Exploring Tolkien

144. Never Laugh at Live Dragons – The Hobbit #29

Listen Later

Smaug is finally fully revealed! This week, we finish “Inside Information”, where Bilbo finally comes face-to-face with the unassessably wealthy dragon. We break down the wordplay Bilbo engages in as he denies Smaug his real name, Smaug’s memorable boasts, and how Bilbo manages to outwit Middle-earth’s greatest dragon (or maybe it’s just… luck?).

We explore:

  • Why names and riddles matter so much in Middle-earth (and how they protect Bilbo)
  • How Tolkien redefined dragons for fantasy—leaving old fairy tale clichés behind
  • The thrush’s “snail anvil,” Bilbo’s lucky break, and whether Tolkien’s worldbuilding is brilliant…or just a little too convenient
  • Dwarven treasure: legendary loot or worldbuilding gold?

    • In our extended episode (available for our members), we dive deeper into:

    • The mystery of Erebor’s “most useless” door—and why it locks the party inside
    • King Bladorthin: a video-game waiting to happen
    • Tolkien video game adaptations: what works, what flops, and our dream Middle-earth game
    • The famous Samwise monologue in Peter Jackson’s films—does it live up to Tolkien’s original?

      • Here are the images we discussed in this episode:

      • Mt Rainier
      • The Lonely Mountain – Tolkien
      • Conversation with Smaug – Tolkien
      • Peter Jackson’s 2 Legged Smaug
      • Dragonheart’s 4 Legged Dragon

        • If you’d like to hear the extended conversation and join upcoming live chats, become a member today (free for the first month)!

        🔗 Episode Links

        The History of The Hobbit
        The Annotated Hobbit
        Join our Discord Community (for free)
        Get the Extended Podcast
        Become a Patreon Member

        🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast

        Get the Extended Podcast
        Become a Patreon Member
        Subscribe on Apple
        Subscribe on Spotify

        🔍 If You Like Tolkien

        The History of The Hobbit
        The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
        The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
        The Silmarillion
        The Children of Hurin
        The Atlas of Middle-earth
        Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store
        Exploring TolkienBy TheOneRing.com
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7
        • 4.7

        4.7

        35 ratings

        More shows like Exploring Tolkien

        View all
        VINCE by Cumulus Podcast Network | VINCE

        VINCE

        62,626 Listeners

        The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe by The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

        The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

        41,179 Listeners

        Breakpoint by Colson Center

        Breakpoint

        3,089 Listeners

        The Prancing Pony Podcast by The Prancing Pony Podcast

        The Prancing Pony Podcast

        2,045 Listeners

        The World and Everything In It by WORLD Radio

        The World and Everything In It

        7,111 Listeners

        Undaunted.Life: A Man's Podcast by Kyle Thompson by Undaunted.Life

        Undaunted.Life: A Man's Podcast by Kyle Thompson

        1,750 Listeners

        The Alisa Childers Podcast by Alisa Childers

        The Alisa Childers Podcast

        5,316 Listeners

        Chicks on The Right Show w Mock and Daisy by Chicks On The Right - Radio America

        Chicks on The Right Show w Mock and Daisy

        2,015 Listeners

        Office Ladies by Audacy & Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

        Office Ladies

        85,610 Listeners

        The Megyn Kelly Show by SiriusXM

        The Megyn Kelly Show

        40,395 Listeners

        Morning Wire by The Daily Wire

        Morning Wire

        26,636 Listeners

        The King's Hall by Brian Sauvé & Eric Conn

        The King's Hall

        1,188 Listeners

        The Tucker Carlson Show by Tucker Carlson Network

        The Tucker Carlson Show

        16,875 Listeners

        Chesterton's Gateway by Ethan Nicolle and Michael Grumbine

        Chesterton's Gateway

        52 Listeners

        The Nerve with Maureen Callahan by MK Media

        The Nerve with Maureen Callahan

        2,836 Listeners