One Does Not Simply

Way too much time, technical difficulties, and life events later, we finally bring your our thoughts on the Return of the King movie, with answers to live chat questions and general thoughts of what's next for us.

Join us on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4th at 3 PM PST/6 PM EST for our live Return of the King watch party! https://www.twitch.tv/odnspod

Folks, we finally made it to the final chapter of The Lord of the Rings (minus appendices). In this episode, we discuss endings, both happy and sad, and reflect on the journey that brought us to this point. This episode covers Chapter 9 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King. Stay tuned for our movie watch announcement!

Special guests Molly and Becca from Pod and Prejudice join us to discuss the Scouring of the Shire, a long-awaited chapter and notable absence in the movies. This episode covers Chapter 8 of Book 6 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

In this episode, we finally confirm that Treebeard is in fact, the oldest living thing on Middle Earth! We also discuss Arwen's gift, and talk about Galadriel and Celeborn's marital issues. This episode covers Chapters 6 and 7 of Book 6 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

In this episode, we disagree on narrative choices and discuss how Tolkien does not know how to write a single female character. This episode covers chapter 5 of book 6 of Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

In this episode, we discuss Tolkien's return to writing too many characters, Gandalf enforcing really strange party attire, and the fact that Mount Doom is really more like Hill Doom. This episode covers chapters 3 and 4 of Book 6 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

In this episode, we discuss the strategy behind Mordor's location, debate geography some more, and discuss whether Frodo is a glass half full or empty kind of guy. This episode covers Chapter 2 of Book 6 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

WE'RE BACK! In this episode, we discuss Tolkien's timeline choices, Sam's clear bid for main character, and do a LOT of live Googling. This episode covers Chapter 1 of Book 6 (the last one!!) of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

In this episode, we discuss Gandalf finally doing something smart, confirm that Imrahil is canonically hot, and wonder what other body parts of Sauron have lives of their own. This episode covers chapters 9 and 10 of Book 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King. Note: We will be taking a brief break between books, the show will be back on October 31st!

In this episode, we discuss Aragorn's refusal to declare himself, the mansplaining mess of Eowyn's recovery, and how the hobbits make everyone better. This episode covers Chapter 8 of Book 5 of The Lord of the Rings - Return of the King.

Special guest Mary Clay from the That's What I'm Tolkien About podcast joins us to discuss her experience reading the series for the first time, her hottest takes on Tolkien, and finally resume our Denethor dunk-fest. This episode covers Chapter 7 of Book 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

In this episode, we discuss the missing Army of the Dead, Aragorn's bedazzled banner, and mourn everyone's favorite king (it's Snowmane). This episode covers chapters 5 and 6 of Book 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

In this episode, we discuss whether Denethor is the actual worst, Faramir's daddy issues, and of course GROND GROND GROND. This episode covers chapter Chapter 4 of Book 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

In this episode, we discuss Merry refusing to be treated like a child, the repercussions of Eowyn's choice, and some more Horse Facts. This episode covers chapter 3 of Book 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

Special guest Delia from Black Girls Create and The Nerds are Typing joins us to discuss why people want to relate to fantasy characters, whether Eowyn is actually deeply irresponsible, and the power of a promise. This episode covers chapter 2 of Book 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

We're back with Season 3: Return of the King! In this episode, we discuss Denethor's delusions of being in control, the introduction of Gerbil (you'll see), and of course we can't resist dunking on Aragorn some more. This episode covers chapter 1 of Book 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King.

Surely you've all been wondering what we think about the upcoming Rings of Power TV show! Listen to us react to other people's reactions in this special bonus episode to keep you entertained on our between-seasons break.

In this special bonus episode, we bring you our unfiltered and unedited thoughts after watching The Two Towers (Extended Edition).

To wrap up Season 2, special guest Sanaa joins us to discuss giant spiders, bureaucracy, and cliffhangers. This episode covers chapters 9 and 10 of Book 4 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers. TWO TOWERS WATCH PARTY - JAN 30 2022 at 3 PM PST/4 PM MST/5 PM CST/6 PM EST.

In this episode, special guest Clint joins us to discuss Frodo and Sam's love, what makes someone a hero, and LOTR pickup lines. This episode covers chapters 7 and 8 of Book 4 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, special guest Emile joins us to discuss how best to label a forbidden pool and take part in the Comedy Central Roast of Faramir. This episode discusses chapters 5 & 6 of Book 4 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, special guest Evan joins us to discuss the appearance of Sam the Philosopher and the power of the love between Sam and Frodo. This episode covers Chapters 3 and 4 of Book 4 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

Special guest Andrew (from intro/outro song fame) joins us to discuss his journey to LOTR fandom. He also participates in our very first live script-reading and is quizzed on his LOTR opinions. This episode covers Chapter 2 of Book 4 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, we begin the slog through the back half of The Two Towers. We discuss Sam's packing skills, and we have a lot of questions about how promises work in Middle Earth. This episode covers Chapter 1 of Book 4 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, we discuss the Palantirs as 21st century technology, Saruman's magical prowess, and we shed tears saying goodbye to Treebeard. This episode covers chapters 10 and 11 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, we discuss in flight magazine purchases, Gandalf's cryptic and unnecessary flexes, and the Ents' little brothers - the Huorns. This episode covers chapters 8 and 9 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, we discuss Tolkien finally writing an action scene, Gimli being thrown under the comic relief bus, and the colonizer mentality of Middle Earth. This episode discusses Chapter 8 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, we discuss the politics of Rohan, how Wormtongue is objectively an evil name, and Hama: the real MVP. This episode covers Chapter 6 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, we discuss Tolkien's use of heavy exposition, Sauron's decisions as an army general, and Gandalf's metal album cover. This episode covers Chapter 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, we discuss Treebeard's ability to do kegstands, the reproductive biology of Ents, and play the game Where in the World are the Entwives? This episode covers Chapter 4 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this episode, we discuss Pippin putting the team on his back, orc reporting structures, and the all important question: Are Orcs Hot?? This episode covers Chapter 3 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

WE'RE BACK! Season Two Towers is finally here for your ears. In this episode, we discuss Where in the World is Shadowfax, how to handle political discussions like Eomer, and whether Lord of the Rings is secretly a Western. This episode covers Chapters 1 and 2 of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

In this special bonus episode, we bring you our raw, unfiltered thoughts right after we watched The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition).

We are hosting a live watch party to watch The Fellowship of the Ring together! Join us on Twitch on May 29th, 2021 at 4 PM Pacific/7 PM Eastern as we give you all our unfiltered thoughts and feelings. Look for the stream link on our social media at odnspod on Twitter and onedoesnotsimplypod on Tumblr.

In this episode, we discuss the sleuthing abilities of one Samwise Gamgee, Boromir's overall rightness (again!), and our feelings on the journey so far. This episode covers the final chapter of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring. Stay tuned for an announcement on our plans for Season Two Towers, and the long awaited Movie Watch!

Special guest Nishant joins us to discuss the influence of the Lord of the Rings on his life. We also discuss the etiquette of gift-giving and how Celeborn should have been left on the cutting room floor. This episode covers Book 2, Chapters 8 & 9 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we discuss the politics between elves and dwarves, the pronunciation of Mirrormere, and the job postings available in Lothlorien. This episode covers Book 2, Chapters 6 & 7 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we discuss Tolkien's continued struggle with fight scenes, wonder about the motivations of Mr. Balrog, and share a terrifying personal story (to some of us). This episode covers Book 2, Chapters 4 & 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we were Very Wrong about how the Fellowship came to be, Boromir proves how swole he is, and we discuss an alternate reality casting of Nic Cage. This episode covers Book 2, Chapter 3 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we rapidly transition from Aragorn girls to Boromir girls to Samwise girls. We also discuss several ring-destruction loopholes. This episode covers Book 2, Chapter 2 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we discuss the most terrifying scene in any movie ever (Scary Bilbo), Tolkien finally getting his dialogue game on, and who should have been Elrond. This episode covers Book 2, Chapter 1 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we discuss the MVP - Bill the Pony, question Tolkien's awareness of the word "bone", and wonder where the hell Arwen is. This episode covers Chapter 12 of The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we cover Chapters 10 and 11 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we cover Chapters 8 and 9 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we cover Chapters 6 and 7 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we cover Chapters 4 and 5 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we cover Chapter 3 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we discuss chapters 1 and 2 of The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.

In this episode, we tackle the prologue, and more importantly, whether or not you should read it.