Welcome to “Watch Party: Lord of the Rings”! If you‘ve just wandered in, don‘t worry, you‘re not lost! Join Jen and Michael as they delve too greedily and too deep into Middle Earth in anticipation of the upcoming Lord of the Rings series on Amazon Prime. Stay up to date on casting announcements and set leaks, speculate about the plot, all while rekindling your love of all things Tolkien. If you want to join the conversation, please email us at WatchPartyLOTR@gmail.com. We‘d love to hear from you! Hopefully Barliman Butterbur remembers to give us the message.
Episodes
Friday Nov 05, 2021
Friday Nov 05, 2021
"What News From The North, Riders of Rohan?"
Today is a big news day! So many leaks and rumors that we needed a whole episode to discuss them. First, Howard Shore and Bear McCrearyhave are rumored to be the composers for LOTR on Prime. Then, the figure in the official series image in Valinor is Finrod. Lots of Galadriel rumors. ISILDUR WILL BE IN SEASON 1! Sir Lenny Henry tells us that the Hobbits are multi-racial Harfoots, and more! Most of our news today comes from Fellowship Of Fans.
Want to join the watch party? Contact us:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
Howard Shore and Bear McCreary: https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2021/09/19/111495-howard-shore-and-bear-mccreary-to-soundtrack-lotr-on-prime-series/
Finrod: https://twitter.com/FansFellowship/status/1444718330951217152
Galadriel as a child: https://twitter.com/FansFellowship/status/1449802755263143946
Galadriel traveling across vast plains and climbing mountains: https://twitter.com/FansFellowship/status/1444718335132934145
Isildur in Season 1: https://twitter.com/FansFellowship/status/1451965794016010242
Sir Lenny Henry breaks news in BBC interview: https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2021/10/12/111617-sir-lenny-henry-confirms-role-as-an-early-hobbit-in-amazons-lotr-show/
The Hobbits are the "Pioneers": https://twitter.com/FansFellowship/status/1449802747860209665
Big battle between Orc and Numenorean Armies in Season 1: https://twitter.com/FansFellowship/status/1447263144041226254
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Friday Oct 22, 2021
Friday Oct 22, 2021
"We've had one, yes. But what about Second Breakfast?"
Today we had a great time with our new friend Dan, aka the Voice of Geekdom, discussing 1:02:39-1:14:44 of The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition). The Black Riders ruin the Hobbits' slumber party with Strider at the Prancing Pony. Strider takes the party into the wild, where Pippin tries to teach him about Second Breakfast. The Hobbits finally learn why midnight meals are so hazardous to your health, the Black Riders attack Weathertop, and Strider saves the day.
Go check out Dan's YouTube channel, where he posts tons of Tolkien content, including a series of Silmarillion explainer videos.
Want to join the watch party? Contact us:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
Find Dan aka Voice of Geekdom online at:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VoiceofGeekdom
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voiceofgeekdom/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/VoiceOfGeek
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voiceofgeekdom/
Fellowship of Fans: Robert Aramayo on the Dwarven Set.
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Friday Oct 08, 2021
Friday Oct 08, 2021
"Smoke rises from the Mountain of Doom. The hour grows late, and Gandalf the Grey rides to Isengard, seeking my counsel."
Today we are joined by Jen's childhood Hobbit homies Aubreigh Brunschwig and Jessalyn Carpino! Together we are discussing 46:44-1:02:38 of The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition). Gandalf goes to Saruman and gets some advice he didn't expect, while Frodo and Sam bump into Merry and Pippin, meet some very rude Black Riders, narrowly escape by leaping onto Buckleberry Ferry, and get a drink at the Prancing Pony.
Want to join the watch party? Contact us:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
Check out Aubreigh's photography and graphic design - http://www.twopencecreative.com/
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
Wednesday Sep 22, 2021
"And now the Ring had drawn him here. He will never be rid of his need for it. He hates and loves the Ring, as he hates and loves himself. And feel free to give him a nice open palm smack on the behind as you would for a saucy female who steps out of line."
Happy Hobbit Day! Today we are joined by Dennis Wilson Wise, PhD, who shows us that teachers can be both Wise and funny! A Lecturer in the University of Arizona’s Writing Program, Dr. Wise studies the intersections between political theory and modern fantasy literature, science fiction, and horror, and recently authored an article discussing Peter Jackson’s postmodern transformation of the character of Bard in his adaptations of the Hobbit, which will be published in the upcoming edition of the Tolkien Studies Journal.
Together we are discussing 25:30 - 46:42 of The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition). We pick up after Bilbo's disappearing act at his birthday party. Bilbo gives up the Ring, Gandalf has questions that need answering, we meet the Nazgul, and Frodo sets out on his journey.
Want to join the watch party? Contact us:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
Check out Dr. Wise's University of Arizona profile: https://english.arizona.edu/people/dennis-wise
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Friday Sep 03, 2021
Friday Sep 03, 2021
"The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was, is lost, for none now live who remember it."
The day has finally arrived! Today we begin our watch party of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films, starting with the first 25 minutes and 30 seconds of The Fellowship of the Ring (Extended Edition). Joining us is the wonderful Jordan Rannells from the Music of Middle Earth Podcast.
Exactly how good was the prologue? Did Isildur really kill Sauron? Do Hobbit doors make sense? We discuss it all on today's episode. And Happy Labor Day to all of our US and Canadian listeners! We hope this episode brings you joy over the long holiday weekend.
Want to join the watch party? Contact us:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
Check out Jordan's Music of Middle Earth Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/musicofmiddleearthpodcast
Check out Jordan's Star Wars: Sound Design Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/StarWarsSoundPod
Fellowship of Fans: Exclusive Unconfirmed Rumors - https://twitter.com/FansFellowship/status/1409205912896684034
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
Wednesday Aug 25, 2021
"I know we are going to take a very long road, into darkness; but I know I can’t turn back. It isn’t to see Elves now, nor dragons, nor mountains, that I want - I don’t rightly know what I want: but I have something to do before the end, and it lies ahead, not in the Shire. I must see it through, sir, if you understand me."
What does Amazon's move from New Zealand to UK mean for the show, and for all of our little hearts quietly breaking that we won't see New Zealand's beautiful scenery in future seasons? And the main event: we discuss our approach to analyzing cinematic adaptations of literary works.
Want to join the watch party? Contact us:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
Professor Linda Costanzo Cahir, Literature into Film: Theory And Practical Approaches, McFarland 2006.
Professor Tom Shippey, Tolkien Book to Jackson Script: The Medium and the Message, https://www.swarthmore.edu/news-events/tolkien-book-to-jackson-script-medium-and-message
Eric Reinders, Questions of Caste in The Lord of the Rings and its Multiple Chinese Translations, https://youtu.be/pVpSWxa8Htw
Fellowship of Fans, EXCLUSIVE: REAL Reason Amazon Moved Production To U.K For LOTRonPrime [EXPLAINED] TSAS #7, Second Age Show, August 15, 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlgTPbLQv7E
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Friday Aug 13, 2021
Friday Aug 13, 2021
"In seven hours the glory of each tree waxed to full and waned again to naught; and each awoke once more to life an hour before the other ceased to shine. Thus in Valinor twice every day there came a gentle hour of softer light when both trees were faint and their gold and silver beams were mingled."
Amazon finally gives us an official release date, along with their first official teaser image featuring...GASP...the two trees of Valinor! We also talk about the big spy report recently released by TheOneRing.net, and Fellowship of Fans' report that Amazon's Numenor will feature different guilds. So much news we devoted the entire episode to it.
Want to join the watch party? Contact us:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
TORN Spy Report: https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2021/07/20/110907-spy-report-incredible-details-from-amazons-lord-of-the-rings-characters-sexless-nudity-halflings/
Fellowship of Fans: https://twitter.com/FansFellowship/status/1416832237497167872
Amazon's Teaser Image: https://www.instagram.com/p/CSFM2T4JzE0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
Thursday Jul 15, 2021
"But we need not assent. If we love Numenor also, let us enjoy it before they ruin it. We also are daughters of the great, and we have wills and courage of our own"
Having wrapped up the finished portion of Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife, we now look back at the story and consider what it has to say about feminism, gender roles, and marriage, and discuss how Amazon might approach these concepts in their upcoming series. Helping us navigate these important issues is our first ever guest, brilliant author, and Michael's older sister, Heidi Rolland-Unruh.
Want to join the watch party? Contact us:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
The Broken Sword (New History of the Ages YouTube channel)
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Thursday Jul 01, 2021
Thursday Jul 01, 2021
"I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all of the ages of this world alone."
This week, Michael and Jen spill some hot copyright tea, and then wrap up the finished portion of Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife. Our tale finally reaches a crescendo, as the lovers are permanently torn asunder. Join us as we peel back the layers of this story, and explore how it ties into Tolkien's larger narrative. Stay tuned after the show for another delightful installment of our brand new segment: "What are kids Tolkien about?"
Want to join the watch party with a question, comment, theory, Tolkien pun, or anything under the sun? Contact us:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
History of The Ages Youtube channel
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Sound effects:
Skitch Scharff
Link: https://freesound.org/people/skitchscharff/sounds/204961/
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Theo Teravainen
Link: https://freesound.org/people/TheoTeravainen/sounds/569776/
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Justin Williams
Link:
https://freesound.org/people/bigmanjoe/sounds/437033/
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Friday Jun 11, 2021
“ 'If Helm dislikes a crooked staff that is thrust on him, he breaks it. So!' With that, he smote Freca with such a blow with his first that he fell back stunned, and died soon after."
We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this special announcement: a new feature film set in Middle-Earth is in the works! New Line and Warner Bros. surprised everyone yesterday with an announcement that they are planning a full length anime adaptation of Rohan's war with the Dunlendings, set around 250 years before the events of Lord of the Rings. This story is found in the appendices to the Return of the King, and features the legendary Helm Hammerhand. Join us as we talk about this exciting news.
If you'd like to weigh in on our casting speculation or anything else under the sun, you can get in touch here:
- Email: watchpartylotr@gmail.com
- Twitter: @LOTRParty ; https://twitter.com/LotrParty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchpartyLoTR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchpartylotronprime/
REFERENCES:
Deadline article about War of the Rohirrim
CREDITS
Intro and Outro Music: Sunday For Larks, written by Matthew Rolland and performed by Run Boy Run. https://www.runboyrunband.com/
Logo by Aubreigh Brunschwig
Special Thanks to Anuj Agarwal and Feedspot for the shoutout! We are one of the top 15 #LOTR podcasts to listen to in 2021.