Fool of a Took Podcast
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.
Episodes
For the SEASON 2 FINALE, we discuss book 4, chapter 10, "The Choices of Master Samwise", the final chapter of The Two Towers. Thanks for an amazing season! We'll be back for Season Three: "The Return of the King" in Spring, 2026!
Conversation Topics
The battle between Sam and Shelob
Sam's transformation into the true Ring bearer
The emotional weight of Frodo’s presumed death
The significance of language,...
This week we discuss book 4, chapter 8, "The Stairs to Cirith Ungol", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: The creepy journey through Shelob’s lair and those dark tunnelsGollum’s long game—what he’s really up toFrodo’s use of the Elven light and its deep loreThe terrifying history of Shelob and UngoliantWhat Frodo’s silent words really meanOur hilarious attempt to recreate Shelob with crab cakesThe epic showdown and ...
This week we discuss book 4, chapter 8, "The Stairs to Cirith Ungol", from The Two Towers.
Conversation Topics:
Frodo’s mental exhaustion and the Ring’s heavy influence on him
Gollum’s rare moment of tenderness
The nightmare city of Minas Morgul
Frodo's temptation to put on the Ring
The muttering, glowing Tower of the Moon
Gollum’s tricky, uncertain route into Mordor
The Nazgul’s silent armyFrodo’s internal battle
The my...
This week we discuss book 4, chapter 7, "Journey to the Crossroads", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: The chapter’s fleeting nature: a breath before the chaos.Tolkien’s views on subtext and seriousness—Al Gore, internet, and culture.Gollum’s mysterious and increasingly squirrely behavior.The strategic significance of Minas Morgul and the crossroads.Themes of creation vs. destruction in Middle-earth.The symbolism ...
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...
This week we discuss book 4, chapter 5, "The Window on the West", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics: The story behind Faramir’s bedroom and “the Window on the West”How Faramir’s insight reveals the true nature of the ring’s curseThe lore of Gandalf’s many names (Mithrandir, Tharkun, and beyond)Boromir and Faramir’s contrasting personalities and destiniesThe mysterious ghostly boat and Boromir’s horn—visions of grie...
This week we discuss book 4, chapter 4, "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit", from The Two Towers.
Conversation Topics:
The hobbits’ strategic plan for their journey around Mordor
Gollum’s physical and psychological decline
The emotional bond between Frodo and Sam
The significance of color symbolism in Tolkien’s description of armies
Gollum’s forgotten skills and culinary mishaps
The intense battle scenes and strange sights—Oliphan...
This week we discuss book 4, chapter 3, "The Black Gate is Closed", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics:The boredom and despair creeping into the narrative Gollum’s complex character
The impossibility of sneaking past Mordor’s Black Gate.
The emotional depth behind Minas Ithil and Gollum’s tragic memories.
Frodo’s disillusionment and the mounting presence of Nazgûl overhead.
The army approaching Mordor from the south: ol...
This week we discuss book 4, chapter 2, "The Passage of the Marshes", from The Two Towers.
Conversation Topics:
The brutal brutality of The Passage of the Marshes and Tolkien’s masterful misery crafting
Gollum’s animalistic guide mode and his dual personalities of Smeagol and Gollum
The haunting imagery of corpse candles and battlefield ghosts in the Dead Marshes
Frodo’s shifting psyche under the Ring’s weight and the gro...
Kicking off Book 4 in our brand new podcast set, this week we discuss book 4, chapter 1, "The Taming of Sméagol", from The Two Towers. Conversation Topics:
The crew humorously shares their moving day antics and new recording space vibes.
How Frodo and Sam cope with being alone in the wilderness.
An analysis of Gollum versus Smeagol and the complexity of his character.
Delving into Tolkien's philosophical themes through Frodo's choices...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 11, "The Palantír", from The Two Towers. Dive into the thrilling conclusion of Book Three with the Fool of a Took Podcast as Pippin's curiosity leads to a dire encounter with the enemy.
Conversation Topics:
Mispronunciations and playful takes on the word "Palantír"
Recap of Saruman's foiled attempts at manipulation
Pippin's insatiable curiosity and humorous antics
The powerful and perilous nature o...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 10, "The Voice of Saruman", from The Two Towers.
Conversation Topics:
Understanding the power and magic of Saruman's voice
Gandalf's diplomatic showdown with Saruman at Isengard
The role of manipulation and perception in Tolkien's world
The complexity of Gandalf’s character and his strategic restraint
Pippin's unexpected growth and relevance in the chaos
The literary symbolism of Saruman's downfall an...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 9, "Flotsam and Jetsam", from The Two Towers.
Today's "Food For Thought": Pippin's Power Picnic
We finally have a meal in the chapter!! Here is my recreation (surprisingly accurate) of the lunch Pippin prepared for Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.
-Several slices of toast
-Butter
-Honey
-Some slices of cooked bacon
-Cubed and fried salt pork
Even though I rinsed the salt pork before cooking it, it was insa...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 8, "The Road to Isengard", from The Two Towers.
Today's "Food For Thought": Isengard Soup
When I pictured the bowl of Isengard all flooded out with wreckage and debris floating everywhere, it reminded me of soup. So I made vegetable soup and assembled some breadsticks into a 4-sided Orthanc to stand in the center. The tower was not super sturdy, but it was delicious.
Jamie's Vegetable Soup
-1-2 tbl...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 7, "Helm's Deep", from The Two Towers.
Today's "Food For Thought": Charcuterie Helm's Deep
This chapter needed a map so badly... so I made one. Out of bread, meat, and cheese. You can really go wild with this one- here's what I used.
-Cut up bread for the mountains and rock base of Hornburg
-A salami stick for the tower of Hornburg
-Cheese slices for the wall
-Prosciutto slices for Helm's Dike
-Balsam...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 6, "The King of the Golden Hall", from The Two Towers.
Today's "Food For Thought": Dirt and Wormtongue
I couldn't get the idea of gummy worms out of my head when I was trying to figure out what to make for this chapter. Instead of simply presenting my cohosts with a bowl of candy, I jazzed it up with some homemade chocolate pudding and crushed Oreos.
I used this recipe for the pudding and halved i...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 5, "The White Rider", from The Two Towers.
Today's "Food For Thought": Gandalf the White Russian
What else would a White Rider drink? BTW, the white Russian was invented in Belgium!
2 parts vodka
1 part Kahlua
1 part heavy cream (or half and half if you are watching your figure)
Mix the vodka and Kahlua in a glass with ice. Gently pour the cream on top for a layered look- but I recommend stirring bef...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 4, "Treebeard", from The Two Towers.
Today's "Food For Thought": Treebeard's Ent-Draught
This one was a challenge- the drink was like water but "reminded them of the smell of a distant wood borne from afar by a cool breeze at night." Yes, of course.
The internet saved me on this one. I based the non-alcoholic drink on this recipe: https://www.innatthecrossroads.com/ent-draught-the-lord-of-the-ring...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 3, "The Uruk-Hai", from The Two Towers.
Today's "Food For Thought": Ugluk's Orc-Draught
This drink was described as burning the mouth and giving an unbelievable burst of energy to the hobbits.
My best attempt at an unpleasant drink to meet these requirements was a mix of Red Bull and Fireball cinnamon whiskey. Turns out it wasn't as gross as I had expected. Someone suggested adding Jaeger to fini...
This week we discuss book 3, chapter 2, "The Riders of Rohan", from The Two Towers.
Today's "Food For Thought": The Blondies of Rohan
Listen, I wasn't feeling particularly inspired this week, OK? The riders are blond... right...?
Honestly, just follow this recipe as written, it is perfect. https://smittenkitchen.com/2006/11/blondies/
For the mix-ins, I used toasted pecans, chopped up soft caramels, white chocolate chips, semisweet cho...
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