Our hosts switch gears from their summer (and early fall) of book club and talk about the new photos released from the Rings of Power season 3 set. What (if anything) do we learn from the shots? What are our hopes (and fears) for what's coming in the new season?

The last two hidden kingdoms fall to ruin and Earendil sails west on behalf of the two kindreds. Will the host of Valinor save the day? (Spoilers: they do.) The Quenta Silmarillion wraps up, and we add on the Akalabeth (on the destruction of Numenor) and "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" which...talks about the Rings of Power...and the Third Age.

Beren and Luthien wrest a Silmaril from the crown of Morgoth, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears is waged, and Turin...gets himself into trouble.

The Noldor depart from Valinor in pursuit of the Silmarils. It...does not go well... Wars are waged. Hidden kingdoms are established. The Noldor lose two kings. Men appear on the scene. Morgoth slowly gains the upper hand.

We had so much fun with our Book Club, we extended it by a month! We're spending October in the Silmarillion! Today's episode takes us from the Ainunlindalë (when the Ainur sing the world into existence) to the Darkening of Valinor (when Morgoth and Ungoliant consumed the light of the two trees and stole the Silmarils).

Never content to leave well enough alone, Tolkien follows up the masterfully told tale of the Ring with appendices of all kinds. From tales of years long past to random notes on translation and pronunciation. What do you think is the most interesting part of Tolkien's appendices?

The Fellowship, reunited at long last after the completion of their quest, begins to part ways. The hobbits head west to the Shire (which is not as they left it) and then Frodo departs to head even further West...

Sam rescues Frodo and the two begin the hopeless trek across Mordor and, against all odds, complete their mission...quest...thing.

Eucatastrophe on the Pelennor Fields as victory is secured in the nick of time. But will it be enough? Our victorious heroes march to certain defeat at the Enemy's very gate.

Pippen and Gandalf arrive in Minas Tirith. Battle arrives in Minas Tirith. The Rohirrim arrive (just in time) in Minas Tirith.