Rings and Rituals
Marilyn R. Pukkila & Sara BrownTolkien scholars Marilyn R. Pukkila and Sara Brown explore the rituals woven throughout The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, analyzing what each ceremonial moment reveals about Middle-earth's cultures, their values, and the storytelling choices of showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne.
Ritual is everywhere in Tolkien's world, from the sword-drawing ceremonies of the Noldor to the migratio... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 20 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | TV ReviewsArtsBooksTV & Film | |||
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Latest Episodes
Marilyn and Sara examine rituals of trials (all–sorts) and home, and the testing of faith. We see parents and children who keep talking past each other, recognize that Pharazôn is walking on a path of seawater as the rituals of power-over fail him, a... more
Sara revels in dwarves, even in the midst of their dilemmas, Marilyn treasures the shrine of Nienna, the oldest shrine in Númenor, and both grieve over its desecration, agreeing that Kemen is a broken wart of a human being. They see symbols of seeds ... more
Galadriel chafes under Elrond’s command, Isildur confronts a feisty woman and a slimy surprise, the Stranger finds a goat-herder, and Nori and Poppy find — more Harfoots? Sara and Marilyn compare rituals of hospitality —or not — and greeting. They al... more
In this episode, colors take on political significance, Númenoreans and Pelargir folk show grief in various ways, Annatar finds that some dwarves are harder to deceive in others, and Berek finds Isildur, who in turn finds Estrid. We also learned that... more
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- Great way to look at ROP through the lens of ritual
A great way to learn more about Tolkien’s world building! Tolkien scholars Marilyn and Sara share their insights about various rituals in each episode The Rings of Power.
Apple Podcasts5MD9nyc
United States2 years ago - Top tier
Excellent podcast for Tolkien aficionados
Apple Podcasts5LangeratedUnited States2 years ago - New Perspectives
This podcast is fantastic. The hosts are knowledgeable, funny, and entertaining. Hugely interesting to rewatch ROP through this lens. I have a totally new perspective and appreciation for ROP. Thank you!
Apple Podcasts5b.l.h.h2United States2 years ago - Loving the in-depth look!
Really fascinating and super interesting! The hosts are great, very knowledgeable!!
Apple Podcasts5brorUnited States3 years ago Fascinating exploration of ritual in the world of Tolkien, as well as our own!
Podcast Addict53 years agoElysiaCB
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #148 | United States/TV & Film/TV Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #196 |  Canada/TV & Film/TV Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #232 |  United Kingdom/TV & Film/TV Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #128 |  Germany/TV & Film/TV Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #203 |  Australia/TV & Film/TV Reviews |
Apple Podcasts | #39 |  India/TV & Film/TV Reviews |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rings and Rituals
What is Rings and Rituals about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Scholars analyze ritual and ceremony across episodes, tracing how offerings, memory, hospitality, mourning, and other ceremonials reveal cultural values, power dynamics, and narrative foreshadowing in Middle-earth. Across scenes from Númenor to Eregion and beyond, the conversations connect ancient myth-making to modern storytelling choices, using ritual design as a lens to critique authority, loyalty, and community. Notably, the show blends close textual readings with humor and production insights, offering a distinctive, academically grounded perspective for fans and professionals seeking deeper context or potential sponsorship alignment with thoughtful, lore-focused discussion.
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Which podcasts are similar to Rings and Rituals?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Rings and Rituals:
1. The Words and Magic of Music in The Rings of Power
2. Tolkien - The Lorehounds
3. Cosmere Corner
4. The Lorehounds
5. Nazgals: A Rings of Power Podcast
How many episodes of Rings and Rituals are there?
Rings and Rituals launched 3 years ago and published 20 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Rings and Rituals?
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What guests have appeared on Rings and Rituals?
Recent guests on Rings and Rituals include:
1. David Lorehound
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