17. B1:C5 - A Conspiracy Unmasked - [LoTR Read Along]

In this episode, The Nicks rip apart Buzzfeed's attempt at knowing things about LoTR, discuss Chapter 9 - A Conspiracy Unmasked, and decide if they would rather be in Frodo's shoes or Fatty's. Maps Map of Middle-earth  LoTRproject.com interactive map - Caution: spoilers for new readers! Notes for this episode This is the quiz we worked from for the beginning of the episode, though we don't highly recommend it. There are spoilers, mistakes, and a lot of partial answers. What Happened Last Time? Frodo, Pippin, and Sam took a shortcut through the forest and across the field from Woodhall toward the ferry. Though it was harder than the road and took them off course, it seems to have been a good idea because they missed the black riders the whole day, and the end up on Farmer Maggot's farm. While there Farmer Maggot feeds them and offers to take them by cart to the ferry, where they happen to meet their friend - Merry. Where Are We in the Narrative?: Frodo, Sam, and Pippin are on the border of the Shire, in Buckland, where Crickhollow resides. Danger has come upon them sooner than anyone, including Gandalf, could have imagined. Frodo must leave for Rivendell immediately, in spite of Gandalf's continued absence. But, Frodo is miserable because he doesn't know how to tell his friends that he is leaving. The Story in this Chapter: Over the ferry Buckland (Bucklebury is almost a suburb of Buckland… it's its own small country!) Crickhollow Very hobbit-hole like, despite being a house. Creature comforts -even arranged similarly to Bag End Conspirators revealed DUN DUN DUNNNNN!!!!! Making plans Preparations already made - because Merry is a boss. Fatty stays behind - who has the more dangerous role? Resting up for the first leg of the journey through the Old Wood and Eastward to Rivendell Frodo has a weird dream -- on a tower, near the seeaaaaaa [turtles] Notable Difference(s) from Films: All of this is missing from the movie Locations/Distance Traveled/Distance apart: Bucklebury Ferry Buck Hill & Brandy Hall Bucklebury Crickhollow Probably a total of around 5 miles New Characters (but not really): Fredegar Fatty Bolger What to Watch for in the Next Chapter: The Journey out of the Shire begins with the next chapter as Frodo and company enter into the potentially dangerous Old Forest on the borders of Buckland. Links greendragonlive.com Twitter Facebook Special thanks to our friend Harry Murrell for the use of his music. Listen to more and subscribe to his channel here.