Rings and Rituals

Marilyn geeks out over Bear McCreary‘s music and the secrets it reveals in a bonus episode with none other than Phillip Menzies, the Bard of Ered Luin. Musician, composer, and music theorist extraordinaire, not to mention co-organizer of Ozmoot, Phillip is also the host of the YouTube show “The Word...

In the final episode of season two of Rings and Rituals, Marilyn and Sara revel in having the two finest scenes of the entire series appear in the final episode, and lament what might have been with Adar. They try to untangle a few lore threads and manage to pull in Mediterranean bells, Wagnerian ch...

Sara and Marilyn manage to find ritual even in the ravaging of Eriador. Sara recites Shakespeare, Marilyn finds the best of lines and the worst of lines (for her), and they give Sun Tzu his proper due by sharing what he actually said. They celebrate Celebrimbor’s freedom from illusion, and grieve th...

Marilyn and Sara examine rituals of trials (all–sorts) and home, and the testing of faith. We see parents and children who keep talking past each other, recognize that Pharazôn is walking on a path of seawater as the rituals of power-over fail him, and wonder if Nenya really would work with Morgoth’...

Sara revels in dwarves, even in the midst of their dilemmas, Marilyn treasures the shrine of Nienna, the oldest shrine in Númenor, and both grieve over its desecration, agreeing that Kemen is a broken wart of a human being. They see symbols of seeds everywhere, retch metaphorically over Annatar‘s ga...

Galadriel chafes under Elrond’s command, Isildur confronts a feisty woman and a slimy surprise, the Stranger finds a goat-herder, and Nori and Poppy find — more Harfoots? Sara and Marilyn compare rituals of hospitality —or not — and greeting. They also explore a few cultural dining practices. Where ...

In this episode, colors take on political significance, Númenoreans and Pelargir folk show grief in various ways, Annatar finds that some dwarves are harder to deceive in others, and Berek finds Isildur, who in turn finds Estrid. We also learned that even the best – planned coronations may have unex...

Where the Stars Are Strange - S02E02 In episode two, Sara and Marilyn find rituals of remembrance, reconstitution, repair, and dramatic revelation. They also wish that Elrond would listen to Círdan's humble wisdom. Join the Conversation on the Lorehounds Community Discord: https://discord.gg/the...

Marilyn and Sara returned for another season of Rings and Rituals ! After a quick catch-up, they discuss a failed coronation, a lengthy re-embodiment, wanderings in the desert, and the promises and perils of a new creation with dubious origins. Contact Us Questions or comments? Send emails to: rings...

Calling all music fans! The Lorehounds network’s first music podcast, Nevermind the Music, is officially launching on September 10 – where two friends and academics filter their appreciation of music through the frameworks of psychology, music theory, and irreverent humor. Check out Nevermind the Mu...