Incredible discussions and interviews. Darn near addictive.

I really enjoy these three Tolkien lovers discussing the Amazon Prime show. They provide honest opinions and interesting context by referencing the books and other adaptations. I appreciate their fair balance of praise and criticisms. Even if I don’t always agree with their opinions (though I usually do), their reasoning and quips are delightful. I especially love Sara ✨

I have enjoyed PPP for years, and find most of the critique of TRoP useful, but not enjoyable. I’ve held my tongue on Sara for long enough: Sara can’t let go of her preachy negativity and scolding Nanny tone and perspective, unless it is to praise a female actress. If she continues unabated, I will unsubscribe and tell others this podcast is not worth it.

I look forward to each week’s breakdown of the latest episode. I highly recommend this show to anyone who wants greater understanding of Tolkien and the show.

I can only listen to this is very short bursts. Listen to more than 1 episode in a row and it become insufferable how much they make the same jokes over and over and laugh at them just as hard every time. They get in these negative feedback loops too, where they complain about something legitimate about the Rings of Power adaptation but then they get into a downward spiral complaining about every nitpick thing possible, often things that get expanded upon and then make sense in the very next episode of the show. I like the lore talk but sometimes they forget they are talking to an audience, not just themselves, and a reference may not be automatically understood for someone who doesnt read Tolkien professionally. Searching hard for a better RoP podcast followup cause I just can’t with this one anymore.

I LOVE this podcast. I don’t understand the negative reviews. The quality is top-notch even if I don’t always agree with their opinions. The hosts are three Tolkien scholars who go through each episode scene-by-scene. They give their opinions and why, and they include Middle Earth history, events from the Ages, and quotes from Tolkien’s published works, letters, and interviews. You can tell they deeply care about Tolkien’s creation.

Alan, Sara, and James have really clicked this season, and have developed an easy rapport that makes listening fun. I find them neither bizarrely positive (like Rings and Realms), nor disgustingly negative (like the trolls I won’t name)… it’s the Goldilocks zone! I think they should do a Jackson LOTR adaptation podcast… I’d listen!

I love how much I learn from the hosts deep Knowledge of Tolkien lore. Thank you for tying it all together!!

I watch the show just so I can listen to the podcast!

Coming from someone who has only read The Hobbit but LOVES the movies and LOVES Rings of Power, I love this podcast! I may disagree at times but that’s the fun, hearing all perspectives, especially ones who love Tolkien so dearly. Can’t wait for more 🩷💛

Hi!!! This is an 11 year old new to Tolkien’s world. Your podcast has helped me understand it through the Rings of Power. Thank you for addressing people’s concerns in the new episode but I also hope you can spoil the show less. Like a previous person, I have not read all the lore and you guys have spoiled parts of the show for me. Other than that you guys are doing a great job!

90% of your comments are negative. You all should just stop watching this show if you hate it that much.

Dear Rings of Power listeners! After only listening to the first five minutes of season 2 episode 8 wrap up I immediately was compelled to write a review. This is not a review of the Alan, James and Sara but a review for listeners. Those who criticize the show and our podcasters personally remind me of those who only listen to one sided news and do not have the intellect to listen to opposing views and decide for themselves what the real story is, or in this case your own interpretation of the Amazon show and where, when they decide to use correctly the lore and call backs. Our podcasted provide one perspective of it not the only perspective. Please going forward listen to hear not to respond. # think for yourself

I appreciate the balanced approach the hosts take in analyzing The Rings of Power. They give praise where it’s due but point out where the adaptation deviates from Tolkien’s vision. I learn something every episode thanks to their deep knowledge of all the texts. They share their opinions in a respectful manner and throw in some humor to keep things fun. My enjoyment of the TV show is greatly enhanced by listening to this podcast afterward.

Interesting and well balanced pod cast. Tons of great information if you want a deep dive into the show and associated Tolkien lore. Thoughtful and entertaining.

It’s worth noting that I have been a PPP follower since season 1. I have been with them through every book and read it alongside the podcast. I have read these stories and consumed the various media properties over the years. The PPP has been a show rooted in Tolkien and provides great stewardship over the lore that so many (including myself) love and are passionate about. It’s with all of that in mind that I am so bummed out about the RoP wrap-up. This pod, even when it has been critical of RoP, always looks for a way to bail the show out. Whether it’s ignoring plot holes, reasoning with themselves about awful writing, or simply pretending that this show actually has any respect for original stories. My respect for Alan and everything the PPP has done over the years sadly is dwindling. The bailing out is so noticeable. A simple examination of the plot shows so many plot holes that this pod overlooks. The writers constantly rely on contrivances and actions occurring offscreen to advance the stories. There is no reason to care about Numenor as most of the story occurs offscreen. Nothing is emotional, it’s poor reviewing to actually feel emotional about characters we barely are around. We have no semblance of time. The hosts need to look at this without lore (since it’s barely adhering to lore anyway) and try to follow character decisions and storylines. Zoom out on this show and it’s shallow and poorly written. There is a bias that remains and it’s evident. To those who think this pod is too harsh, how? They brush over too many issues with this show to spend time building out this story for the writers. They look to make excuses for choices and are “fine” with terrible characterizations. They have been so soft on reviewing this show. Anyone who has a problem with the critiques simply have no standards for modern TV or a Tolkien based product. You are watching a modern fan fiction that is sourced from other modern shows, nothing original. Likes from PJ’s movies, shots from other movies, it’s all sourced from other terrible TV. This opens the floodgates for more terrible product. It happened to Star Wars, it happened to Marvel. It’s happening to Tolkien. One small note. Sara Brown has very good moments. She will get brutally honest at times before Alan steers away again. I appreciate Sara for being passionate about her grumbles. More need to grumble. The elephant in the room is that this pod and the PPP benefit financially from RoP. There is this tight knit group of Tolkien “experts” and content creators who all see a cash cow in this show and profit directly, or indirectly from this show existing. Amazon has paid members of this group before and will continue to do so, it’s how our culture works now. I have listened to reviews from both sides and its a stark difference. Those that review this show outside of the “experts” (Tolkien fans or simple tv/movie reviewers) group are so much more honest. They call out the problems of the show and compliment it at times. They look at the writing and approach it correctly. This Pod is sadly compromised to some degree. If Alan was honest and disclosed that, I’d respect this pod more. Hiding behind the “shill” label is pathetic, we all know there is financial incentive in this show. Yes, RoP can bring more to the world of Tolkien, but there need to be standards, and this show sets a bad precedent.The PPP have jabbed the Hobbit movies over and over (fairly) yet bail this show out time and time again. The bias is stark. Money clearly talks. Overall, this pod is doing a poor job of reviewing. No effort is made to examine plot or writing, instead spending time trying to tie this show into actual lore which is disingenuous. It’s not the job of this pod to try and explain the poor choices of the show, its the writers. It’s a shallow and poorly written show that this pod is not being honest about. As a loyal PPP follower, it’s really sad. I love the PPP and will continue to listen, but this pod is not good.

As someone who has been a Tolkien fan for years and has been a faithful listener of Alan’s flagship podcast, “The Prancing Pony Podcast, I can confidently and sincerely say that he, Sara, and James are three incredible Tolkien ambassadors and scholars who show their love for his works in this podcast as they review “The Rings of Power”. As a Tolkien fan who does not like “The Rings of Power” (and would go so far as to say I actively loathe it), I eagerly anticipate what the three hosts have to say about the latest episode; not to have my opinion validated, but rather to gain a richer and deeper understanding of Tolkien’s works. When “The Rings of Power” gets something right, they praise it; when “The Rings of Power” gets something wrong, they deride. But in BOTH circumstances, they “come with the receipts”, as kids say nowadays, explaining using Tolkien’s words and works as to why “The Rings of Power” succeeded/failed. If you are looking for an excellent, compelling, in-depth, BALANCED review of “The Rings of Power”, I cannot recommend “The Rings of Power Wrap Up” highly enough. It is the best leader of discussion on the show on the internet across ALL mediums. If you want a true deep dive into the lore behind the show and observations on the show proper, THIS is the podcast for you. 5 Stars, No Notes. Alan, Sara, and James- Continue your excellent work.

My wife and I write this review – which is more of an open letter to the podcast hosts – with sadness. We are long-time Prancing Pony Podcast listeners, and we hoped this show would help us understand the lore behind the show and enhance our enjoyment in the same way the PPP enhances our enjoyment of Tolkien’s written work. You have disappointed us. There are interesting and helpful lore insights in this podcast, but the persistent negativity in the presentation overwhelms them. There is a trope that older sci-/fi and fantasy fans hate all adaptations of prior works because they are incapable of accepting the modifications and updates necessary to make them entertaining to modern audiences in contemporary formats. More so than last season of the podcast, Sara and Alan (less so James) exemplify this stereotype. Despite paying lip service to the need to adapt the tale of the second age to television, the podcast consistently criticizes the changes the show made to Tolkien’s story (and let’s be honest, the portion of Tolkien to which the show has access is more outline than story) to make the plot work. As but one example, the podcast repeatedly criticizes the show’s decision to have Celebrimbor create the 16 rings in sequence rather than all at once. This is an obvious departure from lore (at least the lore as outlined – who knows what Tolkien would have done had he fully fleshed it out), but it is necessary to blend the two main Khazad-dum and Eregion plotlines together. It is also necessary to give Sauron’s corruption of everything and everyone around him some narrative depth. A story where someone named Annatar shows up at Celebrimbor’s door and helps him make a bunch of rings would be lore-accurate, but narratively boring. It would also provide no way to distinguish the different impacts rings have on the dwarves (who become greedy) and the humans (who become obsessed by power). Any TV miniseries trying to adapt this as written would flop. Instead, the show does a marvelous job of using the ring construction sequence to put the watcher into the place of the elves, dwarves and men Sauron is manipulating – even though we know how the story ends, we still don’t realize how Sauron has us in the pot until the water is boiling around us. But Alan and Sara (again, less so James) are blind to all this. Another issue is the show’s persistent slamming of Jackson movie references. I get Sara and Alan don’t like them, but for many of us (likely most of us) the Jackson movies were our first experience with Tolkien. To us, those references are nostalgia, and when you denigrate the references, you insult us. We don’t begrudge you your obsessive fixation with lore details that to us sound like debates over how many angels dance on head of a pin. It would be nice if you could, in turn, be more charitable to the references that bring us back to the movies we love. Finally, please be aware this podcast as currently presented does a disservice to both the Tolkien’s legacy and the fandom. Tolkien was a great writer for his time, but he passed half a century ago and time moves on. Like it or not, this show is now Tolkien’s legacy. If the show fails, that legacy will likely die and the fandom will die with it. I assume this is not the result you want. Consider that when you put out your content - constructive criticism is fine and helpful, but whining and quibbling is not constructive and does not build the fan base that will need to continue after we are gone. Given the work you have done on the PPP, we expected better from you.

Can we keep politics out of this podcast please?

Updating, this was my season 1 opinion- As someone who has read LOTR and the hobbit but is not familiar with the silmarillion I appreciated the context of the original text of the 1st and 2 nd ages of middle earth and the fact that the hosts didn’t hate on the show- they had some understandable criticism but found a lot of positives in the series which I appreciate! Season 2- I agree with other recent reviews, I think they are getting more and more nit picky about things that I’m not sure really matter all that much. Do you really think Elrond and Galadriel are going to be so awkward around each other when Elrond marries her daughter when they both likely know the reason they kissed was for the key to be passed for Galadriel’s survival? Because I don’t.. Listening to his season has a different vibe and I find myself rolling my eye at some of the mountains they make out of molehills.

Not too negative but not fully buying all the nonsense in Rings of Power. However, James being the constant fan-fic apologist is getting old. He always has an excuse, often bogus, for the poor writing on the show. It makes it a bit difficult to listen to.

I really want to like this show bc I’m genuinely interested in the lore behind Rings of Power. But they mostly just critique the show and giggle about their inside jokes that only lore scholars would know. I think they forget that they’re sharing this with people who may not share their views and aren’t as steeped in the lore. If you like the tv show, beware bc these guys will yuck your yum any chance they can. They snicker about how many “quibbles” they have. And I get that there are lore errors in the show. But they go beyond and complain about filming and narrative choices frequently, matters I don’t they’re qualified to comment on. I think they’ve gotten worse in season two. “House of R” does a much better job with the lore. Highly recommend that show if you want to understand the mythology behind the tv show.

Please lay off the spoilers, not all of us have read the books. Love everything else though

Really enjoy the conversations about the lore and everything going on, makes watching the show twice as good. Sometimes this podcast turns into a bunch of negative Nancy's complaining about what they dislike and would change… wish they dialed that back some.

I am a regular listener to the Prancing Pony Podcast. I subscribed to Wrap Up as soon as it came out. I think season 2 of Wrap Up will be even better than season 1. I really appreciate the knowledge and perspectives of the hosts. Thanks for a most enjoyable pastime and education while driving.

It’s a treat and a relief to have found a podcast with hosts who both love and are savvy with the lore and don’t spend the whole time complaining about the show. Thoroughly enjoy the discussion. This is the first place I come after watching a new episode. Thanks y’all!!

Excellent experts discuss The Rings of Power and find Tolkien in it. Really, no trashing of the Amazon series here; indeed, these commentators actually like the prequel!

The host have great humor, praise for what deserves it, and mild realistic criticism.

I really enjoyed The Rings of Power and this podcast really increased my appreciation of the show. I’ve just started listening to The Prancing Pony podcast to extend my obsession with all things Tolkien!

I sampled several other Rings of Power podcasts before finding this gem. The hosts are deeply knowledgeable and do a wonderful job of sharing their understanding of the lore in a fun, conversational way that is warm and inviting. They share talking time in an exceptionally professional but seemingly organic way (which is challenging to achieve). Their love of Tolkien is foremost, and one of the things I most appreciate is that they approach the show with curiosity and interest in adaptation rather than leading with pedantry or criticism. They are certainly willing to be critical and to discuss ways the show deviates from the lore, but they are not deeply negative in the way so many other people have been. (Dare I say they are mature enough to understand that the most polarized take is not the most interesting nor the most intelligent?) Thank you to the hosts—and guests!—for a wonderful listen-along and for the extended work before and after season 1. I look forward to more!

The hosts are just the right mix of knowledgeable, skeptical, and enjoyable. Best Tolkien show I’ve found yet!

I found this podcast right after I finished d watching The Rings of Power. While I loved the show, it made me go back and watch the tiny details I missed the first time around….. Great insights and discussion ! As a long time Tolkin lover, I think the Series (and this podcast) is great. The R.O.P. podcast also led me to the Prancing Pony Podcast, which I LOVE also, and have a LOT of catching up to do there!

Like the PPP, this podcast is informative and interesting. I enjoy how the hosts dive into the lore without just bashing the show. Their criticisms are always well-thought-out, and they give the show the credit it’s due.

I am a Jackson films fan. Non-books reader. A two-time The Rings of Power viewer. I watched the show the first time without any context, and it was boring and confusing for me. I found this pod and listened to episodes after watching each episode. It changed my opinion about the show. The pod helped me with the story and little and big details of the show. The only thing that bothered me on this pod was the attitude of two hosts. I would recommend checking your attitudes before recording each episode.

Thank you for your work and your time discussing all the things about Rings, this is a delightful and helpful show and I enjoy you guys a lot.

If you like listening to Tolkien snobs make fun of each episode, then this is the podcast for you.

I've been a Prancing Pony listener for a couple years and had to listen to this podcast on one of my favorite shows that has come out this year. My only complaint and annoyance is when Sara constantly says "mmhhmm" all throughout the episode. It seems like the tone of her voice when she does this is really picked up by the mic she is using, so it really stands out and detracts from the flow of the show. Other than that, the hosts are great and provide insightful information on the lore of Tolkien's universe and how it is presented in the show.

This is the best and most intelligent analysis of the Rings of Power that I’ve heard. These people really know what they are talking about. They actually know the languages of Tolkien. They make jokes, but not to excess. Other podcasts have a lot of giggling and snark taking up time. Not these people. I love the British!

Hosts offer a nice mix of lore expertise, humor, and analysis.

:(

The rings of power wrap-up is your one stop shop for everything rings of power. Knowledgeable, entertaining and very informative. AA+ in my opinion!

I love listening to podcasts when I am working around the house. I’ve listened to 6 different podcasts on TROP. This one is by far the best. Three insightful people that are Tolkien experts with good conversational chemistry about both the show and the books.

I loved every episode of this show and looked forward to listening to unpack each episode. They have a deep understanding of the lore and seem to genuinely enjoy the show which is why were all here

Intelligent discussion of series. Nice change of pace from frat boys swearing and mansplaining

I had enjoyed some of the podcasts, but the egos are brutal. After 21 episodes, I just can’t. Spoilers: They hate the show except the music. They want a literal interpretation. Super buzz kill. If you Like the films and show, this isn’t for you.

Best recap/breakdown for rings of power on the internet.

Insightful . Witty. Not afraid to be critical, but never cynical.

Big Tolkien fan here. I was loving the pod at first, especially their dives into the underlying Tolkien lore and how the show builds off and incorporates the source material. Each of the hosts brings a really unique perspective. But in the last two episodes, they (and Alan especially) have wasted an unbelievable amount of time nitpicking (usually incorrectly) why certain things on the show are scientifically unlikely (e.g., elves carrying a heavy stone table, soldiers fitting on a boat, Galadriel surviving the pyroclastic flow). You guys! We aren’t chiming in to hear your thoughts on how “science” prevents elves from lifting a table! Give us the Tolkien meat and give it to us raw. Happy to re-visit this review in the future if the focus of the show shifts back to Tolkien! -Kevin M.

The hosts of this podcast obviously have a love and nuanced understanding of Tolkien and his work. It’s understandable to want to see projects like ROP in the best light possible and to give it every chance. I can also understand why they would want to distance themselves from some of the cruder criticisms of the show that have been ubiquitous on the internet since before the shows release. Personally now that 6 episodes have been released I’ve seen enough to know that it should not really be associated with Tolkien’s name in anyway. The lore breaking may be the least of ROP’s sins. The lack of attention to details pertaining to plot and character and timing are where the series goes most astray in my opinion. These details were the bedrock of Tolkien’s writing. The creators of ROP can only be blamed for thinking they could do this without many years of deep thought and hard work in the writing room. ROP is what you get with little time and a lot of money. I hope that the hosts will consider turning a more critical eye to ROP because if the community of Tolkien lovers settles for an adaptation of this caliber then that’s all we’ll get in the future.

An excellent podcast. I was looking for a podcast to listen to at work that went over the new Amazon show. I like the detail and lore that the hosts go into while still keeping it accessible