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Join Cam for a deep dive into Tolkien’s most provocative, magic-heavy chapter yet. Much like Gandalf, Maggie was unavailable this week, but her excellent recap kicks things off and helps us keep track of Middle-earth and all the new elvish names and places. We’re treated to some more prejudice against the dwarves, another unsettling reference to Aragorn’s death, and a brand-new mentor who might just take Gandalf’s place! Cam explores Galadriel’s many revelations, and their profound impact on the philosophy and theology of Middle-earth. Tolkien appears to take a strong stance on free will here. He suggests that magic can be manipulated but also that it is fundamentally unpredictable. There’s a lot to dig into, and Cam still manages to reference multiple HBO dramas while discussing the chapter’s presentations of grief. There’s also an aside about Dante, The Divine Comedy, and Gandalf as the Pilgrim – and a moment of insight into the Ring that might just explain how Sauron ended up becoming a Bad Guy.

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Discussion of Fellowship of the Ring, Book Two, Chapter Seven