The PPP presents: The Rings of Power Wrap-up Show

11/02/2023

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?

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 writi...

24/12/2022

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!

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 conv...

07/12/2022

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.)

We get eight answers to one question, learn how Rivendell inspired Eregion's inspiration of Rivendel

19/11/2022

Join Alan and Sara in wishing The Sage of the South, James Tauber, the Happiest of Birthdays today! 🎉🎂🎊

19/11/2022

We learn how a boar's skull inspired the snow troll, talk about the rich visual beauty of Tolkien's descriptions, and learn why reading The Two Towers first can still work out alright! Alan, James, and Sara welcome John Howe — acclaimed Tolkien illustrator, and Concept Artist for The Rings of Power — to The Rings of Power Wrap-up. And you may have signed an autograph before, but... have you ever signed a shoe?

We learn how a boar's skull inspired the snow troll, talk about the rich visual beauty of Tolkien's

15/11/2022

James, Sara, and Alan at work on the next episode of The Rings of Power The PPP presents: The Rings of Power Wrap-up Show with a very special guest!

04/11/2022

Alan was recently a guest on The Halfling podcast to talk about his experience as a podcaster and to discuss the first season of The Rings of Power! You can check out the episode at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1870364/11630105 and make sure to check out the rest of the series featuring interviews with Nerd of the Rings, Fellowship of Fans, and more.

With season 1 of "The Rings of Power" officially in the books, Alan Sisto from The Prancing Pony Podcast and The Rings of Power Wrap Up drops by for some final thoughts. Alan is a leader of one of the biggest and most enjoyable Tolkien communitie...

03/11/2022

Folks, we want to let you know about a really exciting new project from Dave Brons, the Celtic Prog Rock genius who joined us on the PPP in episode 241. His new album, Return to Arda, is launching tomorrow, Nov 4 and he's hosting a live online launch party AND giving a 15% discount to PPP listeners through Nov 13 - just use code PPP at checkout!

Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzDnMAMsBRs for an AMAZING teaser video, then visit https://davebrons.bandcamp.com/merch to sign up for the livestream. And when you order the new album, be sure to listen for a familiar voice in the narration!

29/10/2022

The sea monster makes an appearance, we discuss the imperfection of perfection, and get a scoop on one of the symbols in those glorious opening credits! Alan, James, and Sara are joined by the incredibly-talented and wonderfully kind folks from Plains of Yonder, the creative studio behind the title sequence for The Rings of Power. The beauty of creating things through music and sound... now where have we heard that before?

The sea monster makes an appearance, we discuss the imperfection of perfection, and get a scoop on o

15/10/2022

Celebrimbor learns how to do more with less (thanks to the help of a friendly low man), the cultists put all their eggs in the wrong Stranger-basket, and Galadriel finally does a background check. Alan, Sara, and James discuss the final episode of the first season of The Rings of Power, but disagree on gemstones. Celebrimbor is easily flattered, Sauron gaslights Galadriel, and Nori has a tear-filled farewell. Also, Sir Lenny Henry's contract expires.

Celebrimbor learns how to do more with less (thanks to the help of a friendly low man), the cultists

08/10/2022

Our old friend, Celeborn, makes an appearance, even if it's on a Second Age milk carton; Durin IV fi

08/10/2022

Our old friend, Celeborn, makes an appearance, even if it's on a Second Age milk carton; Durin IV finds himself un-princed, and we hear some lovely Quenya from a tall Stranger in the Grove. James, Sara, and Alan discuss the seventh episode of The Rings of Power, but disagree on the nature of romantic meet-cutes. Isildur casts himself into the fire, Theo gets an actual sword (not just a hilt this time!), and Elrond makes an offer that Durin III can't refuse - except that he does. Also, Balrogs are light sleepers.

Our old friend, Celeborn, makes an appearance, even if it's on a Second Age milk carton; Durin IV fi

01/10/2022

Adar leads his children on a righteous quest for a well-deserved homeland, Arondir plays Jenga in the watchtower, and the writers quote Tolkien directly! Sara, Alan, and James discuss the latest episode of Rings of Power, observing that it doesn't take much to become king these days, apparently. Elendil plays horse-whisperer, Galadriel plays good-cop/bad-cop with Halbrand, while Adar plays a trick on them all. Also, Pompeii called - they would like to have a word about pyroclastic flows.

Adar leads his children on a righteous quest for a well-deserved homeland, Arondir plays Jenga in th

24/09/2022

Elendil shows tough love, Poppy sings a pretty song, Theo makes nice with Arondir, and Pharazôn schools Kemen. James, Sara, and Alan offer their mid-term grades for their most promising student, wonder why Waldreg would call Adar "the Abhorred" to his face, and seriously question the origin story of mithranium mithril. Oh, and none of us are willing to play poker with Durin IV.

Elendil shows tough love, Poppy sings a pretty song, Theo makes nice with Arondir, and Pharazôn scho

17/09/2022

We let the story of Númenor wash over us, as we dive deep into the lore, and try not drown in all the sea-related puns about the Great Wave. We engage in admiration of Galadriel's headstrong attitude, observation of Pharazôn's manipulations, and speculation of just who this Waldreg guy is anyway. And of course we're not crying at Elrond's story about his father, Eärendil - not at all, at all.

We let the story of Númenor wash over us, as we dive deep into the lore, and try not drown in all th

10/09/2022

James, Sara, and Alan just can’t stop talking about the beauty and majesty of Númenor - or the mediocre CG of that angry puppy warg. Speculation abounds on Halbrand, and we are all a bit troubled by the Harfoots’ casual Darwinism. All this, plus corrections and clarifications from last week!

James, Sara, and Alan just can’t stop talking about the beauty and majesty of Númenor - or the medio

06/09/2022

Sara and James join Alan as the new co-hosts of The Rings of Power Wrap-up, just in time to spend hours discussing the two-episode premiere of the Amazon adaptation! From the destruction of little Galadriel’s paper boat (we see you, sons of Fëanor!) to her waking up next to a strange man on a raft, we cover it all. Loremasters, not gatekeepers, we talk about what’s great, what’s not, and what’s next!

Sara and James join Alan as the new co-hosts of The Rings of Power Wrap-up, just in time to spend ho

02/09/2022

We ran into some technical issues when trying to record our RoPWU episode this morning, so we’ll have to delay the release of episode 015 until Monday evening (6p PT). Sorry for the inconvenience, but the extra time will give us a chance to go even deeper on a few things. Check us out on Monday!

02/09/2022

Join me as we watch the two-episode debut of Amazon's new adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth - The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power!

01/09/2022

Tonight, join Alan LIVE for a watch party of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power! Whether it’s great, awful, or (most likely) somewhere in-between, hear his reactions as we watch the first two episodes together right on the PPP page! The stream will start a bit before the show - around 5:45 p.m. PT, We hope to see you there!

29/08/2022

Join me, The Man of the West, LIVE this Thursday evening for a watch party of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power! Whether it’s great, awful, or (most likely) somewhere in-between, hear my reactions LIVE as we watch the first two episodes together over on the PPP page! The stream will start a bit before the show - around 5:45 p.m. PT - so I can answer questions and make sure all is in place before the show begins at 6:00 p.m. PT. Keep in mind I will *not* be streaming the show itself - just my reactions and discussion - so you’ll need to watch along using your own Amazon Prime subscription.

27/08/2022

As I talked about a few days ago, I was invited to NYC by Prime Video to attend a special screening of the first two episodes of The Lord of the Rings: the Rings of Power earlier this week, and wanted to give you my general, spoiler-free impressions (no, don’t ask!):

It’s solidly good, with hints of greatness, and subtle notes of ‘huh?’

It definitely looks, feels, and sounds like Middle-earth, and I’m looking forward to seeing where all the stories go, even if some of them are brand new to us.

Be sure to watch the two-episode premiere next week and tune into The Rings of Power Wrap-up the very next day as Sara, James, and I start diving into this first season of the show!

The Lord of the Rings on Prime

27/08/2022

We conclude our series of foundational episodes with a couple of, uh, shorter entries. First up, a deep dive into what we know of the history of the Harfoots (and other Hobbit folk) in Middle-earth, a people of much greater diversity than you might think. After that, a rundown of Tolkien’s changing views on the origins and nature of the Orcs, plus their history through the First and Second Ages before the big – in more ways than one – finale on Trolls and Balrogs! Hold the wings, please.

We conclude our series of foundational episodes with a couple of, uh, shorter entries. First up, a d

23/08/2022

At a special screening of The Rings of Power in New York City (courtesy of Amazon Prime)! I’ll share my general impressions of the show as soon as I can, but I promise no spoilers!

21/08/2022

It’s time to declare your allegiance: which Rings of Power team are YOU on? We’ve released our new RoPWU-themed merch today, so choose your team:

www.teespring.com/ropwu-team-dwarf
www.teespring.com/ropwu-team-elf
www.teespring.com/ropwu-team-man
www.teespring.com/ropwu-team-harfoot

Visit the PPP’s Teespring store now and pick YOUR favorite!

20/08/2022

Our third foundational episode on the lore of Middle-earth is all about the Dwarves! Join us as we explore the mysterious and secretive history of the Khazâd from their creation by the Vala Aulë all the way down to their early friendships and unfriendships with Elves and Men in the First and Second Ages. We scour Tolkien’s unfinished writings for accounts of the awakening of the original seven dwarves — and learn which one was actually named Sleepy. Plus, word-nerdery on Khuzdul, the language so secret Dwarves don’t even write it on their tombstones.

Our third foundational episode on the lore of Middle-earth is all about the Dwarves! Join us as we

13/08/2022

In our second foundational episode covering the lore of Tolkien's legendarium, we review the history of Men — humans, not males — in Númenor and Middle-earth! Catch up with us on the origins of Men, their story through the First Age, and the vast difference in nature between Men and Elves (hint: it's not pointy ears). We'll also introduce you to some of the characters we know will be major players in the series, and remind you of the real reason you don't want Elves writing your histories (unless you want to be called "Sickly").

In our second foundational episode covering the lore of Tolkien's legendarium, we review the history

06/08/2022

With the series premiere less than a month away, we begin our series of foundational episodes to catch you up on the lore of Middle-earth up to the beginning of The Rings of Power! In this week’s episode, we cover the milllennia-long history of the Elves at faster-than-starlight speed: the Two Trees, the Silmarils, Finrod, Galadriel, Celebrimbor and more. Plus, Alan reminds us all of what life was like before GPS systems.

With the series premiere less than a month away, we begin our series of foundational episodes to cat