Three dwarves lost and a shape-shifting berserking bear unleashedthe 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

Did Tolkien “earn” The Battle of the Five Armies, or is the surprise enough to justify its existence? In this episode, we look at Tolkiens climactic battle from The Hobbit, comparing how it unfolds on the page to its chaotic portrayal in the

Bilbo owns up to his burgling — a betrayal that drives Thorin to the brink of killing him. But Bilbo isn’t cowed… and the armies of elves and men aren’t cowed by Dain’s special forces. But maybe they should be!We also expl

We look at Chapter 16 of The Hobbit, where Bilbo makes his most controversial choice-handing the Arkenstone over to Bard and the Elvenking. Is Bilbo a traitor to the dwarves, or the only one thinking clearly as war looms? Or maybe he just wants to get ho

The talking birds bring news of the dragon’s demise to the dwarves–only to find a host of elves and men are coming to the mountain’s gate. Bard makes his claim for a portion of the treasure, but Thorin finds his reasons lacking–or

You’d think the death of the dragon is is the climax of The Hobbit… right? In this chapter, Tolkien gives us action, destruction, and the rise of a new unlikely hero. We look at Bards big moment, the politics of Laketown in crisis, and what T

Smaug is gone, so the Bilbo and the dwarves… just sit there?! For a couple of days they do–and eventually they reach the treasures. Bilbo, though, makes a choice to REALLY become the burglar when he sees the Arkenstone.We explore:The deep

Smaug is finally fully revealed! This week, we finish Inside Information, where Bilbo finally comes face-to-face with the unassessably wealthy dragon. We break down the wordplay Bilbo engages in as he denies Smaug his real name, Smaugs memorable boasts

The new game, Tales of the Shire was released last month after numerous delays… so, I took a bullet for the team and bought the game. I livestreamed playing the game for the very first time earlier this week–and it was everything I thought it

Bilbo finally becomes a real burglar in this chapter, venturing alone into the heart of the Lonely Mountain as Thorin and company are once again exposed for the unprepared adventurers they are. Meanwhile, And Smaug the possessive is finally revealed.We a