The Fandom Apprentice

The Hobbits have returned home, but it has not escaped the ravages of time- we finally come to Ryn's favorite chapter in all of Lord of the Rings, The Scouring of the Shire, which definitely has absolutely no relevance to the current political climate, none whatsoever. Anyway, for no reason at all it's a really good time to get to know your neighbors and local communities.    

Covers most of Book VI, Chapter VIII: The Scouring of the Shire- We had quite a bit to say, so we'll finish the chapter next episode!

Another travel episode! Ryn and Sam talk about their book club, immortality, what Legolas and Gimli get up to in the Glittering Caves of Aglarond, and compulsory heterosexuality! Join us for the last stage of the journey (again)!

Covers Return of the King Book VI Chapter VI Many Partings and Chapter VII Homeward Bound

A disclaimer- we recorded this right after the election. So we are slightly... less enthusiastic than usual. If you don't want to hear us talking politics, skip to 0:09:16, but if you want to hear about a long furby and how're we're feeling, give our intro a listen!  Anyway, we talk about the downfall of Mordor, romance, power imbalance in relationships, and surprise Gandalf!  More within!

Covers Book VI Chapter IV: The Field of Cormallen, and Chapter V: The Steward and the King

Here, at the end of all things, we finish our discussion of The Quest with  who's the top in Frodo and Sam's relationship, the professor's overuse of the phrase "last stage of their journey," volcanology, and our emotional attachment to cookware!   

Covers Book VI Chapter III: Mount Doom

We're back! And we're in the darkest stage of our journey and not even the Phial of Galadriel can light our way out of this. Ryn & Sam talk ring corruption, the magic of friendship, orc bureaucracy, and true gay hobbit love!

Covers Book VI Chapter I: The Tower of Cirith Ungol & Chapter II: The Land of Shadow

If you like what you're hearing, give us a follow wherever you're listening to this and on our socials @fanapppod, send us an email at [email protected], and leave us a nice review!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (apparently), and we're celebrating with a special family-friendly (for once) episode! This week we cover the Professor's "Letters from Father Christmas," aka "The Father Christmas Letters" (more on this in the episode)! Join us for a cozy holiday read through some Tolkien family lore!


P.S.- The North Polar Bear did nothing wrong.

x.6

Happy Thanksgiving to our American listeners and happy last week of November to everyone else! As you prepare your turkeys and gear up for... *ahem* interesting family conversations, know that you have us to keep you company! Topics of discussion include: the Year Without A Summer, mermaid ass, diplomacy, and Sauron's goose getting cooked! Or turkey, depending on the season.

Covers Book V Chapter IX: The Last Debate and Book V Chapter X: The Black Gate Opens


We are now on Bluesky! Same handle as everywhere else @fanapppod

CW: Suicide, suicidal ideation
Skip ahead to 0:38:45 to avoid discussion of these topics

Call the wizard and the fireman- Ryn and Sam return to Minas Tirith where Denethor has succumbed to madness and despair from the palantir, and Pippin must rush to save Faramir from a terrible fate. Tangents include the ethics of physician-assisted suicide, hot gay nurses, and a good bass line.


If this episode brought up anything you would like to talk to anyone about, you can find resources here-
Suicide Crisis Lines (US and Canada): 988 (https://988lifeline.org/) or 1–800–273–8255
Crisis Text Line (US only): Text HOME to 741741
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (US), 877-330-6366 (Canada) Run by and for trans people
The Trevor Project: 1–866–488–7386 or text START to 678678
National Suicide Prevention Line UK (UK only): 0800 689 5652
Telefonseelsorge (Germany): 0800 111 0 111, or 0800 111 0 222 or at http://www.telefonseelsorge.de/
Centre de Prevention du Suicide (Belgium): 080032123
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: https://suicideprevention.ca

If we did not include a crisis line here that is available in your country or preferred language, you can find more at the link below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

Please keep yourselves safe.
With love,
Ryn and Sam


Covers Book V Chapter VII The Pyre of Denethor and Book V Chapter VIII The Houses of Healing

It's our one year anniversary!! A quick thank you and retrospective and also a plea for US folks to get out and vote in the election next week. Anyway thank you for listening to us for a whole year! We look forward to bringing you our queer nerdy takes for a long time to come. 

We are very glad you are here with us. Here at the end of all things (but not the end of this podcast!) 

We back up to the "last stage" before the battle to check in on Merry and the Rohirrim and how they make it to the Pelennor Fields! Also discussed: hope, the death of a good king, the death of a bad king, children's hospitals, pterosaurs and other things that fly, and Shakespeare!

Send us your best Hobbit band names!  

Covers Book V Chapter V: The Ride of the Rohirrim and Book V Chapter VI: The Battle of the Pelennor Fields