Author Archives: bina007

VoK 231: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (by Douglas Adams)

Posted on August 21, 2015 | Leave a comment

Greetings, Hoopy Froods! Welcome to the Vassals’ chaotic discussion of Douglas Adams’ comic, sci-fi creation, The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. This wide-ranging discussion is mostly harmless and mostly focusses on the novel, and just like Bistromathics, the number of Vassals participating at any one time is a reciproversexclusion. However, they mostly include our host Tania (Scilens), Bina007, Greg (ClaudiusTheFool), Nicole, Patrick (Ser Patrick The Tall) and Zack (Alias).

Edited by Bina007. Running time 1hr 36 mins.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Leave a comment

Posted in Books & Novellas, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction, TV Shows

Tagged Alias, Bina007, claudiusthefool, Nicole, Scilens, Ser Patrick the Tall

VoK 229: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBC miniseries)

Posted on August 15, 2015 | 1 comment

In this episode, Bina007, Augustine (Linecom1) and Shane (EastTexasDirewolf) discuss the BBC miniseries based on Susanna Clarke’s novel set in alternate early 19th century England in which practical magic has made a comeback. After the main podcast ends at 1hr20, Bina then speaks to Michal (Inkasrain) about her reaction the show and book.

[mp3] Download or play this episode directly
[archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed
[Hurtfew] A Wiki of Strange and Norrell

1 Comment

Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Bina007, easttexasdirewolf, inkasrain, linecom1

VoK 162: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 3)

Posted on November 9, 2014 | 9 comments

In this episode Bina007 is joined by three high roller oral surgeons from the Tri-City area, Greg (ClaudiustheFool), Shane (EastTexasDirewolf) and Steven (SJLee) to discuss the final two episodes of the first season of Twin Peaks: Realization Time and The Last Evening. As usual, we will fully spoil all episodes up to this point but will not discuss any material from Season Two, allowing our female long-distance trucker Native American listener to join along at home.

Some corrections: Who shot JR featured as a plot in Dallas in 1981 rather than 1984; viewers had to wait a mere four months between seasons 1 and 2 in the USA. The main show ends at 1 hr 8 mins.

[mp3] Download or play this episode directly
[archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed
[VoK 73] Spoiler filled Twin Peaks overview episode

9 Comments

Posted in Podcast, TV Shows, Twin Peaks

Tagged Bina007, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, SJLee

VoK 159: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 2)

Posted on November 2, 2014 | Leave a comment

What do you get if you cross a Norwegian and a Swede? For the answer to this and other burning questions, tune in for the second part of the VoK Twin Peaks Rewatch. Bina007 is joined by VoK’s own version of The Bookhouse Boys – Sherriff SJLee (Steven), Deputy EastTexasDirewolf (Shane) and Big ClaudiusTheFool (Greg) to discuss Episodes 3, 4 and 5 of Season One – from Rest In Pain to Cooper’s Dreams. As usual, we won’t be spoiling later episodes of the series so you are safe to follow along at home.

Leave a comment

Posted in Podcast, TV Shows, Twin Peaks

Tagged Bina007, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, SJLee

VoK 156: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 1)

Posted on October 25, 2014 | Leave a comment

Prompted by David Lynch’s announcement that his ground-breaking 25 year old TV show Twin Peaks will return to the air, VoK has decided to do a rewatch of the previous two series. Join Shane (EastTexasDirewolf), Bina007, Steven (SJLee) and Greg (ClaudiusTheFool) as they discuss the Pilot and Episodes 1 and 2 of the series in depth.

This episode will NOT contain spoilers for later episodes of the show or Fire Walk With Me, allowing listeners following along at home not to be spoiled. However, those of you looking for an overarching series discussion can tune in to our Twin Peaks episode.

And for all you ladies, a picture of EastTexasDirewolf too sexy to button his shirt.

Leave a comment

Posted in Podcast, TV Shows, Twin Peaks

Tagged Bina007, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, SJLee

VoK 150: The Anarchy (1135-1154) and ASOIAF

Posted on October 4, 2014 | 1 comment

Join Nadia, Bina007 and Joseph (Ciao.Gamer) for the second in our series examining the parallels between history and George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. In this episode we cover The Anarchy – a period of civil war in England and France in the twelfth century. We draw parallels to the events of The Princess and the Queen; ship SanStan and discover that sometimes history ends with a whimper rather than a bang.

Please note that this episode spoils all published works in the Song of Ice and Fire series as well as the prequel novellas.

Ways to listen:
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Ways to learn more:
[More on the Plantagenets] Historian Dan Jones
[More on Matilda & Eleanor] Historian Helen Castor

1 Comment

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, History, Podcast

Tagged Bina007, Ciao_Gamer, Nadia

VoK 146: Jack the Ripper (Part 2) – It All Leads to Lizard People

Posted on September 25, 2014 | 2 comments

Join Julia (NoTrueLady), Thomas (FTWard) and Bina007 in the second part of their investigations into the Whitechapel Murders of 1888. In this part, they discuss the main serious suspects in the Jack the Ripper case, some crackpot theories, and the cultural impact of the murders.

Ways to listen:
[mp3] Download or play this episode directly
[archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Further reading on Jack the Ripper:
[Paul Begg’s book] A concise rundown of the facts with no spurious finger-pointing
[Emily Marsh] The woman who might’ve spoken to the author of the From Hell letter
[The Crawford Letter] The letter that mentions that Druitt’s family consider him to be the killer
[The Kosminski book] The best researched book making the case against Kosminski
[The Devil and the White City] A superb book on H H Holmes and the 1893 Chicago World Fair

Cultural echoes:
[Pandora’s Box] The 1929 Louise Brooks movie in which Lulu is killed by Jack The Ripper
[Penny Dreadful] The contemporary TV show featuring Jack the Ripper as one of many aspects of gruesome Victoriana
[The Crimson Petal and the White] Michel Faber explores everything bizarre about Victorian attitudes toward women, sex and prostitutes

2 Comments

Posted in Fandom, History, Podcast, True Crime

Tagged Bina007, FTWard, No True Lady

VoK 145: Jack the Ripper (Part 1)

Posted on September 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

In the first part of our Jack the Ripper discussion, Julia (NoTrueLady) and Bina007 discuss the social conditions at the time of the Whitechapel Murders and make their observations on the deaths of the victims – claimed and canonical. They then discuss the main members of the police investigation and the alleged Ripper letters. Finally, Thomas (FTWard) teleports in from the future to give us his take on the victims and the Ripper letters.

Warning – this podcast contains discussion of violence and prostitution that some listeners may find disturbing or offensive.

Ways to listen:
[mp3] Download or play this episode directly
[archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Leave a comment

Posted in Fandom, History, Podcast, True Crime

Tagged Bina007, FTWard, No True Lady

VoK 144: The War of the Roses (1455-1487) and ASOIAF

Posted on September 20, 2014 | Leave a comment

Join Nadia and Bina007 as they discuss parallels between A Song of Ice and Fire and the War of the Roses. We discuss whether Henry VI was as mad as Aerys II; whether Edward IV was as drunken a lech as Robert Baratheon; how far Richard III echoes Stannis; whether Elizabeth of York used shadow babies to stop her uncle marrying her; and whether Dany will marry Gendry and reunite the realm just as Henry Tudor did.

Spoiler warning: A Song of Ice and Fire, The Princess and the Queen and The Rogue Prince as well as fifteenth century British history.

[mp3] Download or play this episode directly
[archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed
[The Hollow Crown] Dan Jones’ newly published book on The War of the Roses

Leave a comment

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, History, Podcast

Tagged Bina007, Nadia

VoK 139: Full Cast(le) Recording #8 – The Abridged Princess Bride

Posted on August 25, 2014 | 1 comment

The Vassals perform extracts from the beloved spoof fairytale movie, The Princess Bride, using incidental music from Mark Knopfler’s classic eighties score. The table reading ends c50m in, whence follows an aftershow containing a spirited defence of Rocky.

The Cast:
Michal (inkasrain) – Narrator, Princess Buttercup & Miracle Max
Zach (Alias) – The Man In Black
Amber (Amberrocks) – Humperdinck & The Kid
Duncan (Valkyrist) – Grandpa, Yellin & Vizzini
Bina007 – The Impressive Clergyman, Mother, Valerie & Inigo
Shane (EastTexasDirewolf) – Fezzik & Rugen

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

1 Comment

Posted in Full Cast(le) Recording, Movies, Podcast

Tagged Alias, amberrocks, Bina007, easttexasdirewolf, inkasrain, Valkyrist

VoK 134: Guardians of the Galaxy [2014] (Review)

Posted on August 11, 2014 | 1 comment

The Vassals review Marvel’s latest release and discuss comic book to movie adaptations; the properties of yellow goo; why Ronan works and Malekith doesn’t; whether Gamorra’s change of heart is credible; and the attraction of marrying Thanos and becoming the Carmela Soprano of Space. The main review ends at 58m, after which we have a wider discussion of forthcoming Marvel releases and the patented VOK One Night, Marry, Yellow Goo game.

Podcasters: Bina007; Fortytwo (Vikram); EastTexasDirewolf (Shane); AmberRocks (Amber); Arthur Dumner (Liam) and Alias (Zach).

Edited by Bina007 using publicity materials provided by and belonging to Marvel Studios.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org.
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast only feed.
[Forum] Podcast Forums.

1 Comment

Posted in Comics, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Alias, amberrocks, Arthur Dumner, Bina007, easttexasdirewolf, fortytwo

VoK 131: CricketCast (Vol.1) aka “The Bowler’s Holding the Batsmen’s Manwoody!”

Posted on August 4, 2014 | Leave a comment

In the first ever CricketCast, the Vassals discuss everything from Test Matches to T20 – spot-fixing to Bodyline – and recreate the Tourney of the Hand from Game of Thrones as commentated on by the Test Match Special team. And special bonus geek-cred to the first commenter who guesses the origin of this episode’s sub-title!

Podcasters: BrumRiverlander (Kelvin); Bina007; VKalra23 (Vidur); MadScientist22 (Surya); Jed O’White Hart (Jed); the Podcast Umpire aka Teddard (Eddie); and our guest ‘Murcan Mordion (Michael).

Editor: VKalra23.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed
[TMS] BBC Test Match Special

Leave a comment

Posted in Fandom, Podcast, Sports

Tagged Bina007, Brum Riverlander, jed o'white hart, MadScientist22, Mordion, Teddard, vkalra13

VoK 125: The Princess Bride [1987] (DVD Commentary) – Abridged Version

Posted on July 14, 2014 | Leave a comment

Bina007, Alias (Zack) and Mordion (Michael) provide a DVD commentary to Rob Reiner’s 1987 cult classic movie The Princess Bride. Written by William Goldman the movie puts a witty before its time post modern take on the fairy tale.

Please note that this episode will be published in two editions. VoK 124 is the full DVD Commentary for people who want to watch with the movie on in the background and has a running time of 1h 41m.

This episode, VoK 125, is for those who want to just listen to our mindless babbling and don’t have access to the movie. It edits out the sporadic silences and has a running time of 1h 23m.

Edited by Bina007.
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Podcast SubForum
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Leave a comment

Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast

Tagged Alias, Bina007, Mordion

VoK 124: The Princess Bride [1987] (DVD Commentary) – Full Version

Posted on July 14, 2014 | Leave a comment

Please note that this episode will be published in two editions. The first is the full DVD Commentary for people who want to watch with the movie on in the background and has a running time of 1h 41m.

For those who want to just listen to our mindless babbling and don’t have access to the movie, check out episode 125 which edits out the sporadic silences and has a running time of 1h 23m.

Edited by Bina007.
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Podcast SubForum
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Leave a comment

Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast

Tagged Alias, Bina007, Mordion

VoK 123: The Magicians series (by Lev Grossman)

Posted on July 13, 2014 | Leave a comment

The Vassals discuss Lev Grossman’s Magicians series of portal fantasy novels. Topics include millennial ennui; impotent gods; the plight of being a fantasy fan; and how the rules of magical top-trumps aren’t entirely clear. This episode spoils the Magicians series (including the short story in Dangerous Women) and also discusses Narnia, Harry Potter, Brideshead Revisited and Tolkien. (Aftershow begins at 1h 20m).

Podcast hosts: Bina007, Katie (Lady Griffin), Brett (WhiteRaven), Michael (Mordion) and Greg (Claudius The Fool).

Edited by Bina007 using Geoffrey Burgon’s marvellous score to ITV miniseries of Brideshead Revisited and Queen’s It’s A Kind of Magic.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Podcast SubForum
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Leave a comment

Posted in Books & Novellas, Harry Potter, Podcast

Tagged Bina007, claudiusthefool, Lady Griffin, Mordion, White Raven

VoK 121: Conan the Barbarian [1982] (DVD Commentary)

Posted on July 8, 2014 | 1 comment

The iconic John Milius 1982 movie version of Robert E Howard’s epic Conan The Barbarian is given the VOK DVD Commentary treatment in this episode. EastTexasDirewolf (Shane), Bina007 and Shellfish (Peter) thoroughly spoil the 105 minute extended edition and make a few mentions of the books too.

Credits:
Edited by EastTexasDirewolf

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

1 Comment

Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast

Tagged Bina007, easttexasdirewolf, Shellfish

VoK 120: Full Cast(le) Recording #5 – A Krewk through the Heart! (CockneyMoot 2014)

Posted on July 7, 2014 | Leave a comment

The Cockney vassals recreate the mythic lost Full Cast(le) Recording of Storm of Swords, Tyrion Chapter 9. The cast is as follows:

Narrator – Bina007
Lord Tyrion Lannister – Jed O’White Hart aka The Podcast Bard and host of Cockneymoot 4
Lord Jaime Lannister – Brum Riverlander aka Kelvin
Lord Varys – Teddard aka Eddie
Lum The Guard – Brum Riverlander aka Kelvin
Lester The Guard – Mactire aka Ollie
Shae Da Funny Whore – Mactire aka Ollie
Lord Tywin Lannister – Big Ged

The main show begins at 2m and the cookie monster impressions at 29m. Naturally this chapter is thoroughly spoiled!

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Leave a comment

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Fandom, Full Cast(le) Recording, Podcast

Tagged Big Ged, Bina007, Brum Riverlander, jed o'white hart, Mactire, Teddard

VoK 115: WolfCast – “The Children” (S04E10 Review)

Posted on June 20, 2014 | 2 comments

Wolfcast reviews the last episode in season four of Game of Thrones. Join vassals Bina (Bina007), Nadia (Nadia), Eddie (Teddard), Peter (Shellfish), Imogen (Imogen.OB), Patrick (Patrick the Tall), Kelvin (Brum Riverlander) and newcomers Helen (valyrianarakh) and Liam (Authur_Dumner) as they grump on raven eyes and Lannister motivations, discuss turnips, forlorn hamsters and more!

Warning: Contains spoilers for all aired episodes in HBO’s Game of Thrones, and all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series

Credits
Edited by Shellfish (Peter), actually before the Krakens and Dragons but Bina007 forgot to check Skype and so didn’t publish first. The ladies of VOK should on no account allow the late publication to influence their opinion of Shellfish’s manliness.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Forum Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

2 Comments

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Arthur Dumner, Bina007, Brum Riverlander, Imogen.OB, Nadia, Ser Patrick the Tall, Shellfish, Teddard, Valyrian Arakh

VoK 112: Vassals Night Out – “My Lady, It’s Too Hot!” Edition

Posted on June 15, 2014 | 2 comments

In our first ever Vassals Night Out, the Ladies of VOK don their PJs, open a bottle of Dornish red, and talk shit about hot guys, cute girls, podcast crushes and whether not liking ASOIAF would be a dealbreaker.

The all star cast features: Tanja (Scilens), Jesicka (Jesicka309), Nadia, Alix (Aiwendil), Bina007, Nadine (Erinyes), Michal (Inkasrain), Katie (Lady Griffin), and Amber (Amberrocks).

3m Intros and Earnest discussion of all things geek & feminism, HBO’s boobage count, the depiction of sexual violence in the show, and whether George writes women well, with a side discussion on Westerosi female grooming.

63m The ladies discuss which Westerosi characters they most resemble, would like to hang out with, as well as the Hottest Manly Men in Westeros- show and book edition; KILFs and relationships we love to ship.

124m The ladies move on to their fellow podcast hosts to discuss their Podcast crushes, and which Vassal would be most useful in the event of a Zombie apocalypse.

165m Aftershow discussion with Jesicka309 and Scilens.

WARNING – This podcast contains spoilers for Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire and Hunger Games as well as many references to boobs.

Credits:
Edited by Bina007 using lovely audio clips from The New Statesman and with music from Cyndi Lauper.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed
[My Lady!] Brienne-Margaery Fanfic
[Stansa!] Who knew?! Sansa-Stannis Fanfic

And finally, here’s that wince-inducing pic of pasty Jon Snow:

2 Comments

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Books & Novellas, Fandom, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Aiwendil, amberrocks, Bina007, Erinyes, inkasrain, jesicka309, Lady Griffin, Nadia, Scilens

VoK 111: WolfCast – “The Watchers on the Wall” (S04E09 Review)

Posted on June 12, 2014 | 1 comment

This week, Wolfcast joins the Night’s Watch as they fight off the Wildling army in two simultaneous battles at the Wall. Patrick the Tall leads Imogen.OB, Nadia, Alix (Aiwendil), Peter (Shellfish), Jan (LeechLord), Kelvin (Brum Riverlander) and Eddie (Teddard) in a particularly derailed… ahem, I mean detailed discussion of Watchers on the Wall. Starting around 2 hours and 10 minutes, the aftershow contains talk of George RR Martin’s legacy, an upcoming Game of Thrones Telltale game, Sir Christopher Lee’s badassery, podcast fanfiction and more!

Credits:
Edited by Aiwendil
Music credits: the Tribute to Lord Flashheart is from [a href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CnAsdQiGzs”>here%5D
featuring music by Queen.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

1 Comment

Posted in A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Aiwendil, Brum Riverlander, Imogen.OB, LeechLord, Nadia, Shellfish, Teddard