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Discover Beleriand! Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker continue their journey through the Silmarillion, incl. chapters about Beleriand and its influence on later Middle-earth settings and on Turgon’s founding of Gondolin.

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Now that season 2 of Rings of Power is complete, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, Patrick Mason, and Alix Murray discuss its themes, character arcs, and story development, including some critiques on Galadriel and the Harfoots arc.

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For our Halloween episode, Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker delve into Tolkien’s “fell lands”—dark regions of Middle-Earth brimming with sinister elements, inclluding Utumno, Angmar, and Mordor, focusing on their roles in Tolkien’s mythology, blending humor and lore, reflecting on both well-known settings and obscure places filled with werewolves and ancient evils, ultimately weaving a narrative of Middle-Earth’s haunted geography for fans.

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The big season finale! Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Patrick Mason discuss the final episode of season 2, which dropped huge story bombs in every story line. Hear their analysis of the episode and the key themes and moments.

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The fall of Eregion! Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker discuss the penultimate episode of season 2, including themes of deception and Adar’s complex motivations. Plus, the significance of the new collection of Tolkien’s poetry.

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Where is he? Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Patrick Mason discuss the latest episode of Rings of Power, including Elendil’s faith and defiance of Pharazon, Miriel’s symbolic baptism; and Annatar’s manipulation of Celebrimbor. Plus Hobbit Day!

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The best episode yet? Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason discuss Sauron’s manipulation of Celebrimbor; the corruption and greed of King Durin; Pharazon’s repression of the Numenor faithful; and Galadriel’s enemy of her enemy.

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Tom, Ents, and wights, oh my! Jeff Haecker, Patrick Mason, and Thomas Salerno discuss the latest episode of Rings of Power and the introduction or return of thse figures from Lord of the Rings; plus the Elrond & Galadriel tension; and Theo’s future.

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Season 2 of Rings of Power is here and Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker dive into the first three episodes, including Sauron’s manipulations of Elves, Dwarves, and Men; Pharazon’s scheme for power in Numenor; and the return of Isildur.

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On the cusp of Rings of Power season 2, Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Patrick Mason break down the final trailer and explore Galadriel’s journey, Sauron’s manipulations, the potential roles of Elrond, Dwarves, and Numenor, and Tom Bombadil.

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Continuing their exploration of The Silmarillion, Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker discuss “The Return of the Noldor” and the themes of victory and loss, leadership, loyalty, and kinship and the pride of the Noldor.

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Rings of Power Season 2 is almost here and Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Mike Schramm preview the new season; their reflections on season 1; hopes and fears for the second; and the themes of friendship, loyalty, valor, and redemption that the show embraces.

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Inklings! Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Alix Murray discuss literary friends J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, how their shared experiences and academic careers led to the Inklings and how that friendship shaped Narnia and Middle Earth.

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Of the Sindar, Sun and Moon, and Men. Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker discuss the next part of the Silmarillion in their ongoing deep read series, and discuss the themes of light vs. dark, life and death, and the gift of mortality.

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Before the upcoming big budget Hollywood film was announced, there was a fan film about the hunt for Gollum, and Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason dive in to discuss it. Plus lots of discussion of upcoming Middle Earth-themed media.

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Continuing their walk through the Silmarillion, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason discuss the tragic kinslaying and the oath that would bring doom to Middle Earth as well as the themes of pride, betrayal and the consequences of your actions.

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Much of modern culture was influenced by Tolkien’s writings and Star Warsis no different. Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason are joined by Kathryn Laffrey to discuss all the ways that Tolkien’s ideas, characters, and plots have influenced Star Wars.

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Continuing their dive into the Quenta Silmarillion, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason discuss Melkor’s corrupting influence, Fëanor’s tragic complexity, and the symbolism of Ungoliant’s darkness and hunger as they set the stage for the entire First Age.

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The trilogy ends! Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Alix Murray finish their discussion of the Peter Jackson LOTR trilogy, diving deep into the themes of sacrifice, courage, resilience, and more, while comparing how the films differed from original book and the film’s lasting impact.

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The theme for Tolkien Reading Day 2024 is Service and Sacrifice, so Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Patrick Mason shares their favorite quotes from Tolkien’s works on the subject, concluding that nearly the whole Legendarium is on that topic.