168. Orcs Writing Poetry and Galadriel’s Love Triangle – The Rings of Power News

Get the Exploring Tolkien App to listen to every episode, a Tolkien calendar, the latest news, and member exclusives! Is The Rings of Power Season 3 course-correcting—or just running out the clock? In this episode, we wade through two weeks of Comic-Con news and leaks, catching all the ways Amazon’s show is retooling, rewriting, and ruining Tolkien’s world. From the much-maligned Harfoots’ quiet removal to a new class of “Nazgnagol” proto-wraiths and the baffling “Balrog teaches Sauron” rumor, we break down what’s actually changing (and what’s still totally bonkers). We also look at: The accelerated release schedule and what it means for viewers (and podcasters) The “dismal retreat” – showrunners’ subtle admissions about failed seasons The orc who writes poetry and the continued humanizing of evil that breaks Tolkien’s world Galadriel’s love triangle with Sauron and Celeborn—officially confirmed. Good lord. How the focus on spectacle and “member berries” misses Tolkien’s core themes In our extended episode (available for members at https://theonering.com/members), we dig into: Why blurring good and evil undermines Tolkien’s moral universe 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month) or download the app! 🔗 Episode Links Get the Exploring Tolkien App! The Children of Húrin The Story of Kullervo The Silmarillion Unfinished Tales 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast Subscribe on Apple Subscribe on Spotify Get the Exploring Tolkien App Get the Extended Podcast 🔍 If You Like Tolkien The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) The Silmarillion The Children of Húrin The Atlas of Middle-earth Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat