170. Tolkien’s Only Courtroom Drama : Children of Húrin #7

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In this episode, we explore an incredibly rare event in Tolkien’s legendarium: a formal Elven trial. We examine King Thingol’s judgment of Túrin after the death of Saeros, uncovering how law, evidence, and mercy operate in Doriath. We also look at:

• How Mablung’s testimony and Nellas’s surprise appearance shifted the king’s verdict.
• The evolution of Thingol’s character since his harsh treatment of Beren.
• Túrin’s growing list of titles and his first official toll.
• Why The Rings of Power repeating “the very” over 30 times highlights poor writing.

In our extended episode (available for members who’ve downloaded the Exploring Tolkien app and at https://theonering.com/members), we get into:

• User comments on Beleg’s sword choice
• Son of Mowen vs Son of Húrin
• Why writers like Damon Lindelof fundamentally misunderstand how to adapt source material — particularly when it comes to what fans ACTUALLY want.

🔗 Episode Links
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The Children of Húrin
The Story of Kullervo
The Silmarillion
Unfinished Tales

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🔍 If You Like Tolkien
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook)
The Expanded Letters of JRR Tolkien (book)
The Silmarillion
The Children of Húrin
The Atlas of Middle-earth
Make Tolkien Great Again – Tengwar Hat