Nearly nine months of Talking Tolkien have finally led us to The Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring! Jonathan, Katie and Chase kick off a new book with facts about book editions, some more lore of the rings of power and Hobbits' love of pipe weed. Those topics and more on this week's Talking Tolkien!

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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. 

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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. 

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Tolkien Talk continues with Chapters 3 and 4 of The Silmarillion. Tolkien experts Katie Sabo and Jon Cox enlighten Chase Smith with the tales of the coming of Elves to Middle-Earth and the imprisonment of Melkor. Soon to follow will be the waking of Men or so Chase thinks.

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It is finally here! The very first episode of Talking Tolkien: The Hobbit. This was a super enjoyable chapter as Jonathan, Katie and Chase experience the Shire, and the good food of the Hobbits. Oh also a surprising invitation to go on an adventure and some uninvited Dwarves. 

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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.

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Talking Tolkien continues with Chapters 5 and 6 of The Silmarillion. Our Tolkien experts Katie Sabo and Jon Cox walk Chase Smith through the complicated families of the Noldor after they have left Valinor. Also, Melkor is free from his prison and is ready to poison the minds of the elves.

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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! 

Thank you to those who sent in passages for Tolkien Reading Day! 

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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. 

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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.

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This is the song Chase is trying to think of at the beginning of this week's episode:

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! 

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This week on Talking Tolkien, the events of the Silmarillion get hairy as Jon, Katie and Chase dive into the deception of Melkor. Also, the creation of the Silmarils by Fëanor and the destruction of the Trees of Light by a giant crazed spider are discussed.

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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. 

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This week is the return of the lore of the ring as Frodo is informed by Gandalf about his mystical ring of power. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss foreshadowing and the prospect of deal a stupidly powerful conscious ring on this week's Talking Tolkien. 

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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. We hope you enjoy as we discuss Minas Tirith and how cool the name Ecthelion is. 

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The peaceful world of the elves crumbles on this week's episode of Talking Tolkien. Tolkien Experts Jon and Katie guide Chase through the dark times of the Silmarillion chapters 9 and 10 where elves are killing each other and Melkor finally becomes Morgoth.

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The journey of Frodo and Sam to the cracks of Mt. Doom has begun...with a seemingly delightful night walk through the forests of the Shire with their friend Pippin. However, a dark figure or figures looms behind them. Jonathan, Katie and Chase explore the outer edges of the Shire on this week's episode of Talking Tolkien. 

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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! 

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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. 

*The raw audio from Chase and Katie's mics had a lot of static on it and required a rigorous cleaning process. We fixed it to the best of our abilities, but there are still some audio issues in this week's episode.*

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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.

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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. 

And of course, the road goes ever on. For those of you wondering what our next journey will be, we shed light on our next project: Interlibrary Loan. We'll be bringing the same chapter-by-chapter reading group to other difficult and hard-to-digest works.

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. 

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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. 

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The Hobbits finally end their journey back home in the Shire. They may have escaped the finally battles, but the war of the Ring has invade the Shire threatening all they hold dear. Jonathan, Katie and chase discuss the terrible events of the penultimate chapter of the Return of the King along with Netflix series like Stranger Things. 

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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. 

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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. 

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The king is returning to Minas Tirith with the Fellowship of the Ring in tow. Meanwhile, two people still in need of healing find each other and kindle a relationship. Jonathan, Katie and Chase discuss these events and The sicknesses that seem to be plaguing them. 

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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. 

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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. 

Videos referenced on this week's episode:

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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

This is the song Chase is trying to think of at the beginning of this week's episode:

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. 

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

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. 

Something stated at the beginning of this episode we will be doing a live Twitch stream of a new show where Chase will be playing through Shadow of Mordor. That starts this Saturday at 6pm EST on our new Twitch channel! 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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