In this episode, we find the footsteps of doom overtaking Túrin–despite naming himself “Turambar” (Master of Doom). We take a little extra time to discuss who is more responsible for the doom that leads to the death of so many–Túrin or Morgoth? Should we blame Túrin for any of it? Or should we blame Morgoth’s curse spoken of Húrin?

Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they discuss the rest of the story of Túrin! And, yes, we do dive into the extremely unexpected issue around the talking sword…

Don’t forget to join us in our extended episode where we discuss Túrin’s suicide, and dive into more detail about his unwanted doom! To get the extended episode, become a member at https://www.theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)!

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The tale of Túrin Turambar is one of the great stories of Middle-earth — Tolkien even mentions it in 1951 as a possible publication after finishing Lord of the Rings. But it’s COMPLETELY different… Túrin isn’t really a hero–he makes bad decisions and runs from them. He refuses forgiveness. He ignores wise advice.

Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they discuss this tragic counterpoint to Beren and Luthién–a tale of woe, sorrow, grief, death, and not much of a happy ending.

Don’t forget to join us in our extended episode where we discuss why this is Jonathan’s favorite (non-LOTR) Tolkien story too! To get the extended episode, become a member at https://www.theonering.com/patron ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)!

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Dan, Michael, and I had a thorough, deep, and fun conversation with Austin Freeman, author of “Tolkien Dogmatics”. In our free podcast, we discuss:

Stick around for our extended podcast for our patrons (35 more minutes!) where we talk more about:

Austin Freeman has a PhD in systematic theology, is faculty at Houston Christian University, and the author of the book “Tolkien Dogmatics”. Austin’s book is a deep dive into Tolkien’s theology, how he expressed that through his stories, and the care he took in engaging his faith through his creativity.

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John Carswell has been producing The Tolkien Road podcast for almost 8 years– and he’s written two books! Jonathan and Michael dive into what John finds so compelling with Tolkien, his own road to finding more depth and meaning in Tolkien’s works, and what Warner Bros can do to make truly excellent films set in Middle-earth (hint: it has nothing to do with money or effects).

Become a patron to check out our extended podcast where we ply John for Confessions from the Comfy Chair!

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Bounding into Comics isn’t the usual starry-eyed, Hollywood-glorifying, news magazine–the site reports on culture and geek news, but doesn’t ever hesitate to call out the hypocrisy, double-standards, and cronyism seen in those coastal, gilded, navel-gazing circles.

Michael and Jonathan had the pleasure of talking with John Trent, founder and editor-in-chief of Bounding into Comics! We dive into Tolkien in the past, Tolkien in the present (Rings of Power :(), and Tolkien in the Future (the new Warner Bros films), while also examing faith, love, and why writers can’t write anymore.

Become a patron to check out our extended podcast where we ply John for Confessions from the Comfy Chair!

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Tolkien holds nothing back when the races of Middle-earth decide to take on Morgoth. There’s treachery, gore, rage, victory, defeat–pretty much what Game of Thrones tried to be.

Join Jonathan and Michael as they discuss chapter 20 of The Silmarillion, “Of the Fith Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad”. This is probably one of the hardest chapters to figure out; it brings together many of the characters we’ve met, but in new circumstances and starts tying together storylines that will see a future payoff.

And test yourself if you can recognize the cameos in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films!

Join us in our extended episode by becoming a member (click that JOIN button next to the SUBSCRIBE button–or go to https://www.theonering.com/patron). We talk about Maedhros‘ motivations, James Cameron comparing himself to Tolkien, the 5 upcoming Middle-earth games, and more!  It’s about another 30 minutes of Tolkien talk and it’s free for the first month!

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Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they close up the story dearest to Tolkien. Beren and Luthien’s tale isn’t just a love story, it’s the apex of events that sets the rest of the history of Middle-earth into motion. We also talk about Luthien’s feminine power, Morgoth’s Kaiju, and how–after reading this story deliberately and intently–we all like it better now!

And join us in our extended podcast as we look at what Vin Diesel said about Tolkien, how some folks think “Tampering” with Tolkien is OK, and answer questions from our esteemed patrons!

Head over to theonering.com/patron to get our extended podcast — it’s about another 30 minutes of Tolkien talk and it’s free for the first month!

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Did you know that “some parts of the book have aged poorly because they are problematic and offensive in ways that went uncorrected at the time.”

Michael, Dan, and I TEAR APART this article that claims Tolkien’s original writing has problems that just aren’t successful with Modern Audiences ™. It’s a ridiculous, vapid, and completely meritless claim that deserves to be drawn, quartered, and burned to a formless ash.

Read the Article

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The story of Beren and Luthien takes a dark turn with death and cruelty, but also reveals a more fairy tale side with all the shape-shifting, magic, and a talking dog!

Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they get deep into the 2nd part of Beren and Luthien’s story! Don’t forget to checkout our extended podcast by becoming a patron–it’s almost another 30 minutes of Tolkien talk and free for the first month!

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The story of Beren and Luthien is the beating heart of Tolkien’s entire Middle-earth. It’s one of the first two stories he wrote (while serving in World War 1), and was directly inspired by moments he spent with his not-yet-wife, Edith.

In this episode, we look deeply into what it must have been like for Beren to meet Thingol and Melian, question how much Beren valued the Silmarils (if at all), and discuss the value of oaths and whether Finrod’s oath was “good”.

And don’t miss our AI-generated quiz on “All that is gold does not glitter”! Can YOU spot the AI fanfic?

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