055 - One Does Simply Walk into Mordor when "The Black Gate Opens"

This week we discuss book 5, chapter 10: The Black Gate Opens from "The Return of the King".

The Captains of the West march straight toward Mordor on what is essentially a 7,000-man suicide mission. Along the way, Aragorn restores the symbols of Gondor, soldiers begin to break under the terror of Mordor, and Sauron patiently draws the army deeper into his trap. At the Black Gate, the Mouth of Sauron arrives with horrifying evidence that Frodo and Sam may have been captured, Gandalf refuses his terms, and the full strength of Mordor pours out to surround the army.

Conversation Topics

Merry watches the army leave Minas Tirith while Pippin marches toward Mordor

Aragorn restores the fallen king at the Crossroads and publicly reclaims Gondor

Gandalf refuses to attack Minas Morgul and protects Frodo’s secret path

Sauron lures the army forward with silence, fear, and a deliberately weak ambush

Aragorn shows mercy to soldiers who cannot face the terror of Mordor

The Mouth of Sauron reveals Frodo and Sam’s possessions and offers Sauron’s terms

Gandalf rejects the bargain and takes back the mithril coat, cloak, and sword

Mordor’s armies surround the Captains of the West at the Black Gate

Timestamps

00:00 The Black Gate is closed… opened… somewhat unlocked

06:56 Merry is left behind as the army marches east

10:19 Aragorn restores the king at the Crossroads

17:28 Mablung returns and the army walks into Sauron’s ambush

24:04 Leaving Ithilien and entering the nightmare of Mordor

29:46 The army camps within sight of the Black Gate

38:48 The Mouth of Sauron arrives

45:08 Frodo and Sam’s belongings are revealed

50:26 Gandalf rejects Sauron’s terms

52:30 The trap is sprung and Mordor attacks

56:46 Pippin saves Beregond and kills the troll chieftain

58:05 “The Eagles are coming!” and the end of Book Five

1:05:48 Why the Mouth of Sauron is such a great villain

1:17:05 Where the hell are Legolas and Gimli?

1:26:42 Food for Thought

This weeks "Food for Thought": Troll Blood Soup

I know, it would have been a cool cocktail, but after what I did to my co-hosts last week, I couldn't. Instead, a thick and lumpy black bean soup would have to suffice.

Adapted from: https://cookieandkate.com/spicy-vegan-black-bean-soup/

1 Tblsp olive oil1 medium onion, chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped1 carrot, sliced into thin rounds

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

2 cans black beans

2 cups veg or chicken broth

1 tsp sherry vinegarsalt & pepper to taste

Cook onion, celery, and carrots in oil for 10-15 min. Add garlic, cumin, and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Add beans and broth, then simmer 30 min. Blend some or all of the soup, depending on how chunky you want it. Stir in sherry vinegar.

I doctored mine with cayenne and lime for more heat and acid, plus extra liquid since I blended all the beans. Add salt and pepper to taste. I also added black food coloring because it wasn’t dark enough to be troll blood.

If you don’t eat a lot of beans, beware the revenge of the troll…

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