Alan Sisto

Numenor messed it all up.

Because there would have had to been time zones until after Numenor.

Come on.

Folks, join us as we digress, obviously, and as Saruman digs himself a deeper hole as we near the end of our four-part look at the hunt for the ring from Unfinished Tales.

Not to mention a few puns and bad jokes here and there.

Not to mention also Matt making old person jokes.

Yep, that happens.

That's right, is to dive deep into the lore, to discuss the story and our favorite characters, our favorite themes, Tolkien's inspirations, and a whole lot more.

I'm sure you'll be glad you joined as well.

But before we get to today's chapter discussion, it's time for, well, I'm not sure, actually.

I don't know if I want to call this a new segment just yet.

It's more like an extended sidebar in the form of an intro.

You see, later in this episode, we're going to learn that one of the many reasons Saruman is interested in the Shire is because he's become a bit of a pipe smoker and he needed, well, supplies.

Let's start not with the Lord of the Rings, but with the Hobbit, actually, to see if Pipeweed makes an appearance there.

And, oh, well, what do you know?

Pipeweed is never mentioned once in the Hobbit, but tobacco is on five different occasions.

First, in the very famous good morning scene with Gandalf, Bilbo is asked, do you wish me a good morning?

Oh, I mean that it is a good morning, whether I want it or not.

Oh, that you feel good this morning.

Oh, that it is a morning to be good on.