KnockBack, Episode 32 | The Lord of the Rings (novels)

The Hobbit is awesome. I love it more than the Trilogy! Thank you for listening.

Colin Moriarty

Thanks for this episode, LoTR rocks! My mom introduced me to a lot of things I love, like Star Wars, Star Trek and Stargate, but none of them were as influential as Lord of the Rings. I was only 9 when Fellowship came to the theaters (I was actually shocked when I looked this up), she took me to see it and it completely captured my imagination. I went to read the books immediately afterwards, even though she told me I may be a bit too young for them, but I still trudged through them bit by bit and absolutely loved them. Seeing how fucking long it's been since I read them really makes me think I need to go back and re-read them. Astonishingly, I never finished The Hobbit so I may just start there.

Michal Dudic

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

Colin Moriarty

You're a real son of a gun. LOL.

Colin Moriarty

The movies will always hold a special place in my memory. I have a very close extended family and we would all go see them together. It defined a part of my youth. Great episode fellas.

Jimmy Valentine

The best part about the Hobbit movies was the Denny's promotional menu. Hobbit hole breakfast with a side of shire sausage... delicious.

I'm glad to hear that I played some small role (LOL) in getting you into Critical Role! That's cool to hear. Thank you for listening!

Colin Moriarty

Well now I have to go watch the movies again. I haven’t seen them in quite a long time, and listening to this made me realize that it’s time for another viewing of those extended editions I own. On a side note, when you had Critical Role in your show back in the day, you introduced me to them for the first time. I owe you for that big time as that’s ultimately what opened me up to the idea of playing these types of games. The storytelling ability those guys have is incredible, and you could see it even in the small game you played.

Adam Niksch

<3

Colin Moriarty

They're hard books for a young person to understand. Well done!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for listening, and for your kind words.

Colin Moriarty

Dude, The Hobbit (the book) is so awesome.

Colin Moriarty

I see...

Colin Moriarty

The episode was fantastic. I want to cry everytime Legolas and Gimli have their exchange about dying side by side with a friend. So wholesome.

Haydyn

I was introduced to Middle Earth when my grade 6 teacher read us the Hobbit. It was her favourite book and she wanted to share it with us. I was immediately captivated. When she finished the book I remember feeling sad that it was over... or so I thought. A classmate of mine mentioned that there was a sequel and that afternoon after school I went straight to my local library and borrowed the Fellowship. The LOTR trilogy were the first books I read that weren’t Goosebumps or other young literature. It introduced me to what a book could really be. I’m also happy that I read them before news of the movies came out. Seeing that first reveal trailer had me bouncing off the walls. Great episode guys!

Felipe Delfin

Fantastic episode! Huge fan of the Extended Edition movies and the appendices documentaries for each film. IMO the documentaries alone are exceptional as well. Love the conversation you two had. Keep up the good work

Kyle Conaway

I'm not a fan but I can't resist not listening to you guys, it's too much of a blast. Who knows you may sway me to try again with this trilogy? Not the Hobbit movies though😵The book was enough in school.

Marcus Brown

it kinda makes sense when you think about it. Sauron couldn't easily find Frodo and the Fellowship unless a "spy" or "servant of his spotted them or Frodo put on the ring. An eagle flying in the sky would be an obvious target for Sauron to set all of his forces to attack.

Andrew

There is only one return! And it’s not of the king...it’s of the Jedi!

Jason Pettet

I kinda was worried about mentioning other channels, I'm glad that you appear cool with it. I just get annoyed that RollPlay isn't given any respect. It is a genius idea tho. It's weird at first when you start watching streams of table top role playing games, but man, if the DM/GM is good at what he does and the players are committed to role playing, it's so easy to get invested.

Andrew

I think in the original version of the hobbit Gollum loses the bet and parts with the ring voluntarily. And bilbo and Gollum part ways amicably. Since in Lotr the ring has a corrupting influence, this had to be rewritten

Federico Saravia

Thanks, ma! I think it's possible in the "Community" section of the CLS Patreon.

Colin Moriarty

LOL.

Colin Moriarty

Interesting. I didn't know that (nor did I see that in my research). I'll have to dig back in.

Colin Moriarty

Bonesaw is ready.

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the show.

Colin Moriarty

Per the eagles, it still kinda seems like a convenient omission. =)

Colin Moriarty

Bringing tabletop games and D&D (and the like) to Twitch and YouTube audiences is super clever. I'm sorry I didn't think of it.

Colin Moriarty

Great conversation, boys. Makes me want to go back and read ‘the trilogy’ for sure. I recall telling Dagan that ‘the Hobbit’ was ‘a book’ that is a must read. And your dad and I were hooked the first time we read it. Hooked for life obviously. And off topic- Dagan’s Star Wars trash can is at the shore house and although I’m hoping your dad still has Colin’s Care Bear switch plate, I still have this your original care Bear. Wish I could post a pic here. Possible?!

BettyAnn Moriarty

I remember see a midnight showing of The Fellowship of the Ring, that was a mistake. Didn’t get home close to 4am and I am not the biggest fantasy fan so I fell asleep during the film.

Tyler

Beowulf was one of Tolkien’s all time favorite books and influenced his works a lot

Tyson Williams

Love the episode. Little known fact that might change your perception of the Hobbit. That book had to be rewritten when lotr came out because the Gollum and one ring scene made no sense with the lotr books.

Federico Saravia

Bonesaw is best Spiderman villain, true story. It’s my understanding that Orcs and the various races of orcs were unnatural corruptions of elves, like they aren’t a real species so from that lense I can’t understand someone contributing a racially prejudice theme to them. Also I’m pretty sure Frodo is the nephew of Bilbo

Tyson Williams

It's crazy how much Dagan sounds like your dad

Marty Blois

Hey guys. Excellent episode about probably the great work of fiction. Yes I say the great work of fiction as in all of fiction. Opinions guys don’t we all have em’. Any way my comment is in regards to the hobbit trilogy of films. Since it’s very common to take a poop on the prequels I would like to add a few generous thoughts about them. Just to play contrarian. I’ve watched all the extended editions of the prequel trilogy and during the first of the films ( an unexpected journey) there is literally about 20 hours of special features. In them you here peter Jackson talk about how he came to the project late. As you know Guillermo Del toro was originally in as director until he backed out, leaving Jackson to come and finish what he never wanted to start. Basically watching the entire making of these films it’s honestly a miracle they turned out as good as they did considering the time Jackson came in and the turnaround he had to put something closer to his vision down after Del toro left. As far as making the 300 page book into a trilogy, I can’t say it wasn’t a cash grab but the love that very obviously Jackson has for this property makes it difficult to think he was out for money in this scenario. Maybe I just don’t wanna think about it that insidiously. Also in regards to the trilogy itself. I think most people would agree the middle chapter, the desolation of Smaug, is the prequels finest chapter. There are some moments ( and I did say some, please be gentle commenters) that rival the original trilogy in my mind. Particularly the barrel scene stands as probably my personal favorite action set piece of the entire 6 films. It’s just too damn fun. Thanks for everything guys.

Will Ellis

also re the Amazon show - what I think I read was they want to start the show with a younger Aragorn before Fellowship takes place re the Eagles. The eagles like Gandalf are connected to the Gods and Tolkien in the lore said that it wasn't their place to directly interfere or solve the problems of man. They could "assist". Also they said that the skies were monitored by Sauron and they wouldn't get past the Nazgul trying to approach Mount Doom.. Not the greatest explanation but its what I remember?. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong

Andrew

Really enjoyed the podcast... I never read The Hobbit as a kid. I first read TLOTR when I was in grade 6 and 7 and loved it. I saw each of the movies in the theatre as well on release day. I usually watch the movies (extended versions) once a year. It's funny because usually as I'm watching the movies it sends me down the rabbit hole of researching the lore and history of middle earth (because I always forget it) lol.... I'll also say I'm an Aragorn fanboy lol.. I love him in the movies as stereotypical of a character he might be now.... When I researched the lore of his people when I was younger I was blown away lol... the extended life they live compared to normal "men" etc. Also side tangent re Role playing/tabletop on twitch. Beyond Critical role there's a channel called itmejp that's been doing role playing for 5+ years under the brand called "rollplay" - he also uploads the VODs to a youtube channel with the same name. They also have a patreon called "rollplay as well... If you're a fan of watching role playing games on twitch or youtube I'd like to suggest them. Everyone credits critical role for making D and D or whatever huge on twitch etc but itmejp was a pioneer of bringing the concept to twitch and might have been doing it before critical role was. Critical role has a way bigger audience tho because of who is involved.

Andrew

Interesting.

Colin Moriarty

Nerd alert. (LOL.)

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for listening!

Colin Moriarty

It's a cool idea, but I'm not sure we have the time, unfortunately.

Colin Moriarty

Tolkien was a scholar of Beowulf and I believe Viking lore. Lots of his ideas come from those. Check out Snori’s Edda. I love that shit.

Tyler

Very cool Ep. My wife actually purchased my ring from JensHansen whom designed and produced the Ring for the movies.

Blake Davis

Great episode ya’ll! My personal favorite moment in the movies is when Aragorn sings at his coronation. It’s something that could have easily come off as out of place or corny. Even though I don’t speak elven, I always connected to Aragorn most in this scene. I also fondly remember reading the trilogy with my father when I was very young.

Alex Quantz

Have you guys ever thought about doing commentary tracks for some of your favorite movies? I love these podcasts that encompass the movie/movies and the fandom around them, but I also think hearing your thoughts as they come up along with the film would be interesting, too. Keep up the great work on Knockback and everything else!

The hobbit wouldn't have been saved by practical effects. The script is where its at. They were directing the third film without a working script. The story was stretched way to thin and nobody card about the gang of characters. There was no charm to the movies and something was off about the whole series

Andrew

Glad you enjoyed it, Will!

Colin Moriarty

I fucking love LOTR. I remember watching the movies as a kid and the extended version. I was also two of the characters from LOTR for Halloween when I was a kid. Never saw the hobbit movies, though. Didn’t care for them. Also I can’t get the theme out of my head now. So epic!! I loved this episode, thank you for it!

Will Hahn

Maybe you could get the audiobooks and listen while playing games?

Inedible Trout

One of the best things about doing this show is that it seems like every episode is someone's favorite. It's pretty cool.

Colin Moriarty

He rules.

Colin Moriarty

I've been eager to read them again (for the first time as an adult, at that) after editing this episode. But I don't have much time. =\

Colin Moriarty

I might be a little biased but I think this is the best Knockback yet. I firmly believe that the Hobbit movies could have been saved by practical effects more than anything. The over abundance of CG effects was appalling

Brandon Hardman

Very fun episode! Nice to see Old Tom Bombadil get a little love finally. After all, he is a merry fellow. Bright blue his jacket is and his boots are yellow.

Inedible Trout

I can't wait to listen to this. I'm re-reading the books now, and how many times I've read thru them I've lost count. Both the books and the movies are amazing!

Keith A. Lewis

Yes lol the bad guys or guy did anyway

Tyson Williams

It'll be here when you're ready. =)

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! We had a great time with this one.

Colin Moriarty

Very good.

Colin Moriarty

Care Bears scared you?!

Colin Moriarty

Better hope I don't get my hands on your phone.

Colin Moriarty

=D

Colin Moriarty

Some of you make me feel so fucking old. LOL.

Colin Moriarty

I miss New York. =\

Colin Moriarty

Im gonna try to re watch em before I listen to this one. I completely forgot 2 and 3

Bryan Cacciattolo

I really enjoyed how much research and context was brought to the table about this topic. Also, its a shock to me that Colin actually likes the movies, as I reflexively think he hates things I like.

desperateLuck

Has the best score of any movie. I think.

MayorGarbageMan

I think it’s pronounced Gear-A-Dose. I loved Care Bears when I was little but it also scared me. I think Care Bears was thrust upon me as well. Middle Earth is easily one of my favorite fictional universes, and Lotr is one of my favorite stories and I rewatch and reread them all the time.

Tyson Williams

It was Christmas tradition to go see lotr. It’s my passcode on my phone lololol. So excitedddd

Caleb Peacock

Woot! Been looking forward to this one 🤗

Christopher Hopkins

I went to go see that movie with my dad and brother. Its my favorite to this day too because of the Ringwraiths.

Kenneth Oms

I still remember my grandparents taking me to see fellowship when I was like 7 and being blown away. Best trilogy of films that have ever been made.

Andrew

Yooo this made my day, its a gloomy chilly day in manhattan right now, perfect lord of the rings weather.

Kenneth Oms