Author Archives: bina007

VOK 691 – Agatha Christie minipod 3 – Murder on the Links

Posted on June 12, 2022 | Leave a comment

In this brief spoiler-free episode Bina007 critically discusses Agatha Christie’s third novel and second Hercules Poirot murder-mystery, published in 1923. The novel is flawed and doesn’t repay a reread other than to show us Christie in debate with herself about what kind of detective novelist she wants to be – and that is very much NOT a Gaston Leroux or Arthur Conan Doyle but rather someone who focuses on logic and psychology rather than material clues.

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VOK 690 – Agatha Christie minipod – The Secret Adversary

Posted on June 7, 2022 | Leave a comment

In this brief episode Bina007 continues her brief introduction to the full-fledged VOK Agatha Christie reread by reviewing Christie’s second novel and first Tommy and Tuppence thriller, The Secret Adversary, published a hundred years ago. It is a fast-paced fun novel that reads like a cross between John Buchan and PG Wodehouse with a side order of Evelyn Waugh’s Bright Young Things. It reflects the economic travails of post-war England – the rise of the New Woman – and the fear of communist revolution.

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VOK 688 – Intro to the Agatha Christie reread & The Mysterious Affair At Styles

Posted on May 30, 2022 | Leave a comment

In this brief episode Bina007 introduces a new VOK Re-read series that will cover some of the most famous and beloved novels from the Queen of detective fiction, Agatha Christie. In order to whet your appetite and perhaps tempt you to join along, Bina007 describes Christie’s first published novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, published just over a 100 years ago, and introducing the world to the famous Belgian detective Hercules Poirot. There are spoilers toward the end but these are clearly telegraphed.

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Posted in Agatha Christie, Books & Novellas

VoK 683 – Yellowjackets S1

Posted on January 24, 2022 | 1 comment

Join Bina, Matt and Thomas as they discuss the first season of the hit mystery-thiller TV show Yellowjackets, airing on Showtime. The aftershow starts at 42m. Twin Peaks spoiler at 48m.

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VOK 675 – Mystic Shenanigans – Dune Book 1 Discussion

Posted on October 18, 2021 | Leave a comment

Join Bina, Patrick, Kat and Hannah as they discuss the the first book of Frank Herbert’s Dune series.

We discuss Patrick’s viewing of the new film; Paul as an elf; the gender of Kynes; Alia as a Star Trek alien; Fremen vs Mereen; the tenuous position of Chani; the lack of nuance with the “bad guys”; the Fenrings as Lannisters; and the Bene Gesserit’s mystic shenanigans.

No spoilers for later books.

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VOK 674 – Lynch’s Dune DVD Commentary

Posted on October 7, 2021 | Leave a comment

Join Bina, Patrick, and Kat as they watch the notorious commercial flop but iconically designed David Lynch version of Dune.

Spoilers for book one of the Dune series.

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VOK 670 – Dune – Book 1 Discussion

Posted on August 2, 2021 | Leave a comment

Join Bina, Patrick, Jock, Kat, Hannah and Zach as they discuss the first book of the first book of Frank Herbert’s Dune series. The Atreides family move to Arrakis in a planet-swap with their enemies, the Harkonnens, and we get our first look at the infamous sandworms. We discuss how we came to the book; the role of the Bene Gesserit; the nature of Paul as a hero; and the various centres of power in the Dune universe.

No spoilers for later books.

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VOK 665b – Soccercast – Euros 2020 Semi Final Review and Final Preview

Posted on July 11, 2021 | Leave a comment

Join Bina, Bing, Noah and Patrick as they review the semi-finals and preview the final of the Euros 2020.

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VOK 665 – Bitesize Soccercast – Reaction To England’s Semi-Final Victory

Posted on July 8, 2021 | Leave a comment

Two short clips of Bina and Noah in jubilant mood; Patrick gracious in defeat; and Bing neutral as always. Football’s Coming Home! Join us on the Discord for live Finals chat on Sunday.

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VOK 664 – Soccercast – Euros R16 and QF Review and SF Preview

Posted on July 7, 2021 | Leave a comment

Noah, Patrick and Grand-Maester Bing review the Round of 16 and Quarter Final matches and preview the Semi Finals with the aid of Noah’s quote unquote amazing wall chart.

The Round of 16 review plays out as follows: Boyos vs Denmark up at the start; Italy vs Austria at 6 mins in; the shock upset of Netherlands vs Czech Rep at 9m; Belgium vs FC Ronaldo at 14m; Croatia vs Spain with Most Weird Shit in a football match at 17m; RIP France vs Switzerland at 23m; and FOOTBALL COMING HOME at 28m; Sweden vs Ukraine at 40m.

The Quarter Final coverage starts at 44m with the entrance of Ser Patrick The Tall and moves into Spain vs Switzerland; Belgium vs Italy at 49m and the potentially fateful injury of Spinnazola; Czech Republic vs Denmark at 59m in that footballing mecca of Baku; and finally England roflstomping Ukraine 4-0 at 1hr 3 mins in.

The semi-final preview begins at 1hr 10mins in on England vs Denmark and Spain vs Italy at 1hr 20mins in.

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VOK 662 – Soccercast – Euros 2021 R16 Preview

Posted on June 26, 2021 | Leave a comment

Bina and Bing review the final week of group games, and preview the Round of 16.

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VOK 660 – Soccercast – Euros 2021 Week 1 Round Up

Posted on June 20, 2021 | Leave a comment

Noah and Bing review the first week of group games, recording at 4pm UK time on Friday 18th June. They discuss Turkey’s poor form; Wales’ outperformance; whether Denmark should’ve still played their opening match; and make some ballsy predictions for the England Scotland match.

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VOK 657 – Soccercast – Euros 2021 Preview

Posted on June 1, 2021 | Leave a comment

Football’s coming home! Join Noah, Bing and Bina as they wrap up the European soccer season and then, at 27 minutes in, preview the Euros 2020/2021, making predictions for how each group will play out. Also watch out for new footie chants for Bing, Bina and Marie in the aftershow.

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VOK 654 – Soccercast – Superleague Edition

Posted on May 9, 2021 | Leave a comment

Join Noah, Bing and Bina as they discuss the shambolic short-lived European Superleague (and literally sing the praises of Varley).

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VoK 651 – Klara and the Sun Book Review

Posted on April 15, 2021 | Leave a comment


Join Bina007 and Zach/Alias as they discuss the latest novel from Kazuo Ishiguro in a spoiler filled review.

Topics include: the notion of a sympathetic AI POV; the nature of religious faith; predicting remote learning and disrupted socalisation; lifting as a comment on helicopter parenting and the college admissions scandal; the future of work in a world of advanced AI and robotics; and the nature of love; the nature of service.


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VOK 627 – The Crown Season 4

Posted on December 6, 2020 | Leave a comment

Drop a curtesy and grab your Ibble Dibble wine cork because it’s time for the VOK review of season 4 of Netflix’ historical drama, The Crown. Season 4 takes us from 1977 to 1990 and we cover the lesser royals, the between The Queen and Mrs Thatcher, and the marriage of Charles and Diana.

Hosts: Bina007, Maria/Nymeria, Jock/MunroJock2, Hannah/Shadowbaby, Adam/Drownedsnow and Zack/Alias.

Spoilers for The Crown passim.

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VOK 625 – Deadwood The Movie

Posted on November 29, 2020 | Leave a comment

Dissent! Dispute! Disagreement! Daggers at dawn! No not really. But the Vassals DO have vastly differing reactions to the Deadwood movie. Join Michael, Thomas, Dana and Bina as they wrap up their rewatch. Strong language and spoilers throughout.

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VoK 623: Deadwood Season 3

Posted on November 19, 2020 | Leave a comment

The legendary Al Swearigen

A podcast episode is never late. It arrives precisely when it means to. And so with characteristic timeliness, VOK releases its review of the HBO series Deadwood’s third and final season a mere fourteen years after its initial release. Join Dana, Michael, Thomas and Bina for a spoiler-filled discussion of plot and character. Then join us for an uncharacteristically long after show where we discuss the constitutional politics of the USA and UK.

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VoK 618 – I May Destroy You

Posted on September 7, 2020 | Leave a comment

Bina007 and Hannah / Shadowbaby discuss Micaela Coel’s provocative, powerful TV series, I May Destroy You. The discussion is full of spoilers, but also discusses sexual assault and rape in detail. Listeners are encouraged to exercise self-care.

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VoK 617 – Return of the King Extended Edition Fan Rewatch Part 2

Posted on August 24, 2020 | Leave a comment

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The Vassals finally head Into The West with the final part of their Return of the King Extended Edition rewatch. This part begins at the Muster of Rohan, 1hr49m into the film. Learn how the movie did Gandalf and Faramir AND Aragorn dirty, but that the absence of the Scouring of the Shire isn’t actually a problem.

Hosts: Bina007, Adam/DrownedSnow, Matt/Varley, Marie/Nymeria, Alias/Zach and O.G of the M.E. Peter/Shellfish.

Spoilers for all things Tolkien duh.

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