Season 2 of Rings of Power shows us a flashback of a moment in the history of Middle-earth during which Sauron seemed to be defeated and eradicated for good. Only to emerge again in another form at another time and place.

We may get discouraged to see how humanity falls for the temptation of evil time and again. But Tolkien teaches us an important lesson: that the tenacity of evil should never discourage us, since "Evil labours with vast power and perpetual success - in vain: preparing always only the soil for unexpected good to sprout in." (J.R.R. Tolkien , “The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien”)

We have a moral obligation to keep fighting evil whenever it shows up: "It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule." (J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of the Lord of the Rings”)

[This episode contains mild spoilers for Rings of Power Season 2, episode 1]

In this episode of The Break, I talk about the supposed cancellation of Star Wars: The Acolyte and about its implications for the future of the franchise in a radically changed media landscape.

I also share my thoughts about a ground-breaking iPhone accessory that was launched on Kickstarter by Lexar.

Check out my new landing page for my Storytelling course: https://fatherroderick.com/storytelling

D23 gave us more information about what to expect from Disney when it comes to Star Wars, but not as much as I hoped. Skeleton Crew may bring an essential element back to the franchise.

I'm wrapping up the UK series 'Life on Mars', I am almost done building the LEGO Ghostbusters Fire Station and I share my thoughts about Donald Miller's book 'Hero on a Mission'.

I also talk about Deborah Ann Woll's explanation of Dungeons and Dragons on the show 'Real Ones' (https://youtu.be/hC07aVjdRC8?si=8AQ_mO-T9PJfqh67)

Move your Patreon subscription to my new membership community before time runs out by going to https://fatherroderick.com/join