There And Back Again
Episodes
There And Back Again 72: Well, I’m Back
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we return to the Shire to fight for its soul and find a new peace in the last three chapters of The Lord of the Rings.
There And Back Again: Update
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2024! In this short update, I'll share some plans I have for the end of the podcast, and talk a little about a new show...
There And Back Again 71: The Road Goes Ever On And On
28 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we return to Rivendell and say some fond farewells in chapters six and seven of Book Six of The Lord of the Rings.
There And Back Again 70: The Return Of The King
20 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we crown King Elessar and begin our long farewells in chapters five and six of Book Six of The Lord of the Rings.
There And Back Again 69: The Steward And The King
13 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we welcome Frodo and Sam back to the land of the living, and discuss the greatest romance in Middle-earth in chapters four and...
There And Back Again 68: For Good Or Ill
06 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, the eagles are coming and the Ring is destroyed in chapters three and four of Book Six of The Lord of the Rings.
There And Back Again 67: The End Of All Things
22 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we approach the final fate of the ring with a discussion of heroism, strength and fortitude in the shadow of Mount Doom in cha...
There And Back Again 66: The Cracks Of Doom
09 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we continue book six of The Lord of the Rings with more discussion of hope and despair, greatness and grace, and strong mascul...
There And Back Again 65: Beyond All Towers Strong And High
01 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we begin book six of The Lord of the Rings with the return to Samwise Gamgee, the influence of the ring, and spontaneous poetr...
There And Back Again 64: Back To The Black Gate
25 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we conclude book five of The Lord of the Rings with the march to Morannon, Aragorn's mercy, and Pippin's last stand.
There And Back Again 63: The Mouth Of Sauron
18 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we approach the end of book five of The Lord of the Rings with healing, debate and discussion, and the importance of gulls.
There And Back Again 62: The Hands Of A Healer
11 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we discuss hope and despair at Denethor's pyre, and then bring athelas to the Houses of Healing.
There And Back Again 61: Out Of Doubt, Out Of Dark
04 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we conclude the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and discuss eucatastrophe, magical winds, and try not to weep openly.
There And Back Again 60: No Living Man Am I
28 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we ride with the Rohirrim to Minas Tirith and begin the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
There And Back Again 59: A Sword-Day, A Red Day
20 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we discuss hope and despair, the siege of Gondor, and the clash of Gandalf and the Witch-King of Angmar.
There And Back Again 58: Comfort Me Not With Wizards
13 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's session, we discuss the new The Fall Of Gondolin book, the muster of the Rohirrim, and the beginning of the Siege of Gondor.
There And Back Again 57: Where Will Wants Not
09 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this unexpectedly abbreviated session, we discuss the role of women in Tolkien's world, and the conversation between Aragorn and Éowyn!
There And Back Again 56: The King Of The Dead
01 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we make it to the second chapter of The Return Of The King with discussions of oaths and oathbreaking!
There And Back Again 55: Tree And Tower
24 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we begin The Return Of The King with discussions of the White Tree of Gondor, high style and the nobility of hobbits.
There And Back Again 54: Shagrat And Gorbag
16 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we discuss the future, Orc culture and the extensive history of the One Ring as we conclude The Two Towers.
There And Back Again 53: The Choices Of Master Samwise
11 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we study separation and despair as we reach the end of The Two Towers in Chapter Ten of Book Four, The Choices Of Master Samwise.
There And Back Again 52: Tales Never End
02 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we talk about the power of stories with Sam, then face the evil of Shelob with the phial of Galadriel in chapters eight and nine of b...
There And Back Again 51: The Crown Of The Fallen King
09 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we catch up with Frodo and Sam as they leave Ithilien for the dangers of Mordor in chapters six and seven of book four of The Lord of...
There And Back Again 50: The Cross-Roads
02 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we celebrate our fiftieth session by running long and adding an extra session as we continue our exploration of book four of The Lord of th...
There And Back Again 49: The Window On The West
29 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we talk about the excellence of Faramir and Sam as we discuss chapter five of book four of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 48: Rabbits And Oliphaunts
19 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we find solace in Ithilien and meet Faramir of Gondor as we discuss chapters three and four of book four of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 47: Gollum The Great
11 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we cross the Dead Marshes and discuss the second chapter of book four of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 46: Gollum & Sméagol
08 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we discuss the first chapter of book four of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 45: The Affairs Of Wizards
23 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we reach the end of book three of The Lord of the Rings and discuss Pippin and the palantír.
There And Back Again 44: Gibbets And Crows
15 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we discuss chapters nine and ten of book three of The Lord of the Rings.
There And Back Again 43: The Meeting Of Dear Friends
08 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we discuss chapter eight of book three of The Lord of the Rings, The Road to Isengard.
There And Back Again 42: Helm’s Deep
01 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we are besieged with the Rohirrim in book three, chapter seven of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 41: The Golden Hall
23 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we discuss the healing of the king of Rohan in book three, chapter five of The Lord Of The Rings!
There And Back Again 40: Wise Fool
20 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we discuss the upcoming Amazon TV adaptation of Tolkien's world, then conclude our discussion of book three, chapter five of The Lord...
There And Back Again 39: Fire And Deep Water
16 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we share the tale of the entwives and are reunited with Gandalf in book three, chapters four and five of The Lord Of The Rings!
There And Back Again 38: Treebeard And Beardtree
03 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we meet Treebeard and delve into the history of the ents in book three, chapter four of The Lord Of The Rings!
There And Back Again 37: Merry And Pippin’s Excellent Adventure
26 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we return to the hobbits and meet the Uruk-hai in book three, chapter three of The Lord Of The Rings!
There And Back Again 36: Farewell To Boromir
20 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we send Boromir off into the Anduin and meet the Riders of Rohan in the first two chapters of book three of The Lord Of The Rings!
There And Back Again 35: Two Roads Diverge
13 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we delve deep into the final temptation of Boromir, and discuss Frodo's choice at the end of the Fellowship of the Ring.
There And Back Again 34: The Breaking Of The Fellowship
29 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we conclude The Fellowship of the Ring and witness the end of the Fellowship in chapters 9 & 10 of Book 2 of The Lord Of The Rin...
There And Back Again 33: All Shall Love Me And Despair
22 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we discuss The Fellowship Of The Ring, Book 2, Chapters 7 & 8: The Mirror of Galadriel & Farewell to Lórien!
There And Back Again 32: The Heart Of Elvendom
08 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we escape the shadow of Moria and cross the Nimrodel into Lothlórien in book two, chapter six of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 31: You Cannot Pass
01 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we face Durin's Bane and fly from Moria in book two, chapter five of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 30: The Watcher In The Water
25 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we confront Caradhras and venture into Moria in chapters three and four of book two of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 29: Nine Vs. Nine
18 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we make a valiant effort to leave Rivendell and make it to Caradhras in Book 2, Chapter 3 of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 28: Small, But Great In Mischief
11 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we complete our discussion of the Council of Elrond in Book 2, Chapter 2 of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 27: Isildur’s Bane
04 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we try valiantly to make it through the Council of Elrond, and fall just a little short of our goal.
There And Back Again 26: In The House Of Elrond
28 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we catch our breath in Rivendell and discuss a remarkable poetic achievement in book two, chapter one of The Lord of the Rings!
There And Back Again 25: There My Heart Is
27 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we race from Weathertop to the Ford of Bruinen, meeting Glorfindel and facing down black riders in chapter twelve of The Lord of the ...
There And Back Again 24: Lights On Weathertop
14 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we depart from Bree, confront the black riders on Weathertop, and hear the tale of Beren and Luthien!
There And Back Again 23: Not All Who Wander Are Lost
29 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we arrive in Bree, spend some time at the Prancing Pony, and meet the man they call Strider!
There And Back Again 22: Tom Bombadil
22 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this session, we discuss the importance of blue jackets and yellow boots, and journey with the hobbits through the Barrow-Downs!
There And Back Again 21: Beyond The Shire
16 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we cover chapter five and six of The Fellowship of the Ring, and discuss Buckland, Sam's heroism, and the nature of the Old Forest.
There And Back Again 20: Short Cuts, Long Delays
01 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we cover chapter four of The Fellowship of the Ring, and discuss Sam's first encounter with elves, short cuts and beer, and the goodness of...
There And Back Again 19: Black Riders
26 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we cover chapter three of The Fellowship of the Ring, and discuss hobbit-style urgency, leaving Bag End, encounters with Black Riders, and ...
There And Back Again 18: Chance And Choice
18 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we cover the second half of the second chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring, and discuss Frodo's choice, the location of the Three Rings, ...
There And Back Again 17: Shadow And Sam
11 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we cover the first half of the second chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring, and discuss what Gandalf knew and when, the history of the rin...
There And Back Again 16: A Long-Expected Party
05 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we begin The Fellowship Of The Ring, and discuss hobbit culture, the influence of the ring, and how much Gandalf really knows.
There And Back Again 15: The Long Road
28 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we open The Lord of the Rings and discuss the prefatory material, including Tolkien's discussion of allegory and applicability.
There And Back Again 14: A Chance-Meeting
21 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This we look back on The Hobbit and catch our breath before moving into The Lord Of The Rings next week!
There And Back Again 13: The Kindly West
10 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we conclude The Hobbit as Bilbo bids farewell to Thorin and the dwarves, and returns home from the Mountain to the Hill.
There And Back Again 12: Burglar Baggins
09 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The clouds gather as we approach the end of The Hobbit, and the Battle of Five Armies.
There And Back Again 11: Hall And Home
01 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the narrative takes a turn as Bilbo burgles the Arkenstone, and Smaug meets his watery doom.
There And Back Again 10: Beneath The Lonely Mountain
24 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we battle illness and technical inconvenience as Bilbo arrives at the Lonely Mountain, and finally meets Smaug.
There And Back Again 9: The Return Of A King
10 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Bilbo rescues the dwarves from the halls of the Wood Elf King, and the company arrives in Laketown in the ninth and tenth chapters of The H...
There And Back Again 8: Magic And Mirkwood
03 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Bilbo ventures into Mirkwood and becomes a hero in the eighth chapter of The Hobbit!
There And Back Again 7: The Other Side
24 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Bilbo meets Beorn in the seventh chapter of The Hobbit!
There And Back Again 6: The West And The Wild
17 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Bilbo emerges from the Misty Mountain and moves into the Wild in the sixth chapter of The Hobbit!
There And Back Again 5: Riddles And Ring
10 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Bilbo meets Gollum and finds a curious magical ring in the fifth chapter of The Hobbit!
There And Back Again 4: Elves and Goblins
03 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Bilbo reaches Rivendell and delves beneath the Misty Mountains in the third and fourth chapters of The Hobbit!
There And Back Again 3: Trolls And Stone
29 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Bilbo begins his adventure and runs right into trolls in the second chapter of The Hobbit!
There And Back Again 2: Confusticated And Bebothered
20 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we meet out hero, our wizard, and many, many dwarves. Welcome to the first chapter of The Hobbit!
There And Back Again 1: On Fairy Stories
13 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we begin our journey through the works of JRR Tolkien by looking at his manifesto for fantasy literature, On Fairy Stories!
There And Back Again: Introduction
22 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In 2017, we're going on a grand adventure through the pages of The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings!