Journey to the Crossroads [Two Towers, Ch.18]

<p>Discussion of <em>The Two Towers,</em> Book Four, Chapter Seven</p> <p>Join Cam and Maggie for a spooky, echo-laden chapter of Daddy Tolkien’s sci-fi epic, <em>Fantastic Beasts and In the Darkness Bind Them.</em> We’re in a good mood this week, it’s a fun episode. Faramir leaves and provokes a new evolution in Cam’s “living ghost” theory. Maggie gets to talk about Gothic architecture and gargoyles and freaky grinning stone heads because Tolkien is officially <em>leaning in</em> with the horror imagery. We also work through a dozen beautiful, weaponized callbacks to <em>The Hobbit</em> and the happier days of <em>Fellowship</em> that Tolkien buries in this pages, and chart the reflections / realizations that they provoke in the reader. Lots of masterful storytelling on deck this week, and more burping than usual. Maggie has a beer and head butts her microphone.</p> <p>In our Second Breakfast, Maggie leads us through the introduction to Stephen King’s short story collection <em>Night Shift,</em> which is full of Tolkien references. Stevey makes some fun claims about Tolkien’s tendency to drift into horror and his work’s relationship to Middle-earth. <em>Dracula</em> gets dragged into the mix too, and we try to think of a successful work of fantasy horror that isn’t <em>LOTR.</em> Also featured: a conversation about influential speculative fiction, Tolkien’s influence on genres outside of fantasy, and George R.R. Martin’s comments on Tolkien imitators: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AofPBrletA&pp=sAQA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AofPBrletA&pp=sAQA</a></p> <p>Instagram: @secondbreakfastpod</p> <p>Feedback & Theories: <a href= "mailto:secondbreakfastpod@gmail.com">secondbreakfastpod@gmail.com</a></p> <p>Illustrated YouTube clips channel: <a href= "https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3">https://bit.ly/2OT6RP3</a></p>