Exploring Tolkien

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Exploring Tolkien is a weekly show that dives deep into JRR Tolkien and all the ages of Middle-earth. Jonathan Watson and Michael Grumbine are your hosts as they read through Tolkien’s works, interview other Tolkien enthusiasts and authors, and critically examine how Tolkien’s world is being treated by mega-corporations like Amazon.com and Warner Bros.

  1. 157. Is this the BEST Change in The Lord of the Rings Films? : Film Changes #44 and #45

    -2 ДН.

    157. Is this the BEST Change in The Lord of the Rings Films? : Film Changes #44 and #45

    Orc pods and Uruk-hai origins: lore-breaking or the best possible changes? In this episode, we dig into Peter Jackson’s “orc pod” scenes and the cinematic invention of Lurtz, the alpha Uruk-hai, We also weigh Tolkien’s less-than-precise lore against the movies’ need for explaining the Uruk-hai—and debate just how much Jackson’s changes actually fit Middle-earth. We also explore: What Tolkien actually says (and doesn’t say) about how Uruk-hai were made Why “orc pods” feel a bit too much like The Matrix—and whether it helps or hurts the films Lurtz as a character: does inventing a main orc villain actually make the Boromir scene more powerful? The blurred line between lore-friendly and lore-accurate movie adaptations How visual, dramatic choices shape your connection to Tolkien’s world Become a member at https://theonering.com/members or https://theonering.com/patreon to hear our thoughts on: Listener reactions and hot takes on Glorfindel and Arwen The challenge of cutting “side quests” (like the Barrow-downs) for movie pacing Why adding new leaders (like Lurtz) can actually deepen the cinematic experience A sneak peek at the new Exploring Tolkien app BECOME A MEMBER! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, and live chats. You can also join for $5 a month on Patreon 🔗 Episode Links Join our Discord Community (for free) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Fall of Gondolin The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

  2. The Cringiest Line in Lord of the Rings : Film Changes #42 and #43

    3 ФЕВР.

    The Cringiest Line in Lord of the Rings : Film Changes #42 and #43

    In this episode, we look at two of the most unloved film changes from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: Arwen replacing Glorfindel and making Arwen the only one with power and agency in The Flight to the Ford.. Michael and Jonathan break down why these choices set off so many Tolkien fans, how they impact the agency of Aragorn and Frodo, and whether these moments actually improve the movies. Why losing Glorfindel means losing a key link to Middle-earth’s ancient history The movie’s “girl boss” approach to Arwen’s character—and what it does to the story Frodo’s lost agency at the ford, and the difference between book and film The most “cringeworthy” line in Lord of the Rings Become a member at https://theonering.com/members or https://theonering.com/patreon to hear our thoughts on: The re-release box office numbers for The Lord of the Rings trilogy (any why were they so low) Viewer comments on our last video (were we wrong?) Michael reviews the new Rise of the Merlin show based on Stephen R. Lawhead’s Pendragon Cycle BECOME A MEMBER! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, and live chats. You can also join for $5 a month on Patreon 🔗 Episode Links Join our Discord Community (for free) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Fall of Gondolin The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

    44 мин.
  3. 155. The Infamous Messenger Moth : Film Changes #38, #39, and #40

    22 ЯНВ.

    155. The Infamous Messenger Moth : Film Changes #38, #39, and #40

    We’re back to going through ALL the changes in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings!  This week we discuss Aragorn’s sword substitions, changes at Weathertop, and that infamous messenger moth: Was Aragorn really just carrying around a package of small swords the entire time? Was the battle at Weathertop lore-friendly? The messenger moth replaces Radagast… and Jonathan can’t get over it. Become a member at https://theonering.com/members or https://theonering.com/patreon to hear our thoughts on: The Rings of Power will now include a blue wizard — a surprise no one was asking for. BECOME A MEMBER! Get access to the extended edition of this podcast, our private Discord chat, and live chats. You can also join for $5 a month on Patreon 🔗 Episode Links Join our Discord Community (for free) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Fall of Gondolin The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

  4. 154. Tolkien Wrote the Ultimate Retcon - The Hobbit #38

    6 ЯНВ.

    154. Tolkien Wrote the Ultimate Retcon - The Hobbit #38

    Most people haven’t read how Tolkien actually wrote how The Hobbit precisely connects to The Lord of the Rings.  In The Quest of Erebor (first published in Unfinished Tales) Tolkien explains precisely how every major event in The Hobbit is connected to the greater story in The Lord of the Rings. And it’s not only the historical/factual connections–Tolkien clearly connects the philosophical underpinnings of Middle-earth more clearly into The Hobbit too! We take a look at: The three published versions of the Quest for Erebor—and why the Annotated Hobbit’s is the longest and most complete Gandalf’s “absurd” commitment to Bilbo, and why he pushes for a stealthy quest instead of open war Why Gandalf was concerned about the Hobbits forgetting the  “high and perilous” figures of legend. The crucial role of Smaug as the north’s wild card, and why Gandalf fears a Sauron-Smaug alliance In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about: How Tolkien could have retconned: stone giants, Beorn’s descendants, Gundabad orcs, and trala-lally elves into The Lord of the Rings How Gandalf’s mysterious “waking mind” connects to fate and agency in Tolkien’s world Listener corrections and deep-dives into Hobbit trivia 🔗 Episode Links The History of The Hobbit The Annotated Hobbit Join our Discord Community (for free) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The History of The Hobbit The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

    1 ч.
  5. 153. The Christmas Eucatastrophe (and is The Lord of the Rings a Christmas movie?)

    23.12.2025

    153. The Christmas Eucatastrophe (and is The Lord of the Rings a Christmas movie?)

    We turn our attention from The Hobbit to a long-hidden Tolkien gem: his 1936 Christmas poem, “Noel.”  We take a look at the history of the poem’s rediscovery, its deep-rooted Tolkien-esque imagery, and why its message of hope stands uniquely in Tolkien’s literary career. We discuss: The surprising 2013 rediscovery of “Noel” and how Tolkien scholars tracked it down through forgotten school annuals and convent archives. The poem’s Nordic and Middle-earth flavor in the early stanzas—and the “eucatastrophic” shift when a child is born. Song and music as markers of Tolkien’s poetic voice, the emphasis on Mary’s song, and what it means for the joy of the world. Why “Noel” is a rare example of Tolkien writing an explicitly Christ-centered poem, and how it stands apart from his other work. The unmistakable hope and gladness that “Noel” brings to the weary, gray world. The craft and subtlety Tolkien brings, never over-explaining the mystery—just inviting us to imagine, wonder, and rejoice. In our extended episode (available for EVERYONE this week! :D. Merry Christmas! Become a member or a patron!), we tackle one of the greatest Christmas questions… is Lord of the Rings a Christmas film!? Does simply watching a film at Christmas imbue it with holiday status, or must its core message embody the “eucatastrophe” of the season? The surprisingly non-Christmas nature of Die Hard and Gremlins. Our favorite Christmas movies, from It’s a Wonderful Life to Home Alone, and what really makes a story Christmas-worthy. 🔗 Episode Links Noel – Tolkien’s Lost Christmas Poem (YouTube) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The History of The Hobbit The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

  6. 152. Tolkien Ties up EVERY Loose End - The Hobbit #37

    12.12.2025

    152. Tolkien Ties up EVERY Loose End - The Hobbit #37

    In this episode, we wrap up The Hobbit with “The Last Stage” and reflect on Bilbo’s road home, the petty (now less petty?) Rivendell elves, the unexpected return to Bag End, and how Tolkien so thoroughly captures the meaning of “home.” We also take an extended look at Tolkien’s 3 (THREE!) songs in this final chapter. Then, we examine why Tolkien might give so much attention to the aftermath and how Bilbo is changed forever (or maybe it’s just a bigger stronger Tookish side?). We also cover: The Hobbit doesn’t even use the word “Shire” Fixing our capitalization 🙂 Are the elves’ final songs belittling Bilbo’s journey, or highlighting true riches? The fate of Lake-town’s Master: Tolkien’s take on dragon-sickness and political corruption How Tolkien leaves almost no loose ends in this tale. Even in the penultimate paragraph, Tolkien nods at Bilbo’s luck… if luck you call it! In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about: Member comment: Maybe the Arkenstone’s DID influence the Battle of Five Armies? Member comment: The deeper meaning of “Bilbo the Magnificent”. What one thing did we discover in this extremely deliberate reading of The Hobbit? 🔗 Episode Links The History of The Hobbit The Annotated Hobbit Join our Discord Community (for free) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The History of The Hobbit The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

  7. 151. Eagles Didn't Win the Battle - The Hobbit #36

    26.11.2025

    151. Eagles Didn't Win the Battle - The Hobbit #36

    Three dwarves lost and a shape-shifting berserking bear unleashed—the aftermath of the Battle of the Five Armies reconciles Bilbo to Thorin and gives us a completely different Elvenking than what you saw in the movies. In this episode, we dig into Tolkien’s penultimate chapter, “The Return Journey,” unpacking the emotional aftermath and story-shaping consequences of the war that changed Middle-earth. We also explore: Why Beorn’s sudden intervention was more than just another “eagle rescue”—and what Tolkien draws from the real definition of berserkers”. Thorin’s final moments and his transformation from gold-obsessed king to the Dwarf who names Bilbo “child of the kindly West” — did he earn that change? The fate of Fili and Kili—Tolkien originally spared them in his draft… and why he changed that. What the actual division of treasure reveals about Dwarven honor, claims, and leadership How Tolkien uses this chapter to quietly set the stage for The Lord of the Rings and fill out the wider world of Middle-earth Plus, we tackle the bigger questions: Did Bilbo’s “betrayal” actually make things worse? Why is Bilbo so eager to leave—has the Baggins/Took conflict finally resolved? And what’s up with the mysterious “three parts” of the goblins wiped out in battle? In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about: What the untold story of Beorn’s descendants and their wild realm could have been—and how Tolkien left open the door for new adventures The evolution of Bilbo as a character: has he truly found peace between Took and Baggins? 🔗 Episode Links The History of The Hobbit The Annotated Hobbit Join our Discord Community (for free) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The History of The Hobbit The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

  8. 150. Tolkien's Battle Tactics - The Hobbit #35

    11.11.2025

    150. Tolkien's Battle Tactics - The Hobbit #35

    Did Tolkien “earn” The Battle of the Five Armies, or is the surprise enough to justify its existence? In this episode, we look at Tolkien’s climactic battle from The Hobbit, comparing how it unfolds on the page to its chaotic portrayal in the extended film edition. How do armies materialize so suddenly, and does Tolkien set the stage well enough for the goblin onslaught? Check out the Battle of the Five Armies Map! We also explore: Tolkien’s battle tactics vs Peter Jackson’s video game tactics. Why did Bilbo chooses the Elven King’s side? Trying to make sense of Peter Jackson’s battle map vs Tolkien’s map. Tolkien’s knowledge of medieval warfare. Is Thorin’s charge from the gate truly enough to change the tide of battle? In our extended episode (available for our members) we talk about: Whether the goblin army’s sudden arrival is really “earned” in the story, or if Tolkien’s plotting gives us room to quibble. How small additions could have made the battle less sudden—should there have been hints via raven messenger? Where would a talking Raven fit into The Lord of the Rings. 🔗 Episode Links The History of The Hobbit The Annotated Hobbit Join our Discord Community (for free) Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Get the Extended Podcast Become a Patreon Member Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The History of The Hobbit The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Hurin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

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Exploring Tolkien is a weekly show that dives deep into JRR Tolkien and all the ages of Middle-earth. Jonathan Watson and Michael Grumbine are your hosts as they read through Tolkien’s works, interview other Tolkien enthusiasts and authors, and critically examine how Tolkien’s world is being treated by mega-corporations like Amazon.com and Warner Bros.

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