Mermaids and troubadours are on the menu this week, but the special ingredient is still Yennefer. Sapkowski continues to analyze our favorite mysterious and magical witch from afar, this time through the fractal prism of just about every other character in the story! Echoes and pivots - it all swirls around Geralt's head until he realizes he's now on the other side of free will and his infamous "Last Wish" from a few stories back. Elsewhere, Dandelion gets an unexpected promotion in his role as storyteller to become a Samwise Gamgee level narrator / meta-prophet with a plethora of hidden powers. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

It's been four years since this film came out, and rewatching it now - it's great? Our discussion runs through a dozen improvements and recalibrations that make this matured, focused sequel so much more effective than its predecessor. We debate the believability / convenience of "fantastic beasts" being tied to each new development of the plot. Cam analyzes Grindelwald's politics and the vague, veiled, faux-inspirational salesmanship of fascism. Maggie tries to figure out what, if anything, the Leta Lestrange and Nagini subplots accomplished. Then we come together to absolutely, 100% reject the big Creedence / Dumbledore reveal and explain why it's just another chess move from Grindelwald, the guy who the entire rest of the franchise establishes as a "silver-tongued" master manipulator who should never ever be listened to or trusted or believed. Duh. Join us next Tuesday for our coverage of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Fascinating and frustrating - this first Fantastic Beasts movie is probably more fun to talk about than to actually watch. We discuss the tonal and stylistic discordance between the Newt half of the movie and the Grindelwald half, and then try to re-cut the story to make it more satisfying and consistent. Would a Mandalorian-style mini cinematic universe have made more sense here? We also examine the character of Tina and try to figure out why she just doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the story. We close the discussion with our hopes / fears for the future of the "Wizarding World" franchise. Join us on Tuesday for our coverage of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and again the following Tuesday for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. We're also continuing our lovely little jaunt through The Witcher every Friday. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

A magical creature means a new philosophical thought experiment! This week we're introduced to "mimics" and a fascinating exploration of personal identity and the concept of the soul - but it's Sapkowski at the helm so all of this is done through a breezy, wildly entertaining adventure story that's half Wolf of Wall Street and half The Thing. Discussion topics include: power, corruption, Tolkien, immortality, echoes, and a rather extensive tangent about slugs. Blame Maggie. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Part two of our two-part exploration of Tolkien's appendices, this episode covers the rest of Appendix A as well as the entirety of Appendix B, C, D, E, and F. There are some fascinating revelations in these pages, as well as a whole lotta nothin' on many of the other pages. Hit and miss, as it were, but Cam has sifted through all of it and found the bright spots! Topics include the horrific, war-crime filled history of Durin and the dwarves' battles with Azog, the story of why and when Sauron created Black Speech, a whole host of updates about the fellowship's lives after LOTR, and then we take a goofy trip into the mind-numbing, pedantic world of Tolkien's linguistic annotations and clarifications that run like a funeral dirge through Appendix F.  Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

This story continues Sapkowski's discussion about free will, but he swaps out the mechanics of the story. Tolkien is out, replaced by relationships and humanity and messy, complicated emotions. Let's just say that we're incredibly invested in these characters now. Love triangles and duels and the limits of magic - tragedy comes to the world of the Witcher and we hope it never leaves! Cam introduces a theory about "nightmare payoffs" and Maggie wonders if Geralt can feel emotion after all. We also break down the "kestrals" as painful, physicalized metaphors. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Holy great initial hook and compelling subsequent plot ramifications, Batman! Cam's taking a retrospective look at all the Batman stories that have really changed and interrogated an element of the character's mythology, "what if" stories that explore the butterfly effect of one clever change and reveal something new and profound about the Caped Crusader. After some examples, he zeroes in on Knights of Vengeance, and the stunning volley of gut punches that follow from the choice to turn Thomas Wayne into Batman instead of his son Bruce. The episode ends with a lovely little ode to comic shops and the joy of immersing yourself in art and artistic communities. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

More curveballs, more fascinating evolutions of existing ideas, more genre pivots, more philosophy, more Tolkien remixes - Sapkowski's winning streak continues as we begin his second book of Witcher stories. The theological preoccupation of The Last Wish is reframed into a discussion of chaos and order, and that new framework is refracted through a kaleidoscope of characters and perspectives. This story takes us from free will to prophecy to the problem of evil to misogyny to Dracula - we barely had any time left to make fun of Tom Bombadil! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Bat-month continues with Darwyn Cooke's masterpiece, Batman: Ego, which launches us into a discussion about expressive character models and Hades from Disney's Hercules, color work as character commentary, the power of repeated panels, Batman's place in American folklore, Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the blurred line between creating art and commenting on art, and the influence that this story had on the latest Batman movie. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

"The Voice of Reason 6 & 7" & "The Last Wish" The first Witcher book goes out with a bang! Sapkowski's dark, thoughtful fantasy world expands hugely with a short story about magic and love and a magical love that leaves us full of questions. Cam's got a theory about Yennifer that suggests she's more powerful than anyone we ever met in Middle-earth. (There are some worrying comparisons to Sauron, Gandalf, and Shelob) Maggie's got a whole bunch of concerns about the power of the djinn and the titanic ramifications of Geralt's mysterious "last wish". We also wrap up our coverage of the "Voice of Reason" framing device and consider the bookends and ideas that connected the short stories we've read so far. Join us next Friday for the first short story in the next collection, Sword of Destiny! Cam also shares a very dumb idea about an easter bunny for adults. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Holy source material for The Batman, Batman! Today we're looking at Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's four-issue masterpiece. Batman: Year One exploits all of the advantages of the comic book medium to tell a tense, efficient, ambiguous, and unfailingly human story about the origins of Batman and Jim Gordon - without using any of the classic villains. Instead, the action is propelled by institutional corruption and a thousand gorgeous echoes across storylines. Topics include: structural proficiency and the visual passage of time, Miller's talent for inner monologues and their similarities to Shakespearean verse, characterization through both action and reluctance, and the subtle work of deconstructing "heroes" while still crafting an aspirational story. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

"The Voice of Reason 5" & "The Edge of the World" Sapkowski hits another home run this week with a story that is one half theological critique about the problem of evil and the Protestant Reformation and one half Tolkien commentary about Gollum being a Miltonian Satan and the rampant isolationism throughout Middle-earth. Oh and it's also a fantastic, wholly original work of fantasy - and kind of a classic western that meditates on the cyclical nature of history and man's neverending quest for purpose. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Holy shit, Batman! This movie is thunderingly cool and grimy as hell. Strap in, because we’re spoiling all of it during this discussion. Topics include: Robert Pattison’s evolution of the character, the unique challenge of detective stories, the legacies of Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, and Frank Miller, the balancing of humor and reality when dealing with costumed heroes, and the profound, dynamic effect of music in this film. Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod Feedback & Theories: [email protected]

"The Voice of Reason 4" & "A Question of Price" Destiny is the centerpiece of this story - what is it, when is it decided, and who can influence it - and so our discussion leans heavily on the characters' various invocations of ethics and religion. Sapkowski is challenging Geralt's "code" in this story from all directions with another brilliant riff on the monster hunter trope. Pivots and curveballs cascade around the witcher - and hey, how does magic factor into all this?  Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Part one of our two-part exploration of Tolkien's appendices, this episode covers the most interesting nuggets and lore extracts found in Appendix A. Topics include the history of Sauron and Numenor in the Second Age, the Witch King's brutal connection to the stewards of Gondor, and a tragic, beautiful series of vignettes from Aragorn and Arwen's love story. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

"The Voice of Reason 3" & "The Lesser Evil" Another Witcher story, another perfect volley of curveballs and provocations. Sapkowski is an absolute wizard, flipping his monster hunting formula on its head and hammering us with fascinating, complex character drama. Class commentaries abound, "destiny" is weaponized and debated, and everyone's role is reversed at least a few times. These stories have all been barnburners, and perfectly tailored for conversation - he writes fantasy stories that feels a lot like thought experiments. We get to talk about a kikimora and the problem of evil, in the very same episode! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Now this is a damn good horror movie! Join us for a wildly enthusiastic breakdown of lean and mean new Texas Chainsaw Massacre and a fun little field trip to the house from the original movie! Discussion topics include: what makes violence "shocking" in a modern horror film, the importance of runtime and pacing in a slasher, Cam almost crying because he was overwhelmed with sympathy for Leatherface, the difference between homages and straight retreads in a long-running franchise, how to nail politics in horror, and the one million billion ways in which this film is superior to the new Halloween movies (and kind of makes fun of them along the way!)  Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

What a calm and uneventful week in the Tolkien fandom! We're back to discuss the Rings of Power trailer and the hyperbolic, useless "discourse" that followed it. We talk about fandom and emotional investment, lore and the limited rights that Amazon has to Tolkien's work, and then we take a trip down memory road to remember some other times that beloved properties were rebooted or continued years after the original. Duds, copycats, impossible expectations, demonization of fans - none of this is new! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Autumn de Wilde's 2020 adaptation of this Jane Austen classic is just as magical and faithful to the source material as the 2005 Pride & Prejudice, but it has a strikingly different tone and style. We discuss the gorgeous composition and machine gun editing of this film and try to understand why it feels so relentlessly surprising and fun. Expect a strange but earned comparison to Mad Max: Fury Road. We also take a deep dive into the emotionally devastating dance scene and Cam develops a theory about the film's pointed, rare moments of silence. Happy Valentine's Day! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

Here we are, at the grand finale of our Tolkien coverage! To honor the occasion, we've gone through all of our old notes and put together a fun little retrospective, covering: our best running theories and ideas from the past two years, a compilation of the things that most surprised us along the way, and our updated opinions on the Peter Jackson movies. We also crown an MVP for the series and choose one word to characterize each of Tolkien's four Middle-earth books. This one was fun and emotional to record, and we can't wait to continue our deep dive into art, fantasy, and ideas next week. Our Witcher coverage will move to Fridays and Tuesdays will continue to be wild card episodes! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram & TikTok: @secondbreakfastpod

"The Voice of Reason 2" & "A Grain of Truth" Come for the vampires and the silver sword, stay for allusions to classic American literature and brutal refutation of Pascal's wager. Sapkowski is a master of pacing and pivots, and this story was just a joy for us to read. We discuss the story's quiet, pointed navigation of faith, hope, "monsters" and humanity - and the terrible difficulty of living your principles. There are also some fascinating technical moments where Sapkowski restricts the reader's view and understanding of a situation, feeding us piecemeal provocations and brilliantly guiding / engaging our imaginations. The execution of this story is as fruitful as its messaging, and we get into all of it! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod

Lions and tigers and divisive experimental animation styles oh my! We're taking a look at Ralph Bakshi's 1978 Lord of the Rings adaptation today and neither of us has ever seen anything like it. We discuss our first impressions and take a closer look at the mechanics of Bakshi's "mixed media" approach to animation. There are so many different art styles and directions on screen at any given time that the film develops a delirious, kaleidoscopic, totally unique character. After we finish up with the movie, we work through some of your wonderful and illuminating feedback! Theresa's Horror Article: https://books.google.ca/books/about/The_Fantastic_Horizon.html?id=HG-vjhQqE_cC&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=1&redir_esc=y Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod Feedback: [email protected]

We're switching things up again today to look at a painting - in this case one of Vincent Van Gogh's most provocative works, Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette. Maggie's got all the historical and academic context ready to go and Cam's got a laundry list of intriguing, baseless ideas - this is still Second Breakfast. We discuss the painting as a commentary / reaction to the art world's constant, endless demands for naturalism, and then look for signs of VGV's process and develop a theory about when the cigarette was added and what that might mean for it's overall message. We think the immediate dark humor of the piece is masking a harsher, more nuanced statement about technique and innovation. High Resolution image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Vincent_van_Gogh_-_Head_of_a_skeleton_with_a_burning_cigarette_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod Feedback: [email protected]

Discussion of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King [Extended Edition] in Glorious 4K!  This finale is so operatic and meticulous that the occasional flaws really stand out. This film's editorial work masterfully expands on the book by integrating the scattered storylines to create powerful new echoes and parallels between our characters' movements. The violence is ratcheted up to such an abstract, visceral degree that it can only be described as "crunchy" - there is a visceral horror here that not many films successfully capture. But with those achievements, there comes a stark failing: the absence of The Scouring of the Shire and piecemeal undoing of The Grey Havens. The film seems to aggressively alter Tolkien's message about "home" and growing up, while taking pains to keep the hobbits from maturing and proving themselves. It all culminates with a strange, Frankenstein-ed rendition of the Grey Havens where Frodo's departure seems not only confusing, but - somehow - absolutely unnecessary. We break it all down with great aplomb and Cam goes on a passionate rant about ginger snaps.  Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Illustrated YouTube clips channel: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Holy monarchy, Batman! We were absolutely blown away by this (as the film labels itself) “fable of a true tragedy”. Join us as we dive into the Kubrickian elements of this film and the ways in which the audience is supremely unsettled by Diana’s experience in the Royal Family. Kristen Stewart shines brighter than all the Crown Jewels combined, as her outstanding performance makes us question over and over what is real and what is imagined. The film features ghosts, hauntings, and characters interacting with their own preoccupations - Steven Knight was definitely wearing his Peaky Blinders hat when he wrote this script. This film challenges our modern view of the Royal Family (particularly that born from The Crown), and is a tragically, horrifically, and devastatingly beautiful portrayal of Diana Spencer. Leena Norms’s Spencer video: https://youtu.be/0i4-NR94Ujw Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod

Discussion of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King [Extended Edition] in Glorious 4K!  Maybe more than any of the other Peter Jackson Middle-earth movies, ROTK is a story of interpretation and addition. Some characters and chapters are cut entirely, but in their absence we get to see a brand new account of Aragorn's parlay with the army of the dead, an expansion of Elrond's influence, a very different version of the "Scouring of the Shire," and important narrative promotions for Legolas, Théoden, and Faramir. We discuss all of these tweaks and wrinkles, and the larger idea of adapting the spirit of a text even when it results in concrete changes to the story. Oh what a thoughtful adaptation this is! Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Illustrated YouTube clips channel: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Christopher Tolkien is back with the fourth volume of his History of the Lord of the Rings, Sauron Defeated. We discuss the unused epilogue starring a middle-aged Sam updating his daughter on the futures of some beloved characters - and then he gives the most heartbreaking monologue about "Mr. Frodo" that you could possibly imagine. We also get some revelations about the magic cancer than afflicts some of JRRT's most important characters, an outline about Gandalf's possible return to the Shire before the Grey Havens chapter, the original leader of the Scouring of the Shire rebellion, and a tantalizing hint about the Black Riders' role during the Mount Doom climax.  We also read through some fantastic listener feedback. Join the conversation as we wrap up our Tolkien coverage and prepare to dive into the world of The Witcher! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Well this one is an emotional rollercoaster - the last Tolkien chapter has arrived, and we finally get a peek behind the curtain! Tolkien gives us a glimpse of Middle-earth's heaven and much more information about the strange magical cancer that awaits everyone who spends too much time with a magical object. Then Sam takes his place as the new historian / protagonist / leader of the Grey Company, the story begins anew, and we finally know the ending of The Lord of the Rings.  Join us next week as we begin to discuss the Return of the King movie and our last installment of Christopher Tolkien's History of LOTR. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

"The Voice of Reason 1" & "The Witcher" Boom! The first short story of the Witcher universe starts off with a bang. Morality, politics, wizards, violence - this story is teeming with provocations and hints about the world that Geralt of Rivia finds himself in. We work through a dozen of these fascinating mission statements in an effort to find out what kind of fantasy story Andrzej Sapkowski is creating here. It's absolutely electric, steeped in classic fantasy and mythology while feeling startlingly original the whole time. We are excited to dive into this series, and hope you'll join us for the ride! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

GEE WHIZ this chapter is divisive, and Cam and Maggie certainly have differing opinions on it! Join us for a big ole discussion about satisfying story structure, Tolkien's geopolitical commentary, curtain calls, "strong men," wartime leaders - and all the usual stuff about ghosts and echoes.  We also talk about some of your wonderful feedback and end the episode with a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT about the future of the show! We love you lots, and we'll see you again on Tuesday! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Join Maggie and Cam as they dive into Maggie's favorite movie of all time. We dig through all the structural / stylistic choices that make this a perfect adaptation of the book, even when it seems to diverge from the source material, including: tracking shots, color palettes, quick zooms, discordant types of humor, and Matthew McFayden's choice to play Darcy as a tragic supporting character trapped in the role of a leading man. Maggie also discusses her history with the book and the idea of "rewatchability" in classic stories.  Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Can you go home again? Does "home" change or do you change? Tolkien meditates on these questions beautifully in this chapter, which feels like a throwback to early Fellowship. Geopolitics and class critiques come roaring back as Gandalf and our hobbits do the fascinating, boots-on-the-ground work of building and maintaining alliances. Also, Bill the Pony's fate is revealed at long last. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

End of the year, time for lists and rankings! Well, we thought it was stupid to rank and number and limit things by genre / medium. So instead, Cam and Maggie have prepared top five lists for the best works of art they discovered this year and then the best works of art that actually came out this year. Expect twists, shocks, surprises, and then don't be surprised when they completely agree on the #1 work of art made in 2021. Happy New Year! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Listen to Cam's silly little Christmas fable, The Christmas Donkey: https://cameronfucile.bandcamp.com/track/the-christmas-donkey Tolkien's 3rd LOTR epilogue evolves some metaphors and further develops his "cyclical" view of time and history. We see a wedding and a funeral. We see new mentors crowned and old ones cast aside. The "Old Man" trope returns and Aragorn's arc ends with the bittersweet resolution of Tolkien's fire / knowledge imagery. A magical illness hangs over the proceedings and an air of cobweb-laced decay looms large as we approach the Shire. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Ho ho ho. Today we're covering one of Cam's stories, a silly and dark riff on Christmas classics called The Christmas Donkey.  Listen to the story here: https://cameronfucile.bandcamp.com/track/the-christmas-donkey  We start with a discussion about self-imposed creative limitations before Cam describes the specific challenges that face Christmas stories and his ridiculous production schedule for this project - from idea to finished product, he did all of it in one day (Christmas Eve 2020). We also discuss the innumerable difficulties / pitfalls of political comedy, the importance of "replay value" and original iconography in holiday classics, and why Bernie Sanders should be President right now. Maggie deduces that Santa isn't real. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Join Cam and Maggie for their continued death march through Tolkien's dramaticized appendices - I mean, Tolkien's endless epilogues - uh, how about quickly tying up loose ends in an increasingly dreary parade of curtain calls - hmm, let's just call it the chapter where everyone finds love. We discuss the accelerated pacing of Éowyn and Faramir's courtship while trying to figure out what she truly wants out of life. Maggie cracks the case when she realizes that this chapter is a Sparknotes of Pride & Prejudice. Cam breaks down Aragorn and Faramir's complicated, mature relationship and Tolkien's nuanced negotiation of masculinity. We sing in unison, like the whos down in whoville, about the solution to every single problem in Middle-earth always being cooperation between diplomatic alliances. It's a fantastic, progressive message - but by golly, we're beating a dead horse at this point. At least that horse isn't Bill the Pony, who is still missing btw. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Oh boy - a highly stylized, black and white Shakespeare adaptation from A24, that we got to see early, in IMAX? It's like our own personal bat signal was shot into the clouds. This adaptation is fantastic, and we've got the full breakdown for you in this episode. Denzel Washington gives a controversial, unorthodox performance that divides Cam and Maggie, but they are united in their love of for this version of the three witches. Maggie discusses the architecture and style of the production through an art history lens, and then Cam works through a textual analysis that reveals a major character change in this version. Let's just say that Joel Coen gave a minor character a huge promotion and made himself his own Littlefinger. We also discuss the film's strong statements on prophecy and a dozen perfect, quiet moments in between the verse that have been weaponized for fresh characterization and commentary. Support this fantastic film: https://a24films.com/films/the-tragedy-of-macbeth Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

"The hour of doom" comes to a close as our storylines finally merge back together for the first time since Fellowship. Frodo and Gandalf seem to be powering down now that their Quest is complete, and Cam argues that Gandalf the White has actually merged back together with Gandalf the Grey too. We work through his evidence for that theory and then, just as things get back on track, Maggie suggests that Sam is an eagle. Tolkien's cyclical storytelling also comes roaring back here as the day / night and light / fire / ash patterns re-emerge. We close out the episode by examining Strider's final evolution and the new transcendent mentor of Middle-earth. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

We're heading back into Christopher Tolkien's History of Middle-earth once again this week for some fascinating insights into JRRT's creative struggles with Book Five. Denethor's cruelty was carefully calculated at every turn, and Gandalf became more of an active player in the story in each successive draft. Cam also finds some precedent for his "eyeball" theory from last week, and we learn more about the magical visions that haunt Tolkien's heroes.  Then we work our way through some of your feedback, covering topics like the role of the artist, the difficult intersection of storytelling and theology, and the many forms that hope takes in Sam and Frodo's journey to Mount Doom. There's also a great bit about how scary and formidable Aragorn is, even to Sauron! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

We’re finally here, at the “end of ends” – Sam and Frodo reach Mount Doom and destroy the One Ring, but is all as it seems? We sure don’t think so. Theology comes roaring back in Tolkien’s writing, but his hobbits have placed their faith in themselves and the quest, not a higher power. Similarly, as they accept the fact that the end of the quest will also probably be the end of their lives, they don’t make any appeal to an afterlife or their own salvation. Then Gollum storms in like Milton’s Lucifer in Paradise Lost, the fallen angel with more humanity and tragedy than any one character should be able to bear, and he pretty much ends the story! What does that mean for the magic / power hierarchies of Middle-earth? Cam also posits a theory about the will of the One Ring and suggests that in this pivotal moment it chooses its own master for the first time. We work together to find Gandalf in the symphony of Sauron’s destruction, only to find evidence of both Gandalfs, which really just confuses the question. Finally, Cam thinks Sam’s breaking through the narrative ceiling and seeing Tolkien’s tricks again, but this time he might be seeing the secret to JRRT’s writing and rising up to join him as a fellow storyteller. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

It's our 100th episode! To celebrate, we're finally taking a dedicated look at the Harry Potter series of books / audiobooks / movies and exploring their titanic, continued influence on our lives. We grew up with this series, and it forever shaped our generation's perception of art and culture. Perspective is the theme through this conversation as we look back on what we see differently now, the moments we never noticed before, and just how influential and prophetic this story continues to be. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

At one point, we compare this chapter to The Revenant. The quest has never been more grim, grimy, or urgent. Cam and Maggie argue that this gauntlet is the first time that Sam and Frodo have ever truly, fully shared the burden of their mission – Frodo carries the Ring and Sam keeps hope alive for them both. We discuss the many loaded structural echoes that contribute to the dread and drama of this chapter, and Cam makes a comparison [shockingly] to Doctor Faustus and the nobility of perseverance in the face of not just failure, but absolutely certain, overwhelming odds. Maggie revisits her theory about the light / fire / ash cycle in Tolkien’s work. Then we take a moment to admire just how terrifying the Black Riders still are after all this time, and ask Santa to bring us a final, bloody confrontation with the Nazgul before this journey is over. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Well hot damn, is there anything cooler than a sandworm? Cam and Maggie finally saw Denis Villeneuve's Dune, and they are just head over heels for the world of Arrakis. There’s so much to talk about – that rare feeling of falling in love with a brand new franchise, the similarities / influences / comparisons to Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings – and a whole section where we unpack the moments and characters in Dune that George Lucas spun out to create Star Wars. You know there’s nothing we love more than adaptation, and this movie stands on the shoulders of many giants (Cam gets to talk about Shakespeare again). We work through the many titanic themes explored in this allegorical odyssey (can you tell I’m excited?) and the equal importance of Herbert’s original mythology in this grand storytelling smoothie. We also discuss Tolkien’s strong opinion about Dune and try to understand what might have annoyed him about sweet little Paul. Wow – what a movie! See it on the biggest screen you can find. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Book Six of LOTR starts off with a bang as Sam takes over as Ringbearer / protagonist and Tolkien immediately forces him to re-enact Die Hard. Cam continues to develop his “Grey Company” theory as Sam tries to play all the role of every member of the original fellowship and survive his awful journey through the tower. We discuss the Ring planting visions of temptation in both Frodo and Sam’s minds, and Maggie decides Sam is the best possible Ringbearer in Middle-earth, even more so than Tommy “Dabomba” Bombadil. Then Tolkien makes his timeline all fuzzy and gives Sam a Prisoner of Azkaban moment, which triggers his superpower and breaks the fourth wall! This Tolkien guy, I’ll tell ya – quite the writer when he wants to be! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Join Cam and Maggie for a rootin’ tootin’ good time as they talk about Chuck Palahniuk’s fantastic Substack newsletter, how good Succession is, and how they definitely didn’t just get back from their honeymoon after getting married live on the podcast in front of a studio audience at the top of the Empire State Building. Oh and I guess Maggie read The Hound of the Baskervilles too, so we talk about how great Sherlock Holmes is and the impossibility of modern murder mysteries being fun or – uh – mysterious. Then we talk about the classics and how they’re not stuffy, difficult, or elite. Cam manages to mention Faustus. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Nazgûl and orcs and hill trolls oh my! The finale of Book Five of LOTR sees our heroes ride into a trap and parlay with the flaming skull known as the Mouth of Sauron. It’s some fantastic heavy metal stuff, and a piping good chapter of Tolkien. We break down the importance of time jumps in this chapter, and their effect on the reader. Tolkien rallies the reader into a confident sprint before dropping a shocking revelation that fills us with doubt and dread because the chronology has become so scattered. Maggie further develops her theory about the light/fire/ash cycle in the conflicts of Middle-earth, and Cam suggests that the Mouth of Sauron is a mirror for Gandalf’s current position, which has some fun implications for where Aragorn now stands. Hint: it’s somewhere up in the clouds. We end with another scandalous ‘what if?’ about the eagles and the Nazgûl fighting to the death in the sky over the final battle – and Cam fantasizes about the eagles dying pretty horribly. Why can’t fantasy ever end in a graveyard blowout? Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Christopher Tolkien is back again the third book in his History of Lord of the Rings series, The War of the Ring. Cam read the first half of the book and collected all the most fascinating, illuminating tidbits (like a truffle pig). He and Maggie discuss them in their usual academic, whimsical fashion. Revelations include: Saruman as a failed wizard, the Palantir's secret origins, Daddy Tolkien's time schemes, "corpse lights," dreadful name changes, the torture of the creative process, and Sam Gamgee's superpower. Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3

Of all the chapters we’ve covered so far, this one probably benefits most from our close reading analysis. Aragorn gathers the captains for a Council of Elrond redux, but the differences from that first meeting are extremely revealing. We finally, and quietly, learn the limits of Gandalf the White and “doubt” is introduced as the most powerful weapon against enlightenment / knowledge. Tolkien also sets the stage for the sort of graveyard blowout I wanted from GOT’s finale while also kinda re-enacting a classic scene from Macbeth. On the other side of things, we have a glorious reunion between Gimli, Legolas, Merry, and Pippin that is an avalanche of callbacks, payoffs, and bookends. Three types of hype, another appearance / interpretation of the “Grey Company,” and almost every strange little idea or theory we’ve brought up in the past few months. It’s kinda creepy and feels a little like Tolkien has been reading our minds from beyond the grave – or maybe he’s just that good a writer! Feedback & Theories: [email protected] Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3