As we creep day by day into Thanksgiving territory, it’s time for us to look back on the things that we’re grateful for! The things we are able to appreciate in this life are unlimited—family, friends, pets, careers, shelter, health, kindness. These ideals can stand alone in defining how people decide what is important in life, but this author believes that this common list is lacking a very important value. Something else can be added to those categories, something we have a tendency to take for granted. . . art.

Art, in all forms, is a vast and enormous part of our lives. Listening to music in the car, decorating your home with paintings, and even sharing your new favorite show with a coworker—all of it is something created by people, for people. Art encompass so many ideals that makes us smile, and immerses us into a world that can be different from our own. The various forms of media we consume are ways that we connect to other people in our lives. Movie theatre dates, book clubs, or online gaming with friends are just a few of the ways people share their time with others. The common denominator? Media, literature, and entertainment.

This year, think outside of the box! There is no reason to limit ourselves when it comes to being grateful, because we can be grateful and appreciative for so many things! Characters you relate to, movies that make you laugh, books that make you cry, reality shows that make us rip hair out, all of the above even. At The Game of Nerds this year, we want to celebrate and give thanks to all of the nerdy things that we chose to invest our time in. And when you’re a nerd, that’s a lot of things.

It’s time for a segment on staying thankful, and this week’s edition? Well, it’s The Lord of the Rings, of course.

“NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST”

The Lord of the Rings is a series that has stood the test of time for a reason. It’s a classic textbook on fantasy literature; one of the most influential tales that has inspired the way modern fantasy is being written. What J.R.R. Tolkien did was create a masterpiece that was unique to it’s time, uplift people to believe in a better world, and shine a light on how even the smallest person can make the biggest difference. The Lord of the Rings volumes are studied in classroom for a purpose—they are an exuberant triumph of writing, world building, character development, and perspective.

Whether you’ve read them before or are experiencing reading them for the first time, reading The Lord of the Rings is an unforgettable experience. If you’re a first time enjoyer of this classic, I recommend that you take a listen to the audiobooks of the volumes, narrated by Andy Serkis. As the voice and actor of Gollum in all The Lord of the Rings films, he certainly portrays every character with intent and purpose.

J.R.R Tolkien’s words have stuck with people for 70 years, and those years will only rise in number as new people every day invest their time into this world. The Lord of the Rings is one book, made into three volumes. The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Each volume follows up on one plot—Frodo Baggins’ and his journey to Mordor to destroy the Ring of Power.

In the beginning, we find out about a world that has creatures big and small. Hobbits, Elves, Men, Dwarves, and Orcs all exist in Middle Earth. In this story though, we focus on the smallest of creatures; hobbits. Hobbits live peacefully in the hills, with their gardens, handkerchiefs, and pints of ale. Standing around 3 or 4 feet tall, Hobbits live plentiful and bountiful in their own corner of Middle Earth. This reputation however, changes with the appearance of one Bilbo and Frodo Baggins.

“FLY YOU FOOLS!”

When Frodo inherits a magic ring from Bilbo, he discovers that what he has isn’t just a magic ring, it’s the magic ring. It doesn’t just give one the ability to be invisible, as Bilbo Baggins discovers during his own journey in The HobbitI, but it also gives Sauron, the self-proclaimed “One to Rule them All”, the ability to control Middle Earth. Gandalf the Grey compels Frodo to take the ring elsewhere, somewhere it can’t easily be found. Now that the ring is back in existence, that means people will soon be after it. That includes Sauron, the Witch King, orcs, men, dwarves; all people that are willing to cut down just a few measly Hobbits for power. Frodo, along with his gardener Samwise, and his cousins Merry and Pippin, begin on a quest to take the ring somewhere safe. Somewhere that Frodo can find someone willing to destroy the Ring of Power in Mordor, where it will be gone forever. Only, that someone happens to be him.

The quest Frodo partakes brings us plenty of new characters to meet, opportunities to learn about this fantasy realm, and shows just how important the power of friendship can be. I get it, ‘the power of friendship’ sounds cheesy, but it’s simply true. These characters go to Mount Doom and back in the name of love—whether it be platonic, romantic, familial, righteous, or worldly—love and friendship fill every page in The Lord of the Rings. The depth and levels for these volumes are astronomical. The detail, history, creativity, and length Tolkien goes to is a thing of beauty.

Some people chose to love LOTR (Lord of the Rings) because of all the ways in which you can analyze it. The Elvish language you can learn to write and speak, how Hobbit’s create pipeweed, the creation of Maia, the divine spirits of individuals, like Gandalf, sent by the Valar to protect Middle Earth; all of this rich history immerses oneself into such a considered experience. Other people enjoy The Lord of the Rings simply because it’s something meant to be enjoyed. Any real art is made by people, for other people’s pleasure. However you chose to consume LOTR is up to the consumer—there are no rules when it comes to enjoying Tolkien, which makes it so brilliant.

“A WIZARD IS NEVER LATE, NOR IS HE EARLY, HE ARRIVES PRECISELY WHEN HE MEANS TO”

The fanfare for LOTR doesn’t just stop at the book, because there are some incredible movies out there that we can’t forget about. Directed by Peter Jackson, the incredible film trilogy stars Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, Sir Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Andy Serkis, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, and John Rhys-Davies. There are so many more actors to name that make these films a feat. Watching these movies for the first time is something I wish I could experience again—you also have to watch the extended versions, no exceptions.

Filmed in New Zealand, these movies hit theatres with an awaited breath. Across the three films, the Lord of the Rings trilogy by Peter Jackson won 17 Oscars, and was overall nominated 30 times. The Return of the King alone won 11 of those Oscars. Using old school filming strategies when it comes to shooting perspective, having real, trained horses used for battle scenes, and filming all 3 movies in one time span, piecing and splicing together different scenes across three different movies, was a film achievement never before seen. I cannot suggest enough that those interested should take a look at the behind the scene videos and documentaries made while the crew was filming LOTR. Those videos provide so much information and insight into how a movie with the stature of LOTR is made. It’s not just about the casting and the director, but about all of the very involved crew members from different departments.

“I AM GLAD YOU ARE HERE WITH ME. HERE AT THE END OF ALL THINGS, SAM”

This time of the year is the best time of year to indulge in The Lord of the Rings. Whether you chose to do a marathon re-watch, or first watch, of the film, or read the massive books, November is the perfect time to get cozy on the couch with some fantasy stories. However you chose to remember The Lord of the Rings this year is up to you—remember, there is no wrong answer to consuming media.

Let’s stay thankful for the stories we’re told, the stories that continue to be told, and the people working hard to get stories made. Creativity isn’t easy. It takes a mountain of people to go on a journey. Sometimes, it might even take some Hobbits, an Elf, a Dwarf, a Wizard, and some Humans.

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and it’s extended versions are currently available for streaming on HBO.

The Lord of the Rings audiobooks narrated by Andy Serkis are available to buy on Audible or rent with a library card on Libby.

The Lord of the Rings book and volumes are currently available at your nearest local library.