The Extra Curricular

As Frodo and Sam creep ever closer to Mordor, Jonathan, Katie and Chase come to terms with how they feel about these characters. Also, the trio pass Minas Morgul and there is a discussion about the place of spoilers in our social media nightmare future. 

Click here to see photos of Katie and Jon from 8 years ago! 

Frodo, Sam and Gollum leave the company of Faramir and his men. They set off across the wilderness towards Mordor, but everything is different. The Geography and weather seem to be shifting as this part of our story is coming to an end. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss Tolkien's use of descriptions and more! 

After a rude awakening, Frodo is taken to a secret pool where Gollum is trespassing. Faramir is ready to kill the fiend, but Frodo has to persuade him to not end Gollum's life. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss these events and the nature of Tolkien's use of lore on this week's new episode. 

Frodo and Sam are now under the care of a young captain of Gondor, Faramir. Faramir is curious about what brings two hobbits out in to the wilds, but are Frodo and Sam willing to divulge their true task? Join Jonathan, Katie and a sick Chase for this week's new episode.

*We had some trouble recording this week's episode. There are some artifacts left over in the episode, but we tried to smooth them out as best as we could*

Sam is hungry, and not for any more of that lame Lambis bread! He asks Gollum if he could possibly find anything suitable in the wilds for Hobbits to eat. Also, Sam and Frodo encounter some unlikely figures in the wilderness. Join Jonathan, Katie and Chase as they talk about the nature of a good meal on the fringe and the return of Baseball. 

Frodo and Sam have reached the Black Gates of Mordor and thus the end of their journey! No, not really. The Black Gates are impossible to get through, but Gollum has other routes for them to take. Join Jonathan, Katie and Chase on this week's episode as they discuss Chapter 3 of Book 4 and the Thursday sleepies. 

Sam, Frodo and a newly tamed Gollum make their way across the marsh leading to the Black Gates of Mordor. Jonathan, Katie and Chase join them just as they are so close yet so far from their ultimate goal. 

At the beginning of Book 4 of the Lord of the Rings, we reconnect with Frodo and Sam in the mountains at the edge of a disgusting marsh. Out in the wilds they discover new aspects of themselves, "monsters" and a mystical rope. Jonathan, Katie and Chase talk about Ninnyhammers and nothing else on this special Tolkien Reading Day episode! 

Thank you to those who sent in passages for Tolkien Reading Day! 

Pippin's curiosity is keeping him awake as the fellowship rest on their journey back to Helm's Deep. He learns very quickly why it is not always a good idea to seek out trouble. Jonathan, Katie and Chase dive into the Palantír on this week's new episode covering the final chapter of Book 4 of the Lord of the Rings. 

Also, on this week's episode we detail our plans for Tolkien Reading Day, which will be taking place on March 25th, 2016. We will be reading some of our favorite passages from Tolkien's work along with selections from our wonderful audience on our episode that will be posted on March 24th (March 21st for premium Patreon supporters). If you would like to submit a favorite passage from Tolkien's work, please email it to [email protected] before 3pm on Sunday, March 20th.  

For more info on International Tolkien Reading Day check out the Tolkien Society's page on it.  

This week, the men of Rohan and the newly reunited fellowship seeking out Saruman in his tower for one final conversation. But are the men and Hobbits too weak for the power of Isengard? That and more on this week's new episode covering Chapter 10 of Book 3.