The Rings of Power Wrap-up

Latest Episodes:

015 – Manwë Wants a Word Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

Sara and James join Alan as the new co-hosts of The Rings of Power
Wrap-up, just in time to spend hours discussing the two-episode premiere
of the Amazon adaptation! From the destruction of little Galadriel’s
paper boat (we see you, sons of Fëanor!) to her waking up next to a
strange man on a raft, we cover it all. Loremasters, not gatekeepers, we
talk about what’s great, what’s not, and what’s next!

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014 – Foundations: Harfoots & Orcs Aug 27, 2022

Show notes

We conclude our series of foundational episodes with a couple of, uh, shorter entries. First up, a deep dive into what we know of the history of the Harfoots (and other Hobbit folk) in Middle-earth, a people of much greater diversity than you might think. After that, a rundown of Tolkien’s changing views on the origins and nature of the Orcs, plus their history through the First and Second Ages before the big – in more ways than one – finale on Trolls and Balrogs! Hold the wings, please.

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013 – Foundations: Dwarves Aug 20, 2022

Show notes

Our third foundational episode on the lore of Middle-earth is all about the Dwarves! Join us as we explore the mysterious and secretive history of the Khazâd from their creation by the Vala Aulë all the way down to their early friendships and unfriendships with Elves and Men in the First and Second Ages. We scour Tolkien’s unfinished writings for accounts of the awakening of the original seven dwarves — and learn which one was actually named Sleepy. Plus, word-nerdery on Khuzdul, the language so secret Dwarves don’t even write it on their tombstones.

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012 - Foundations: Men Aug 13, 2022

Show notes

In our second foundational episode covering the lore of Tolkien's legendarium, we review the history of Men — humans, not males — in Númenor and Middle-earth! Catch up with us on the origins of Men, their story through the First Age, and the vast difference in nature between Men and Elves (hint: it's not pointy ears). We'll also introduce you to some of the characters we know will be major players in the series, and remind you of the real reason you don't want Elves writing your histories (unless you want to be called "Sickly").

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011 - Foundations: The Elves Aug 06, 2022

Show notes

With the series premiere less than a month away, we begin our series of foundational episodes to catch you up on the lore of Middle-earth up to the beginning of The Rings of Power! In this week’s episode, we cover the milllennia-long history of the Elves at faster-than-starlight speed: the Two Trees, the Silmarils, Finrod, Galadriel, Celebrimbor and more. Plus, Alan reminds us all of what life was like before GPS systems.

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010 - The Elves Take San Diego Jul 31, 2022

Show notes

Alan gives a recap of his experience at San Diego Comic-Con, from catching up with old friends, to lunch with the cast, to the awesome reveals of Hall H! And of course, we break down the trailer released at SDCC complete with creepy bad guys, creepy old men, creepy sword materialization… really, just loads of creepy stuff. Plus, Galadriel gets her hands on one of her uncle’s seeing stones, Arondir defies physics — again — and much more!

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009 - How About a Heads Up Next Time, Amazon? Jul 30, 2022

Show notes

Alan and Shawn finally break down the teaser that dropped on July 14, while they were both on summer vacations (oops!). Galadriel puts Elrond in his place with Middle-earth’s greatest “you idiot” look, and we may be seeing the discovery of mithril in Moria! Plus, terrifying unidentifiable red stuff… and lots of physics-defying Elvish fighting techniques.

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008 – A Shooting Star Is Not a Star Jul 17, 2022

Show notes

We unpack the new trailer dropped on Amazon Prime Video on July 6, with a first look at some new characters — and a better look at some previously seen ones — as Middle-earth observes the falling meteor. Alan falls on his sword at the appearance of a figure who’s clearly made of wood (but not a witch), and Shawn has reservations about writing systems. And what’s the difference between a mandarin and a satsuma anyway?

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007 – Goodliness of Speechcraft: An Interview with Leith McPherson Jul 09, 2022

Show notes

Word-nerds rejoice as Alan and Shawn welcome our first guest to The Rings of Power Wrap-up: show dialect coach Leith McPherson! We speak to Leith about her time on Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit films and her experiences on the new series, the underappreciated joys of The Lord of the Rings Appendix E, and the importance of language in Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Plus, a little pronunciation coaching from Leith for one of the world’s most well-known Tolkien fans.

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006 – Empire Strikes First Jul 02, 2022

Show notes

Alan and Shawn catch up on the last few weeks of Rings of Power news from Empire magazine and elsewhere online, including the mysterious tower, our first look at Orcs, and the much-maligned sneak peek at Celebrimbor. The promise of practical effects has us excited, but some of the marketing stokes our nerd cynicism… all this, plus more talk of character hair than we’re used to.

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