Mythgard's Exploring The Lord of the Rings

03/30/2021 Episode 180: Council of Elrond Session 56 Mythmoot will be a hybrid convention this year with both in person and digital options. Dates are June 24-27! Registration updates are pending, so stay tuned for more info. In which a decidedly unelven plan to unmake the ring is proposed by Elrond. Did Elrond always want to destroy the ring after it was taken by Isildur? Boromir has a moment wit...

03/09/2021 177: Council of Elrond Session 53 Mythmoot will be June 24-27! Registration for our annual literary conference is now open. For information registration and a list of guests visit https://signumuniversity.org/mythmoot/​ In which we consider why the Valar refuse to help/take the ring. Were the 3 elven rings a mistake? A discussion on how the Valar work and the role of provenance. Is Glor...

03/02/2021 176: Council of Elrond Session 52 Mythmoot will be June 24-27! Registration for our annual literary conference is now open. For information registration and a list of guests visit https://signumuniversity.org/mythmoot/​ In which Glorfindel points out that hiding the ring only delays the inevitable, even if Bombadil could be trusted with the task. Galdor agrees and adds that no one in Mi...

ELOTR 175: Council of Elrond Session 51 Mythmoot will be June 24-27! Registration for our annual literary conference is now open. For information registration and a list of guests visit https://signumuniversity.org/mythmoot/​ In which we discuss what the “change of days,” is for Tom Bombadil. Chief Councilor, Erestor has a suggestion about leaving The Ring with Tom. Gandalf says it’s a bad idea, b...

174: Council of Elrond Session 50 Mythmoot will be June 24-27! Stay tuned for future announcements on registration and presenters and check out the link: https://signumuniversity.org/mythmoot/​ In which we backtrack to Gandalf’s description of his relationship with Shadowfax. As his narrative come to an end, Gandalf announces that “The Tale is told from first to last.” Again, we’re reminded that t...

173: Council of Elrond Session 49 02/02/21 TexMoot online is coming up! Check out https://signumuniversity.org/event/te...​ for details! In which we break down Gandalf’s path post-Weathertop back to Rivendell. Was it a wild-goose chase into the Ettenmoores? What did he hope to accomplish and what of the riders? Providence, doublespeak and more as Gandalf finishes his narrative. Why did Gandalf kee...

172: Council of Elrond Session 48 01/26 TexMoot online is coming up! Check out https://signumuniversity.org/event/te...​ for details! In which Gandalf recounts the Nazguul’s infiltration of Bree, and their “starting lineup” and travel itinerary. We debate the Nazguul’s “Plan Bree” and their ultimate goal, Gandalf’s wild ride to Weathertop and The Witch King’s perspective of Frodo’s flight to Riven...

171: Council of Elrond Session 47 01/19 TexMoot online is coming up! Check out https://signumuniversity.org/event/te ... for details! We’ve also launched our Signum Clubs program for kids! https://signumuniversity.org/academy/ In which we discuss the evolution of Butterburr’s name, and we learn the fate of the forgetful innkeeper. The nature of Gandalf’s blessing that made his beer fit for a King....

Tonight, we get Gandalf's return in haste to the Shire and Bree. Will he pick up any decoy hobbits? Will he melt any butter?

Join the Tolkien Professor as he kicks off year five of the most in-depth Lord of Rings class of all time. Tonight, we watch as Boromir interrupts the Council of Elrond once more!

168: Council of Elrond Session 44 12/15 In which we disambiguate Tolkien's use of "try and" and "try to." Rohan bursts into the narrative, and we discuss the potential source of the rumor that the Rohirrim are selling horses to Mordor. Field Trip: Blómgard (Vales of Anduin) “Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien

167: Council of Elrond Session 43 12/08 In which we see Radaghast’s curtain call, as Sauruman’s pawn. The Eagles evolve from talking fairytale animals to agents of angels. The Wind Lord, Gwaihir rescues Gandalf after an entire summer stuck in Orthanc’s tower. Deus Ex Aquila: the eagles do seem to specialize in rescuing virtuous people (and their corpses) from “Sticky Wickeds,” don’t they? HOMEWORK...

165: Council of Elrond Session 41 11/24 In which Saurman’s breeding programs and plans for conquest are tactfully discussed. Bob remains a hobbit. Gandalf hopes that Barliman forwarded his letter to his friends in the shire (oops). Why didn’t Gandalf lie to Saruman and then run away, and why do very few of Tolkien’s heroes lie? Field Trip: Vales of Anduin, Avabarg “Deeds will not be less valiant b...

166: Council of Elrond Session 42 12/01 In which we discuss what Saruman’s sacrificed for absolutely no ring. Frodo interrupts again, with his vision of Gandalf at Bombadill’s house. No one seems to care much, since everyone else is also getting divine dreams. Also does Tolkien hate spiders? Don’t forget to check out our newest offering: Signum Academy, extracurricular clubs for young people! Go t...

161: Council of Elrond Sessions 37 10/20/2020 In which Sauruman tries to recruit Gandalf with a well-rehearsed speech. He makes a few “revealing” slips, and speaks of a POWER, and the tragedy of trying to do The Mayar’s work with no power. Also what is a “slogo?” Field Trip: Carn Dun “Seat of the Witch King” “Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien

163: Council of Elrond Session 39 11/10 In which we finish our discussion of the confrontation between Gandalf and Saruman. Gandalf makes it clear that he isn't taken in by Saruman's words, and we discuss what how Saruman must be sizing up Gandalf based on his response. Field Trip: Hultvís (Vales of Anduin) “Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien

164: Council of Elrond Session 40 11/18 In which Gandalf describes his imprisonment and the ravaged Isengard’s transformation. Sauruman is building an army to rival Mordor. Is building an orc army really plausible deniability? Field Trip: Vales of Anduin, Gladden Fields “Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien

162: Council of Elrond Sessions 38 11/03/2020 In which the professor ponders what outcome Sauruman had expected before recruiting Gandalf, and whether Sauruman is using all his art on Gandalf or if the whole meeting was a trap to see if Gandalf has the One Ring on him, or a clue as to where it might be. Field Trip: Vales of Anduin towards Gladden Fields. “Deeds will not be less valiant because the...

Session 157: Council of Elrond Session 33 09/29/2020 In which Gandalf relates his meeting with Sauruman and the wizards’ rapport is analyzed. Field Trip: Carn Dum “Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien

160: Council of Elrond Session 36 10/20/2020 In which Saurman decries his title as Saruman The White and Gandalf tries to defend its virtues to the newly self-styled Saruman of the Many Colors. Field Trip Carn Dum Instance. “Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.” ~J.R.R. Tolkien