The One Ring

Join Jonathan as he watches The Rings of Power, Episode 4, "The Great Wave" for the first time, and offers his off-the-cuff reactions! Despite the clear inspiration this episode takes from Assassin's Creed, there's surprisingly more to like than previous episodes--but maybe that's just because everyone forgot about the Harfoots (as they should)... Skip to 07:34 if you want to hear the overall review! If you want more, Tolkien, be sure to subscribe to our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Support The One Ring 01:43 Starting the Live Review 02:30 Elf Lovers 03:33 Adar is a Forc? 04:43 Open Sesame! 05:41 Galadriel is Ezio Auditore 06:50 Durin's Story 07:34 Episode's over--what's my take? 08:06 Adar is more interesting 09:03 Writers Like Durin 10:24 Parkour! 11:10 They don't believe what they say 12:31 The Discovery of Mithril 13:43 The Map and Time Guy 14:04 Become a Patron!

Jonathan, Michael, and Dan review episode 3 of The Rings of Power, "Adar". While Galadriel experiences the extreme slow-motion courtesies of Númenor, the Harfoots story continues to earnestly go nowhere (with a terrifying tradition revealed!), and Arondir digs and chops and jumps his way into ALMOST meeting Adar. Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction

Episode 3 has arrived! Will the plot move forward? Will anyone like poor Galadriel? Will the harfoots do anything at all? Will more fireflies be murdered? Will random slo-mo shots save this show? Join Jonathan Watson as he watches Episode 3, "Adar", for the first time! Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 02:50 Become a Patron 03:28 Reviewing Episode 3 04:35 How to win friends and influence people 05:40 "The Sea is Always Right" 07:02 Elves are Blind 07:28 Galadriel, Lady of Slo-Mo 08:28 The Worst Hobbits in the World 09:55 My Thoughts 11:34 Harfoots Abandon Their Own 13:03 Elendil is Least Disliked 14:05 My Least Favorite Character 15:12 Miriel's Prophecy? 16:20 Support The One Ring!

The more we watch the show, the clearer it is that all the details don't matter to The Rings of Power. Jonathan, Michael, and Dan discuss Episode 2 and Galadriel's "I'm fine" face (😂), Encino Man and the Harfoots, the made up Morgoth story, and how real dwarves don't cry. Become a PATRON ► https://www.theonering.com/patron —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Website ► https://windowonthewest.com Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a patron and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/patron —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Galadriel's Suicide and Character Arc 07:10 Most powerful warrior in Middle-earth 09:20 "No really, i'm fine" 12:00 Distance doesn't matter? 16:04 Halbrand saves Galadriel 16:50 Bronwyn and Arondir's Deep Love 21:59 Bigotry and Not Believing Women 22:27 The Harfoots meet Encino Man 25:01 They're telling little stories 26:40 Maglight Fireflies 30:14 The Least Worst: Elrond 31:48 Made up Morgoth 33:51 A Sunday stroll to Khazad-Dûm 35:39 Dwarven masks! 37:13 It's a video game 38:41 Breaking rocks 39:40 Durin cries. We don't care. 41:20 They SHOWED us.. finally! 42:02 "It is never truly dark..." 44:10 The Magic Macguffin Box 45:55 Is Celebrimbor deciding? 49:49 Become a Patron

Jonathan and Michael dive into a deeper discussion of Episode 1 of The Rings of Power, "A Shadow of the Past". They look at how much of Tolkien's work is in the show, if the show is standing up to the excellence Tolkien's work demands, and where the show channels its inner Michael Scott :). Become a PATRON ► https://www.theonering.com/patron Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a patron and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/patron —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:45 The questions we're asking 02:25 Galadriel, bullying, and bad metaphors 10:03 Helm's Mountain 11:06 Finrod's Death, Galadriel's Simplicity 15:00 Galadriel is Amazing and Perfect 21:15 Gil-galad has his (bad) reasons 24:25 NOOOO! A Michael Scott moment 26:27 The Dirty Harfoots and Meteor Man 29:19 The NEW Beren and Lúthien! 33:33 Is there Tolkien here anywhere? 38:02 Even if it wasn't Tolkien, I would... 41:01 "Is this the novel Tolkien never wrote?" 42:46 Peter Jackson Criticism is different 43:57 Becme a Patron!

In this (abbreviated) live review Jonathan watches episode 2 of The Rings of Power for the first time... and was surprised at who the best characters in the series are so far (after lamenting the lack of plot). And fireflies. Really, really bright fireflies... Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:20 Episode 2 Begins! 01:20 Morgoth loved the Silmarils? 03:00 Where's the conflict? 03:35 Emotional Durin 04:50 Strong Female Warrior 05:30 Brightest fireflies ever! 06:00 Exposition and angsty Galadriel 07:16 Durin and Disa are the best? 09:37 Where's Tolkien 10:00 Music is still great

Jonathan watches episode 1 of The Rings of Power for the first time! What an experience! Stunning... ly mediocre. Tolkien's work deserves excellence -- this was anything but that. Sure, it was pretty, and the soundtrack is first-rate, but the writing, the acting, and the action is just painful! Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 01:34 What you win people with... 01:57 Episode 1 Begins! 03:00 Leaving Valinor 03:40 Mary Sue Galadriel 04:58 Meet the Harfoots 05:26 Meanwhile in Lindon 06:33 The worst line EVER 08:53 Gil-galad is a bully 10:27 Episode 1 Thoughts 11:02 Show, don't Tell 12:35 Me smart. Make understand hard. 13:10 But it's a great soundtrack

Jonathan, Michael, and Dan discuss why Tolkien is worth defending--and defending ardently. If Tolkien's work is truly excellent, how much excellence should we demand from those sub-creating in his world? Thanks for watching! Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register

Amazon insiders tell us that The Rings of Power CAN'T be a success... so they'll craft any narrative they need to show that it's the best TV show EVER! Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register

The final (or so it seems) trailer for The Rings of Power confirms that they are simply creating a story with names and places from Tolkien's world, but they are NOT staying true to what Tolkien actually wrote. Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register

We tackle one of our favorite chapters in The Silmarillion: "Of the Flight of the Noldor". Finally the ill choices of Fëanor are brought to bear as we watch the grievous opening to a long tale that inevitably leads to "unnumbered tears". Join Jonathan, Michael, and Dan as they continue to test their Tolkien aptitude with "All that is gold does not glitter", and find out what might be Tolkien's best book--outside of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit! ——————————————————--- Window on the West - Episode 12 ——————————————————--- The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3c8R0Ic —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr The Book of Lost Tales ► https://amzn.to/3AozSXV The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3c8R0Ic —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! ► https://www.theonering.com/audible Become an Audible Premium Plus member, get your first month (and book credit free), use that credit to get The Silmarillion, and then cancel before your first month is up! —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 01:15 All that is Gold Does Not Glitter 07:25 Dan's Big Thought 11:50 Destroy my creation, destroy my soul 15:10 Dearer than the Silmarils 18:37 Morgoth can't save himself 24:14 They get their just desserts 28:15 At least Fēanor does SOMETHING! 35:30 Galadriel Fights? 38:15 Fëanor's incredible arc 41:50 Fëanor's best statement? 46:22 If You Like Tolkien 50:22 Closing

I did the hard work and found everything Tolkien ever wrote about Disa! With the show always "going back to the book", I wanted to share with you all the details Tolkien gave about her in all of his writings! Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register

This week we dive right in and get deep into Ungoliant, what she does, who she might be, and how even Morgoth fears her. —————————————————— Window on the West - Episode 11 —————————————————— The Book of Lost Tales ► https://amzn.to/3AozSXV —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr The Book of Lost Tales ► https://amzn.to/3AozSXV —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! ► https://www.theonering.com/audible Become an Audible Premium Plus member, get your first month (and book credit free), use that credit to get The Silmarillion, and then cancel before your first month is up! —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 02:04 Dan's Big Thought 05:40 Craving the Light 09:15 It's physical 10:50 What is Ungoliant? 15:20 The World's Greatest Party 22:55 The Valar are Forcing, not Guiding 26:15 Darkness and Shadows Rolling In 29:40 Relatability is Overrated 34:40 The First Returning Light 36:23 If You Like Tolkien 40:08 Closing

If you don't like Amazon's Rings of Power... well, Amazon's got the exact recipe to be sure that you'll end up LOVING it! Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register

One particular quote from the Rings of Power showrunners has been really bothering me this week. A quote that shows just how much they're not being honest with us... Get our PODCAST at https://windowonthewest.com —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register

This week we dive into the namesake chapter--"Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"! After Michael tries to stump Jonathan and Dan with "All That is Gold Does Not Glitter", we dive further into Fēanor's story. Dan sees that with the Noldor, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, ... and Jonathan points out that Melkor is officially the strongest Valar! —————————————————— Window on the West - Episode 10 —————————————————— Pipe ► https://www.etsy.com/listing/960355292 —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! ► https://www.theonering.com/audible Just become an Audible Premium Plus member, get your first month (and book credit free), use that credit to get The Silmarillion, and then cancel before your first month is up! —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 01:13 All That is Gold Does Not Glitter 07:00 Dan's Big Thought 09:35 Tension in Creation 12:03 Silmarils live? 15:30 Lies with a Kernel of Truth 17:30 Melkor's Weapons 19:43 Cain and Abel Moment 23:57 Lazy Dads in a Garage 25:22 Morgoth's Cloud 26:42 "Jailcrow of Mandos!" 29:45 Galadriel and Foreknowledge 33:27 Elves are flawed! 37:15 If You Like Tolkien 39:35 Closing

Star Wars had it. Ghostbusters had it. Tolkien had it. But not The Rings of Power. It's missing one HUGE thing that will likely doom it to some sort of forgettable mediocrity. —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! ► https://www.theonering.com/audible Just become an Audible Premium Plus member, get your first month (and book credit free), use that credit to get The Silmarillion, and then cancel before your first month is up! —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:21 Why do Tolkien fans dislike it? 01:50 What caused all the problems? 02:28 THIS is what's missing 05:30 Jeff Bezos had Desire and Money 07:30 Unexperienced Showrunners 09:00 What needs to be at the top 09:51 Nothing at the top, means no fans 10:40 Tolkien will Remain 12:14 Closing

With the Showrunners of The Rings of Power assuring fans that in all the decisions they make, in everything they film, they're going "back to the books, back to the books, back to the books", we decided it was the perfect moment to show how much the 2022 Comic-Con trailer goes "back to the books"! —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! ► https://www.theonering.com/audible Just become an Audible Premium Plus member, get your first month (and book credit free), use that credit to get The Silmarillion, and then cancel before your first month is up! —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:10 The Tolkien Cut

This week, Jonathan quizzes Dan and Michael on some important numbers, Dan sees similarities between the two big characters, Jonathan realizes Melkor was a nice guy, and Michael takes a deeper look at Fëanor's fire. —————————————————— Window on the West - Episode 9 —————————————————— The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— More Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! ► https://www.theonering.com/audible Just become an Audible Premium Plus member, get your first month (and book credit free), use that credit to get The Silmarillion, and then cancel before your first month is up! —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:450 All That is Gold Does Not Glitter 09:38 Dan's Big Thought 12:20 The Valar's Differences 15:45 Feanor's Fire 20:03 Older is Better 24:51 Melkor Was a Nice Guy 27:47 History's at Halfway 29:45 The Seed of Pride and the Tempter 30:30 If You Like Tolkien 33:10 Closing

Jonathan and Michael discuss how--if you've read Tolkien before--you'd recognize that Amazon is creating elves that are completely different and just, well, stupid! They also look at how Rings of Power's forced diversity is apparently more important than the story, why they missed out on a great Tar Miriel story, if your imagination is usurped by the movie versions, and whether they want the show to succeed or fail. —————————————————— Tolkien Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Follow on Twitter ► https://twitter.com/torc Listen to our Podcast ► https://www.windowonthewest.com Get The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k Get The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3OMNTCL Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 01:37 "Unending Joys" = Foolish Elves 03:50 Male Elves too 06:25 The Rings of Power will be Dated 11:00 Story Matters 13:20 Miriel Could Have Been More Powerful 14:50 Hope Fades 16:50 Usurping Imagination 18:44 To Succeed, or to Fail 23:01 Closing and Your Comments

One image from the full Rings of Power trailer encapsulates the three issues with this show, and why they still feel Tolkien's original work isn't good enough. —————————————————— Tolkien Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Follow on Twitter ► https://twitter.com/torc Listen to our Podcast ► https://www.windowonthewest.com Get The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k Get The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 01:20 A LITTLE more plot 02:30 I don't hate Amazon, I love Tolkien 05:50 Subcreate within the world 07:20 One Image Encapsulates the issues 07:50 They're changing the history 11:15 They're changing the characters 13:24 Their worldview is better 18:20 A big disappointment 20:10 Closing

I wanted to address two things: 1) That Amazon is treating a large part of this project as a "Blank Slate" (hey, THEY said it, not me), and 2) what having Simon Tolkien as a consultant actually means (not much). —————————————————— Tolkien Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Listen to our Podcast ► https://www.windowonthewest.com Get The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k Get The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:10 Way, way, WAY back to a deserving story 04:45 It's a "Blank Slate"! 08:35 Simon Tolkien's been hired 14:45 Don't rely on Amazon

Dan gets TWO big thoughts this week as we review both Of Thingol and Melian and Of Eldamar and the coming of the Eldaliē. He realizes that love can make you do stupid things--like gaze into each others' eyes for 100 years... and he says what we're all thinking in the 2nd chapter--what in the world is going on! And for good measure, Michael refers to his great elven diagram diagram (linked below) again. —————————————————— Window on the West - Episode 8 —————————————————— Michael's Diagram of the Elves ► https://www.theonering.com/types-of-elves —————————————————— Subscribe to our Podcast 🔊 —————————————————— Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— Tolkien Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Get The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k Get The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com Become a member and join the conversation ► https://www.theonering.com/register Get The Silmarillion audio book for FREE! ► https://www.theonering.com/audible Just become an Audible Premium Plus member, get your first month (and book credit free), use that credit to get The Silmarillion, and then cancel before your first month is up! —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 01:40 All That is Gold Does Not Glitter 07:47 Dan's (First) Big Thought 09:15 Who is Melian? 13:03 Anything happens, there's a new name 14:52 Songs of Enchantment 15:51 Dan's (second) Big Thought 17:20 Laying out the Chapter 20:35 Cirdan! 23:35 Tol Eressëa 24:35 All living things in Aman 27:50 Valinor and Middle-earth are starkly different 28:34 More and more elf names 29:26 A Common thread that comes to a point 30:55 It's all about the Noldor 31:51 Not all elves are the same 33:12 The Vanyar 34:39 Closing

Michael and Jonathan review the new Rings of Power Teaser Trailer, looking through the entire 2+ minutes, and discussing what is Tolkien (a little), what isn't Tolkien (a lot), and why the Hobbits are waddling... —————————————————— Tolkien Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Listen to our Podcast ► https://www.windowonthewest.com Get The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k Get The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:10 Initial Thoughts 04:03 Reviewing the Trailer 10:40 "Based" on Tolkien 13:14 Time Compression is the Problem 13:55 Warrior Women 16:33 Dagor Bragollach? 20:09 Elves Heading to Valinor? 23:34 HalBROOOO! 27:55 Ar-Pharazon 29:58 Oath of Feanor? 30:40 Looks like the Eye of Sauron 31:40 Harfoots getting ready to snorkel! 33:38 What's good about the trailer? 36:03 Great effects don't make a good story 37:57 Quotable, not Memorable 38:57 Closing Thoughts

You've probably heard of the "Purist" fans of Tolkien--those who only and always hew closely to Tolkien's exact writings. Today, there's another stripe of fandom: the activistis. Jonathan, Michael, and Dan engage in a discussion, posing the question, will activist fandom eventually destroy Tolkien? —————————————————— Tolkien Resources 🔎 —————————————————— Listen to our Podcast ► https://www.windowonthewest.com Get The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k Get The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf Get more Tolkien ► https://www.theonering.com —————————————————— Chapters —————————————————— 00:00 Introduction 00:10 Will activist fandom eventually destroy Tolkien? 03:00 The Activist Lens 06:18 Projectionism is the Problem 07:40 Lord of the Rings isn't Christian? 09:14 The Black Hole of Activism 12:20 When you project, you cheapen it 13:45 Don't let the labels get to you 14:20 Story shouldn't be a vehicle for the message 15:10 Pure narcissism 16:40 Star Wars has already been destroyed 17:05 Tolkien needs to stay Tolkien 10:20 Hobbits from Skid Row 10:45 The Hobbits are a diversity grab 13:04 "If you can't see it, you can't be it" 13:45 We're skeptical. Are you?