Talking Tolkien - The Extra Curricular

Join Katie, Chase, and Juliana in this one-time-only reunion of the Talking Tolkien crew!

I am glad that you're here with us, listeners, here at the end of all things. Join Katie and Jonathan as we discuss what it means to have read the Silmarillion, the Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings—what we've discovered that we never noticed before, how our understanding of the books has changed, and how our lives have changed, as well.

We finally watch the last movie in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and Katie and Jonathan have a lot to talk about. The movie makes a lot of changes—some good, some bad, and some just for the sake of movie magic.

The final chapter of the Lord of the Rings has been read and Jonathan, Katie and Chase have completed what they set out to do. They follow Frodo and Sam as they rebuild the Shire after the events of the pervious chapter and tie up the loose ends. But not all hurts can be fully healed and not all tears are evil. This is the final chapter episode of Talking Tolkien.

growing in the Shire. You can find more episodes on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. Also, please check out our Patreon page.

The hobbits and Gandalf continue on towards the Shire. However, they have to make a stop in the village of Bree to talk with a certain owner of a certain Pony themed inn. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss these events along with chance meetings with celebrities and the economy of pipe growing in the Shire.

The end of the Fellowship has finally arrived. The day all dread is here and it takes the form of marching back through Rohan, Isengard and eventually arriving in In Rivendale. Jonathan, Katie and Chase Talk about this bitter sweet time and the nature of Bilbo's mind and its connection to the Ring.

The king is returning to Minas Tirith with the Fellowship of the Ring in tow. Meanwhile, two people still in

And like that, the dark lord of Mordor, Sauron, was gone from Middle-Earth. The Fourth Age has dawned, and our heroes get some well earned rest, but much awaits the Fellowship of the Ring in this new world without war. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss this new future along with their week in the real world.

Sam and Frodo reach the slopes of Mount Doom, bur Frodo is far too weak to climb the volcano. The Ring is too much of a burden on his mind. What is Sam to do other than pull Frodo to the top and becoming the real hero of Middle-Earth. Katie and Chase discuss these events along with a Bork Dog and Chase's first day in culinary school.

This week, Sam and Frodo trudge through the land of darkness towards Mount Doom. However, they and Jonathan, Katie and Chase make some revelations about the land of Mordor along the way. This includes water and plant life. What other secrets could be hiding in the deep recesses of this land? We will just have to find out.

Sam steps into Mordor and it is a sight to behold. The land is churning and dark, but he can not dwell on these things for long. He still has master Frodo to save from a nearby tower. Jonathan, Katie and Chase Discuss the first chapter of the final book of the Lord of the Rings and break down the nature of the border of Mordor.

Gandalf, Aragorn and the remaining Fellowship of the Ring march to the Black Gate of Mordor to force Sauron to atone for his crimes against Middle-Earth and to give Frodo some much needed time. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss these event from the final chapter of book 1 of the Return of the King and obscure references in poetry.

The battle of Minas Tirith is over and it is now time to prepare for the War of the Ring. Aragorn, Gandalf and other leaders talk in secret to figure out what their final plans will be to take down the might of Mordor for good. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss future plans and Chase's move to New York City.

We return to Merry after slaying the Witch King as he wanders around Minas Tirith in a daze. Also, Aragorn enters the city not as a king, but rather the leader of his order of Rangers so he can make final plans and see his friends. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss these events along with the importance of good humor.

The battle of Minas Tirith is getting out of Gandalf's control which leads to a difficult choice for him to make. Either go out in the field and help the riders of Rohan, or follow Pippin to stop Denethor and save Faramir. Katie and Chase lock down this week's new episode where they discuss the evils of nostalgia, knowledge vs wisdom and that Pokemon Go.

The Battle of Pelennor Fields is ranging outside of Minas Tirith and what started as a joyful decimation of evil has turned into a desperate onslaught. Dernhelm, Merry and Theoden encounter the Witch King of Angmar and the enemies numbers are growing. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss these events along with how incredibly epic this chapter is.

The Rohirrim march ever closer to Minas Tirith which is still being attacked by the armies of Sauron and is ready to fall. After talking with the men of woods outside of Gondor, Theoden is losing heart in the face of evil. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss this short, but epic chapter and the ramp up to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

The siege of Gondor is underway as Denethor reveals his true delusional self and Gandalf and Faramir try to defend the city. Jonathan, Katie and Chase dig in deep and discuss the nature of Denethor's fall and what really kicked off Sauron's war against Middle-Earth on one of longest episodes of Talking Tolkien.

Rohan is now shrouded in darkness like the rest of Middle-Earth. This serves as an ill omen to the people of Rohan and a reminder that war is coming. Theoden begins his march for Gondor with Merry in tow. Jonathan, Katie and Chase join them as they make their journey and foreshadow the beginning of the end.

Jonathan, Katie and Chase journey in to the Paths of the Dead with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimili. They venture on to discover a secret weapon that can take down the armies of Mordor. The nature of legends in Middle-Earth and Chase's annual love of Star Trek is also discussed on this week's episode.

Gandalf and Pippin reach the awe inspiring city of Minas Tirith on this week's new episode which is also our first episode covering the Return of the King. It has been a long time coming, but Jonathan, Katie and Chase are on the final book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Enjoy as we discuss Minas Tirith and how cool the name Echelon is.

To round out our discussion on the Two Towers we watched and discussed the 2002 film version. We talk about pacing, jumping genres and how very special Brad Dourif is to Chase. We also get ready for starting the Return of the King next week.

We reach the final chapter of the Two Towers this week, and it is focused on Sam and the many choices that lie ahead of him. As the last member of the Fellowship marches forward, he realizes that he might not be as alone as he originally thought. Jonathan, Katie and Chase wrap up another Tolkien book and dope fantasy movies.

This week, Sam, Frodo and Gollum dive deep into Shelob's Lair and discover the horrible smells and death that lies within. Jonathan, Katie and Chase join them in the darkness and also discuss their fondness for red onions and turn of the century internet memes.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Merry and Pippin offer Chase and the fellowship some wonderful exposition as to what happened during the Ent march on Isengard...

The Fellowship marches to Isengard, but not for war. Gandalf wishes to meet with Saruman one last time before they move on. They also encounter some unlikely friends along the way. Jonathan, Katie and Chase read chapter 8 of the Two Towers on this week's episode.

As the fellowship remnant and the Riders of Rohan reach the ancient hold of Helm's Deep, Gandalf once again has to leave and take care of other affairs. Jonathan, Katie and Chase hold down as the the men fight through the night as a wave of orcs slam against the them.

Gandalf and team reach the Golden Hall, but the king of Rohan, Theoden is not quite as kingly as he should be. A snake has embedded himself among the people of Rohan and it will take the White Wizard to remove him. Jonathan, Katie and Chase join them in the Golden Hall and discuss chapter 6 of the Two Towers.

The search for Merry and Pippin leads Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn into the Fangorn forest, but an old friend returns to them at the "turn of the tide." Jonathan, Katie and Chase comb through this exposition filled chapter of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers on this week's episode.

The lost hobbits meet some living trees, start a war with them and Jonathan is stuck in the middle of #Snowpocalypse2016. Katie and Chase hold down the fort and throw around some tremendous tree puns on this week's new episode of Talking Tolkien.

The Hobbits, and by Hobbits we mean Merry and Pippin, are the hostages of many hundreds of Orcs that are running across Rohan. Jonathan, Katie and Chase join them just as Pippin is trying to piece together what has happened to them along with their other members of the Fellowship.

Talking Tolkien returns to Middle-Earth as they kick this year off by starting part two of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic, The Two Towers. Jonathan, Katie and Chase join the remnants of the fellowship as they run across Rohan to save the Hobbits who were captured by orcs.

This is our final episode of Talking Tolkien covering J.R.R. Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring. This week, Jonathan, Katie and Chase watched the 2001 film version of The Fellowship of the Ring and discussed how it is similar and how it differs from the book. Next week, they will be starting the Two Towers.

Today is the 124th birthday of J.R.R. Tolkien and it is also the first anniversary of our humble podcast. We present you a short special where we celebrate Professor Tolkien's birthday and a year of doing this podcast. Thank you for listening to us and we hope to continue entertaining you all in 2016.

This week we witness the final moments of the Fellowship as they begin to go separate ways. Frodo and Sam will be making their way to Mordor alone as we finish the Fellowship of the Ring and move on to the Two Towers. Also, have a happy New Year, listeners!

The Fellowship make their way down a treacherous river on boats given to them by the elves. Danger and evil are all around them as they have to make a decision that will alter the course of their journey. Join Jonathan, Katie and Chase as they make their way down the river with the Fellowship.

This week, the Hobbits and their Fellowship leave the elves, but not without accepting their gifts first. Also, Katie reminds us all of some deep ties to the Silmarillion, Jon notes about the nature of rivers in fiction and Chase can not stop thinking about the Ride the Ducks boat tours. that and more on this week's episode.

The Fellowship rest with the elves that reside deep in the forest. Frodo and Sam spend time with an old friend of the series, Galadriel. You might remember her from the Silmarillion where she played a Capitol role during the final chapters. Join Jonathan, Katie and Chase as they gaze into the future of Middle-Earth.

The fellowship suffers a loss that is felt deeply by Jonathan and Katie on this week's podcast. Chase also felt something as well, but it is was more shock than anything. On this week's episode, we touch base with the Silmarillion again as Tolkien weaves more lore from that book into the Lord of the Rings.

The Fellowship were defeated by the mountain, but now they aim to make it to the other side through the mines of Moria. Jonathan, Katie and Chase travel with them to an ancient city in the deepest depths of Middle-Earth. Also, Happy Thanksgiving to all of our listeners!