The Prancing Pony Podcast

Latest Episodes:

308 – Boy, You’re Gonna Carry That Weight Nov 19, 2023

Show notes

Frodo declines to acquiesce to Sam’s request to share the burden of the Ring… means ‘no’. Join Alan and Don as Sam becomes Frodo’s personal shopper in the worst clearance sale ever in our final episode on The Tower of Cirith Ungol. Sam forgives Frodo for his Ring-induced thievery allegation; we discuss the origin of orcs (again!); and the Watchers can’t stop Frodo and Sam. Also, The Lord of the Mark returns to speculate on Tolkien’s favorite Indiana Jones film.

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307 – I Want to Hold Your Hand Nov 12, 2023

Show notes

In the middle of his darkest moment, Sam sings; in the middle of this episode, Don and Alan sing. One of these two was a good decision. Join Alan and Don as Sam longs for Frodo, and refuses to say goodbye to the Stars in our third episode on The Tower of Cirith Ungol. Snaga loses a hand and rolls a natural 1; Sam finally finds his beloved Frodo; and Frodo is convinced the Quest is over. Also, Don offers questionable bear advice.

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306 – We Can’t Work it Out Nov 05, 2023

Show notes

Sam finds a way past the Watchers to rescue Frodo, as Don finds a way past Alan’s bad jokes to rescue the episode. Join Alan and Don as Sam continues his search for Frodo in a place absolutely filled with Orcs in our second episode on The Tower of Cirith Ungol. Sam is relieved to find nearly all of the Orcs are dead; we discuss the nature and origin of those creepy Watchers; and Shagrat ends Gorbag’s singing career. Also, Snaga will be presenting a TED Talk on cooperation in the C-suite.

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305 – All You Need is Love Oct 29, 2023

Show notes

Sam hesitantly takes what he sees as an irrevocable step down into Mordor; Don Marshall hesitantly agrees to do one more chapter with The Man of the West. Jon Alan and Don as Sam forgets his peril and bravely ventures into Mordor to rescue Frodo as we begin Book Six with The Tower of Cirith Ungol. Sam gets his first glimpse at Mount Doom; resists the temptation to become Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age; and finally descends into Mordor. Finally, get out your shocked face as Don makes Alan feel old.

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304 – Not Your Father's Hobbit Oct 15, 2023

Show notes

Frodo has been a prisoner of the Orcs for more than a year in podcast time, but what’s another episode between friends? Before Alan and Don Marshall start our read through of Book VI of The Lord of the Rings, we take a look back at the previous books as we discuss the themes and events of the story so far - maybe with a special eye towards Frodo and Sam, who we’ll spend a great deal of time with during the first half of this season. We discuss the composition of Book VI, thankful that Bingo is no longer Frodo’s name-oh. Also, what would Tolkien do with a Google Drive?

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303 – Questions After Nightfall 24 Oct 01, 2023

Show notes

The Fëanor piñata takes some more hits as The Man of the West welcomes Don Marshall, the Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy, to the Prancing Pony Podcast just in time to answer some really obscure questions! From Narya’s chain-of-custody to Goldberry growing tired of trochaic tetrameter, our listeners do their best to trip us up. Alan gets choked up over a Húrin passage - surprise - and we agree that this Tolkien fellow is pretty good at writing.

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302 – Live at Oxonmoot 50! Sep 17, 2023

Show notes

Join both The Man of the West and the Lord of the Mark as they celebrate the release of their new book by recording a LIVE episode at The Tolkien Society’s 50th Oxonmoot in Oxford! Guests include Kristine Larsen, John Rateliff, Brian Sibley… and 135 of our closest friends!
Recommended Reading: include Letters from FC, Fall of Númenor, and The History of the Hobbit, along with our own book.

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301 – A Little Bit Me, A Little… Nah, it’s All You Jul 30, 2023

Show notes

Sauron smells a trap, and sends his lieutenant to open the door and see who’s there; Matt smells a sidebar, and sends Alan to find out more. Join us as the Mouth of Sauron says too much, but doesn’t lose his head, as we conclude The Black Gate Opens — and Season 7 of the PPP! We meet perhaps the scariest steed ever to walk the earth, discuss the absurdity of killing ambassadors, and decide we know how about how old the Mouth of Sauron is. Matt wants to read the edited Letters of Alan and Shawn; Alan just wants to see a bear on a hell-steed; both of us want to see White Horse and Silver Swan in concert. Finally, we realize just what a terrible cliffhanger Tolkien can write.

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300 – Another Unpleasant Valley Sunday Jul 23, 2023

Show notes

Some of Aragorn’s followers are told how they might “keep what honor you may”; The Nerd of the Rings returns to the Common Room to keep what honor HE may. Join Matt and Alan as Aragorn heads out to knock on the door of the scariest house on the block as we begin The Black Gate Opens. Merry stays behind to heal as Pippin goes with Beregond to follow Aragorn to almost-certain doom; the army wisely avoids Minas Morgul; and Aragorn’s mercy rules the fate of many. Finally, The Lord of the Mark returns as we visit with Tom Hillman about his new book, and Alan confuses guerrillas with gorillas. Maybe.

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299 – Not a Trace of Hope in My Mind Jul 16, 2023

Show notes

Gimli says he’s near the end of their tale; Alan and Shaun aren’t convinced. Join us as we discuss how hard it is to look at your watch when you’re in battle, as we complete The Last Monolog… er, Debate. The Lords of the West conclude they have only a choice of evils; long-term weather forecasting isn’t a thing in Middle-earth; and counting to 7,000 seems pointless. Shaun explains how palantíri are like social media algorithms, while The Lord of the Mark returns to explain why the guy in the van is smoking a cigarette and eating cheese. Finally, not all unsheathed swords are a euphemism.

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