The Halfling

With season 1 of "The Rings of Power" officially in the books, Alan Sisto from The Prancing Pony Podcast and The Rings of Power Wrap Up drops by for some final thoughts.  Alan is a leader of one of the biggest and most enjoyable Tolkien communities on the web, and his insights are some of the best in the business.  Tune in as we digest the season as a whole and look forward to what we can expect in season 2. Help cover costs and keep the content coming! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thehalflingSupport the show

As the finale of the first season of "The Rings of Power" approaches, the one and only Matt from Nerd of the Rings joins the show to share his thoughts. Matt runs one of the largest, most vibrant Tolkien communities online. In this interview, the Tolkien creator, master theorist, and all-around aficionado fills us in on many of his deepest, lore-driven thoughts about how the first season has gone and where the show's future could be going.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the wake of the busy fourth episode of "The Rings of Power," we welcome Harry from Fellowship of Fans onto the show. Harry leads a dynamic online Tolkien community that is the best place to follow breaking news and inside scoops regarding the show. We get Harry's unique and informed perspective on the latest episode, how the first half of the season has gone, and his hopes and fears for the rest of the season.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

For the second part of our Influencer Roundup series for Prime Video's "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," we have "the Mellon Heads" Dave and Johnny from The Council of Elrond podcast. This pair of Irish host an entertaining show that is filled with fun facts for Tolkien fans. They're also rising stars in the Tolkien social media landscape with some of the best and funniest posts this side of the Misty Mountains. Check out the interview as we talk about episode 3 of the show and dig into some of the bigger thoughts and themes, hopes and fears that "The Rings of Power" has invoked so far.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Thanks!!If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

For the first installment of our Influencer Roundup series for Prime Video's "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," we hear from James and Jake from The Broken Sword. These two Welsh filmmakers are some of the internet's top Tolkien influencers, and we spend some time digging into the first two episodes of "The Rings of Power," from analyzing some good and not-so-good character adaptions to choosing their favorite places on the Middle-earth map and much more!If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Thanks!!If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In our last episode of Season 1, we finish up Celebrimbor's epic (and tragic) tale. We walk through his time with Annatar, analyze his Ring-making skills, and talk about some of the major ways this Elven hero impacts Middle-earth history, from befriending Dwarves to setting the stage for Sauron's ultimate demise.Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thehalflingIf you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

With Celebrimbor established as his own Elf, the master craftsman settles down in a new kingdom right next to the Dwarves of Moria. From beautiful friendships to masterful knowledge, Celebrimbor and his people rise to their greatest heights only to run into a friendly new acquaintance ...who marks the beginning of the end.Interested in supporting the show? Go to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thehalflingIf you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the first installment of our last series of the season, I finally do some unembargoed explaining regarding why new episodes have been so sporadic lately. Then we dive into the early backstory of Celebrimbor, the Elf who is eventually one of the prime movers and shakers behind the whole "Rings of Power" business in the Second Age.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the second half of our time with Narvi, we break down the defining factor that makes this mysterious Dwarven craftsman so important. And no, it's not his incredible skill. It's not his enduring fame, either. It's his friendship ...with an Elf.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

Narvi is an overlooked Dwarf of Khazad-dûm. But he's not just any Dwarf. He's one of the greatest craftsmen to ever come out of the subterranean mansion. He's also an Elf-friend, which is kind of a big deal. In this episode we lay some background and begin to delve into the largely unaddressed yet important life of this famous Dwarven hero.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the second half of our time in Bree, we dive into the larger Bree-land, its four towns, and why the area is such an important place in northern Middle-earth. We also investigate how long the ancient Men of Bree have inhabited the area, and we explore some of the ways the show could influence the "Rings of Power" story.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In this series, we take a look at the village of Bree. We start by doing a side-by-side comparison of Tolkien's original version of the Bree-land and the less-than-faithful adaptation in Peter Jackson's movies. From the diversity of its inhabitants to the overall tone, Bree is a much happier, multi-ethnic place in the books than what we get in the on-screen adaptation.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In our last episode with the Blue Wizards, we finally put all of the very scattered, dissonant pieces together. We explore this pair of characters' roles in Middle-earth, both as villains and as heroes. We also consider the major adjustment Tolkien made at the end of his life that could make their appearance in the "Rings of Power" show a real possibility.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the second part of our Blue Wizard series we dig into where the Blue Wizards came from, what their names are, and the important role they may have played as some of the Guardians early in Middle-earth history.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

The Blue Wizards are a mystery of Middle-earth. There isn't much out there about who they are or what they do. But there are just enough glimpses out there to pull together a fascinating story  – a story that we start to dig into in this episode.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

The winter is over. Spring is in the air. The show is taking a short break, and then we'll be diving into the lead-up to the "Rings of Power" premiere just on the other side of Summer. If you have topic requests, please send them to thehalflingpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks, friends!If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In our last episode with the Ents, we bring everything together and tell the entire Entish story from their creation right through to what happens after the end of "The Lord of the Rings." From the history of the Entwives during the Second Age to unknown Entish battles fought during the War of the Ring, the story is full of tragic loss, epic engagements, incredible longsuffering, and a steady glimmer of Tolkienian hope that always seems to shine through, even in the darkest of circumstances.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the third part of our Ent series, we break down the different groups within Entish culture. We start with a recap on the Ents before moving on to who the Entwives, Entings, and Huorns are. From there, the conversation wanders all the way to the borders of the Shire, where it turns out that parts of the Entish subculture appear to be alive and well ...and angry.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

The Halfling hosts The Tolkien Professor, Corey Olsen! In this exclusive interview, Jaron and Corey tackle the challenge of adaptations and how to enjoy Tolkien both in printed form and on-screen.Topics coveredThe Tolkien professor's projects, especially Signum UniversityWho is the man in the fire in the "Rings of Power" trailer?Is Middle-earth round or flat?Advice for how to adapt Tolkien's writingsDefining the Jacksonian knee-jerk effectWhat is Corey's favorite Middle-earth factoid?Breaking down how to enjoy adaptations of TolkienIf you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In this episode, we dig into what it looks like to live as an Ent. What do they look like? What do they eat? Where do they live? It turns out that, by the time of "The Lord of the Rings," the Ents are living a much smaller version of their slow lives than they did in the past.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

We begin our next series with a deep dive into where the Ents and their leader, Treebeard, came from. The arboreal people group are very old by the time of "The Lord of the Rings," and their origins, both in the story and in Tolkien's creative process, are a fascinating bit of Middle-earth trivia.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In our last episode with Elrond, we walk with the half-Elven lord through the rest of the Third Age. We see him wield an Elven Ring, tussle with the Witch-king of Angmar, join the White Council, help Bilbo, and get really involved in the War of the Ring ...all before he signs off on his 6,000-plus Middle-earth career by heading overseas into the West.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In our fourth episode with Elrond, we finally take a deep dive into this Elven wunderkind's insane family connections. We trace Elrond's lineage to major power couples like Beren and Lúthien as well as Tuor and Idril ...and his own daughter's marriage to her more-than-60-times-removed cousin, Aragorn. Who's ready for some Hobbit-level family history?If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the third part of Elrond's story, we dive into his involvement in the Last Alliance. After playing a critical role in the mostly successful but not really successful destruction of Sauron at the end of the Second Age, Elrond sets aside his work and starts to invest in a family. This starts slow and then reaches nirvana... until an Orc ambush breaks the Elven lord's domestic bliss.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the second episode of our series on Elrond, we dive into the hero's Second Age career. From a leader in Lindon to defeat at the hands of Sauron to literally building a new headquarters for himself in the form of Rivendell, it's during this early phase of his career that Elrond truly establishes himself as a wise, fearless leader of Elves and Men.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

Elrond is a staple of Middle-earth. He makes appearances in The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and many of Tolkien's other writings. For all his impact, though, what do we actually know about this half-elven counselor? In this first episode, we start to unravel just who Elrond is ...and things definitely don't start off on the right foot.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the second half of our series on Shelob, we delve into the character herself – and it turns out that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The daughter of Ungoliant has many of the same horrifying habits and features as her mother. She also makes a really nifty guardian for her neighbor, Sauron.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In this episode, we take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to spend some holiday fun in Middle-earth.  After taking a moment to reflect on The Fellowship of the Ring movie's 20th anniversary (which coincides with the day this episode is released), we dive into all of the festive celebrations that take place throughout Tolkien's writings. From festivals to Christmas letters to holidays dedicated to Hobbits, this episode breaks down all of the ways that the holiday spirit percolated through Tolkien's writings over the years.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

Shelob is one of the great villains of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Her time in the story is very brief, though. We don't know where she came from or what happens to her after her defeat at the Hobbit hands of Samwise Gamgee. In this episode, we'll begin to dig into the backstory of Shelob by going through the story of her terrifying mother, Ungoliant.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In our fourth and final episode on Isildur, we meet a man at his best and his worst. At the peak of his career and the height of power, Isildur takes the Ring ...and follows it to his own doom. But the final days of Isildur aren't quick, nor are they one-dimensional. In fact, they're the best snapshot of how epic yet tragic this Middle-earth hero's legacy really is.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In the third episode on Isildur, we trace our hero's activity when Sauron unleashes a new war on the mainland of Middle-earth. From a harrowing initial escape to sparking a continent-wide alliance, Isildur remains at the heart of the action as things come to a head with the Dark Lord for a second time.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

In our second installment of the Isildur narrative, we see our hero take flight. From defying Sauron to saving venerable trees to riding on tidal waves, Isildur gets his heroic career going in fine form.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

As we kick off the next series, we lay the groundwork for one of Middle-earth's most misunderstood characters: Isildur. Portrayed as a bit of a jerk in the movies, Isildur is much more than a one-dimensional trouble-maker who won't get rid of the One Ring. Before we start the blow-by-blow of Isildur's story, though, we need to lay some critical groundwork.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

As we wrap up our time with Glorfindel, we check out all of the things that kept the Elf-lord busy during the Third Age of Middle-earth history. From confronting the Witch-king to helping Frodo destroy the Ring, Glorfindel gets a lot done during the twilight of his venerable career.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

After getting off to a great start, Glorfindel's Middle-earth career stumbles when the fella kind of falls off a cliff and dies... Not one to let a little hiccup like violent mortality get in his way, in this episode, we watch Glorfindel rise like a phoenix to even greater heights.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

Our first deep dive episode focuses on a character that very much so requires an introduction. Cut from every cinematic version of The Lord of the Rings, Glorfindel is an awesome Elf-lord that seriously deserves some attention. We give him just that in this first installment of a three-episode run that breaks down the ultra-heroic history of the golden-haired, Balrog-dueling Elven hero.If you're interested in supporting the show, you can do so at buymeacoffee.com/thehalfling. Many thanks!!Support the show

Welcome to the show! I'll give you the tour, explain why we're here, and give you a little taste of the Tolkien fun to come.See you on the other side!-JaronSupport the show