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)
- Eregion - the first Elven-rings were made by Celebrimbor
Reference chart for the pronunciation of Elvish words
8. Magic, Maiar, & The Rings of Power - []Prologue 0.8]
- Sauron makes the One Ring
- After many years the Last Alliance faces off with Sauron
- Isildur, Elendil’s son cuts the Ring from Sauron and claims the Ring
- The Ring is not destroyed
- The Ring betrayed Isildur in the river Anduin
- The Ring is lost
- Deagol finds the Ring
Deagol finds the ring in the Anduin - Ring saves him from drowning?
- Deagol is promptly killed by Smeagol
- Smeagol is cast out, and eventually finds his way into the roots of the Misty Mountains
- The Ring eventually abandons Smeagol
- Bilbo finds the Ring
The Gollum’s Road
- Bilbo and Gollum have their riddle contest
- Bilbo wins on a technicality
- vSmeagol doesn’t take too kindly to this
- After a couple of years Smeagol leaves the mountains
- Makes his way through Mirkwood to Dale
- Learns that Bilbo was there, and where he is from
- Back through Mirkwood avoiding the Wood Elves who are tracking him
- Turning aside he presumably went toward Mordor
- He was eventually captured and brutally interrogated
- He told his captors enough that they now know Baggins has it and it is in the Shire
- He escaped or possibly released
- He was hunted by Aragorn and Gandalf
- When found Gandalf spoke with him for many weary days to learn what he knew
- He was left under the guard of the Wood Elves in Mirkwood
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.
----
Maps
LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers!
----
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.
----
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)
- Bilbo - Loner - Rich - Peculiar - Long-lived - Eccentric! - Feels stretched - 1290 - first adventure at age 50 - returned to the Shire in 1340
- Frodo - young - coming of age - generally liked by all, especially the younger cousins - 1368
- Gandalf - old - fiery - wearing blueish-grey - uses [Dwarvish] Runes/Elvish - hidden power & purpose “Fires - Smokes - Lights” - worried about the Ring
- Merry Brandybuck - Frodo’s friend - helps with the distribution of presents - young - not yet of age - 1382 (Pippin 1390)
- Sackville-Bagginses - Family of Bilbo’s - want Bag End - foiled by the inheritance Frodo is given
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
Welcome to the Green Dragon!
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
Welcome to the Green Dragon!
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