One does not simply walk into serious discussion… Fool of a Took Podcast is a show where deep lore meets even deeper nonsense!
Enter the Shire-adjacent mind of Chris, your host, guide, and certified Fool of a Took as he sets out to read The Lord of the Rings for the very first time, joined by his book-loving wife RJ, fellow first-time reader and baker Laura, and Laura’s husband Patrick, a devoted Tolkien super-fan.
Fool of a Took is your book-club companion through Middle-earth—whether you’re discovering LOTR for the first time, revisiting it again, or geeking out as a lifelong Tolkien fan.
One does not simply walk into serious discussion… Fool of a Took Podcast is a show where deep lore meets even deeper nonsense!
Enter the Shire-adjacent mind of Chris, your host, guide, and certified Fool of a Took as he sets out to read The Lord of the Rings for the very first time, joined by his book-loving wife RJ, fellow first-time reader and baker Laura, and Laura’s husband Patrick, a devoted Tolkien super-fan.
Fool of a Took is your book-club companion through Middle-earth—whether you’re discovering LOTR for the first time, revisiting it again, or geeking out as a lifelong Tolkien fan.
This week we discuss book 4, chapter 6, "The Forbidden Pool", from The Two Towers.
Conversation Topics:
Gollum’s funny reaction to being caught — way different from the puppy-eyed guy in the movies
How Gollum’s actually pretty complex—big emotions behind that monster exterior
Faramir being smart and moral when it really counts
The creepy story of Minas Ithil and how the Ringwraiths came to be
What Ithil (the moon) and Minas Morgul symbolize in all this dark lore
Frodo’s internal struggle — how the Ring’s messing with his mind
Trust issues—can Frodo really rely on Gollum/Smeagol?
The scary route through Cirith Ungol and all that mountain doom talk
How Tolkien drops long-lost lore in such a smooth way
Timestamps:
01:09 – Recap of Chapter 5
04:25 – Frodo’s wake-up call
06:12 – Faramir’s cautious watch
13:50 – Frodo tries to distract Gollum
15:11 – Gollum gets caught
17:33 – Gollum’s defenses
18:06 – Trust and oaths
19:01 – Faramir’s “doom”
20:15 – Gollum’s secrets
21:29 – Minas Ithil’s fall
23:34 – Final warning—Ungol
25:07 – Moon and trust wisdom
27:07 – Gollum’s split personality
34:02 – Gollum’s sharp mind
35:22 – Gollum like a cat
39:08 – Sarcastic or broken?
42:27 – Trusting treacherous Gollum
45:10 – Minas Ithil’s dark lore
52:37 – Palantír knowledge
55:16 – Emotions run high
56:30 – Fishy treat time
Todays "Food for Thought": Smeagol's Smelly Salmon
Smeagol's love of fish nearly became his undoing in this chapter. So of course, I had to make fish for Food for Thought!
-Salmon filets
-Thai sweet chili sauce
Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking tray with foil. Place salmon filets on the foil and coat with sauce. Bake roughly 15 minutes- adjust based on filet thickness. Done!
This is one of the easiest and tastiest dinners Pat and I have weekly. Add some chopped broccoli or asparagus to the pan and everything is done at the same time!
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Original music for the show composed by Chris Newhard
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