The Tolkien Professor

329: SilmFilm 2-18: The Killing of the Trees, Frame and Bad Guy Subplots

January 17th, 2017  |  2 hrs 30 mins

Now that we’ve worked through the details of each episode, we will solidify the season-long arcs, the frame narrative, and the subplots of our major villains.

328: SilmFilm 2-17: Episode 13 – The Season Finale

January 11th, 2017  |  1 hr 56 mins

In which we discuss the major themes of the show: the tragedy of loss and tragic falls of the main characters we have been developing throughout the last two seasons.

327: SilmFilm 2-16: Episode 12

December 18th, 2016  |  2 hrs 3 mins

326: SilmFilm 2-15: Episode 11 – Saga of Feänor at Formenos

December 5th, 2016  |  1 hr 58 mins

325: SilmFilm 2-14: Episode 10 – The Kinstrife

December 5th, 2016  |  1 hr 59 mins

In Episode 10 of the season, we bring Fingolfin and Fëanor into conflict – finally revealing Fëanor for the jerk he really is.

324: SilmFilm: BONUS! SilmFilm Special: The Season 2 Frame

November 19th, 2016  |  2 hrs 19 mins

323: SilmFilm 2-13: Episode 9 – Finally! The Flippin’ Silmarils!

November 12th, 2016  |  2 hrs 37 mins

After a season and a half, we’re finally ready to introduce the things at the center of the story: the Silmarils! Plus, we get ready for the next episode, where the central conflict of the season will come to a head.

322: SilmFilm 2-12: Episode 8 – Everybody Loves Fingolfin

November 6th, 2016  |  2 hrs 25 mins

By the eighth episode of the season, we are getting ready for a bit of a twist as we prepare for the trial of Melkor and shift towards the real conflict of the season.

321: SilmFilm 2-11: Episode 7 – Spirit of Fire (aka The Silmarillion needs more Rap Battles)

October 13th, 2016  |  2 hrs 9 mins

This episode focuses on the Noontide of Valinor, and in particular on the growth in Fëanor’s skill as a master smith, with lots of foreshadowing of him smithing with the red glow of forge-fire on his face.

320: SilmFilm 2-10: Episode 6 – Finwë has a lot of reproductive work to do

October 13th, 2016  |  2 hrs 20 mins

In the sixth episode of Season 2, we work out the details of Fëanor’s birth and the death of his mother Miriel, establishing parallels between the two and laying the foundation’s for Fëanor’s doom.

319: SilmFilm 2-09: Episode 5 – The Enemies and The Surfer Elves

September 12th, 2016  |  2 hrs 19 mins

In this session, we revisit the Thingol and Melian story, take a hard look at Sauron’s posse, and map out the structure of Season 2, Episode 5, which focuses on the arrival of the Noldor and Vanyar.

318: SilmFilm 2-08: Episode 4 – The Avari (The Unwilling)

August 30th, 2016  |  2 hrs 7 mins

In the fourth episode of Season 2, we show the developing power struggle between Gothmog and Mairon, and the return of Lenwë to the Avari.

317: SilmFilm 2-07: Episode 3 - DeGreat DeBate

August 19th, 2016  |  2 hrs 7 mins

Episode 3 of Season 2 will focus on the debate amongst the elves about whether to remain in Middle-earth or head over to Valinor.

316: SilmFilm 2-06: Episode 2 – “Don’t Get in the Van, Elwë!”

August 4th, 2016  |  2 hrs 11 mins

In the second episode of Season 2, the Elvish ambassadors take a trip to Valinor.

315: SilmFilm 2-05: Episode 1 – Crisis in Cuivienen

July 25th, 2016  |  2 hrs 1 min

Discussion and outline of the first episode of Season 2, starting with Arwen’s frame story, which leads into the story of the awakening of the elves on the shores of Cuivienen.

314: SilmFilm 2-04: Linguistics, etc.

July 11th, 2016  |  2 hrs 15 mins

Discussion about the linguistics of the Silmarillion, the continuing the Big Picture stuff for Season 2, and the sundering of races, as well as material culture and other markers.