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Speculative Tolkienism

by Lee Scrivner and Kevin Brewer

The guys chime in about Tolkien. leescrivner.substack.com

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Episodes

  1. Why Didn't Gollum Attack in the Dead Marshes? (Speculative Tolkienism 63)

    We plumb the depths of the Dead Marshes and ask what if Gollum had tried to take the ring from him there instead of in Shelob's lair. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Tolkien's Triumvirate - Gollum/Frodo/Sam (Speculative Tolkienism 62)

    We finally interact with Gollum and discuss the tripartite relationship betwixt him and his two fellow hobbit ring-bearers. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Did Galadriel's Rope Fail? I'm a Frayed Knot. (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 61)

    Today, like Frodo and Sam, we spend waaay too much time on the Emyn Muil. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  4. The Gollum Apocalypse (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 60)

    Today, March 25th, is the 6000th anniversary of Gollum's "fall," the defeat of Sauron, and the end of the 3rd age. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  5. The Palantir Conspiracy (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 59)

    Here at the midway point in Lord of the Rings, we find a portal, as it were, connecting everything. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Panic in Orthanc! (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 58)

    We decode Saruman's voice and rhetoric and reveal that he is actually just Tim the Enchanter. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  7. Smoking Jetsam With Angry Ents (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 57)

    We discuss Flotsam, Jetsam, Herons, Huorns, and other linguistic eccentricities found in Ch 9. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  8. Gimli Tries to Describe Caves (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 56)

    We discuss Gimli's longwindedness about those dang caves. Gandalf's tight-lippedness about Isengard. And how those zany hobbits make a perilous world tolerable. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  9. Tolkien-Inspired Bands -- Do They Live Up To Their Billing? (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 55)

    A bit of a side-quest today as we discuss the wide proliferation of Tolkien-themed band names. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  10. Aragorn's Secret Love? (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 54)

    Today we look at Helm's Deep, especially the Jackson version, and Aragorn's central role therein. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  11. Tolkien's Most Loathsome (and Lovesick) Villain? (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 53)

    Today we look at the intrigues at Edoras and especially at Wormtongue, Is he justified in his worminess or is he just an irredeemable snake? Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  12. Tolkien's Most 'Lovecraftian' Moment? (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 52)

    Today we look at Tolkien's less-is-more approach to deep Lovecraftian horror in the case of the Balrog Battle, as recounted by a reborn Gandalf (in The White Rider - The Two Towers Ch V) Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  13. Tolkien's "Flat Earth" Conspiracy? (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 51)

    We speculate about the "flat" geologies of Middle Earth and Narnia, and the other oddities and anachronisms therein, including the history of golf. For more hot takes on this topic of flat earth theory, check out our recent Substack article:...

  14. Treebeard Vs. Saruman (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 50)

    What did the Ents really discuss at the Entmoot? Was Treebeard too "hasty" in attacking the orcs or Saruman. Did he act on impulse before weighing all the evidence? Why do things take so long to say in Entish? Is Treebeard's full name Treebeard Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern -schplenden...

  15. What Drives the Uruk-Hai? (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 49)

    We spend some time with our friendly man-flesh eating orcs. Who has better orcs, Sauron or Saruman? What did Grishnakh know and when did he know it? Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  16. Tolkien's Most "Boring" Chapter? (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 48)

    Digging into a relatively uneventful chapter (Riders of Rohan) with lots of necessary stage-setting / exposition for the road ahead. Join us if you have the patience for our tiresome tirelessness. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  17. Aragorn's Grand Strategy (Speculative Tolkienism Ep 47)

    Season two of Speculative Tolkienism begins with a discussion of one of Aragorn's most momentous decisions, i.e. to follow Merry and Pippin, and how it aligns with his grand strategy. We speculate about what would have happened had he gone east instead of west. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The...

  18. The End of The Fellowship (Speculative Tolkienism 46)

    Today we conclude our chapter-by-chapter discussion of The Fellowship of the Ring, which almost ends as tragically as it began, with the ring at the bottom of the river Anduin. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  19. The Last Temptation of Boromir (Speculative Tolkienism 45)

    Today we look at Boromir's run-in with Frodo and speculate on what would have happened had Boromir taken the ring. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  20. The Great River (Speculative Tolkienism 44)

    We approach the one-year anniversary of Speculative Tolkienism with a longish chillstream floating down The Great River. As we move towards the Fellowship's culminating chapter, we note that Boromir is growing uneasy, and very nosy. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at...

  21. Tolkien's Food Theories (Speculative Tolkienism 43)

    The guys bid adieu to Lothlorien and discuss how food is the subject of much interest, especially as far as the hobbits are concerned. They also discuss Lembas technology. They also pitch a LOTR spin-off concept for the Food Network. Join the feast! Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New...

  22. Cracking the Mirror of Galadriel (Speculative Tolkienism 42)

    A deep dive into the shallow, sensitive waters of the Mirror of Galadriel. Come join us in our speculations. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  23. The Real Galadriel (Speculative Tolkienism 41)

    We are welcomed by the Lord and Lady and are treated with utmost courtesy. Then we wreck the place with wild speculations. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  24. The Perils of Lothlorien (Speculative Tolkienism 40)

    The guys return from a summer vacation rested and ready to tackle the intrigues and hidden dangers of Lorien. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  25. The Balrog Controversy (Speculative Tolkienism 39)

    The guys continue their Khazad-Dum discussion with a deep dive into all things Balrog, Gothmog, Durin's Bane, etc. Apologies for the slight quality variation and delay as we work around a summer road trip, vaycay, etc. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at...

  26. The Secrets of Khazad-dûm (Speculative Tolkienism 38)

    The guys find a burnt book, a tricksy Gollum, and a territorial balrog. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  27. Into Moria: Dark Passages full of Hot Mics (Speculative Tolkienism 37)

    Today the guys delve deeper into Moria and consider all the sensory ramifications of journeying in the dark. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  28. Sam vs. The Watcher: Battle of the Ring-bearer BEARERS (Speculative Tolkienism 36)

    Things get metal as we fight off the watcher and prepare to delve into the gloom of Moria. We also find some new ring-bearer bearers. ...So bear with us. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  29. Caradhras the Cruel (Speculative Tolkienism 35)

    The guys continue their journey south to discover that doughty Boromir has his merits and redeeming qualities, despite the horn. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  30. "Baby Shelob" in Rings of Power S2 E8? (Speculative Tolkienism 34)

    While still trekking through Eregion, the guys venture off on a quick side-quest in which they confront the looming threat of "Baby Shelob." Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  31. Boromir's Questionable OpSec (Speculative Tolkienism 33)

    The guys speculate on Boromir's OpSec and characteristic addiction to self-congratulatory pompous fanfare. They also speculate about alternate routes to Mordor. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  32. Why Didn't Aragorn Fix the Dang Sword? (Speculative Tolkienism 32)

    The guys speculate about various giftings of various swords at various states of repair / disrepair. We also speculate about what might have become of the Entwives. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  33. Why Didn't Elrond Kick Pippin off the Team? (Speculative Tolkienism 31)

    Gearing up to delve into The Ring Goes South, the guys speculate on the constituent members of the Nine Walkers and their merits. We wonder why Pippin was allowed to join, despite Elrond's misgivings. Then we get serious for once and discuss one of Bilbo's least-discussed poems. Get full access…

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  34. This One Weird Trick to Defeat Sauron (Speculative Tolkienism 30)

    Part four of the guys' Council of Elrond deep dive, in which the they discuss the paths neither taken nor even seriously considered in the Council's plot to defeat Sauron. Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  35. Speculative Tolkienism 29: The Saruman Conspiracy

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  36. Speculative Tolkienism 28: Hunting Gollum

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  37. Speculative Tolkienism 27: One Does Not Simply Speculate About Boromir

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  38. Speculative Tolkienism 26: The Last Temptation of Bilbo

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  39. Speculative Tolkienism 25: Tolkien Vs. Artificial Intelligence

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  40. Speculative Tolkienism 24: New LOTR Films Announced! Let's Speculate!

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  41. Speculative Tolkienism 23: Frodo the Ringwraith

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  42. Speculative Tolkienism 22: Finding a Knife in the Dark

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  43. Speculative Tolkienism 21: Secrets Revealed in the Prancing Pony Parlor

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  44. Speculative Tolkienism 20: Who or What is Strider?

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  45. Speculative Tolkienism 19: Tracking Down the Barrow Wights

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  46. Speculative Tolkienism 18: What Even IS Tom Bombadil?

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  47. Speculative Tolkienism 17: Bill The Pony as Ringbearer?

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  48. Speculative Tolkienism 16: Was Tolkien a Flat-Earther?

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  49. Speculative Tolkienism 15: Short Cut to Psychedelic Mushrooms

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

  50. Speculative Tolkienism 14: The Journey Begins

    Get full access to VENEROOT; or The New Ancestralist at veneroot.substack.com/subscribe

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The guys chime in about Tolkien.

leescrivner.substack.com

HOSTED BY

Lee Scrivner and Kevin Brewer

CATEGORIES

arts society culture

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Speculative Tolkienism have?

Speculative Tolkienism currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Speculative Tolkienism about?

The guys chime in about Tolkien. leescrivner.substack.com

How often does Speculative Tolkienism release new episodes?

Speculative Tolkienism has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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You can listen to Speculative Tolkienism on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Speculative Tolkienism?

Speculative Tolkienism is created and hosted by Lee Scrivner and Kevin Brewer.
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