Podcast Episodes

Exploring "Flies and Spiders" | Tolkien's The Hobbit | 233

Episode 233

Bilbo Baggins almost gets eaten (again), has to save the dwarves (again), and meets elves (again). Today we explore JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit, chapter 8, Flies and Spiders.

Share this episode using thi…

Published on 9 hours ago

A Hobbit Meets a Bear | Tolkien's The Hobbit | Chapter 7 | 232

Episode 232

Bilbo meets the most perplexing creature yet, and another simple choice saves the fate of Middle-earth. In this episode, we explore “Queer Lodgings” from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit—a chapter filled …

Published on 1 week ago

Not a Hobbit’s Story | Tolkien's The Hobbit Vs Peter Jackson | 231

Episode 231

We finally reach the end of Peter Jackson’s first Hobbit Movie! We’ll compare chapter 6 from the book to its on screen adaptation, and explore how the story’s subtle shift in narrative focus resolves…

Published on 2 weeks ago

"Out of the Frying-Pan" | JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit | 230

Episode 230

Bilbo Baggins becomes bacon . . . or at least he fears that he has. Some new creatures want to eat him, another new creature seems to want to eat him; yet despite feeling like food, Bilbo is starting…

Published on 3 weeks ago

"Riddles in the Dark" | JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit | Archives 229

Episode 229

One of the most chilling elements of a fantasy story is the descent into darkness. Darkness is the realm of evil, where wicked power have a home-court advantage. But journeys into the dark have a way…

Published on 4 weeks ago

When Bilbo Met Gollum | JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit | Archives 228

Episode 228

The dangers of adventure, an encounter with goblins, and the power of Gandalf. We continue our exploration of JRR Tolkien’s the Hobbit, by wandering through chapter 4: Over Hill and Under Hill.

Share …

Published on 1 month ago

"Over Hill and Under Hill" | JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit | Archives 227

Episode 227

The dangers of adventure, an encounter with goblins, and the power of Gandalf. We continue our exploration of JRR Tolkien’s the Hobbit, by wandering through chapter 4: Over Hill and Under Hill.

Share …

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

"A Short Rest" | JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit chapter 3 | Archives 226

Episode 226

The nature of evil, the nature of elves, and a brief encounter with Elrond (curiously, not called Half-elven). We follow Bilbo and the dwarves on their adventure to the Lonely Mountain in chapter 3 o…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

"Roast Mutton" | JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit | Chapter 2 | Archives | 225

Episode 225

Food, fire, and foreshadowing: we wander the second chapter of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit, and explore how this simple chapter is a major clue to the rest of Bilbo’s adventure.

Share this episode using …

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

How The Hobbit Movie Got It Wrong | Tolkien's The Hobbit | Book vs Movie chap 1 | 224

Episode 224

How Peter Jackson's Hobbit films made one subtle change that had profound implications. We explore the opening of the movie The Hobbit, an Unexpected Journey, and compare it to the chapter in JRR Tol…

Published on 2 months ago