game "The Lord of the Rings: War in the North". The documentary is viewable in four parts …
Episode 119: Tolkien Chat 10: In the Bar at Mythcon 2011.
October 25th, 2011
The tenth Tolkien Chat, recorded in the bar at the Albuquerque MCM Elegante during the annual Mythopoeic Society Conference
Episode 118: WC Faerie Course, Session 21
October 18th, 2011
Lord Dunsany, The Book of Wonder, Part 1. Recorded 3/11/11.
Episode 117: Silmarillion Seminar 15: Quenta Chapter 14
October 16th, 2011
The fifteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 14 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Beleriand and Its Realms."
Episode 116: WC Faerie Course, Session 20
October 10th, 2011
Andrew Lang Session 5, in which we discuss "Rapunzel," "Snowdrop," and "The Enchanted Ring." Recorded 3/9/11.
Episode 115: Tolkien Chat 9: David Perlmutter
October 7th, 2011
A conversation with Professor David Perlmutter about two of his favorite intellectual hobbies, military history and Tolkien.
Episode 114: Silmarillion Seminar 14: Quenta Chapter 13
October 4th, 2011
The fourteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 13 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Return of the Noldor."
Episode 113: WC Faerie Course, Session 19
October 1st, 2011
Andrew Lang Session 4, in which we discuss "Jack and the Beanstalk," "The Three Dwarfs," and "The Twelve Brothers." Recorded 3/7/11.
Episode 112: Silmarillion Seminar 13: Quenta Chapter 12
September 28th, 2011
The thirteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 12 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Men."
Episode 111: WC Faerie Course, Session 18
September 23rd, 2011
Andrew Lang Session 3, in which we discuss "Snow White and Rose Red," "Jack the Giant Killer," and my favorite "The Black Bull of Norroway." …
Episode 110: Silmarillion Seminar 12: Quenta Chapter 11
September 20th, 2011
The twelfth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 11 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Sun and the Moon and the Hiding of …
Episode 109: Silmarillion Seminar 11: Quenta Chapter 10
September 5th, 2011
The eleventh session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 10 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Sindar."
Episode 108: Silmarillion Seminar 10: Quenta Chapter 9
August 24th, 2011
The tenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 9 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Flight of the Noldor."
Episode 107: Silmarillion Seminar 09: Quenta Chapter 8
August 13th, 2011
The ninth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 8 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Darkening of Valinor."
Episode 106: Silmarillion Seminar 08: Quenta Chapter 7
August 1st, 2011
After a brief message to Stephen Colbert, we move on to the eighth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 7 of the Quenta …
Episode 105: Silmarillion Seminar 07: Quenta Chapter 6
July 25th, 2011
The seventh session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 6 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor."
Episode 104: WC Faerie Course, Session 17
July 24th, 2011
Andrew Lang Session 2, in which we discuss "Rumpelstiltzkin," "Hansel and Grettel," and "Beauty and the Beast." Recorded 3/2/11.
Episode 103: Mythgard Institute Announcement Show, Part 2
July 23rd, 2011
Part Two of the show announcing the grand opening of the Mythgard Institute in the Fall 2011 semester. Both parts were originally broadcast on the …
Episode 102: Mythgard Institute Announcement Show, Part 1
July 23rd, 2011
Announcing the Mythgard Institute, offering courses in Tolkien Studies and related fields, beginning Fall 2011. Part one of two shows originally …
Episode 101: Silmarillion Seminar 06: Quenta Chapter 5
June 23rd, 2011
The sixth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 5 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalie."
Episode 100: WC Faerie Course, Session 16
June 13th, 2011
Andrew Lang Session 1, in which we discuss "Sleeping Beauty," "Cinderella," and "Aladdin." Recorded 2/28/11.
Episode 99: Silmarillion Seminar 05: Quenta Chapters 3-4
June 9th, 2011
The fifth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapters 3 and 4 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of the Elves" and "Of Thingol …
Episode 98: Special Announcement!
May 13th, 2011
A recording of the special live broadcast on the Middle-Earth Network Radio station a few weeks back, in which I unveiled my Big News.
Episode 97: The Gifts of Annwn, by Scott Holbrook-Foust
April 19th, 2011
An essay exploring the representation of the Celtic Otherworld in Arthurian Literature, with a particular focus on Morgan Le Fay in Sir Gawain and …
Episode 96: WC Faerie Course, Session 15
April 18th, 2011
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 4, in which we look at the irregularities of the ending of this great poem. Recorded 2/25/11.
Episode 95: WC Faerie Course, Session 14
April 13th, 2011
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 3, in which we learn how to resist seduction with tact and aplomb. Recorded 2/23/11.
Episode 94: WC Faerie Course, Session 13
April 12th, 2011
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 2, in which we look carefully at our protagonist and his values. Recorded 2/21/11.
Episode 93: WC Faerie Course, Session 12
April 11th, 2011
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 1, in which we discuss happy endings and relatively jolly green giants. Recorded 2/18/11.
Episode 92: WC Faerie Course, Session 11
April 1st, 2011
Chaucer's Wife of Bath's Tale, Part 2, in which we look at some of the remarkable differences between Chaucer's version of this story and Dame …
Episode 91: WC Faerie Course, Session 10
March 30th, 2011
Chaucer's Wife of Bath's Tale, Part 1, in which we look at some of the remarkable differences between Chaucer's version of this story and Dame …
Episode 90: WC Faerie Course, Session 9
March 29th, 2011
The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Part 2, in which we discuss Sir Gawain's big choice. Recorded 2/11/11.
Episode 89: WC Faerie Course, Session 8
March 28th, 2011
The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Part 1, in which we meet a knight with a funny name and a preternaturally ugly woman. Recorded 2/9/11.
Episode 88: WC Faerie Course, Session 7
February 23rd, 2011
Sir Launfal, Part 3, in which we see our protagonist's strange trial and unexpected deliverance. Recorded 2/7/11.
Episode 87: Silmarillion Seminar 04: Quenta Chapter 2
February 22nd, 2011
The fourth session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 2 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Aule and Yavanna."
Episode 86: WC Faerie Course, Session 6
February 20th, 2011
Sir Launfal, Part 2, in which we examine the relationship between our protagonist and his fairy benefactors. Recorded 2/4/11.
Episode 85: WC Faerie Course, Session 5
February 19th, 2011
Sir Launfal, Part 1, in which we meet our protagonist, his king, and his king's sketchy wife. Recorded 2/2/11.
Episode 84: The Wife of Bath's Tale
February 16th, 2011
An unabridged recording of The Wife of Bath's Tale.
Episode 83: The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle
February 16th, 2011
An unabridged recording of Dame Ragnelle.
Episode 82: WC Faerie Course, Session 4
February 14th, 2011
Sir Orfeo, Part 3, in which we enter Faerie and find weird stuff. Recorded 1/31/11.
Episode 81: WC Faerie Course, Session 3
February 14th, 2011
Sir Orfeo Part 2, in which we discuss Sir Orfeo's time of exile in the forest. Recorded 1/28/11.
Episode 80: WC Faerie Course, Session 2
February 7th, 2011
A discussion of the first 194 lines of Sir Orfeo, in the WC Faerie and Fantasy class. Recorded 1/26/11.
Episode 79: Silmarillion Seminar 03: Quenta, Chapter 1
February 2nd, 2011
The third session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 1 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Beginning of Days."
Episode 78: WC Faerie Course, Session 1
February 2nd, 2011
The Introductory Ramble for my new class, Faerie and Fantasy. Recorded 1/24/11.
Episode 77: Sir Launfal
February 2nd, 2011
An unabridged recording of Sir Launfal, in Middle English. This is the second text we will be discussing in my Faerie and Fantasy course.
Episode 76: Sir Orfeo
January 26th, 2011
An unabridged recording of the poem Sir Orfeo, in Middle English. This is the first text we will be discussing in my Faerie and Fantasy course.
Episode 75: An Introduction to Middle English
January 25th, 2011
In preparation to the Faerie and Fantasy course, I have put together this brief introduction to reading Middle English, since the first few texts we …
Episode 74: Silmarillion Seminar 02 - Valaquenta
January 21st, 2011
The second session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing the Valaquenta.
Episode 73: The Minstrel, the Painter, and the Scholar, Part 1
January 3rd, 2011
A roundtable discussion with John DiBartolo, Ted Nasmith, and Corey Olsen. This is the first of a three-part series.
Episode 72: Tolkien Chat 8: Allison Fischbach
January 2nd, 2011
A conversation with Allison Fischbach, a Washington College alum, about mortality and immortality in Tolkien, with special attention paid to the case …
Episode 71: Call-In Office Hours 4
December 27th, 2010
The fourth Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on October 13, 2010. Topics discussed include the Ring and invisibility, Anglo-Saxon, …
Episode 70: Silmarillion Seminar 01 - Ainulindale
December 25th, 2010
The inaugural session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing the Ainulindale.
Episode 69: Tolkien Chat 7: Tara Holste II
November 24th, 2010
A conversation with Tara Holste, a Washington College alum, about Tolkien's thoughts about and depictions of government.
Episode 68: Q&A Session 3
October 9th, 2010
Discussing the Nazgul's flying mount, the Ring's conferring of invisibility, and the theology of Middle-Earth. Students present: Allison Fischbach, …
Episode 67: Kalamazoo 2010
July 19th, 2010
A recording of the two papers on Tolkien I read at the Medieval Congress at Kalamazoo in May 2010: The Poetry of the Hobbit and Tolkien's Typology
Episode 66: Q&A Session 2
July 13th, 2010
Discussing Aragorn's prophecies, Goldberry, and Glorfindel's identity. Students present: Rachel Field, Tessa Fox, and Trevor Williams.
Episode 65: Call-In Office Hours 3
July 5th, 2010
The third Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on June 3, 2010. Topics discussed include recording my class, goblins and orcs, Bilbo's …
Episode 64: Tolkien Chat 6: Scott Holbrook-Foust and Eric Singletary
June 24th, 2010
A conversation with listeners Scott Holbrook-Foust and Eric Singletary, priamrily on written and oral cultures in Middle-Earth.
Episode 63: Call-In Office Hours 2
June 10th, 2010
The second Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on May 20, 2010. Topics discussed include Eowyn's career as a healer, the creation of the …
Episode 62: Q&A Session 1
June 3rd, 2010
Discussing orcs v. goblins, the Watcher in the Water's targeting of Frodo, the lands east of Mordor, the possibility of Gandalf's torturing of …
Episode 61: Tolkien Chat 5: KMO
May 25th, 2010
A conversation with KMO, host of the C-Realm Podcast, on the Silmarillion and Tolkien's mythology.
Episode 60: Tolkien Chat 4: Professor Michael Drout
May 21st, 2010
A chat with Professor Michael Drout, editor of Tolkien Studies, about Tolkien's metafiction and the study of philology.
Episode 59: Tolkien Chat 3: Elizabeth Bateman
May 14th, 2010
A chat with Liz Bateman, Washington College Class of '09, about the power of tragedy in Tolkien's world.
Episode 58: WC Tolkien Course 40 - Return Part VI
May 8th, 2010
The ROTK: Book VI.9. Recorded 4/28/10.
Episode 57: WC Tolkien Course 39 - Return Part V
May 3rd, 2010
The ROTK: Book VI.6-8. Recorded 4/26/10.
Episode 56: WC Tolkien Course 38 - Return Part IV
April 30th, 2010
The ROTK: Book VI.2-5. Recorded 4/23/10.
Episode 55: WC Tolkien Course 37 - Return Part III
April 28th, 2010
The ROTK: Book V.8-10, VI.1. Recorded 4/21/10.
Episode 54: WC Tolkien Course 36 - Return Part II
April 22nd, 2010
The ROTK: Book V.4-7. Recorded 4/19/10.
Episode 53: WC Tolkien Course 35 - Return Part I
April 20th, 2010
The ROTK: Book V.1-3. Recorded 4/16/10. Special Guest: Michael Drout!
Episode 52: Michael Drout Lecture: Whole Worlds Out of Single Words, Tolkien and Language
April 17th, 2010
TP Bonus Content: Michael Drout Lecture: "Whole Worlds Out of Single Words: Tolkien and Language." Recorded 4/15/10
Episode 51: WC Tolkien Course 34 - Two Towers Part VI
April 15th, 2010
The TT: Book IV.6-10. Recorded 4/14/10.
Episode 50: WC Tolkien Course 33 - Two Towers Part V
April 14th, 2010
The TT: Book IV.2-5. Recorded 4/12/10.
Episode 49: WC Tolkien Course 32 - Two Towers Part IV
April 12th, 2010
The TT: Book III, Chap 10-11; IV.1. Recorded 4/9/10.
Episode 48: WC Tolkien Course 31 - Two Towers Part III
April 10th, 2010
The TT: Book III, Chap 7-9. Recorded 4/7/10.
Episode 47: WC Tolkien Course 30 - Two Towers Part II
April 7th, 2010
The TT: Book III, Chap 4-6. Recorded 4/5/10.
Episode 46: WC Tolkien Course 29 - Two Towers Part I
April 5th, 2010
The TT: Book III, Chap 1-3. Recorded 4/2/10.
Episode 45: WC Tolkien Course 28 - Fellowship Part VII
March 30th, 2010
The FOTR: Book II, Chap 7-10. Recorded 3/29/10.
Episode 44: WC Tolkien Course 27 - Fellowship Part VI
March 29th, 2010
The FOTR: Book II, Chap 4-6. Recorded 3/26/10.
Episode 43: WC Tolkien Course 26 - Fellowship Part V
March 26th, 2010
The FOTR: Book II, Chap 2-3. Recorded 3/24/10.
Episode 42: WC Tolkien Course 25 - Fellowship Part IV
March 24th, 2010
The FOTR: Book I, Chap 11 - Book II, Chap 1. Recorded 3/22/10.
Episode 41: WC Tolkien Course 24 - Fellowship Part III
March 20th, 2010
The FOTR: Book I, Chaps 7-10. Recorded 3/19/10.
Episode 40: WC Tolkien Course 23 - Fellowship Part II
March 19th, 2010
The FOTR: Book I, Chaps 3-6. Recorded 3/18/10.
Episode 39: Tolkien and Food
March 18th, 2010
TP Bonus Content: Lecture on Food for Hobbit Luncheon. Recorded 3/17/10
Episode 38: WC Tolkien Course 22 - Fellowship Part I
March 17th, 2010
The FOTR: Forw, Prol, Chaps 1-2. Recorded 3/15/10.
Episode 37: WC Tolkien Course 21 - The Hobbit Part IV
March 6th, 2010
The Hobbit: Chaps 12-19. Recorded 3/5/10.
Episode 36: WC Tolkien Course 20 - The Hobbit Part III
March 4th, 2010
The Hobbit: Chaps 8-11. Recorded 3/3/10.
Episode 35: WC Tolkien Course 19 - The Hobbit Part II
March 3rd, 2010
The Hobbit: Chaps 5-7. Recorded 3/1/10.
Episode 34: WC Tolkien Course 18 - The Hobbit Part I
March 1st, 2010
The Hobbit: Chaps 1-4. Recorded 2/26/10.
Episode 33: WC Tolkien Course 17 - Silmarillion Part IX
February 26th, 2010
Silmarillion: Of the Rings of Power. Recorded 2/24/10.
Episode 32: WC Tolkien Course 16 - Silmarillion Part VIII
February 24th, 2010
Silmarillion: Akallabeth. Recorded 2/22/10.
Episode 31: WC Tolkien Course 15 - Silmarillion Part VII
February 22nd, 2010
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 22-24. Recorded 2/19/10.
Episode 30: WC Tolkien Course 14 - Silmarillion Part VI
February 18th, 2010
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 20-21. Recorded 2/17/10.
Episode 29: WC Tolkien Course 13 - Silmarillion Part V
February 17th, 2010
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 18-19. Recorded 2/15/10.
Episode 28: WC Tolkien Course 12 - Silmarillion Part IV
February 16th, 2010
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 13-17. Recorded 2/12/10.
Episode 27: WC Tolkien Course 11 - Silmarillion Part III
February 14th, 2010
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 8-12. Recorded 2/12/10.
Episode 26: WC Tolkien Course 10 - Silmarillion Part II
February 13th, 2010
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 1-7. Recorded 2/12/10.
Episode 25: WC Tolkien Course 09 - Silmarillion, Part I
February 8th, 2010
Silmarillion: Ainulindale and Valaquenta. Recorded 2/5/10.
Episode 24: WC Tolkien Course 08 - “Smith of Wootton Major” Part II
February 4th, 2010
"Smith of Wootton Major," Part 2. Recorded 2/3/10.
Episode 23: WC Tolkien Course 07 - “Smith of Wootton Major” Part I
February 3rd, 2010
"Smith of Wootton Major," Part 1. Recorded 2/1/10.
Episode 22: WC Tolkien Course 06 - “Leaf by Niggle,” Part II
January 31st, 2010
"Leaf by Niggle," Part 2. Recorded 1/29/10.
Episode 21: WC Tolkien Course 05 - “Leaf by Niggle,” Part I
January 29th, 2010
End of "Mythopoeia" and "Leaf by Niggle," Part 1. Recorded 1/27/10.
Episode 20: WC Tolkien Course 04 - “Mythopoeia”
January 26th, 2010
Tolkien's poem "Mythopoeia." Also contains a bonus unabridged recording of the poem. Recorded 1/25/10.
Episode 19: WC Tolkien Course 03 - “On Fairy-Stories,” Part II
January 25th, 2010
"On Fairy-Stories," Part 2. Makeup recording following a lamentable software crash in the midst of the live recording (on 1/22/10).
Episode 18: WC Tolkien Course 02 - “On Fairy-Stories,” Part I
January 21st, 2010
"On Fairy-Stories," Part 1. Recorded 1/20/10.
Episode 17: WC Tolkien Course 01 - Introduction
January 19th, 2010
Introductory material from the first session of my Tolkien course at Washington College. Recorded 1/18/10.
Episode 16: Bilbo Builds His Resume 1
January 17th, 2010
The Hobbit Series Lecture 5, Part 1, in which we consider the forest of Mirkwood and its denizens. Text: Chapters 8, 9, and 10: "Flies and Spiders," …
Episode 15: Call-In Office Hours 1
January 9th, 2010
The Tolkien Professor takes calls by Skype from listeners. Topics covered include the Eye of Sauron, the death of the Witchking, and Gandalf's death.
Episode 14: Announcements: Fall 2009
October 5th, 2009
Announcements of imminent events and upcoming new content.
Episode 13: Tolkien Chat 2: Tara Holste
October 2nd, 2009
A chat with Tara Holste, Washington College Class of '07, about class relations in Tolkien's fiction, with a primary focus on the relationship …
Episode 12: Tolkien Chat 1: Ben Kozlowski
September 13th, 2009
A chat with Ben Kozlowski, Washington College Class of '08, about the knowledge of evil in Tolkien's world.
Episode 11: Rescued in the Wild, By the Wild 3
September 6th, 2009
The Hobbit Series Lecture 4, Part 3, in which we examine Beorn, then step back and draw some conclusions about the Wild, followed by a brief …
Episode 10: Rescued in the Wild, By the Wild 2
August 3rd, 2009
The Hobbit Series Lecture 4, Part 2, in which we take a close look at the goblins, the wargs, and the eagles. Text: Chapters 6 and 7, "Out of the …
Episode 9: Rescued in the Wild, By the Wild 1
July 31st, 2009
The Hobbit Series Lecture 4, Part 1, in which we look at the changes in Bilbo and his relationship with Gandalf and the dwarves. Text: Chapters 6 and 7, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire" and "Queer Lodgings"
Episode 8: On Tolkien's Secondary World
July 27th, 2009
A third informal podcast, in which the Tolkien Professor doesn't exactly answer anybody's questions, but talks about some of the issues involved in …
Episode 7: On Dragons and Orcs
July 20th, 2009
A second informal podcast Q&A, in which the Tolkien Professor discusses Smaug's family history and the social life of orcs
Episode 6: Tolkien and the Environment
July 13th, 2009
TP Bonus Content: A live recording of a joint lecture I gave in October 2008 with a former student, Shannon Holste, Washington College '07
Episode 5: On Wingless Balrogs and Tom Bombadil
July 8th, 2009
An informal podcast Q&A, in which the Tolkien Professor discusses his views on the winglessness of Balrogs and the identity of Tom Bombadil
Episode 4: At the Roots of the Mountain
June 16th, 2009
The Hobbit Series Lecture 3, in which we come to the turning point of Bilbo's career. Containing a discussion of orcs and a careful reading of the …
Episode 3: The Ridiculous and the Sublime
June 16th, 2009
The Hobbit Series Lecture 2, in which I look at the beginning of Bilbo's burlarious career and examine the natures of trolls and elves. Text: …
Episode 2: Took and Baggins
June 16th, 2009
The Hobbit Series Lecture 1, in which I examine how Tolkien introduces his fantasy world through his flustered little protagonist. Text: Chapter 1, …
Episode 1: How to Read Tolkien and Why
June 16th, 2009
The Intro Lecture, in which I discuss Tolkien's understanding of the nature and importance of storytelling. Primary Text: Tolkien's essay "On …
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