Exploring Tolkien

Exploring Tolkien


Latest Episodes

Looking at the War of the Rohirrim Trailer (and Rings of Power clips)
August 27, 2024

We discuss the the latest visions of Middle-earth by Amazon and Warner Bros.

Are these Really the Same Elves from The Lord of the Rings? : The Hobbit #8
August 20, 2024

In Chapter 3, A Short Rest, for the first time we meet the elves of Rivendell... and they certainly seem different than the same characters in The Lord of the Rings.

This is why Tolkien SHOULD have rewritten The Hobbit : The Hobbit #7
August 13, 2024

We weren't huge fans of Tolkien's changes to chapter 1 of The Hobbit in his abandoned 1960 rewrite--but chapter 2 surprised us with its pitch perfect changes!

A Brave Burglar and Deficient Dwarves : The Hobbit #6
August 05, 2024

In this episode we get into how the trolls find a balance, of sorts, between, fear and goofiness--and maybe it all starts with their accents.

Gandalf Gets Pushy : The Hobbit #5
July 30, 2024

Bilibo finally makes his way out the door--but was it his decision or did Gandalf force him out? And what is "the king" that's mentioned?

What Went Wrong with Tolkien’s 1960 Hobbit Rewrite : The Hobbit #4
July 23, 2024

When Tolkien set out to rewrite The Hobbit in 1960, much was lost, but much was gained. In the end, do the gains outweigh the losses?

How the Baggins Side of Bilbo Lost : The Hobbit #3
July 16, 2024

Bilbo loses the comfort of his home and finds that the Tookish side of his mind is starting to overcome the Baggins side

The Hobbit was NOT Originally in Middle-earth : The Hobbit #2
July 09, 2024

We examine if The Hobbit was originally set in Middle-earth, and how Bilbo's Tookishness is starting to take over.

Tolkien Changed The Hobbit Twice : The Hobbit #1
June 25, 2024

Did you know Tolkien revised the Hobbit from his first edition in 1937 to a updaed edition that's more in line with The Lord of the Rings in 1951 to an abandoned rewrite in 1960.

The REAL War of the Rohirrim, According to Tolkien
June 18, 2024

You know that the film The War of the Rohirrim will be released later this year, right? Well, here is Tolkien's story of Helm Hammerhand, as HE told it