The Tolkien Road

Is Lord of the Rings Christian, Pagan or, in some way, both? In the legendarium of Middle-earth, Tolkien connects the gods of the ancient world with the God of biblical Christianity in a manner that, somehow, he intended to be acceptable to "a mind that believes in the Blessed Trinity." How can this be? John is joined by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick to discuss this question. Fr Andrew is the host of...

What are the Silmarils and what is their significance? We finally reach the answer to these questions in Chapter 7, learn of the intrigue surrounding them, and how their existence becomes a curse for the Blessed Realm. WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/KW2gfIX3cCA The audio of this episode was released 3 days early and ad-free for our amazing patrons! EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tol...

Hey there, fellow travelers! You are about to listen to an audio recording of our MARCH 2022 YouTube livestream. For the video of this replay, including all of the chats from those who were live with us, check the show notes for the link. WATCH ON YOUTUBE » https://youtu.be/TSETOcK2anU This was the 3rd monthly livestream that we've done, and it was a blast! We're having a lot of fun interacting wi...

My choice for Tolkien Reading Day 2022. Enjoy! WATCH THIS VIDEO » https://youtu.be/ib-30vDvxxQ SUPPORT » https://patreon.com/tolkienroad TOLKIEN ROAD » https://tolkienroad.com/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support .

With The Rings of Power & The War of the Rohirrim coming soon, I’m starting to wonder: what’s going to be considered “canonical” going forward? In simple terms, will the lore that the show creates be considered “authoritative” going forward? This a PRESSING question, and things are going to get out of hand. In this video, I urge The Tolkien Estate to ACT to create its own office of lore to prevent...

With Melkor having been imprisoned, Valinor enters a long era of peace. To Finwë, High King of the Noldor, a son is born: Fëanor, the “Spirit of Fire”, whose destiny is bound up with the fate of many. And all the while, a perilous shadow grows upon the Blessed Realm… WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/JlOJNE0mBE0 The audio of this episode was released 2 days early and ad-free for our amazing patro...

With 3 groups of Elves - the Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri - having arrived on the threshold of the Great Sea, they must make the final leg of their journey to the Land of the Valar, Aman, and will do so by extraordinary means. Once they arrive, they will establish their own kingdoms within the Blessed Realm. WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/E8Bl86m5Y9k The audio of this episode was released 2 days...

With Melkor imprisoned in Mandos and the Elves on the way to the Blessed Realm, we pause to consider a BRIEF love story that lays the groundwork for a considerably EPIC love story later in The Silmarillion. Like Chapter 2, Chapter 4 doesn’t so much advance the plot from the previous chapter as it provides explanatory detail that will come into play much later. WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/z1...

During our Feb 2022 Livestream, we discussed all of the controversies surround The Rings Of Power, our journey thus far in The Silmarillion, and a bunch of amazing correspondence from you, our amazing Fellowship! The audio of this episode was released 2 days early and ad-free for our amazing patrons! WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/fGfLBgNy5hA EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien,...

Amazon plans to "compress" the 3,500 year timeline of the Second Age into a "single point in time". There are so many problems with this, and in this video I'm beginning to explore all of those problems. Let's talk about this in the comments! From https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/02/amazon-the-rings-of-power-series-first-look : 'In the novels, the aforementioned things take place over tho...

Having taken a scenic detour in Chapter 2, in Chapter 3 we pick up where Chapter 1 left off. Though the Blessed Realm of Aman is now lit by the Two Trees of Valinor, the rest of Middle-earth lay in “twilight under the stars”. While the Valar and their people dwell in relative security, Melkor labors ceaselessly to dominate the rest of the world, even as the dawn of the Children of Ilúvatar draws n...

Good morning! We're breaking down the new teaser for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings Of Power. You can watch the video of this episode here » https://youtu.be/VbUS061qO2U It was revealed during the Super Bowl last night. If you haven't seen it, you can watch it here » https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCLoZI-FOYA We share our initial reaction to seeing it during the game, and then break it down sce...

After the epic span of Chapter 1, which culminated in the creation of The Two Trees of Valinor and introduced the juxtaposing natures of Elves and Men, Chapter 2 is something of an interlude, though one of great consequence. In it, we learn about the creation of the Dwarves, and the mysterious origins of other important creatures as well. This episode was released 3 days early and ad-free for our...

Our reaction to the Vanity Fair article released on 2/10/2022. The best way to enjoy this BONUS episode is by watching it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/62dcR7XKVnc ARTICLE: "Amazon's Lord of the Rings Series Rises: Inside The Rings Of Power" » https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/02/amazon-the-rings-of-power-series-first-look Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast...

Having established their home in Valinor of the Blessed Realm, the Valar begin a new work: the Two Trees of Valinor. What are the Two Trees and what is their significance for Middle-earth? Furthermore, how do they prepare the way for the coming of Elves and Men, and work against the dark designs of Melkor? Join us as we discuss the second half of The Silmarillion, Chapter 1: Of the Beginning of Da...

Chapter 1 picks up the story where “Ainulindalë” left off. The Valar have entered the world created by their music, only to find it essentially UNFORMED, and in need of their labor to achieve the shape they had envisioned. And, ultimately, to set the stage for the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: John R, Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The dealing of the Ain...

Our January 2022 livestream, featuring discussion of The Silmarillion, Ainulindalë, and... THE RINGS OF POWER! Also, watch our reaction video here » https://youtu.be/xgLh1AS9hZc Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support .

Who is Tom Bombadil? This is a topic we've covered several times on the Tolkien Road, but it's an undying enigma for Lord of the Rings fans, and we're always hungry for new insights into the mysterious nature of The Old Forest's Master. In episode 275, John discusses this topic with writer C.R. Wiley, whose new book IN THE HOUSE OF TOM BOMBADIL is receiving rave reviews for its treatment of the su...

In episode 274, we explore Valaquenta, the pantheon of Middle-earth's gods! "Valaquenta" introduces us to the Valar, the Maiar, and the main Enemies of Middle-earth. We get to know a few about figures like Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, and Yavanna, and this really helps when you're diving into The Silmarillion. Join us! WATCH THIS EPISODE » https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtRxezDytYo EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jo...

In episode 273, we explore the Middle-earth Creation myth, "Ainulindalë", otherwise known as the Music of the Ainur. “Ainulindalë” is one of the most fascinating legends that Tolkien wrote, and it introduces key characters and themes into the legendarium. Furthermore, it sets the stage for everything that comes after, from the First Age to the Third (and beyond)! If this is your first time reading...

Hey there, FELLOW TRAVELERS! So you want to read The Silmarillion, eh? If you have any interest in Middle-earth, it’s only natural. Especially for those who have completed The Lord of the Rings (no small feat in and of itself), it’s the most logical next step. In episode 272 of The Tolkien Road Podcast, we kick off our Silmarillion re-read that will span the better part of 2022. Over the next seve...

Hey there, fellow travelers! By far, the biggest thing to happen to Tolkiendom in 2021 was The Nature of Middle-earth, the latest collection of previously unpublished Tolkien writings. When we interviewed Carl Hostetter, the book's editor, back in August, we recorded a special bonus episode for our patrons, in which we got Carl's takes on topics including Peter Jackson's Middle-earth films, LOTR o...

We did a LIVESTREAM! So this one will feel a little experimental - not our normal open, and lots of banter with the patrons who joined us! We had a lot of fun doing it, and it will certainly be the first of many to come. It was mostly a pilot for the WISDOM app, which we kinda struggled with...hence, the title of this episode. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE » https://youtu.be/42z1VTfp8ac ***THIS EP...

In 2013, Tolkien's lost poem "Noel" was discovered in the archives of an Oxfordshire school. With Christmas just around the corner, we take a close look at this 1936 poem, and discover the thematic seeds of Middle-earth's epic drama. Join us! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE ***THIS EPISODE IS 3 DAYS EARLY AND AD-FREE FOR OUR BELOVED PATRONS!*** ***LIVE DISCUSSION - DEC 16TH @ 7PM CT »»» https://www....

Have you ever heard of Tolkien's GOBLIN WARS? (HINT: you won't find them in the Middle-earth legendarium). These are the stories of Goblins invading the North Pole and stealing gifts intended for the children of England from Father Christmas' cellar. Join us as we explore how the "Other Fellowship" of Father Nicholas Christmas, the North Polar Bear, the Red Gnomes, and others join forces to save C...