Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came: A Podcast about Stephen King and His Books

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we finish our discussion of The Dark Tower, Book 4.5, The Wind Through the Keyhole , The Skin-Man (Part 2) and Storm’s Over. Introduction (00:17) Wrapping up the Wind Through the Keyhole section (01:34) Resolving the murder mystery (04:11) Gabrielle and her letter (11:03) Why are these stories being told? (25:59) Fun Stuff (43:39) Book wrap-up (...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book 4.5 The Wind through the Keyhole , The Wind through the Keyhole section. Introduction (00:00) Yet another genre: the fairy tale (01:39) Fairy tale / fiction vs. history / nonfiction (04:59) Why this story now? (17:00) Fun stuff (27:22) Listener reviews (34:54) Outro (39:55) For more information about the show, che...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book 4.5, The Wind Through the Keyhole, The Skin-Man, part 1. Introduction (0:00) Recap (0:47) Storytelling/Russian nesting doll aspect (2:15) Roland still treated like a child (14:58) New genre: murder mystery (23:10) The wind motif (27:15) Fun stuff (30:35) Outro (42:18) Leave us an Apple Podcast review ! Join our Pa...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book 4.5, The Wind Through the Keyhole , Starkblast. Introduction (0:00) Section recap (0:46) Publication history (2:04) Foreword (11:00) Roland’s curse (14:15) The ka-tet (19:06) Story-within-a-story (26:45) Fun stuff (30:30) Outro (36:53) Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/twoguysdarktower For more information...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we finish The Dark Tower, Book IV, Wizard and Glass . Introduction (00:12) Overall book recap (00:42) The Afterword (02:04) Comparison of how King ends the stories in the book: Blaine vs. Mejis vs. Oz (12:17) Our final thoughts (18:46) Why is the book titled “Wizard and Glass?” (20:54) Critical reception (28:53) Listener feedback (39:55) Book an...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we finish The Dark Tower, Book IV, Wizard and Glass , with the All God’s Chillun Got Shoes section. Introduction (0:00) Matricide–Is it that bad? (2:06) Gabrielle’s motivation (9:36) Dave McKean, Neal Gaiman, and Sandman connection (16:40) Why does Roland share this story (17:59) The Green Palace (29:37) Sean goes on about the end, the rea...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book IV, Wizard and Glass , Come, Reap, chapters 9 & 10. Introduction (00:00) Recap (00:48) The Wizard’s Glass – the Pink One (02:20) Roland’s vision in the wizard’s glass (17:57) The Once and Future Roland (32:06) Did King end the story successfully? (41:07) Fun Stuff (48:58) Outro (56:15) For more inf...

In this episode of  Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book IV,  Wizard and Glass , Interlude and Come, Reap chapters 5-8. Introduction (0:00) King’s narrative style…the Good (3:30) …the Bad (7:30) …and the Ugly (13:30) Cruelty of Mejis (17:50) Susan’s loss of innocence (27:40) Fun Stuff (39:00) Outro (45:02) For more information about the show, check us...

In this episode of  Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book IV,  Wizard and Glass , Interlude and Come, Reap chapters 1-4. Introduction (0:00) Interlude: a fascinating reflection on the story (03:39) Tension to story, but… (09:59) Religion (17:48) Roland and Cuthbert come to a head (30:06) Fun Stuff (37:33) Outro (48:00) For more information about the show, check us out a...

In this episode of  Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book IV,  Wizard and Glass , Susan, chapters 6-10. Introduction (0:00) Smart people doing smart things (1:45) Love makes you do stupid things (like forget your duty) (8:25) Why is Roland telling this story (20:10) Roland is a dangerous man (23:30) Worldbuilding (25:45) Magic (26:00) Thinny (28:00) Time getting softer...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book IV, Wizard and Glass , Part 2, Susan, chapter 1-5 . Introduction (00:00) Careless Love (05:50) Language and customs (17:59) Politic, politics, politics! (23:12) Fun Stuff (40:06) Outro (55:42) For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com . You can also email us at twoguysdarkt...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book IV, Wizard and Glass , Riddles chapters 4 & 5. Introduction (0:00) Book Summary (0:45) Where’s the meat? (1:50) Does this section enhance the Stand or the Dark Tower more? (3:55) A new wheelchair! (10:10) Jay’s epic rant (13:15) Story telling (15:28) (This Song’s Just) Six Words Long (18:58) Fun Stuff (27:20)...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book IV, Wizard and Glass , the Argument; Prologue; and Part One, Riddles, Chapters 1 – 3. Introduction (00:00) Context of Book IV (01:31) Why so much recap? (11:40) If Blaine were an ally, oh the possibilities (17:56) Riddle contest–end of the line for Blaine (22:32) Gunslinger’s nature (36:10) Fun Stuff (...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we finish Book III of the Dark Tower, The Waste Lands , covering chapter VI, Riddle and Waste Lands. Introduction (00:00) Recap (00:59) Cop-out or not? (07:19) Waste Lands as a theme (14:17) Critical takes (35:20) Fun Stuff (40:46) Outro (52:15) For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystothedarktowercame.com . You can also ema...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book III, The Waste Lands , chapter 5, Bridge and City. Introduction (00:00) Connections to The Stand (01:47) Character development (13:52) Riddles (24:57) Spoiler for “Game of Thrones” (29:39 – 30:31) The destruction that follows Roland (34:40) Fun Stuff (39:00) Velcro Fly by Z. Z. Top (43:09)  https://youtu.be/...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book III of the Dark Tower, The Waste Lands , Chapter 4, Town & Ka-Tet. Introduction (00:00) Roland’s connection to the old ways (03:04) The palaver of the ka-tet (09:17) Once there was a world we knew, but that world has moved on (23:04) Stephen King tropes (33:50) Fun stuff (39:03) Outro (45:10) For more in...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore Book III of the Dark Tower, The Waste Lands , Chapter 3, Door and Demon. Introduction (0:00) The death of Eddie’s childhood (03:40) Susanna is underdeveloped as a character (24:44) Does Roland fully grasp the scope of his quest? (33:44) Fun stuff (41:01) Outro (55:02) For more information about the show, check us out at twoguystotheda...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book III, The Waste Lands , Chapter 2, Key and Rose. Introduction (00:00) Plot recap (00:42) King addressing his critics (02:06) Expansion of Jake as a character (13:30) They Might Be Giants song, “ New York City ” (22:39) Jake is putting his faith in Ka (28:02) Fun stuff (35:32) Outro (43:32) “New York City.” They Mig...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book III, The Waste Lands , Chapter 1, “Bear and Bone.” Introduction (0:00) Plot summary (00:45) Publication context (02:00) Aping T.S. Elliot (07:40) Laying down some mythology (10:33) Eddie’s arc (25:31) Susannah’s arc (26:31) Roland’s arc (29:13) Fun stuff (32:25) Art from Sonya – Shardik (43:25) O...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we conclude The Dark Tower, Book 2, The Drawing of the Three , Final Shuffle. Introduction (0:00) Plot recap (00:44) Who were the titular three? (01:29) Snake symbolism (06:53) The Quest (08:56) Who is Death? (16:41) Fantasy genre and tropes (21:01) Reversed portal (thanks, Emily Cait!) (22:29) Fun stuff (25:14) Chekhov’s jawbone (25:33) A...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book 2, The Drawing of the Three, The Pusher. Introduction (00:00) Plot recap (00:44) A fish out of water (02:04) Matters of fate (05:41) Delusions of grandeur (06:09) Roland as hero (11:59) Romper Room “Do Bee” song (18:27) What is Roland’s intent with the third door? (19:54) Roland’s plan (28:43) Fun stuff (36:...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore Book II of the Dark Tower, The Drawing of the Three , “Reshuffle.” Introduction (0:00) Odetta Loves Eddie (01:58) King paints a pretty romantic picture (06:35) Twilight Time (08:35) Is Odetta aware of Detta? (11:41) Does Detta know about Odetta? (14:16) Roland’s increasing affection for Eddie (17:44) Is NYC significant? (27:22) Reshuf...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower , Book II, The Drawing of the Three , The Lady of Shadows. Introduction (00:00) Plot Recap (00:50) Why Odetta/Detta? (03:43) Why is Odetta so Wealthy? (09:30) Roland Needs to Merge Odetta and Detta (12:55) Writing Style Reflects Content (18:36) More Cultural References (25:28) Jay’s Favorite Word (27:44) Changing...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore The Dark Tower, Book 2, The Drawing of the Three , Shuffle. Introduction (0:00) Plot Summary (01:04) Cards Metaphor (02:32) Talkin’ Ka (06:56) Talkin’ Eddie (16:42) Relationship Between Eddie and Roland (30:02) Random Thoughts (32:07) Roland’s Backstory (39:14) Closing (42:40) For more information about the show, check us out at twogu...

In this episode of Two Guys to the Dark Tower Came , we explore Book 2 of the Dark Tower, The Drawing of the Three , The Prisoner. Introduction (00:15) Chapter Recap (00:50) Evolution of King’s writing style; Gunslinger to Drawing of the Three (01:49) Roland’s Greek Chorus (14:23) The Prisoner: Eddie Dean (21:01) TV Tropes: The Likable Junkie (31:33) King Errors (32:34) Listener Feedback (44:19) L...