<p>Rhonda is still in her Medievalist Era and making it everyone&#39;s problem, and Erin just wants to talk about some creatures, so you could say this is a typical Pop DNA episode.</p><p>We continue our exploration of LOTR&#39;s relationship to medievalism in pop culture with a look at the beloved Medieval Y2K moment, exemplified in movies like A Knight&#39;s Tale, Ella Enchanted, Shrek, and of course the Jackson Lord of the Rings films. And the Star Wars prequels.</p><p>This early 2000s interpretation of the middle ages is having a moment in current pop culture, and of course influencing the popular medievalism of today.</p><p>After a brief dip into Tolkien&#39;s influence on Dungeons and Dragons, Erin finally gets to talk about all her favorite Tolkien creatures. Goblins, Orcs, Trolls, Balrogs, and other potential fantasy romance love interests.</p><p>Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/popdnapodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Instagram</strong></a> to see things we talk about, and what Rhonda wore to the Hobbit Picnic.</p><p>Further Reading:</p><p><a href="https://zombiegirlzine.substack.com/p/y2k-medievalism-its-camp" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Y2K Medievalism and Camp</strong></a> by @zombiegirlzine on Substack</p><p>Our current appreciation for <a href="https://www.numeronetherlands.com/fashion/the-golden-age-thinking-are-we-escaping-the-present-through-medieval-y2k " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Y2K medieval</strong></a> is nostalgia for nostalgia</p><p><a href="https://www.cbr.com/dungeons-dragons-elements-borrowed-lord-of-the-rings/ " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Ten Things D&amp;D &quot;borrowed&quot; from Tolkien</strong></a>, but don&#39;t tell Wizards of the Coast</p><p>A <a href="https://screenrant.com/lord-of-the-rings-most-powerful-creatures-ranked/ " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>ranking</strong></a> of Middle-Earth creatures</p><p>A little more <a href="https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Balrogs " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>about Balrogs</strong></a> in case you want to write that Balrog romance</p>