Talking Tolkien - The Extra Curricular

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.