The Nicks discuss the consequences of sleeping, mid-day naps, getting lost in the fog, being ambushed by wights, running naked in the sun, singing about "old Fatty Lumpkin", and the history of Angmar and the small Kingdoms of former Arnor.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Map of the Small Kingdoms of former Arnor
Notes for this episode
What Happened Last Time?:
The Hobbits have found possibly the strangest thing in Middle-earth in the form of Tom Bombadil. “Master”, “eldest”, “he is as you see him” are just some of the terms used to describe the who and what of good ol’ Tom. Through song and tale he weaves his knowledge and divulges the hearts and goings on of the trees and other fantastic beasts in the Old Forest, and he even knows a thing or two about the Ring, though it curiously doesn’t seem to affect him very much, if at all. Now the Hobbits, are laid to rest before venturing forth from the house of Tom Bombadil back toward the road, and then toward Rivendell.
The Story in this Chapter:
Other comments or observations:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
We get a small shot of the fog-laden Barrow-downs as one of the Nazgul looks over it atop his horse.
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters:
Info/History from Other Titles/Sources:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
Links
In this episode the Nicks discuss what it's like to be the house guest of the biggest enigma in literary history - as Nick likes to say. Nicholas asks about potentially bad habits of being a house guest, and together they try to uncover some clues about Tom Bombadil and his wife Goldberry - the River Woman's Daughter.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
Last Time - In the Lord of The Rings:
Frodo, Pippin, Merry, and Sam have reached a safe haven…. Or have they?! After a dizzying experience in the Old Forest and a harrowing brush with death at the roots of Old Man Willow our hobbits are invited to the home of a strange man who seems to have saved them from danger with mere song. Who is this “Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo”, and was it mere chance that he happened on them just in the nick of time?
The Story in this Chapter:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
“Gnawing, biting, breaking, hacking, burning.” is a line given by Treebeard in the films when he describes creatures that come into the woods. This line here is spoken by Tom when he is telling the Hobbits about the ways of trees.
New Characters:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
The Barrows!
Links
The Nicks discuss walking in the woods and being scared in real life. The Hobbits come in close contact with the menace of the trees, Old Man Willow, and a stranger called Tom Bombadil.
What Happened Last Time?:
Frodo, Pippin, Merry, Sam, and Fatty Bolger have finally met up in Frodo’s new house at Crickhollow. After a bath, and some supper, the friends talk about what has happened on their journey through the Shire. Frodo, though reluctant, is finally put on the point of telling his friends that he is leaving the Shire altogether, but, as it turns out, he doesn’t have to because they already know a good deal of the story themselves. With Sam gathering information the friends have helped Frodo by conspiring to help him on his journey toward Rivendell. With final preparations in order, a quick night’s sleep is all that separates these Hobbits from their adventure into the Old Forest and beyond.
Where Are We in the Narrative?:
Frodo has finally made it to his home at Crickhollow in his attempt to disguise his departure from the Shire, his mission to take the Ring to Rivendell is about to start. His friends have conspired to help him, which is very welcome to Frodo especially as Gandalf is still conspicuously missing! Though none of them fully understand the dangerous road they are embarking on... they at least have each other.
The Story in this Chapter:
Other comments or observations:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
All of this forest is missing from the movie, the only parts that survive in the extended cuts are lines given to Treebeard and a tree that attacks Merry and Pippin in the same way Old Man Willow does.
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters:
Info/History from Other Titles/Sources:
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
Possibly the strangest creature in all of Middle-earth has just invited the hobbits to his home - what effect will he have on the hobbits, the journey, the Ring?
Links - If you enjoyed this episode please consider rating and reviewing us on iTunes. Your support helps us grow the show and make more of it. Thank you for being here, use the links below to find more about us and get in touch!
In this episode, The Nicks rip apart Buzzfeed's attempt at knowing things about LoTR, discuss Chapter 9 - A Conspiracy Unmasked, and decide if they would rather be in Frodo's shoes or Fatty's.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
What Happened Last Time?
Frodo, Pippin, and Sam took a shortcut through the forest and across the field from Woodhall toward the ferry. Though it was harder than the road and took them off course, it seems to have been a good idea because they missed the black riders the whole day, and the end up on Farmer Maggot’s farm. While there Farmer Maggot feeds them and offers to take them by cart to the ferry, where they happen to meet their friend - Merry.
Where Are We in the Narrative?:
Frodo, Sam, and Pippin are on the border of the Shire, in Buckland, where Crickhollow resides. Danger has come upon them sooner than anyone, including Gandalf, could have imagined. Frodo must leave for Rivendell immediately, in spite of Gandalf’s continued absence. But, Frodo is miserable because he doesn’t know how to tell his friends that he is leaving.
The Story in this Chapter:
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
New Characters (but not really):
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter:
The Journey out of the Shire begins with the next chapter as Frodo and company enter into the potentially dangerous Old Forest on the borders of Buckland.
Links
The Nicks discuss Chapter Four of Fellowship - Getting caught in the bogs and thickets, Black Riders, Bamfurlong, Farmer Maggot's dogs, whether Frodo's story mirrors Bilbo's, narrow misses, social status, and traveling in the fog without lanterns.
Nicholas Jon sounds like he's hiding from the black riders in a tin can, and tries a looser editing style. Nick Andrew lives in the loudest place possible and tries to imagine Sam's fangirling over the Elves with a real-world example... from his own experience? We'll never know.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Last time in The Lord of The Rings
Frodo inherited the Ring from Bilbo and learned that it is the One Ring and must be destroyed. He sells his house and takes his friends on an adventure through the Shire only to be dogged by a black rider. Some elves take them in for the night and give them the advice to not wait for Gandalf.
Where are we in the narrative?
Frodo, Sam, and Pippin are still in the Shire making their way to Buckleberry Ferry and then on to Crickhollow, Frodo’s new house. The Elves showed concern for Frodo especially when they heard that the travelers have seen a black rider and Gandalf hasn’t come as promised. Unwillingly the Elves give the advice to move ahead with their plan and not to wait for Gandalf.
Notes for this episode
The Story in this Chapter:
Other comments or observations:
Notable Difference(s) from Films: All of this is missing from the movie
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart: The actual distance traveled is probably 20 miles maximum including 5+ by cart.
New Characters: Farmer Maggot and his family/household
Info/History from Other Titles/Sources: Letter 206 - Funny incident where Tolkien went to a Hobbit Dinner and spoke, and on the menu was “Maggot Soup” which was, of course, mushroom soup named for Farmer Maggot.
What to Watch for in the Next Chapter: Next chapter Frodo and all finally make it to Crickhollow - but Frodo needs to leave right away. He will have to tell his friends that he is going, but he doesn’t know how to break it to them.
Links
The Nick's go live on Facebook and answer questions collected from our listeners.
The questions and answers in today's episode may contain spoilers and are not limited to the chapters already covered in the read along.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Links
The Nicks discuss Frodo's departure from Bag End, dealing with the Sackville-Bagginses, Gaffer Gamgee (a ninja?), Black Riders, High Elves, and walking through the Shire - which should have been the safest part of the journey.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
How far is 20 miles around you? If you were Sam, how far would your geographic knowledge take you?
Last time in The Lord of The Rings
Last episode we spoke about Gandalf, and how he chased all over Middle-earth to learn everything he could about the ring Bilbo found in Gollum's cave nearly 80 years ago. With Bilbo gone, and Frodo the new owner of the Ring (and Bag End), danger is growing and coming ever closer to the Shire. Frodo, under the guidance of Gandalf, and with the companionship of his gardener, Sam Gamgee, must get the Ring OUT of the Shire to save his home from danger!
Where are we in the narrative?
Bilbo Baggins, who found a “Magic” Ring nearly 80 years ago, wills the Ring to his heir Frodo. Gandalf the wizard has discovered the true identity of Frodo’s ring. The Ring is the One Ring that the Dark Lord Sauron made, to dominate the whole world. Frodo learns that the only way to defeat the Dark Lord is to destroy the Ring, but that can only be done in the fires of Mt. Doom where it was made. Frodo then decides that he must take the Ring away from the Shire to protect his homeland, and also help the free people of Middle-earth to defeat the Dark Lord.
Notes for this episode
Cheese fest is a thing in Wisconsin - there are several held around the state
Gaffer Gamgee - The Ninja - Nick Andrew promises a prize for a fanfic about the Gaffer being or becoming a ninja.
Notable Difference(s) from Films:
Frodo and Sam leave together -- IMMEDIATELY, with no “alternate residence” misdirect.
Accidentally meet up with Merry and Pippin who are running away with some carrots.
The Black Rider is not in Hobbiton in the movie, instead is somewhere further away.
Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart:
The Shire (we don’t get very far this episode)
New Characters:
Links
The Nicks discuss favorite musical themes from the films, the motions of Gandalf throughout Middle-earth and the hunting of Gollum in Chapter 2 of The Lord of The Rings.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
If you had to pick one musical theme from the films as your favorite, which would it be?
Nick Andrew's pick - The Grey Havens - The final version of the Grey Havens theme
An orchestrated version of Into The West. The melody/vocal line is played on the cello.
Fellowship Reunited - the fully formed and matured Shire theme first heard in Concerning Hobbits.
Last time in The Lord of The Rings
Last episode we spoke about Frodo, and how he experienced the chapter as Gandalf laid an almighty hammer blow of scariness. The Dark Lord Sauron is looking for The Ring, and he now knows about the Shire and the name Baggins.
Where are we in the narrative?
Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered, Gandalf has traveled many paths to find the secrets of the Ring that Frodo has inherited. He returns to the Shire to find that, so far, all is well. But danger is closer than Frodo ever thought - it is in his pocket. Gandalf tells his story of how he pieced together the puzzle of the One Ring and how it came to Gollum and thus to Bilbo.
Notes for this episode
Episode 6 - Places of Middle-earth - [Prologue 0.6
Gandalf pieces the history of the ring together (more or less chronologically)
Reference chart for the pronunciation of Elvish words
8. Magic, Maiar, & The Rings of Power - []Prologue 0.8]
Deagol finds the ring in the Anduin - Ring saves him from drowning?
The Gollum’s Road
5. Peoples of Middle-earth: Orcs, Trolls, & Wraiths - Prologue 0.5
Links
The Nicks find out which hobbit they are most like, and discuss Chapter 2 from Frodo's perspective. Who is more scared, Gandalf who knows better, Frodo who doesn't understand but is holding the Ring, or Sam who doesn't understand and is mostly afraid of Gandalf?
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
What Happened Last Time?:
Bilbo and Frodo shared a birthday! Frodo came of age for a hobbit (33), and Bilbo turned a whopping eleventy-one years old. During his speech, Bilbo said farewell, slipping on his magic ring and VANISHED! Gandalf followed him back up to Bag End, they had a bit of a tiff over the ring and how Bilbo was acting very strangely. Ultimately, Bilbo let the ring go, leaving it to his nephew Frodo, and set out for a final “adventure”. After a short but odd conversation with Gandalf the next morning, Frodo was left alone in Bag End to tie up his uncle's affairs.
Where Are We in the Narrative?:
Chapter 2 carries us through the next few years after Bilbo leaves. We go from 3001 to 3018 TA, Frodo is turning 50, and life in the Shire changes almost as little as Frodo does. The Hobbits are noticing that the big folk and foreigners are on the move to places that the Hobbits only suspect (they’ve never actually been there).
What hobbit are you most like - take the quiz along with the Nicks
Links
The Nicks are ready to go on an adventure, and there's no better way to start than with a party! But after the food, drink, friends, and fireworks, how is it that such a little thing can cause such big problems? And how does this chapter kick off such an expansive story?
This is the first episode of an ongoing read-along podcast series, for The Lord of The Rings. If you are reading along (and we encourage you to do so), especially if this is your first time reading this book: we recommend that you finish reading Chapter 1 of Book 1 in The Fellowship of The Ring.
Send us your questions about this chapter or any other Tolkien/Middle-earth topic. Links below!
NOTE: Nicholas Jon's audio was destroyed by a digital Balrog - and we were forced to use our backup track for his audio.
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Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
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Notes from this episode:
"Who or what brought you to Middle-earth or The Lord of The Rings?"
Tweet us your answer @greendragonlive
Novel or Novels? - Listen to Episode
Last Time In The Lord of The Rings
Bilbo went on an adventure with the wizard Gandalf and some Dwarves, on the way he found a magical golden ring that helped to make him invisible. Many different things happened throughout that narrative as a result of Bilbo allowing himself to become invisible. Close that story and fast forward 60 years, and Bilbo is very much the same as he was at the end of the Hobbit narrative, and he’s itching for another adventure.
Where Are We in the Narrative?
Year 3001 of the third age - The Shire - Bilbo is turning eleventy-one (111) and Frodo, his adopted heir, and nephew, is turning 33 and coming of age. Bilbo and Frodo are planning an extravagant joint birthday party to celebrate, and everyone is invited.
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3001 is the same as Shire Reckoning 1401.
Who is the narrator, can she or he read minds, and, more importantly, can we trust her or him?
This story is told from the perspective of a "Third Person (Omniscient)" narrator, in short, this means that the narrator is separate from or watching the action, and also happens to be able to know all of the actions, thoughts, or feelings of anyone in the world in any place or time.
Read More about Tolkien's choice of narration here:
Hobbit Culture - Listen to Episode 2
Read more about J.R.R. Tolkien's writing style here:
Family Stories and the Re-hashing of the same stories over and over again
- Think of the Hobbits as a big family, telling these stories is a way of keeping their identity, culture, and public opinions intact, and in check. Read more about why we might tell family stories here:
Read about Tolkien's use of poetry in The Lord of The Rings
The Nicks think this is an interesting video:
Sir Ian McKellen, on acting - [VIDEO]
New Characters from this episode (dates in Shire Reckoning)
Links
The Nick's meet up on location for a special episode of follow up and trivia. And we bring guests along with us. We exchange Mathom in celebration of beginning The Lord of The Rings narrative.
This episode was recorded live in The Duke of Devon, Sheboygan, WI and you will be able to hear the din of the restaurant throughout the episode. We want to give an Uruk-sized thank you to The Duke of Devon for allowing us to sit and record even as the dinner hour was rolling in.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
Nicholas clarifies his pronunciation of Iluvatar
Fran Walsh and the scream of the Nazgul [video]
Did we conflate Tuckborough and Brandy Hall?
Who would win? Ringwraith or Wizarding World Dementors?
Nicholas' mathom from Nick
Nick's mathom from Nicholas - Animated LoTR
Nick's early Christmas present from Nicholas - Comprehensive Music of LoTR by Doug Adams
Links
Nick and Nicholas recorded their very first episode, which is conveniently referred to as Episode Zero.
This test episode takes us on a journey that will be very rare in the arc of this podcast. We re-cast the Lord of The Rings movie trilogy with the cast and characters of the Harry Potter film series.
If you are just now learning who I (Nicholas Jon) am, I recently created a Facebook group for people who wanted to re-read Harry Potter. This "Re-Read Harry Potter" group was fairly popular, and now I am turning my sights on another literary love, Lord of The Rings. Along with my long-time friend Nick Andrew, we want to dive into Middle-earth and explore it from all the angles. In order to tie the two series together (and to be fodder for a test episode) we chose to do this re-cast/mashup of the two fandoms.
This is your "heads-up" because - we had so much fun choosing our cast, that we want to give you the chance to make your own!
Use the link below to download a PDF of the chart we used to make our episode, and fill it in. Then share it with us as a picture or attachment on Facebook, Twitter, or by e-mail: contact@greendragonlive.com. We really want to see your picks and see what choices you made in your version of the story.
Notes
Blank PDF for you to re-cast the movies yourself
The Nicks Picks PDF
Links
The Nicks talk about Tolkien's feelings regarding allegory, and our own thoughts about the story. And a little bit about how The Nicks met and bonded over Tolkien.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes for this episode
J.R.R. and Christopher Tolkien on allegory [YouTube]
Teaser Poster Frodo palm up with Ring
Eucatastrophe - neologism coined by Tolkien from Greek ευ- "good" and καταστροφή "destruction"
Links
The Nicks discuss the topics that are most elusive in Middle-earth. Where does the magic come from? Who are the Maiar? And something about a Ring...
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Notes
Quick hierarchy of the celestial beings
Links
The Nicks take a moment to the stand back and prepare for the beginning of the The Lord of The Rings. Looking at Middle-earth in a snapshot view, and discussing the state of the world as we enter into the story.
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Links
The Nicks preview some of the different regions and key sites in the narrative of The Lord of The Rings. Follow along with the map in your book, or one of the maps provided in the show notes.
Notes from the episode:
Map of Middle-earth
Map of Middle-earth superimposed on Europe
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
Shire - 3:25
Bree - 6:39
Rivendell - 9:44
Misty Mountains - 12:59
Caradhras - 15:41
Moria - 17:27
Lorien - 19:21
ZED - try to imagine the Elves raving...
Anduin -20:15
Isengard 23:00
Rohan 23:37
Fangorn 24:40
Edoras 25:28
Helms Deep 25:48
Dunharrow 26:55
Gondor 28:02
Minas Tirith 29:10
Minas Morgul 32:10
Ithilien 32:43
Osgiliath 35:05
The Black Gate 35:28
Udun 38:13
Mordor 38:48
Sauron Realm of Influence 38:55
Dagorlad 40:49
Mordor again 41:24
Orodruin 41:47
Plateau of Gorgoroth 45:26
Emyn Muil 46:46
Dead Marshes 47:53
Osgiliath again 49:12
Minas Morgul again 50:29
Cirith Ungol 51:23
Barad Dur 52:18
The Eye of Sauron 52:47
Sauron's Road 54:54
The One Ring 56:22
Links:
Nick is all fired up as we he and Nicholas discuss the baddies of Middle-earth, their origins, their pros, cons, and abilities.
As the discussion about the various peoples comes to a close, we hope that you feel a little more prepared to enter into the world having a little bit of insight as to what to expect from these people and creatures.
Next time we will take a very quick tour through the locations of Middle-earth and try to give some perspective of the scale and distance between the various sites we come across in the story.
Notes from the episode:
Map of Middle-earth
What would happen to humans if they lived underground? [A discussion for what it's worth]
What the heck is a Gulper Eel? [video]
Khamul Lieutenant of the Witch-King
Links:
The Nicks discuss Men and their mortality and being the 2nd children of Iluvatar., how different they are in every region, and languages. And also the Dwarves, their creation mistake, the animosity between them and the Elves, and the way each race copes with the evil of the world.
Notes from the episode:
Beowulf's "Heorot" the Mead Hall aka Golden Hall aka Meduseld
Comparison: Tolkien's Meduseld, Beowulf, and similar historical architecture
Timeline of Thorin Oakenshield's life
Links:
/greendragonlive
In this episode, the Nicks briefly discuss the immortal race of elves, and why they don't look like Santa's helpers, and the wizards who just happen not to be human, but a special contingent of the Maiar sent to assist Middle-earth in resisting Sauron.
This prologue series is leading up to a chapter by chapter discussion and reflection of The Lord of The Rings. We invite you to grab your copy and join us in a read-along whether it is your first time or eleventy-first time in Middle-earth.
Notes from the Episode
Mock up of various elf-types and their heights
Starry skies with no light pollution
Nicholas misspeaks and confuses...
Thingol (Ancient King of the Elves, and prominent in the Silmarillion)
with Thranduil (King of the Woodland Realm, Legolas' father)
Khazad-Dûm AKA Moria Was built at an unknown time in the First Age
Quick hierarchy of the celestial beings
Links
Twitter: @greendragonlive use #GDLive
Special thanks to Harry Murrell for letting us use his music in our podcasts. Listen to more of his music and subscribe to Harry's channel on YouTube
The Nicks discuss the Hobbits - the main characters of The Lord of the Rings, and the namesake of The Hobbit. What kind of people are they? And how long have they been in The Shire? Who are the prominent Hobbits in our Story? All of this and more live from the Green Dragon.
Notes From the Episode:
Map of Middle-earth
Episode Zero - The Boy Who Lived... In Middle-earth?
Links
Twitter: @greendragonlive use #GDLive
Special thanks to Harry Murrell for letting us use his music in our podcasts. Listen to more of his music and subscribe to Harry's channel on YouTube
Grab yourself a half-pint, and pull up a chair for this, the first episode of the Green Dragon Live podcast! We are the Nicks, and we're happy you have joined us.
This episode primarily deals with why are we here, but the rest of our prologue series will be a primer to the world of Middle-earth leading into a chapter-by-chapter reflection and discussion of The Lord of The Rings.
So, grab your copy, and pour another half-pint, and join us! We invite newcomers to Middle-earth as well as veteran adventurers!
Notes from the Episode
A map of Middle-earth we like.
A map of the Shire from the books
A map of the Shire highlighting Hobbiton and Bywater
Nicholas Jon's dream edition It used to be $100, now it's much less expensive.
Links
Twitter: @greendragonlive use #GDLive
Special thanks to Harry Murrell for letting us use his music in our podcasts. Listen to more of his music and subscribe to Harry's channel on YouTube