In this episode, we’re excited to welcome back one of our favorite people, Nic aka Fornost42, for kind of a special episode. We say “special,” because this chapter is effectively not in the movie. So join Andie and Nic as they dive into the chapter “Not at Home.”

Episode 41: Not at Home

Kali and Andie welcome Miranda (aka @exlibrismir) to the podcast and welcome back Emily (aka @silmaremily) to discuss every second of "Eldest," the fourth episode of season two of Rings of Power. In this episode, we discuss:

 * Who the standout characters are so far this season
 * Several moments taken directly from the Lord of the Rings books
 * How Andie would have improved the Barrow-wight scene
 * Theories about who the Stranger and Dark Wizard may be
 * Adar's quick appearance and what it could mean for his character



Be sure to follow Miranda here:

 * https://www.instagram.com/exlibrismir/
 * https://www.threads.net/@exlibrismir
 * https://www.tiktok.com/@exlibrismir



And Emily here:

 * https://www.instagram.com/silmaremily/
 * https://www.threads.net/@silmaremily
 * https://www.tiktok.com/@silmaremily
 * https://x.com/silmaremily

Rings of Power: "Eldest" Deep Dive

In this episode, Andie, Kelly (aka The Middle Page) and Kaia Kay continue their discussion of the first three episodes of season two of Amazon's The Rings of Power. They avoided spoilers in part one, but now they are covering the rest of their thoughts about the opening episodes of season two.

Don't forget to follow Kelly:

 * https://www.instagram.com/themiddlepage/
 * https://www.tiktok.com/@themiddle.page

And Kaia:

 * https://www.instagram.com/kaiakayy/
 * https://www.tiktok.com/@kaiakays
 * https://www.threads.net/@kaiakayy



Rings of Power Vibe Check: Part Two

In this special episode, Andie is joined by friends Kelly (aka The Middle Page) and Kaia Kay to discuss the first three episodes of season two of Amazon's The Rings of Power. Andie and Kelly recorded this while sick and Kaia dealt with our coughing and stuffy noses so we could get our thoughts out while they were still fresh.

We talk a little bit about our thoughts on season one before diving into how we're feeling about the beginning of season two.

Keep an eye out for Part Two, where we go a little deeper. While this episode has no spoilers, our next one will!

Don't forget to follow Kelly:

 * https://www.instagram.com/themiddlepage/
 * https://www.tiktok.com/@themiddle.page

And Kaia:

 * https://www.instagram.com/kaiakayy/
 * https://www.tiktok.com/@kaiakays
 * https://www.threads.net/@kaiakayy



Rings of Power Vibe Check: Part One (No Spoilers)

Hi there! In this short bonus episode, Kali and Andie check in to give a few updates about Tolkien with Friends, such as:

 * Why it has taken so long to release these Hobbit episodes
 * What's next for the podcast
 * How we get by with a little help from our friends

More soon!

Bonus Episode: Checking In

We’re excited to be welcoming back Myla to help us finish the extended edition of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” and to discuss Chapter 12: Inside Information. In this episode, we discuss:

 * Andie's gripes about "The Desolation of Smaug”
 * Bilbo's approach to entering Erebor in the book vs the movie
 * Smaug, obviously
 * Thorin's "dragon sickness"
 * and more!



Be sure to follow Myla and her Tolkien collection:

 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endofbag
 * Myla's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylamalinalda
 * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mylamalinalda
 * Twitter: https://twitter.com/MylaMalinalda
 * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mylamalinalda



You can find Tolkien with Friends on:

 * Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends
 * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends
 * Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  
 * Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends

Episode 40: Inside Information with @mylamalinalda

In this episode, Andie and Kali cover the chapter, "On the Doorstep," and it's comparable section of Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy. This covers the point from when Thorin, Bilbo and company – more or less in the movie’s case – leave Lake-town to the moment when Thorin opens the secret door on the side of the mountain. The discussion includes:

 * Wait – how do we pronounce the dwarves names?
 * Taking a moment for the ponies of The Hobbit
 * When exactly is Durin's Day?
 * Gandalf, Thrain and Thrain's ring



Don't forget to connect with Tolkien with Friends on:

 * Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends
 * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends
 * X/Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  
 * Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends

Episode 39: On the Doorstep

In this episode, we discuss the chapter “A Warm Welcome” – and about 30 minutes of “The Desolation of Smaug” from the time Bard shows up until most of the dwarves leave Lake-town. Our discussion includes:

 * How Bilbo's "luck" guides the adventure
 * Lake-town's portrayal in the movies vs. the book
 * The prophecy on the return of the Durin’s Folk to Erebor
 * Tauriel as a moral compass



Be sure to follow Emily:

 * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@silmaremily
 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silmaremily/
 * X/Twitter: https://x.com/silmaremily/



You can find Tolkien with Friends on:

 * Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends
 * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends
 * X/Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  
 * Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends

Episode 38: A Warm Welcome with @SilmarEmily

Andie and Kali are joined by their friend Kari, aka @EstarGuarsTia, to talk about the chapter, “Barrels Out of Bond," and all the chaos that ensues during this section of Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy. In this episode, we discuss:

 * Wood-elves and their love of the stars
 * Tauriel as a character
 * How Bilbo helps Thorin and Company escape from Thranduil's fortress
 * The insanity behind THAT rapids scene
 * Lee Pace as Thranduil
 * And how Ian McKellen can do no wrong as Gandalf



Be sure to follow Kari on:

 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/estarguarstia/
 * Twitter: https://twitter.com/estarguarstia
 * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estarguarstia



You can find Tolkien with Friends on:

 * Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends
 * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends
 * Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  
 * Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends

Episode 37: Barrels Out Of Bond with @EstarGuarsTia

Andie and Kali welcome designer and Tolkien collector, Myla (aka @MylaMalinalda) to the podcast to discuss the eighth chapter of the Hobbit, "Flies and Spiders," as well as the corresponding scenes from Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." In this episode, we cover:

 * How Mirkwood is described in the book vs what we see in the movie
 * What we learn about wood-elves in this chapter — and how that differs from Peter Jackson's depiction
 * Mirkwood's various creepy crawlies
 * How Bilbo's role is reduced
 * Our hopes for the future of adaptations



Be sure to follow Myla and her Tolkien collection:

 * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endofbag
 * Myla's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylamalinalda
 * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mylamalinalda
 * Twitter: https://twitter.com/MylaMalinalda
 * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mylamalinalda



You can find Tolkien with Friends on:

 * Instagram: instagram.com/tolkienwithfriends
 * Threads: https://www.threads.net/@tolkienwithfriends
 * Twitter: twitter.com/tolkienfriends  
 * Patreon: patreon.com/tolkienwithfriends

Episode 36: Flies and Spiders

Join Andie, Kali and friends as they re-discover Middle-earth together by comparing the Lord of the Rings books to their various adaptations, starting with Peter Jackson's epic film trilogy.