SME075: Now that season 2 of Rings of Power is complete, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, Patrick Mason, and Alix Murray discuss its themes, character arcs, and story development, including some critiques on Galadriel and the Harfoots arc.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Leave us a review on...

SME074: For our Halloween episode, Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker delve into Tolkien’s “fell lands”—dark regions of Middle-Earth brimming with sinister elements, inclluding Utumno, Angmar, and Mordor, focusing on their roles in Tolkien’s mythology, blending humor and lore, reflecting on both well-known settings and obscure places filled with werewolves and ancient evils, ultimately weaving a narrative of Middle-Earth’s haunted geography for fans.Get all new episodes...

SME073: The big season finale! Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Patrick Mason discuss the final episode of season 2, which dropped huge story bombs in every story line. Hear their analysis of the episode and the key themes and moments.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Leave us a review on...

SME072: The fall of Eregion! Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker discuss the penultimate episode of season 2, including themes of deception and Adar’s complex motivations. Plus, the significance of the new collection of Tolkien’s poetry.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Leave...

SME071: Where is he? Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Patrick Mason discuss the latest episode of Rings of Power, including Elendil’s faith and defiance of Pharazon, Miriel’s symbolic baptism; and Annatar’s manipulation of Celebrimbor. Plus Hobbit Day!Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:*...

SME070: The best episode yet? Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason discuss Sauron’s manipulation of Celebrimbor; the corruption and greed of King Durin; Pharazon’s repression of the Numenor faithful; and Galadriel’s enemy of her enemy.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Leave us a...

SME069: Tom, Ents, and wights, oh my! Jeff Haecker, Patrick Mason, and Thomas Salerno discuss the latest episode of Rings of Power and the introduction or return of thse figures from Lord of the Rings; plus the Elrond & Galadriel tension; and Theo’s future.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this...

SME068: Season 2 of Rings of Power is here and Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker dive into the first three episodes, including Sauron’s manipulations of Elves, Dwarves, and Men; Pharazon’s scheme for power in Numenor; and the return of Isildur.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this...

SME067: On the cusp of Rings of Power season 2, Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Patrick Mason break down the final trailer and explore Galadriel’s journey, Sauron’s manipulations, the potential roles of Elrond, Dwarves, and Numenor, and Tom Bombadil.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:*...

SME066: Continuing their exploration of The Silmarillion, Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker discuss “The Return of the Noldor” and the themes of victory and loss, leadership, loyalty, and kinship and the pride of the Noldor.Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube.Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today?Links for this episode:* Leave us a review...

SME065: Rings of Power Season 2 is almost here and Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Mike Schramm preview the new season; their reflections on season 1; hopes and fears for the second; and the themes of friendship, loyalty, valor, and redemption that the show embraces. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at...

SME064: Inklings! Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Alix Murray discuss literary friends J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, how their shared experiences and academic careers led to the Inklings and how that friendship shaped Narnia and Middle Earth. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this...

StarQuest CEO Dom Bettinelli has a special message for all listeners and supporters of StarQuest’s shows.

SME063: Of the Sindar, Sun and Moon, and Men. Thomas Salerno, Patrick Mason, and Jeff Haecker discuss the next part of the Silmarillion in their ongoing deep read series, and discuss the themes of light vs. dark, life and death, and the gift of mortality. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this...

SME062: Before the upcoming big budget Hollywood film was announced, there was a fan film about the hunt for Gollum, and Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason dive in to discuss it. Plus lots of discussion of upcoming Middle Earth-themed media. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this...

SME061: Continuing their walk through the Silmarillion, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason discuss the tragic kinslaying and the oath that would bring doom to Middle Earth as well as the themes of pride, betrayal and the consequences of your actions. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links...

SME060: Much of modern culture was influenced by Tolkien’s writings and Star Warsis no different. Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason are joined by Kathryn Laffrey to discuss all the ways that Tolkien’s ideas, characters, and plots have influenced Star Wars. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give...

SME059: Continuing their dive into the Quenta Silmarillion, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason discuss Melkor’s corrupting influence, Fëanor’s tragic complexity, and the symbolism of Ungoliant’s darkness and hunger as they set the stage for the entire First Age. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give...

SME058: The trilogy ends! Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Alix Murray finish their discussion of the Peter Jackson LOTR trilogy, diving deep into the themes of sacrifice, courage, resilience, and more, while comparing how the films differed from original book and the film’s lasting impact. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at...

SME057: The theme for Tolkien Reading Day 2024 is Service and Sacrifice, so Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Patrick Mason shares their favorite quotes from Tolkien’s works on the subject, concluding that nearly the whole Legendarium is on that topic. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this...

SME056: Awakening. Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Pat Mason continue their walk through the Silmarillion, covering the creation and awakening of Elves, origins of orcs, the first binding of Morgoth, and themes of power, sacrifice, and morallity. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this...

SME055: So much happens in Peter Jackson’s film verison of The Two Towers. Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Alix Murray discuss the film’s portrayals of Faramir and Theoden; the themes of hope, unity, and despair at Helm’s Deep; and the changes made from the book. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links...

SME054: Continuing their discussion of The Silmarillion, Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, and Patrick Mason discuss the beginning of the Quenta Silmarillion and the themes of fate, free will, creation, and destruction within Tolkien’s universe. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and subscribe on YouTube. Help us continue to offer the Secrets of Middle Earth. Won’t you make a pledge at SQPN.com/give today? Links for this episode: *...

SME053: We gave Patrons the opportunity to ask our Tolkien experts Thomas Salerno, Jeff Haecker, Mike Schramm, and Patrick Mason their related questions and made the answers available exclusively to Patrons first and the later to the whole audience. This time the questions cover the origin and fate of the wizards, where the Entwives went, and what part of Tolkien’s stories they would change. Get all new episodes automatically and for free: Follow by Email | Listen to this episode and...