Fool of a Took Podcast

This week we discuss book 5, chapter 4: The Siege of Gondor from "The Return of the King". The walls of Minas Tirith are tested, Denethor fully loses the plot, Faramir gets sent into a nightmare, and the Witch-king arrives at the gate like Middle-earth’s final boss. Conversation Topics Pippin’s first day in the Tower Guard and his uneasy place inside Minas Tirith Faramir’s return, his encounter wi...

This week we discuss book 5, chapter 3: The Muster of Rohan from "The Return of the King". The Riders of Rohan gather, the Red Arrow arrives, and Théoden prepares to lead 6,000 horsemen into the shadow of Mordor. In this chapter, Merry feels smaller than ever, Aragorn is presumed extremely dead, Dunharrow gets deeply creepy, and the hosts of Rohan ride toward Minas Tirith with very little hope and...

This week we discuss book 5, chapter 2, "The Passing of the Grey Company", from "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien. Conversation TopicsA quick recap of Minas Tirith, Denethor, Pippin, and the darkness falling over GondorThéoden, Merry, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and the Rohirrim ride back toward Helm’s Deep and DunharrowHalbarad arrives with the Rangers of the North, a me...

The gang embark on finally reading "The Return of the King", starting with book 5, chapter 1 - "Minas Tirith". Conversation Topics The “12 words or less” Two Towers recap game First impressions: “Minas Tirith” is long, dense, and weirdly thrilling Minas Tirith as an onion-shaped fortress: gates, rings, terraces, and defensive design Gondor’s state of decay, war fatigue, and the...

For the premiere of Season 3, Chris, Robbie Jean, Pat, and Laura revisit the nearly four-hour film, argue over what was changed, what was improved, what got absolutely butchered, and why Peter Jackson technically made The One-and-a-Half Towers. Conversation Topics Returning for a special Two Towers extended-edition movie breakdown First impressions and why the film may work better than the book fo...

It's time to break out The Return of the King. Season 3 begins June 10th. Don't be late.

For the SEASON 2 FINALE, we discuss book 4, chapter 10, "The Choices of Master Samwise", the final chapter of The Two Towers. Thanks for an amazing season! We'll be back for Season Three: "The Return of the King" in Spring, 2026! Conversation Topics The battle between Sam and Shelob Sam's transformation into the true Ring bearer The emotional weight of Frodo’s presumed...

This week we discuss book 4, chapter 8, "The Stairs to Cirith Ungol", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: The creepy journey through Shelob’s lair and those dark tunnelsGollum’s long game—what he’s really up toFrodo’s use of the Elven light and its deep loreThe terrifying history of Shelob and UngoliantWhat Frodo’s silent words really meanOur hilarious attempt to recreate Shelob wi...

This week we discuss book 4, chapter 8, "The Stairs to Cirith Ungol", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: Frodo’s mental exhaustion and the Ring’s heavy influence on him Gollum’s rare moment of tenderness The nightmare city of Minas Morgul Frodo's temptation to put on the Ring The muttering, glowing Tower of the Moon Gollum’s tricky, uncertain route into Mordor The Nazgul’s sil...

This week we discuss book 4, chapter 7, "Journey to the Crossroads", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: The chapter’s fleeting nature: a breath before the chaos. Tolkien’s views on subtext and seriousness—Al Gore, internet, and culture. Gollum’s mysterious and increasingly squirrely behavior. The strategic significance of Minas Morgul and the crossroads. Themes of creation vs. des...

This week we discuss book 4, chapter 6, "The Forbidden Pool", from The Two Towers.  Conversation Topics:   Gollum’s funny reaction to being caught — way different from the puppy-eyed guy in the movies   How Gollum’s actually pretty complex—big emotions behind that monster exterior   Faramir being smart and moral when it really counts   The creepy story of Minas Ithil and how the Ringwrai...

This week we discuss book 4, chapter 5, "The Window on the West", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: The story behind Faramir’s bedroom and “the Window on the West”How Faramir’s insight reveals the true nature of the ring’s curseThe lore of Gandalf’s many names (Mithrandir, Tharkun, and beyond)Boromir and Faramir’s contrasting personalities and destiniesThe mysterious ghostly boat...

This week we discuss book 4, chapter 4, "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: The hobbits’ strategic plan for their journey around Mordor Gollum’s physical and psychological decline The emotional bond between Frodo and Sam The significance of color symbolism in Tolkien’s description of armies Gollum’s forgotten skills and culinary mishaps The intense bat...

This week we discuss book 4, chapter 3, "The Black Gate is Closed", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics:The boredom and despair creeping into the narrative Gollum’s complex character The impossibility of sneaking past Mordor’s Black Gate. The emotional depth behind Minas Ithil and Gollum’s tragic memories. Frodo’s disillusionment and the mounting presence of Nazgûl overhead. The arm...

This week we discuss book 4, chapter 2, "The Passage of the Marshes", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: The brutal brutality of The Passage of the Marshes and Tolkien’s masterful misery crafting Gollum’s animalistic guide mode and his dual personalities of Smeagol and Gollum The haunting imagery of corpse candles and battlefield ghosts in the Dead Marshes Frodo’s shifting psyche...

Kicking off Book 4 in our brand new podcast set, this week we discuss book 4, chapter 1, "The Taming of Sméagol", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: The crew humorously shares their moving day antics and new recording space vibes. How Frodo and Sam cope with being alone in the wilderness. An analysis of Gollum versus Smeagol and the complexity of his character. Delving into Tolkien's philos...

This week we discuss book 3, chapter 11, "The Palantír", from The Two Towers. Dive into the thrilling conclusion of Book Three with the Fool of a Took Podcast as Pippin's curiosity leads to a dire encounter with the enemy. Conversation Topics: Mispronunciations and playful takes on the word "Palantír" Recap of Saruman's foiled attempts at manipulation Pippin's insatiable curiosity and humorous ant...

This week we discuss book 3, chapter 10, "The Voice of Saruman", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: Understanding the power and magic of Saruman's voice Gandalf's diplomatic showdown with Saruman at Isengard The role of manipulation and perception in Tolkien's world The complexity of Gandalf’s character and his strategic restraint Pippin's unexpected growth and relevance in the chaos The li...

This week we discuss book 3, chapter 9, "Flotsam and Jetsam", from The Two Towers.  Today's "Food For Thought": Pippin's Power Picnic We finally have a meal in the chapter!! Here is my recreation (surprisingly accurate) of the lunch Pippin prepared for Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. -Several slices of toast -Butter -Honey -Some slices of cooked bacon -Cubed and fried salt pork Even though I rinsed t...

This week we discuss book 3, chapter 8, "The Road to Isengard", from The Two Towers.  Today's "Food For Thought": Isengard Soup When I pictured the bowl of Isengard all flooded out with wreckage and debris floating everywhere, it reminded me of soup. So I made vegetable soup and assembled some breadsticks into a 4-sided Orthanc to stand in the center. The tower was not super sturdy, but it was del...

This week we discuss book 3, chapter 7, "Helm's Deep", from The Two Towers.  Today's "Food For Thought": Charcuterie Helm's Deep This chapter needed a map so badly... so I made one. Out of bread, meat, and cheese. You can really go wild with this one- here's what I used. -Cut up bread for the mountains and rock base of Hornburg -A salami stick for the tower of Hornburg -Cheese slices for the wall...

This week we discuss book 3, chapter 6, "The King of the Golden Hall", from The Two Towers.  Today's "Food For Thought": Dirt and Wormtongue I couldn't get the idea of gummy worms out of my head when I was trying to figure out what to make for this chapter. Instead of simply presenting my cohosts with a bowl of candy, I jazzed it up with some homemade chocolate pudding and crushed Oreos. I used th...

This week we discuss book 3, chapter 5, "The White Rider", from The Two Towers.  Today's "Food For Thought": Gandalf the White Russian What else would a White Rider drink? BTW, the white Russian was invented in Belgium! 2 parts vodka 1 part Kahlua 1 part heavy cream (or half and half if you are watching your figure) Mix the vodka and Kahlua in a glass with ice. Gently pour the cream on top for a l...

This week we discuss book 3, chapter 4, "Treebeard", from The Two Towers.  Today's "Food For Thought": Treebeard's Ent-Draught This one was a challenge- the drink was like water but "reminded them of the smell of a distant wood borne from afar by a cool breeze at night." Yes, of course. The internet saved me on this one. I based the non-alcoholic drink on this recipe: https://www.innatthecrossroad...

This week we discuss book 3, chapter 3, "The Uruk-Hai", from The Two Towers.  Today's "Food For Thought": Ugluk's Orc-Draught This drink was described as burning the mouth and giving an unbelievable burst of energy to the hobbits.  My best attempt at an unpleasant drink to meet these requirements was a mix of Red Bull and Fireball cinnamon whiskey. Turns out it wasn't as gross as I had expected. S...