Tonight the team discusses Episode 7: The Luthien and Sauron Showdown!
Maggie and Corey welcome Dom Nardi and Trevor Brierly, editors of the book Discovering Dune, to discuss the adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic …
Tonight on SilmFilm: casting for Season 6, including Beren!
Corey and Maggie continue their discussion of Peter Jackson's FOTR film, doing a deeper dive into characters and scenes.
Other Minds and Hands: An …
Today, in a day that seems long in coming, Maggie and Corey are going to roll up their sleeves and begin a discussion of the Peter Jackson films as a …
Today Maggie and Corey return to The Rings of Power to discuss recent developments and also our recent rewatches of the show.
Other Minds and Hands: …
Tonight we discuss Episode 6 of Season 6, which contains the awesome but very-challenging-to-depict-visually Song Battle between Sauron and Finrod!
Welcome to Part 2 of our Christmas Adaptation Special! Today, we are looking at some Dickens re-arrangements!
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and …
This evening, we will discuss the draft of Episode 5, in which Beren goes to Nargothrond and Luthien goes to prison.
Maggie and Corey's Christmas Special, Part 1! Today we look at classic Retelling Adaptations of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, focusing on "Scrooge" …
Let's talk about the Princess Bride ... No, there is too much. Let us sum up.
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien …
Tonight is Season 6 Art Commissioning Day. Let's talk about visual design choices for the Beren and Luthien story!
Join Maggie and Corey for further discussion on adaptation theory and some talk about the Rings of Power BTS footage.
Other Minds and Hands: An Open …
Tinuviel! SilmFilm is back, and just in time for the meeting of Beren and Luthien!
Join Corey and Maggie as they discuss and debate some important questions about adaptation.
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion …
Join Corey and Maggie for an interview with Bear McCreary, composer of the score for the Rings of Power
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly …
Corey and Maggie are back to continue some final reflections on Episode 8 of RoP s1, as time passes and wounds continue to heal.
Fall Fundraising Campaign 2022 has started. Watch Lorey's announcement and come to our …
Join Maggie and Corey for a discussion of Episode 8, as the journey towards Acceptance continues...
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly …
Corey and Maggie are together again at StudioLab in NH, to answer questions about Episode 7 and anticipate the finale! And we'll be joined by a special guest!
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of …
Join Corey Olsen and Maggie Parke for a final discussion of Rings of Power Episode 6, and some anticipation of Ep 7 and beyond!
Other Minds and …
Join Corey and Maggie as we answer some more Episode 4 questions and start getting ready for Episode 5.
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly …
Join Corey and Maggie for some follow-up on Episode 5, anticipation of Episode 6, and miscellaneous adaptation themes!
Other Minds and Hands: An …
Join Corey Olsen and Maggie Parke, who are here to discuss Numenor, dads, bad guys, and whatever else you have questions about in RoP!
Maggie and Corey do some Q&A after this week's Rings and Realms episode, and anticipate Episode 3.
Join us today for the deep breath before the plunge -- a casual moment to talk about what we are up to and to take your questions about the show!
Tonight on SilmFilm, we discuss the score for Season 6, and the musical commissions we have in mind for our staff composer, Phillip Menzies.
Tonight we discuss Episode 3 of Season 6: Beren avenges his father and hits the road!
Today we are joined by the legendary John Howe to discuss visual adaptation of Tolkien.
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of …
Come for an Open Q&A with Corey (Maggie can't make it today!) about the trailers and the ComiCon rollout of the #ringsofpower
Other Minds and …
Join Corey and Maggie for some long-delayed trailer discussion, in a cool new location!
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of …
Time to discuss Episode 2! Betrayal! Violence!
Tonight we discuss Magic and its representation in the Beren and Luthien story!
Join Corey and Maggie as they discuss the new Rings of Power metateaser and discuss TolkienTok with some awesome TikTokers.
Tonight we discuss the script of Episode 1 of Season 6! There are ghosts, vampires, frustrated balrogs, desperate outlaws, and the heirs of kings.
Join Corey and Maggie as they share more details from their discussions with the Rings of Power showrunners and continue discussing Empire images.
…
Join us tonight for a discussion of the Frame story for Season 6! (Hint: Tinuviel! Tinuviel!)
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 12,
recorded on June 8, 2022
Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the …
Let's discuss the recent Wheel of Time adaptation! Corey really admires it and dares you to change his mind!
Tonight we finish the plot outline discussion for Season 6. Time to resolve the issues with the end of the season...
Today, Maggie and Corey are joined by Sergio and Cesar from the Tolkien Talk YouTube channel in Brazil!
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly …
This evening we finish thinking through the arc of the Beren and Luthien story, focusing on the final sequence: To Mandos and Back Again.
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 …
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 …
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 …
Today we will think through the Elvish political situation in Eriador in the Second Age, considering the opportunities and challenges that the Rings …
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 5,
recorded on March 30, 2022
Hosts:
Dr. Corey Olsen the …
Other Minds and Hands: An Open and Friendly Discussion of Tolkien Adaptation, Episode 4,
recorded on March 23, 2022
Today, Corey and Maggie are …
Tonight we start on the Beren and Luthien story, and we decide the order of the first part of the season.
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 …
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 …
So how do we shape the Nargothrond and Doriath suplots of the Beren and Luthien story?
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 …
So, what exactly is Glaurung up to during the Beren and Luthien story?
Let's discuss the Character Posters that dropped today!
Let's discuss the Character Posters that dropped today!
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?
Meanwhile, what exactly happened in Dorthonion? How is Sauron involved? Thuringwethil?
And now to plan one of Sauron's big moments: his rise and fall in the Luthien story. And what happened to Thuringwethil anyway?
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!
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.
What's the score? Tonight we hear and discuss the music composed for Season 5!
It's time for Episode 12, the first half of the Dagor Bragollach. Join us as the flames sweep across northern Beleriand!
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 …
Tonight, the heart of Season 5: the Athrabethof Finrod and Andreth! This is awesome stuff.
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 …
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 …
SilmarillionOnPrime? Really? Let's talk about this!
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
In which we discuss Haleth among the giant spiders, Gandalf in Harad, and more about the differences between Elves and Men.
Episode 5 tonight -- Let's talk about the unfriendship of the Green Elves (not to mention the Grey!).
Tonight: Harad! Let's do some world-building and figuring out what Harad is like (or one corner of it, anyway).
Tonight we discuss the criteria for casting the new characters for Season 5. What are we looking for in Humans?
Tonight we discuss the script for Episode 4: the battle at the Stockade, and the emergence of Haleth!
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 …
Tonight we resume our SilmFilm discussions discussing what creative works we would like to commission in conjunction with this season, with a heavy …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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Mythgard Academy
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 …
Adaptation has been a topic that has intrigued many Mythgardians, including Signum University President Corey Olsen (also known as The Tolkien …
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: …
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 …
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Trish Lambert and Dave Kale discuss three of the six "leftover" riddles that needed more discussion. …
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 …
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.
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen offers his own reactions, observations and insights about the third installment of Peter Jackson's adaptation of …
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 …
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 …
The Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and co-hosts Dave Kale and Trish Lambert considered the extra footage included in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug …
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 …
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.
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 …
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 …
The analysis phase kicks off by pondering the trailer for the extended edition of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, among other things
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 …
We wrap up the riddle game with the key question: Will there be a Bag End auction?
Corey and Laura share listener observations and present the final five conundra of the riddle game
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
Professor Olsen comments on the release of J.R.R. Tolkien's translation of Beowulf
What happens when the dust settles after the battle? Corey and Trish ask the tough questions.
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.
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.
Corey and Trish (standing in for Laura) share great listener observations about the Battle of Dol Guldur (RITD Episodes 3.09 and 3.10)
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 …
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 …
Corey and Trish (standing in for Laura) go over all the riddles covering the Siege (RITD Episodes 3.06, 3.07 and 3.08)
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
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 …
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 …
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.
Moving right along toward the Battle of (the) Five Armies, Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen and his Riddles in the Dark co-hosts actually talk …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
The first episode of the Riddles in the Dark Supererogatory. The Tolkien Professor addresses your comments and questions on RITD 3.01
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 …
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 …
Talking Elves in the second episode of the third year of Riddles in the Dark.
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 …
The thirty-fifth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, Part 2
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 …
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 …
Part 2: Professor Olsen discusses his reactions to the second Hobbit movie, The Desolation of Smaug
Part 1: Professor Olsen discusses his reactions to the second Hobbit movie, The Desolation of Smaug
As The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is unveiled around the world, Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen, Laura Berkholtz, and Trish Lambert review all the …
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 …
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 …
Considering the fringe characters in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug by way of Lego set interpretation. There is a visual companion PDF for this …
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz take on the weighty theme of bromance in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz discuss listener opinions on when Bilbo will reveal the presence of the Ring.
The fifth Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on October 7, 2013. Topics discussed include invisible Ringwraiths, getting a PhD in Tolkien …
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz discuss opinions on the relationship between the elves of Mirkwood and the men of Laketown in The Desolation of …
A 3.33-hour discussion of the 2.5-minute second trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
Professor Olsen chats with authors Ethan Gilsdorf and Noble Smith
Kamikaze Thrush, Bald Raven, Radish Hat, Galion the Butler, and That Girl Elf
From what cliff will we be left hanging at the end of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug?
Professor Olsen talks with Bernd Greisinger of the Greisinger Museum, home of the largest collection of Tolkien artifacts in the world
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review listener comments and opinions on the start of The Desolation of Smaug.
Considering the big flying lizard in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Bromancing the (Arken)Stone in the Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
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 …
Mythgard Students presented a variety of papers at this year's Mythcon in Lansing, MI
Corey Olsen, Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review all the riddles and conundra posed so far for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review reader's comments and analyst opinions on Bolg's role in The Desolation of Smaug.
Laketown and its socio-political-economic position in the region are examined.
All four Riddles in the Dark cohoses review the first trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.
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' …
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 …
Prof Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert talk about how Peter Jackson will begin The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
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 …
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 …
The thirty-fourth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, Part 1
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: …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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.
The thirty-third session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the Allkalabeth, Part 3
The thirty-second session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the Allkalabeth, Part 2
At long last, the much anticipated, recording-breaking 3-hour RITD Christmas Special! The trio fully debriefs The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and …
Trish Lambert and Laura Berkholtz review reader's comments and analyst opinions on Riddle 2.01 dealing with Beorn's relationship to the goblins.
Prof Cory Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert tap into their spidey senses to consider Mirkwood's arachnids in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaugh.
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 …
The thirty-first session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the Allkalabeth, Part 1
The thirtieth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 24 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of Wrath, …
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: …
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 …
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 …
Prof Cory Olsen, Dave Kale, and Trish Lambert review a year's worth of riddles for Movie 1.
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.
Conclusion - Recorded 05/04/11.
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Chapter 24 - Epilogue Recorded 05/02/11.
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.
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Chapter 18 - 23 Recorded 04/29/11.
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Chapter 12 - 17 Recorded 04/27/11.
The twenty-ninth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 24 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of …
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 …
Dave Kale and Trish Lambert review Orcs, Radagast, and toy figures in this digest episode, among other things. A collage of Comic-Con interview …
The twenty-eigth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 23 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin"
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 …
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Chapter 6 - 11 Recorded 04/25/11.
The twenty-seventh session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 22 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Ruin of Dorian"
The twenty-sixth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the third part of Chapter 21 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Turin Turambar"
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 …
Garth Nix, "Sabriel", Prologue - Chapter 5, Recorded 04/22/11.
Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Unicorn", Chapters 12-14, Recorded 04/20/11.
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 …
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 …
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 …
Welcome to The Riddles in the Dark Digest Controversy episode! Dave and Trish relook at RITD Episode 13 (about Comic-Con), respond to critical …
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 …
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 …
Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Unicorn", Chapters 9-11, Recorded 04/18/11.
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 …
The twenty-fifth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the second part of Chapter 21 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Turin Turambar"
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. …
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 …
Mythgard students and faculty attending the Tolkien Society's Return of the Ring conference with Tolkien Professor Corey Olsen come together to talk …
The twenty-forth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering the first part of Chapter 21 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Turin Turambar"
The twenty-third session of the Silmarillion Seminar, covering Chapter 20 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad."
Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Unicorn", Chapters 5-8, Recorded 04/15/11.
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 …
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!
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 …
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 …
Peter S. Beagle, "The Last Unicorn", Chapters 1-4, Recorded 04/13/11.
The Digest is back! Trish Lambert joins the Riddles team and helps Dave review predictions, analyses, and listener feedback on the third topic, The …
C.S. Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", Chapters 12-17, Recorded 04/11/11.
C.S. Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", Chapters 7-11, Recorded 04/08/11.
This week we discuss two topics that go hand-in-hand: Gollum and romance. Duh.
C.S. Lewis, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", Chapters 1-6, Recorded 04/04/11.
The twenty-second session of the Silmarillion Seminar, in which we spend an unprecedented third week on Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of …
Only four months into the podcast, we finally get around to talking about The Hobbit's titular character, Bilbo Baggins...for two hours!
J.R.R. Tolkien, Smith of Wootton Major, Pages 35-39 Recorded 04/01/11.
We go back to the very beginning...of first Hobbit film, that is. How will The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey open on-screen?
J.R.R. Tolkien, Smith of Wootton Major, Pages 9-34 Recorded 3/30/11.
George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, Chapters 21-32 Recorded 3/28/11.
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 …
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.
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 …
George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, Chapters 11-20 Recorded 3/25/11.
The twenty-first session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing the second part of Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Beren and Luthien"
The first RITD episode to address humor in the Hobbit; this week we focus on Bilbo's first "successful adventure" with the trolls.
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.
The twentieth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion, " Of Beren and Luthien"
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 …
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.
A discussion of the misfortunes of the House of Durin, Thror and predictions based on casting for the character.
George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, Chapters 1-10 Recorded 3/23/11.
The nineteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 18 of the Quenta Silmarillion, " Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of …
A discussion of Thror and Thrain, and predictions about Thrain's depiction in the film.
What's new at The Tolkien Professor, including two new podcasts and an updated website.
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" …
The eighteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 17 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of Men into the West"
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 …
Professor Corey Olsen answers questions from people interested in taking courses at the Mythgard Institute (www.mythgard.org).
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, …
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 …
Lord Dunsany, The Book of Wonder, Part 2. Recorded 3/21/11.
The seventeenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 16 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Maeglin"
Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, Laura Berkholtz, and George Naylor discuss themes of horror in Tolkien's writings.
The sixteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 15 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Noldor in Beleriand."
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 …
The tenth Tolkien Chat, recorded in the bar at the Albuquerque MCM Elegante during the annual Mythopoeic Society Conference
Lord Dunsany, The Book of Wonder, Part 1. Recorded 3/11/11.
The fifteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 14 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Beleriand and Its Realms."
Andrew Lang Session 5, in which we discuss "Rapunzel," "Snowdrop," and "The Enchanted Ring." Recorded 3/9/11.
A conversation with Professor David Perlmutter about two of his favorite intellectual hobbies, military history and Tolkien.
The fourteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 13 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Return of the Noldor."
Andrew Lang Session 4, in which we discuss "Jack and the Beanstalk," "The Three Dwarfs," and "The Twelve Brothers." Recorded 3/7/11.
The thirteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 12 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Men."
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." …
The twelfth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 11 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Sun and the Moon and the Hiding of …
The eleventh session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 10 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Sindar."
The tenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 9 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Flight of the Noldor."
The ninth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 8 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Darkening of Valinor."
After a brief message to Stephen Colbert, we move on to the eighth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 7 of the Quenta …
The seventh session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 6 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor."
Andrew Lang Session 2, in which we discuss "Rumpelstiltzkin," "Hansel and Grettel," and "Beauty and the Beast." Recorded 3/2/11.
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 …
Announcing the Mythgard Institute, offering courses in Tolkien Studies and related fields, beginning Fall 2011. Part one of two shows originally …
The sixth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 5 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalie."
Andrew Lang Session 1, in which we discuss "Sleeping Beauty," "Cinderella," and "Aladdin." Recorded 2/28/11.
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 …
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.
An essay exploring the representation of the Celtic Otherworld in Arthurian Literature, with a particular focus on Morgan Le Fay in Sir Gawain and …
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.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 3, in which we learn how to resist seduction with tact and aplomb. Recorded 2/23/11.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 2, in which we look carefully at our protagonist and his values. Recorded 2/21/11.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 1, in which we discuss happy endings and relatively jolly green giants. Recorded 2/18/11.
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 …
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 …
The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Part 2, in which we discuss Sir Gawain's big choice. Recorded 2/11/11.
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.
Sir Launfal, Part 3, in which we see our protagonist's strange trial and unexpected deliverance. Recorded 2/7/11.
The fourth session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 2 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Aule and Yavanna."
Sir Launfal, Part 2, in which we examine the relationship between our protagonist and his fairy benefactors. Recorded 2/4/11.
Sir Launfal, Part 1, in which we meet our protagonist, his king, and his king's sketchy wife. Recorded 2/2/11.
An unabridged recording of The Wife of Bath's Tale.
An unabridged recording of Dame Ragnelle.
Sir Orfeo, Part 3, in which we enter Faerie and find weird stuff. Recorded 1/31/11.
Sir Orfeo Part 2, in which we discuss Sir Orfeo's time of exile in the forest. Recorded 1/28/11.
A discussion of the first 194 lines of Sir Orfeo, in the WC Faerie and Fantasy class. Recorded 1/26/11.
The third session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 1 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Beginning of Days."
The Introductory Ramble for my new class, Faerie and Fantasy. Recorded 1/24/11.
An unabridged recording of Sir Launfal, in Middle English. This is the second text we will be discussing in my Faerie and Fantasy course.
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.
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 …
The second session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing the Valaquenta.
A roundtable discussion with John DiBartolo, Ted Nasmith, and Corey Olsen. This is the first of a three-part series.
A conversation with Allison Fischbach, a Washington College alum, about mortality and immortality in Tolkien, with special attention paid to the case …
The fourth Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on October 13, 2010. Topics discussed include the Ring and invisibility, Anglo-Saxon, …
The inaugural session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing the Ainulindale.
A conversation with Tara Holste, a Washington College alum, about Tolkien's thoughts about and depictions of government.
Discussing the Nazgul's flying mount, the Ring's conferring of invisibility, and the theology of Middle-Earth. Students present: Allison Fischbach, …
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
Discussing Aragorn's prophecies, Goldberry, and Glorfindel's identity. Students present: Rachel Field, Tessa Fox, and Trevor Williams.
The third Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on June 3, 2010. Topics discussed include recording my class, goblins and orcs, Bilbo's …
A conversation with listeners Scott Holbrook-Foust and Eric Singletary, priamrily on written and oral cultures in Middle-Earth.
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 …
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 …
A conversation with KMO, host of the C-Realm Podcast, on the Silmarillion and Tolkien's mythology.
A chat with Professor Michael Drout, editor of Tolkien Studies, about Tolkien's metafiction and the study of philology.
A chat with Liz Bateman, Washington College Class of '09, about the power of tragedy in Tolkien's world.
The ROTK: Book VI.9. Recorded 4/28/10.
The ROTK: Book VI.6-8. Recorded 4/26/10.
The ROTK: Book VI.2-5. Recorded 4/23/10.
The ROTK: Book V.8-10, VI.1. Recorded 4/21/10.
The ROTK: Book V.4-7. Recorded 4/19/10.
The ROTK: Book V.1-3. Recorded 4/16/10. Special Guest: Michael Drout!
TP Bonus Content: Michael Drout Lecture: "Whole Worlds Out of Single Words: Tolkien and Language." Recorded 4/15/10
The TT: Book IV.6-10. Recorded 4/14/10.
The TT: Book IV.2-5. Recorded 4/12/10.
The TT: Book III, Chap 10-11; IV.1. Recorded 4/9/10.
The TT: Book III, Chap 7-9. Recorded 4/7/10.
The TT: Book III, Chap 4-6. Recorded 4/5/10.
The TT: Book III, Chap 1-3. Recorded 4/2/10.
The FOTR: Book II, Chap 7-10. Recorded 3/29/10.
The FOTR: Book II, Chap 4-6. Recorded 3/26/10.
The FOTR: Book II, Chap 2-3. Recorded 3/24/10.
The FOTR: Book I, Chap 11 - Book II, Chap 1. Recorded 3/22/10.
The FOTR: Book I, Chaps 7-10. Recorded 3/19/10.
The FOTR: Book I, Chaps 3-6. Recorded 3/18/10.
TP Bonus Content: Lecture on Food for Hobbit Luncheon. Recorded 3/17/10
The FOTR: Forw, Prol, Chaps 1-2. Recorded 3/15/10.
The Hobbit: Chaps 12-19. Recorded 3/5/10.
The Hobbit: Chaps 8-11. Recorded 3/3/10.
The Hobbit: Chaps 5-7. Recorded 3/1/10.
The Hobbit: Chaps 1-4. Recorded 2/26/10.
Silmarillion: Of the Rings of Power. Recorded 2/24/10.
Silmarillion: Akallabeth. Recorded 2/22/10.
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 22-24. Recorded 2/19/10.
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 20-21. Recorded 2/17/10.
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 18-19. Recorded 2/15/10.
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 13-17. Recorded 2/12/10.
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 8-12. Recorded 2/12/10.
Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion 1-7. Recorded 2/12/10.
Silmarillion: Ainulindale and Valaquenta. Recorded 2/5/10.
"Smith of Wootton Major," Part 2. Recorded 2/3/10.
"Smith of Wootton Major," Part 1. Recorded 2/1/10.
"Leaf by Niggle," Part 2. Recorded 1/29/10.
End of "Mythopoeia" and "Leaf by Niggle," Part 1. Recorded 1/27/10.
Tolkien's poem "Mythopoeia." Also contains a bonus unabridged recording of the poem. Recorded 1/25/10.
"On Fairy-Stories," Part 2. Makeup recording following a lamentable software crash in the midst of the live recording (on 1/22/10).
"On Fairy-Stories," Part 1. Recorded 1/20/10.
Introductory material from the first session of my Tolkien course at Washington College. Recorded 1/18/10.
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," …
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.
Announcements of imminent events and upcoming new content.
A chat with Tara Holste, Washington College Class of '07, about class relations in Tolkien's fiction, with a primary focus on the relationship …
A chat with Ben Kozlowski, Washington College Class of '08, about the knowledge of evil in Tolkien's world.
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 …
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 …
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"
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 …
A second informal podcast Q&A, in which the Tolkien Professor discusses Smaug's family history and the social life of orcs
TP Bonus Content: A live recording of a joint lecture I gave in October 2008 with a former student, Shannon Holste, Washington College '07
An informal podcast Q&A, in which the Tolkien Professor discusses his views on the winglessness of Balrogs and the identity of Tom Bombadil
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 …
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: …
The Hobbit Series Lecture 1, in which I examine how Tolkien introduces his fantasy world through his flustered little protagonist. Text: Chapter 1, …
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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