Stars and Swords: Footnoting Genre Fiction

This week, the history of Númenor and the Second Age in the penultimate part of The Silmarillion, Akallabêth. How do we understand the different influences which inspire this part of Tolkien's secondary creation? Why do the Men of Westernesse have such a hard time reconciling themselves to death? Are the words Atalantë and Avallónë really just coincidental?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Don't forget to check out my new Tolkien-related show, Shire Reckoning!

Next week, the end of The Silmarillion and the feature story of the Third Age, live on YouTube on Thursday, July 24th at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org
• Shire Reckoning
• There And Back Again 72: Well, I'm Back
• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon)
• Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (LucasArts)

This week, the stories of Eärendil and the War of Wrath in Chapter XXIV of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. How does Tolkien stick the landing in the story of Beleriand and First Age? How do we understand the consequences of the Oath of Fëanor and the Doom of the Noldor? Are there hints of a happy ending?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Next week, the story of the Second Age and the Fall of Númenor in Akallabêth, live on YouTube on Thursday, July 3rd at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• Stars And Swords on YouTube
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org
• Populations of Middle Earth in the First Age - Part 1: The Elves

 To join me for the live YouTube broadcast, to support the podcast, to join the conversation on Discord and to get access to monthly bonus episodes, please visit Patreon.com/NextWord and pledge your support! 

This week, the last city falls but a new hope is born in Chapter XXIII of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. How is Tuor different from the other heroes of the age? Why is the story, as presented in this book, so brief? Does Maeglin get the fate he deserves?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Next week, the end of the Quenta Silmarillion and the story of Eärendil in Chapter XXIV, live on YouTube on Thursday, June 26th at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• Stars And Swords on YouTube
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org
• Atlas Of Middle-Earth, Karen Wynn Fonstad

To join me for the live YouTube broadcast, to support the podcast, to join the conversation on Discord and to get access to monthly bonus episodes, please visit Patreon.com/NextWord and pledge your support! 

This week, things come undone in Chapters XXII of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. What do we make of the final fate of Húrin? How does the influence of Morgoth differ from that of the Silmarils? Could anything have saved Beleriand?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Next week, we discuss Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin in Chapter XXIII of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, June 19th at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• Stars And Swords on YouTube
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org
• The Children of Húrin

To join me for the live YouTube broadcast, to support the podcast, to join the conversation on Discord and to get access to monthly bonus episodes, please visit Patreon.com/NextWord and pledge your support!

This week, we conclude the story of Túrin Turambar in Chapter XXI of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Who do we blame for the tragedy of the Children of Húrin? Does Nienor end her life on her own terms? Why is Túrin counted among the Elf-Friends?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Next week, we approach the end of the First Age with Of The Ruin of Doriath, Chapter XXII of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, June 12th at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• Stars And Swords on YouTube
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org
• The Children of Húrin

This week, the middle act of the story of Túrin Turambar in Chapter XXI of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why is this version of Glaurung so different? What is the mythic power of a sword re-forged? How many names can one man have?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Next week, we conclude our discussion of Túrin with Chapter XXI of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, June 5th at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• Stars And Swords on YouTube
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org
• The Children of Húrin

This week, battle and bloodshed as we conclude the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and begin the story of Túrin Turambar in Chapters XX and XXI of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why does foresight get so sharp at the moment of death? Is Morwen very good at naming children, or very bad? What are the literary and mythic inspirations behind Tolkien's most depressing story?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Next week, we conclude our discussion of Túrin with Chapter XXI of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, May 29th at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• Stars And Swords on YouTube
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org
• The Children of Húrin
• The Story of Kullervo
• Color-Coded Item Quality in World of Warcraft

This week, we give up the promise of immortality as we reach the end of Chapter XIX and begin Chapter XX of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why does the Lay of Leithian end where it does? Why are the sons of Fëanor so unkillable? Have we finally solved the mystery of the deadly hallowing?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Next week, we conclude our discussion of the battle of Unnumbered Tears and continue to the story of Turin in Chapters XX and XXI of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, May 22nd at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• Stars And Swords on YouTube
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org
• Populations of Middle Earth in the First Age - Part 1: The Elves

This week, Beren and Lúthien reach the end of their story in Chapter XIX of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why do our heroes keep trying to disguise themselves? Where does Lúthien's sleep-magic come from? Is Huan the Hound an under-celebrated character?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Next week, we conclude our discussion of Beren and Lúthien and chapter XIX of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, May 15th at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• Stars And Swords on YouTube
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org
• Castle Panic
• Middle-Earth: Shadow Of Mordor Launch Trailer

This week, love and tragedy in Chapter XIX of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. Why is the tale of Beren and Lúthien such an important story? Are oaths always a bad thing? Why has no-one written a network TV sitcom about Thingol and Melian?

To see the video broadcast of this episode, click here; to see the slides, click here!

Next week, we conclude our discussion of Beren and Lúthien and chapter XIX of the Quenta Silmarillion, live on YouTube on Thursday, May 8th at 9PM Central.

Footnotes:

• The Silmarillion
• Stars And Swords on YouTube
• The Silmarillion Unit Production Schedule
• Stars And Swords on Bookshop.org