The Fandom Apprentice

Rohan and Gondor prepare for The Horrors of War! Ryn and Sam discuss said Horrors, first aid training, Ryn's extensive trumpet knowledge, peace, Sparta, service, and My Little Pony! 

CW: contains discussions of war, suicide, and parental abuse

Covers Book V Chapter III: The Muster of Rohan and Book V Chapter IV: The Siege of Gondor

We begin on the last stage of our journey with Return of The King! Points of discussion include Ba Sing Se, Hobbit gender, The Guns of August, accents, and the inevitability and moral neutrality of death!

Covers Book V Chapter I: Minas Tirith, and Book V Chapter II: The Passing of the Grey Company

Ryn and Sam take a break from Tolkien to discuss Beowulf and our love for this ancient story- This time: Badgers, poetry, what makes a man, what makes a monster, and what makes a good king!

x.5

Ryn and Sam take a break from Tolkien to discuss Beowulf and our love for this ancient story- This time: Samsara, the concept of storytelling, background on Beowulf, politics, what makes us humans, heroes, and monsters, and the translation of the word hwæt!

x.4

Ryn and Sam reach the exciting conclusion of The Two Towers! We discuss Extremely Gay Hobbits, Goth Mommy Shelob, Extremely Gay Orcs, and The Importance of The Quest- come along!

Covers Book IV Chapter IX: Shelob's Lair and Chapter X: The Choices of Master Samwise

Frodo & Sam continue their trek towards Mordor, and we follow along! Ryn & Sam talk platonic forehead kisses, whether or not Gollum is redeemable, and the purpose of fear and necessity of hope!  

Covers Book IV Chapter VII: Journey To The Cross-Roads and Chapter VIII: The Stairs of Cirith Ungol

Ryn + Sam really dive deep with Faramir and his 300 warriors- join us as we discuss the concept of content, squirrels and other rodents of unusual size, voting, and what makes a monarchy legitimate!

Covers Book IV Chapter V: The Window on the West & Chapter VI: The Forbidden Pool

Our hobbit friends would really like this journey to be over, but Sauron has other plans- join us as we discuss Gollum's humanity (hobbitiny?), explicit love confessions, and the introduction of the hottest man in all of Lord of the Rings!

Covers Book IV Chapter III: The Black Gate Is Closed and Chapter IV: Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit

Sam & Ryn return to following Frodo & Other Sam and we aren't the only ones: Gollum joins the party to guide our heroes on this final stage of their journey to Mordor! We discuss the corruption of the Ring, Gollum's pronouns and self-identification, and bog bodies!  

Contains discussions about death and sacrifice

Covers Book IV Chapter I: The Taming of Sméagol and Chapter II:  The Passage of the Marshes

Happy Pride! Ryn & Sam take a break from Tolkien to talk about explicitly queer literature! We discuss what we consider queer lit, why we read queer lit, and why it's important to us and our identities! Check out our socials for a list of queer book recs and some resources for finding queer lit!
You do not have to be queer to read queer lit!

CW: This episode includes discussions of homophobia

x.3