"Yet this is held true by the wise of Eressëa, that all those of the Quendi who came into the hands of Melkor, ere Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts of cruelty were corrupted and enslaved; and thus did Melkor breed the hideous race of the Orcs in envy and mockery of the Elves, of whom they were afterwards the bitterest foes. . . This it may be was the vilest deed of Melkor, and the most hateful to Ilúvatar." - Silmarillion Chapter 3 WATCH THE VIDEO OF THIS » https://y...
May 28, 2022•17 min
"I am a Christian, and indeed a Roman Catholic, so that I do not expect ‘history’ to be anything but a ‘long defeat’ – though it contains (and in a legend may contain more clearly and movingly) some samples or glimpses of final victory." - JRR Tolkien, Letter 195 ( https://amzn.to/3sVZJCE) WATCH THE VIDEO OF THIS » https://youtu.be/BXJDi03qbPE In a previous video, which I've linked to in the notes below, I discussed what I hoped would be a path forward for the legendarium, guided by a Tolkien Es...
May 25, 2022•13 min
Join us for an in-depth discussion of "Of Beleriand and Its Realms", the 14th chapter of The Silmarillion. Get the most out of your Silmarillion reading from this exploration of the map of Middle-earth's First Age. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham, John H In Chapter 14, we’ll learn of Beleriand’s regions, rulers, and key geographical features! WATCH THE VIDEO» https://youtu.be/AQCD0gBtfoE QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I am sorry about the Geography. It must have bee...
May 24, 2022•39 min
Having arrived to Beleriand, Fëanor wastes no time in confronting Morgoth. WATCH THE VIDEO» https://youtu.be/NfTQcLXGQHY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "His prayer was answered swiftly. For Manwë to whom all birds are dear, and to whom they bring news upon Taniquetil from Middle-earth, had sent forth the race of Eagles, commanding them to dwell in the crags of the North, and to keep watch upon Morgoth; for Manwë still had pity for the ...
May 18, 2022•53 min
Join us for an in-depth discussion of "Of Men", the 12th chapter of The Silmarillion. Get the most out of your Silmarillion reading from this exploration of JRR Tolkien's First Age story of the origins of Men. With the Sun having risen upon Middle-earth for the first time, we finally meet the Younger Children of Ilúvatar: US! WATCH THE VIDEO OF THIS EPISODE » https://youtu.be/TnfCUPkjbno The audio of this episode was released 3 days early and ad-free for our amazing patrons » https://patreon.com...
May 09, 2022•43 min
Join us for an in-depth discussion of "Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor", the 11th chapter of The Silmarillion. Get the most out of your Silmarillion reading from this exploration of JRR Tolkien's First Age story of the creation of the Sun and the Moon. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham WATCH THE VIDEO OF THIS EPISODE » https://youtu.be/-vWPUtk5kwk Chapter 11 gives us a moment to catch our breaths after the intense action of the last several ch...
May 02, 2022•59 min
Join us for an in-depth discussion of "Of the Sindar", the 10th chapter of The Silmarillion. Get the most out of your Silmarillion reading from this long-form exploration of JRR Tolkien's First Age story of Beleriand's first war! WATCH THIS EPISODE » https://youtu.be/24axMxpUGek EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham In Chapter 10, the perspective shifts from the Blessed Realm to Beleriand, where it will remain for the rest of The Silmarillion. We jump back to w...
Apr 25, 2022•52 min
This is an in-depth discussion of "Of the Flight of the Noldor", the 9th chapter of The Silmarillion. Learn how to get the most out of your reading from this long-form exploration of JRR Tolkien's First Age story of Fëanor's Oath! Chapter 9 brings us to the terrible aftermath of Valinor’s Darkening. Will Melkor be held to account? Can Ungoliant be stopped? Is there any saving the Two Trees? And what of the Silmarils? WATCH THE VIDEO » https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqNlLvJkvaA The audio of this...
Apr 18, 2022•1 hr 21 min
Chapter 8 brings us to the great catastrophe of the Blessed Realm. What happens in this chapter sets in motion tidal waves of tragedies whose effects are felt, for good and for ill, down to the years of Frodo’s journey. WATCH THE VIDEO » https://youtu.be/1JbIgPaPkM0 The audio of this episode was released 2 days early and ad-free for our amazing patrons! Support us on Patreon » https://patreon.com/tolkienroad EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham QUOTE OF THE WE...
Apr 11, 2022•53 min
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 both Amon Sûl, a Tolkien podcast, as well as Lord of Spirits, which explores the seen and unseen wor...
Apr 06, 2022•1 hr 8 min
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 Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham QUOTE OF THE WEEK » “As three great jewels they were in form. But not un...
Apr 04, 2022•1 hr 7 min
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 with everyone who shows up. If you enjoy this replay, then we hope you'll join us for our APRIL livest...
Mar 28, 2022•1 hr 26 min
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 ....
Mar 25, 2022•12 min
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 abuses of the Middle-earth legendarium, and even to allow for "official" storytelling of a literary...
Mar 22, 2022•14 min
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 patrons! EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien, John R, Jacob Lockham QUOTE OF THE WEEK » "Bu...
Mar 21, 2022•1 hr 5 min
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 early and ad-free for our amazing patrons! https://patreon.com/tolkienroad EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS » Ka...
Mar 14, 2022•54 min
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/z1a3ELPMuqw The audio of this episode was released 3 days early and ad-free for our amazing patrons! E...
Mar 07, 2022•49 min
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, John R, Jacob Lockham SPECIAL THANKS: - John R - Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien - Jacob Lockham - Ms. A...
Feb 28, 2022•1 hr 32 min
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 thousands of years, but Payne and McKay have compressed events into a single point in time. It is their...
Feb 26, 2022•21 min
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 nigh. WATCH THE VIDEO» https://youtu.be/2ZEa5HCYYYA The audio of this episode was released 2 days ear...
Feb 21, 2022•1 hr 14 min
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 scene by scene. Topics include: - Rómenna of Númenor - Eärendil - Galadriel - Harfoots / Hobbits - Wiza...
Feb 16, 2022•42 min
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 amazing patrons! We also get a “behind the scenes” glimpse into the creative relationships of certai...
Feb 14, 2022•50 min
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/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support ....
Feb 11, 2022•49 min
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 Days! This episode was released 2 days early and ad-free for our amazing patrons! » https://patreon.co...
Feb 07, 2022•1 hr 13 min
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 Ainur have indeed been mostly with the Elves, for Ilúvatar made them more like in nature to the Ainur, ...
Jan 31, 2022•47 min
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 .
Jan 28, 2022•1 hr 5 min
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 subject. Join us! WATCH THIS EPISODE » https://youtu.be/wb80qngLtFg EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: John R, Kaitl...
Jan 24, 2022•58 min
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: John R, Kaitlyn of Tea with Tolkien QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The cycles should be linked to a majestic whol...
Jan 17, 2022•1 hr 11 min
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 it, you’re in for a big treat! Join us as we discuss "Ainulindalë"! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE *...
Jan 10, 2022•1 hr 6 min
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 several months, we'll be going chapter-by-chapter through Tolkien's saga of Middle-earth First Age. If y...
Jan 03, 2022•1 hr 7 min
