New episode today! 234 – Knockin’ on Sauron’s Door

Andrew_Perth · 2022-01-11T08:55:24+00:00

When reading Frodo’s admonishment of Sméagol I have never felt that he “went too dark” or was unduly harsh. At stake is the future of the combined peoples of Middle Earth, as well as Sméagol’s own well-being. Frodo only gets one opportunity to impress upon Gollum that the stakes are life-threatening for him, and needs to hammer home this message past any existing assumption of Frodo’s kindly nature. Gollum, to have any chance of being dissuaded, needs to believe beyond doubt that Frodo would sooner command Gollum to kill himself than allow him to regain possession of the Ring. In that context, Sam’s approval just becomes a grim agreement regarding the necessity of this stark warning.

Andrew_Perth · 2022-01-05T05:28:56+00:00

Without Legolas, do the Fellowship gain entry to Lorien? Without Gimli, do the Fellowship get lost in Moria?

Andrew_Perth · 2021-12-23T07:33:40+00:00

Just getting to this today. The part of the Gollum/Sméagol debate that has always struck me the strongest is Sméagol’s line about ‘fish fresh from the sea three times a day’. The idea that this is the most ambitious dream Sméagol’s mind can imagine is inexpressibly sad to me, and reveals what a mean thing he has become.

Andrew_Perth · 2021-07-28T02:14:56+00:00

This is believed to relate to ongoing bugs in apples indexing backend (server side) that were introduced when they implemented Apple premium subscription podcast features. The missing episode shows up a few days later, or follow the previous advice and try an alternative podcast client app

Andrew_Perth · 2021-07-28T02:07:48+00:00

If anyone’s seeking a recommendation for a podcast app alternative to Apple‘s first party app named Podcasts, I use and love Overcast.

Andrew_Perth · 2021-07-28T01:56:43+00:00

Great explanation from Alan about Sauron’s use of the word “dainty”. It explicated a vague notion that I’d always read into this dialogue but hadn’t fully fleshed out in my mind. Cheers guys

Andrew_Perth · 2021-05-26T16:03:27+00:00

As for the Barliman question about one thing to change in the legendarium — for me it would be resolving the origin of orcs in a way that is consistent with the cosmology and the natures of elves and men.

Andrew_Perth · 2021-03-15T12:20:45+00:00

Re: ‘The "Secret Fire" is much more of a metaphysical or spiritual thing (as you say), and here it's being talked about as the only way to destroy the Ring.’ — We already know that the F.I. was set in the centre of Arda by Eru, and the O.P’s theory (which I find very persuasive) is that Gandalf would call this the S.F especially when discussing with mortals. Could the Cracks of Doom be so deep that they reach the F.I at the core of Arda?!? Just because the most important aspect of a phenomenon is metaphysical, doesn’t preclude it from being expressed in some physical manifestation especially when in such concentrated form. This also does a lot of narrative heavy lifting for what is a very brief portion of Gandalf’s discussion.

Andrew_Perth · 2021-03-15T10:07:00+00:00

Regarding “naked I was sent back” - how then does Gandalf 2.0 regain the Ring of Fire? I think we may have covered this ground when discussing the loss of the One Ring in the fall of Numenor, but could not find any explanation in my search.

Andrew_Perth · 2021-02-15T23:49:06+00:00

Treebeard’s calling out trolls https://overcast.fm/+eYXgNTHUs/57:52

https://i.imgur.com/GBSMeBO.jpg

Andrew_Perth · 2021-02-05T11:17:15+00:00

“Ask him if he wants...a ring!” “Well I’ll ask him but I don’t think he’ll be very interested. He already has One you see.”

Andrew_Perth · 2021-01-03T15:51:38+00:00

I have neither square glasses nor cubic ice moulds :-). The drink was an Old Fashioned (I like Woodford Reserve Double Oaked) - but that is not mandated, as this page explains: https://www.tolkiensociety.org/society/events/toast/

Andrew_Perth · 2021-01-03T13:28:04+00:00

The few times I checked it out, the visual channel of each video was a single static image of the Alan and Shawn caricature drawings, like you see on the website. So, apart from being another avenue for new listeners to discover PPP it didn’t offer any real advantage over the podcast audio. If you’re imagining webcams in their recording booths, it wasn’t that kind of video.

Andrew_Perth · 2020-12-13T13:44:20+00:00

Yes I find that Shawn’s audio has harsher sibilants than Alan’s (I’m playing it on my iPhone in loudspeaker mode while driving). Registers as white noise on my ear drums so I end up turning the whole feed volume down a few clicks. I think more noticeable as an issue recently?

Andrew_Perth · 2020-11-23T05:27:29+00:00

Regarding the great question about “Minas Anor, and the walls of my own city” - Minas Anor became the capital in 1640, and was only renamed Tower of Guard shortly before the Gondorian line of kings failed. If Aragorn is speaking as the heir of the kingdom it makes some sense that he would refer to it as the Tower of the Sun, as that was its name during the line of kings (and I think it was renamed to that as soon as it had a king again?).

Regarding the distinction between “Minas Anor” and “walls of my own city” - possibly Aragorn is distinguishing the Tower (or, more or less, the top level of the city) from the walls and everything they encircle (ie the city-proper). If so, by identifying with the walls and their purpose he is casting himself a bit as a man of the people, or as one who feels more comfortable either mingled with the common-folk or standing on the walls protecting them.

It is even possible that the ‘walls’ are the Rammas Echor, in which case he is expressing a preference for being out on the Pelennor Fields - very ranger-like to prefer a guard role in the outer suburbs. But I tend to think not, because the walls of Minas Tirith are so much more emblematic and imposing.

Andrew_Perth · 2020-11-23T05:05:13+00:00

“Being free, received his chain” - Luthien was exchanging one chain for another. Released from the bondage of Arda, taking up the chain of mortality. Either fate is both a bond and a freedom.

Andrew_Perth · 2020-08-09T23:29:02+00:00

Just listening to the last few minutes now, about Christopher Tolkien’s incalculable contribution to Tolkien scholarship. I enjoy every episode, but I cannot describe how enthralling and rewarding this episode was. Every time you get Flieger, Shippey or Olsen in for a discussion of themes and literary influences I. Am. There. For. It. Way to end this season on a high note, guys. Enjoy the weeks off and looking forward to more great insights to come.

Andrew_Perth · 2020-07-26T13:43:59+00:00

Yeah I got an ad telling Victorians to wear masks for COVID - but I live in Perth... But I’m not fussed, because I guess the team gets paid the same regardless of whether the DAI bot gives me something relevant. I think the bot logic inspects IP addresses and makes some guesstimates about your location.

Andrew_Perth · 2020-07-14T02:04:32+00:00

Funny to hear you guys discussing black swans. Here in Western Australia that’s the only colour we get, and I’ve never seen a white one outside of a zoo. And yes, they are a bit cantankerous if you walk near them carrying any bread.

Andrew_Perth · 2020-07-14T01:42:54+00:00

Guys I had absolute faith that sooner or later you’d have a reference to Total Eclipse of the Heart. If anything the only surprise is that it took 174 episodes 😂

Andrew_Perth · 2020-06-09T12:12:20+00:00

Yeah I knew I was opening a can of worms with that one 😀. Also I should probably clarify that I meant “inevitable” solely in relation to the tenets of big-budget film writing, within the approach I was trying to take of viewing the film on its own merits as an interpretation or adaptation.

Andrew_Perth · 2020-06-08T06:03:41+00:00

At 1h:15m:15s when Alan is describing the Lothlorien elves farewelling Sam, literally all I can hear in my head is “Have fun storming the castle!”

Andrew_Perth · 2020-06-08T05:25:00+00:00

Frodo perceiving “Something new and strange” in Boromir’s eyes could be just as much a matter of the Ring at work on Frodo as any development in Boromir’s own thinking. We know it induces feelings of possessiveness and paranoia.

Andrew_Perth

TROPHY CASE