My Brother, My Captain, My Podcast

Andor (2022) Episode 7: Announcement   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) are off to the podraces as they do their first full episode on Andor, the Star Wars series currently streaming. In Episode 7, we see how the Aldhani heist is echoing through the galaxy, and the political and personal stakes it raises for our ensemble cast, rebel and imperial. And in the end we go to Space Mia...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Episode 8: Alloyed/Andor Episodes 1-6   Surprise! We find out who Halbrand and The Stranger are in the season finale of The Rings of Power, which Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) opine on to open the episode, and look at where we are leading into a second season.   But at the 39:30 mark, we pivot hard; hell, we jump to lightspeed!...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Episode 7: The Eye   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) try to escape the fumes of the Orodruin, like much of our cast here in Middle-Earth. But against all authority, we chart our own discussions on trusting your audience and how ideology in film production cannot be eschewed. Oh and we have a Celeborn sighting! Maybe! --- Become a...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Episode 6   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) bring down the tower at Ostirith, revealing discussions about high-fidelity filmmaking and easter egg discourse in franchise media. Plus, a discussion on how the Black Lands of Mordor were created. Udûn it now! --- Become a Patron of My Brother, My Captain, My Podcast My Brother, My Capt...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Episode 5   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) teach the Stranger of perils, make preparations to sail for Numenor, and solidify the defenses at Ostirith in our recap of the fifth episode of The Rings of Power! --- Become a Patron of My Brother, My Captain, My Podcast My Brother, My Captain, My Podcast Reference Guide My Brother, My...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Episode 4   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) convince the leaders of Numenor to allow them passage back to Middle-Earth, joining Galadriel, Isildur, and company. Elsewhere, Elrond investigates why Durin has been avoiding the Celebrimbor forge project, and Arondir meets the one they call "Adar!" --- Become a Patron of My Brother, My...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Episode 3   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) come ashore at Numenor, where we start learning about the key cast and politics running through the westernmost dominion of Men. Plus, we see what befell Arondir following his trek through the orc tunnel last week and Nori tries to keep The Stranger concealed from the other Harfoots! ---...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Episodes 1 and 2   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) begin their century-spanning search of the Enemy as The Rings of Power kicks off! We discuss our overall reactions to the premiere episodes then work through the major plot threads as we piece together the story being told! --- Become a Patron of My Brother, My Captain, My Podcast...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Preview Episode   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) begin their long journey of covering The Rings of Power streaming series! After discussing the latest news out of Comic Con, we get into some relevant back story as we parse out what the narrative will tell us, and then finally discuss our expectations and what we look forward to t...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 10: Theoden's Council   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) take a moment to mourn the death of Theodred before returning to Meduseld to debate what Theoden should do in response to Isengard. We also discuss how women and martial women specifically are depicted in fantasy cinema and how they serve narrative and themes. You are a Shie...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 9: Arrival at Edoras   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) name Gandalf "Lathspell" as he and the Three Hunters arrive at Edoras to confront the Saruman-infested Theoden! As one King's mind is rethroned, we take a beat to discuss monarchies in the real world and as portrayed in fantasy stories. You would remember your old strength if...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 8: The Black Gate   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) ramble on to the Black Gate with Frodo, Sam, and Gollum, only to find that the way is shut. But we also choose this moment to jam out, detailing how Tolkien's works have affected the work of Led Zeppelin, one of the all-time great rock bands! --- Support this podcast by subscrib...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Character Analysis: Gandalf   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) are never late, nor are they early; they do a deep dive into Gandalf exactly when they mean to! We discuss the traditional role of mentor figures in epics and fantasy, the history of the Istari, before we discuss Gandalf in his full grey-and-white glory. We also discuss the...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) Second Trailer Reaction   Not idly do the trailers for The Rings of Power drop, and there may yet be hope for this Amazon series! Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) give their thoughts on the latest footage, try to piece together the story being told, and set down what we expect and hope to see in the coming months. Join us on the ro...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 7: The White Rider   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) come back to you now, as the White Wizard shows himself to the hunting Triumvirate in Fangorn Forest. The forest gets the spotlight today, as we discuss the Ents in Tolkien's world including Treebeard. Hroom Hroom! --- Support this podcast by subscribing to Patreon.com/Manuclea...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 6: The Passage of the Marshes   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) enlist the help of AJ Ditty ( @TheFuzzyMask ) of The Worst of All Possible Worlds podcast to help them find their way through the Dead Marshes! AJ shares his history with The Lord of the Rings and his incredible relationship with Gollum as a character before discussi...

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Book-only Bonus Episode   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) bring their singing boots as they work through chapters of Fellowship of the Ring not adapted in Peter Jackson's film trilogy! We share our first times reading the book, and then it's a tour through the Old Forest and Barrow Downs with Tom Bombadil and Goldberry! --- Suppo...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 5: Bonfire by Fangorn   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) continue their pursuit of Merry and Pippin alongside Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli! Along the way, we rendezvous with Eomer and then pick through the carnage his eored left behind. And of course, these scenes are punctuated by the debut of Treebeard! --- Support this podcast b...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Character Analysis: Théoden and Éomer   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) look at the Men of Rohan, as in its king and new heir apparent! First a history on the founding of the Kingdom, and then the stories of these two characters and the actors behind them, Bernard Hill and Karl Urban! --- Support this podcast by subscribing to Patreon...

The Northman (2022) Reaction Episode   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) take a detour towards Robert Eggers's Viking epic The Northman, a brutal tale of violence, masculinity, and a lust for revenge. We give some spoiler-free reaction at the top of our episode before working through the story and visuals in full. Bound up in Norse mythology and Shakespeare, the film also shares s...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 4: The Kingdom of Rohan   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) begin in the Rohan! We get our first good look at the Rohirrim as we meet the major players at court: Theoden King, his nephew and niece Eomer and Eowyn, and his advisor Grima Wormtongue. And for the podcast, this begins our deep dive into the history of Men leading to the...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 3: Taking the Hobbits to Isengard   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) pick up the trail of Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli as they track a band of Uruk-Hai westward across the plains of Rohan. As they pursue Merry and Pippin's gaolers, we begin our breakdown of Orc culture and languages and their historical roots in our world. --- Supp...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 2: Emyn Muil   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) navigate the labyrinth of razor sharp rocks that is the Emyn Muil as Frodo and Sam inch ever closer to Mordor. Of course, the couple becomes a throuple in a big way as Gollum makes his entry into the narrative, and we go in depth on the history and cinematic creation of the Once and...

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Part 1: Foundations of Stone   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) begin some new devilry with their first episode on The Two Towers! We both share our experiences coming to this film, our expectations, and the impression its left. Then we kick off the film in style: Gandalf vs the Balrog, and this time, it's biblical! --- Support this po...

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Part 19: Fellowship Wrap Up   Manu ( @ManuclearBomb ) and Emily ( @JRRTweetien ) put a bow on Fellowship of the Ring; we reflect back on the film in full, naming our favorite moments and discussing its lasting legacy. But first, how about that Enya song! --- Support this podcast by subscribing to Patreon.com/ManuclearBomb !   My Brother, My...