032 – Under His Thumb

Join Alan, James, and Sara as they avoid spoilers in this episode blurb, discuss the revelation of the Stranger's name, weep over a powerful father-son moment, and agree that the show has gotten better - all in their discussion of the Season 2 finale of Amazon Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - 'Shadow and Flame'. Annatar makes sure Celebrimbor gets his point, Glüg makes a questionable career move, and Kemen still has Middle-earth's most punchable face. From shadowy Balrog wings to a surprise appearance of a sword; from Yoda moments to another Princess Bride callback, the RoPWU team have more things. to. say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Alan, James, and Sara as they mourn Mírdania, remember Rían, and are apprehensive for Arondir in their discussion of Season 2, Episode 7 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - 'Doomed to Die'. Celebrimbor enjoys a cuppa during a delightful delusion, Glüg considers organizing an Uruk labor union, and Mister Mouse proves there's a glitch in the Matrix. From mountains made of Lego® bricks to Mírdania's unexpected battlefield knowledge; from Starship lyrics to Princess Bride quotes, the RoPWU team continue to have things. to. say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen in as Alan, Sara, and James talk through the things they love - and the things they don't love so much - about Season 2, Episode 6 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - 'Where is He?' | While we still ask that question about Celeborn, it's Adar asking the question about whatever Halbrand is going by these days. From the next-level gaslighting of Celebrimbor to the pronunciation of smial; from the amazing horns of Númenor to Disa's new bat-signal, the RoPWU team have got opinions. And yes, that includes the ripped-from-context use of an iconic book and movie line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Alan, James, and Sara as they walk their way through what they all agree is the best episode of Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - Episode 5 'Halls of Stone'. From King Durin and his newfound power (and greed), to Annatar's masterful manipulation of Celebrimbor and Mírdania, the RoPWU team have things to say. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Valandil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Alan, Sara, and James as they talk (at great length) about the third and fourth episodes in Season 2 of Amazon Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. From Isildur's meet-cute gone bad to Tom Bombadil pet-naming habits, the RoPWU crew talk about it all, noting that when this show gets it right, they really get it right. And with a few out-of-context homages, the inverse is also true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan, James, and Sara team up once again to walk you through the first two episodes of Amazon Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. We watch Sauron go from an unconvincing CEO, through his squishy days, until he becomes the Halbrand we all know and Galadriel can't stop thinking about. We rave about Círdan, Disa, and the singing of Gil-galad, while scratching our collective heads about a few things. Thanks for joining us for another season of Rings of Power Wrap-up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halbrand comes back to Eregion for more; James, Sara, and Alan come back to the podcast for more, too — but without a wig. Join us as we bring you up to speed on all the things we’ve seen and heard about the upcoming Season 2 of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: the Rings of Power! From big blue bling to the most underrated Elf ever, the RoPWU crew looks at the teaser, the trailer, the BTS clips, and all the news articles and interviews we could find. Plus news straight from Rings of Power at San Diego ComicCon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like a toddler at the dinner table, we've saved the most unpleasant bit for last. Listen in as Sara, James, and Alan return to finish their report cards for Amazon: will the show get passing marks? With discussion of the visuals, music, and acting behind us, tonight's conversation turns to the writing. The sea may always be right, but if the sea could write, that might help. We grade specific plot lines, from Durin and Elrond (outstanding) to mithranium (needs improvement), look into specific dialog examples, and debate where The Rings of Power got it right, and where they might improve. Join us as we wrap up S1 and look forward to S2! There is a tempest around here somewhere... now where did I put it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You decide if the episode title applies to S1 of The Rings of Power, or our attempt at a season-ending report card! Sara, Alan, and James return to discuss the high (and low) points of the first season of Amazon’s efforts to bring Tolkien’s Middle-earth to life. Somehow, we get so buried in conversation, we only finish part of the report card: if they’re giving grades for giving grades, we’re in trouble! In this half, we discuss set design and other visuals, and walk through the strong points of each of the actors from S1. So binge the show again, and join us for this half of our first season report card! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We get eight answers to one question, learn how Rivendell inspired Eregion's inspiration of Rivendell, and talk about some of the differences between Morgoth and Sauron. Alan, Sara, and James welcome Ramsey Avery — Production Designer for The Rings of Power — to The Rings of Power Wrap-up. From spikes to art nouveau, we talk with a man who read The Silmarillion nearly every night for two years to do his job right. Plus: is working with John Howe all it's cracked up to be? (Of course it is, silly.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices