Author Archives: Valkyrist

VoK 308: The Godfather [1972] (DVD Commentary)

Posted on July 3, 2016 | 1 comment

The Vassals make you an offer you can’t refuse. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Matt (Varley) and Nadia as they discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 crime epic The Godfather.

And stick around after the 3-hour mark for a few salvaged highlights from our failed commentary of The Godfather: Part II.

Warning: Contains spoilers for The Godfather film trilogy

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio Clips owned by Paramount Pictures

[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
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

1 Comment

Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast

Tagged Nadia, Valkyrist, Varley

VoK 254: The World of Ice and Fire – The Bones and Beyond

Posted on January 25, 2016 | 2 comments

In their third and final foray into the lands beyond the Sunset Kingdom, the Vassals scale the daunting Bone Mountains to explore the fabled kingdoms of Eastern Essos.

Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Greg (claudiusthefool), Augustine (linecom1), Michael (Khal Wadege), and lurker extraordinaire Amber (Amberrocks) as they ponder zorse morphology, colour-coded emperors, spiteful gods, necromancy diets, and how to get those stubborn grease stains out of your black stone monolith.

With the help of Maester Yandel, they also speculate (wildly) on the future events of the novels, and the various real-world historical allusions scattered throughout the compendium.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

11:00 – The Bone Mountains
31:42 – The Plains of the Jogos Nhai
46:38 – Yi Ti
1:20:46 – Leng
1:28:41 – Asshai and Beyond!
1:52:46 – Lomas Longstrider’s Wonders
1:57:45 – Martin and Orientalism
2:07:56 – Aftershow

This podcast is part of series of in-depth discussions covering all of the various sections of The World of Ice and Fire (by George R. R. Martin, Elio Garcia & Linda Antonsson). Stay tuned to VOK for lots more installments!

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Music owned by MGM

Links:
VoK 175: The World of Ice and Fire – The Free Cities
VoK 186: The World of Ice and Fire – Sothoryos & Central Essos
The World of Ice and Fire (Amazon page)
The Lands of Ice and Fire (hi-res map)

2 Comments

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

Tagged amberrocks, claudiusthefool, Khal Wadege, linecom1, Valkyrist

VoK 248: Star Wars – The Force Awakens (RebelScum Review)

Posted on December 29, 2015 | 4 comments

Kingsgrave – has there ever been a more wretched hive of scum and villainy?

Join rebel pilots Michal (inkasrain), Zach (Alias), Katie (Lady Griffin), Duncan (Valkyrist), Adam (drownedsnow), Amber (Amberrocks), and Scott (Shaggy Dog) for an explosive foray into Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. And stick around the hangar lounge for the Aftershow (at 2:06:05), which includes a brief dissection of the Prequel Trilogy.

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, along with all previous entries in the Star Wars saga.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio clips owned by Disney

4 Comments

Posted in Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction, Star Wars

Tagged Alias, amberrocks, drownedsnow, inkasrain, Lady Griffin, Shaggy Dog, Valkyrist

VoK 238: Mr. Robot (USA series) – Season 1

Posted on September 29, 2015 | 1 comment

The Vassals assemble in an abandoned Coney Island arcade to review the first season of USA’s new series Mr. Robot.

Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Matt (Varley) and Adam (drownedsnow) for a rumination on computerised society, pop cultural consciousness, class warfare, corporate greed, anarchist insurrection, and the best way to make an omelet (tip – “you’ve got to break a few eggs!”). The timestamps for each discussion segment are included below:

3:10 – Lemoncake Ratings
8:45 – Elliot Alderson
35:12 – Angela Moss
44:16 – Tyrell Wellick
56:55 – Darlene
1:04:31 – Shayla
1:11:03 – Mr. Robot and fsociety
1:27:48 – Phillip Price and White Rose
1:35:08 – Cinematography
1:50:35 – Aftershow

Warning: Contains spoilers for all aired episodes of USA’s Mr. Robot, as well as the 1999 film Fight Club.

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio clips owned by USA

1 Comment

Posted in Podcast, Science Fiction, TV Shows

Tagged drownedsnow, Valkyrist, Varley

VoK 220: KrakenCast – “Mother’s Mercy” (S05E10 Review)

Posted on June 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

THE KRAKEN SENDS ITS REGARDS! Aussie & Asia-Pacific vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Joseph (Ciao_Gamer), Silvana (silvaubrey) and Michael (Khal Wadege) review the tenth episode of Game of Thrones’ fifth season, entitled “Mother’s Mercy.”

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

01:03 – Introduction/Lemoncake Ratings
13:53 – Winterfell
43:55 – Bravos
59:48 – Dorne
1:13:12 – Meereen
1:26:41 – King’s Landing
1:38:20 – The Wall
1:55:44 – Closing Thoughts
2:06:31 – Aftershow

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“Valyrian Steel” by Adam WarRock

That concludes KrakenCast for this season of Game of Thrones. Thank you to all of our hosts, listeners, and commenters.

What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger!

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

Tagged Ciao_Gamer, Khal Wadege, silvaubrey, Valkyrist

VoK 210: Better Call Saul (AMC series) – Season 1

Posted on May 26, 2015 | Leave a comment

Law offices of James M. McGill, how may we direct your call? Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Zach (Alias) and Adam (drownedsnow) for a trip down New Mexico way. They review the first season of AMC’s new series Better Call Saul, dissecting its themes of identity, morality, family, justice, and Chicago sunroofs.

Due to Skype problems, the audio quality takes a dip at various points during the episode. Apologies for that. 🙂

Warning: Contains spoilers for all aired episodes of AMC’s Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio clips owned by AMC

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Posted in Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Alias, drownedsnow, Valkyrist

VoK 207: KrakenCast – “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken” (S05E06 Review)

Posted on May 20, 2015 | Leave a comment

THE KRAKEN LASHES OUT! Aussie & Asia-Pacific vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Joseph (Ciao_Gamer), Silvana (silvaubrey) and guest host Glen (Dagos_Rivers) review the sixth episode of Game of Thrones’ fifth season, entitled “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.”

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

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

KrakenCast typically records on Tuesday at 7:00pm (AEST) / 10:00am (GMT).

This time is meant to cater for Australian and Asian-Pacific fans, but everyone is welcome. Just let us know on the “Call to Arms” thread HERE, if you’d like to join us for an episode.

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

Tagged Ciao_Gamer, Dagos_Rivers, silvaubrey, Valkyrist

VoK 204: KrakenCast – “Kill the Boy” (S05E05 Review)

Posted on May 12, 2015 | 2 comments

THE KRAKEN SCRAMBLES ASHORE! Aussie & Asia-Pacific vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Joseph (Ciao_Gamer), and Silvana (silvaubrey) review the fifth episode of Game of Thrones’ fifth season, entitled “Kill the Boy.”

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

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

KrakenCast typically records on Tuesday at 7:00pm (AEST) / 10:00am (GMT).

This time is meant to cater for Australian and Asian-Pacific fans, but everyone is welcome. Just let us know on the “Call to Arms” thread HERE, if you’d like to join us for an episode.

2 Comments

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

Tagged Ciao_Gamer, silvaubrey, Valkyrist

VoK 202: KrakenCast – “The Sons of the Harpy” (S05E04 Review)

Posted on May 8, 2015 | Leave a comment

THE KRAKEN DOES NOT SLEEP, IT WAITS! Aussie & Asia-Pacific vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Joseph (Ciao_Gamer), and Silvana (silvaubrey) review the fourth episode of Game of Thrones’ fifth season, entitled “The Sons of the Harpy.”

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

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

KrakenCast typically records on Tuesday at 7:00pm (AEST) / 10:00am (GMT).

This time is meant to cater for Australian and Asian-Pacific fans, but everyone is welcome. Just let us know on the “Call to Arms” thread HERE, if you’d like to join us for an episode.

Leave a comment

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

Tagged Ciao_Gamer, silvaubrey, Valkyrist

VoK 200: The Dance of the Vassals II

Posted on May 5, 2015 | 5 comments

To celebrate their 200th podcast, the curators of VOK don their tokars, pack a crate of honeyed locusts, and take a trip down to the fighting pits of Meereen. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Michal (inkasrain), Greg (claudiusthefool), Zach (alias), and Katie (Lady Griffin) for one-night only performance of Daenerys IX from George R. R. Martin’s A Dance with Dragons.

And stick around backstage for a discussion of the chapter, as well as some general Aftershow tomfoolery.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

02:36 – Full Cast(le) Recording #9: One to Dread
36:43 – Daenerys IX (ADWD) Chapter Discussion
1:20:19 – Aftershow
2:08:14 – ???

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

Links:
The Meereenese Blot

5 Comments

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

Tagged Alias, claudiusthefool, inkasrain, Lady Griffin, Valkyrist

VoK 189: Alayne (The Winds of Winter – Sample Chapter)

Posted on April 3, 2015 | 3 comments

The Vassals assemble at the Gates of the Moon to review and dissect the latest sample chapter from George R. R. Martin’s The Winds of Winter, entitled “Alayne.”

Join Michal (inkasrain), Zach (Alias), Greg (claudiusthefool), Duncan (Valkyrist), Julia (No True Lady), Shane (easttexasdirewolf), Matt (Varley) and Nadia as they ponder the evolution of Sansa Stark, courtly politics in the Vale, the master plan of Petyr Baelish, and the treachery of hedge mice.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published and unpublished books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as all aired episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones (including Season 5 promotional material).

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

Links:
Alayne (chapter text)
VoK 61: The Winds of Winter (Preview Chapters)
VoK 79: Mercy (The Winds of Winter – Sample Chapter)

3 Comments

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

Tagged Alias, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, inkasrain, Nadia, No True Lady, Valkyrist, Varley

VOK Nominated for the Annual Podcast Awards!!

Posted on March 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

Thanks to the loyal listeners of House Manwoody (and the APOIAF crew), the Vassals of Kingsgrave have been nominated for the 10th Annual Podcast Awards. Our humble little community cast has been placed in the “General” category, alongside heavy-hitters like Serial.

“Well that’s great,” I hear you say, “but how could I possibly help you dethrone such a gargantuan competitor. I’m only one person with an internet connection.” Well, humble listener, the fact is, you hold all the power. You can vote. And here’s how…

Step 1: Go to this website: http://www.PodcastAwards.com/
Step 2: Select “Vassals of Kingsgrave” in the General category.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom, and enter your name and email, followed by “Submit”.
Step 4: Go to your email inbox, and verify your vote.
Step 5: Have a Kit Kat. You’ve earned it! 😉

Voting closes on March 24, at 2100 EST. However, you can vote each and every one of those 22 days, starting with today.

So be sure to share, retweet, reblog, do whatever it is Tumblr does, and loose your ravens to every corner of the realm.

What say you Vassals! 🙂

Leave a comment

Posted in Announcements

VoK 186: The World of Ice and Fire – Sothoryos & Central Essos

Posted on March 1, 2015 | 2 comments

In their second in-depth foray into the lands beyond the Sunset Kingdom, the Vassals set sail to Sothoryos and its surrounding isles, before heading north to the vast Grasslands of Essos, and then norther still to the Shivering Sea.

Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Greg (claudiusthefool), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), Dan (witless chum), Augustine (linecom1), Michael (Khal Wadege) and newcomer Justin (uflGator1) as they ponder ramming techniques (naval and otherwise); butterfly napalm; early Australian settlement; the Dinopocalypse of the south; the Dothraki’s aggressive rural redevelopment program; frosty prophesies; Ibbenese wrestling moves; and the “phantom menace” that haunts Mossovy forest.

With the help of Maester Yandel, they also speculate (wildly) on the future events of the novels, and the various real-world historical allusions scattered throughout the compendium.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

03:51 – The Summer Isles
35:50 – Naath
43:50 – The Basilisk Isles
58:34 – Sothoryos
1:18:38 – The Grasslands
1:53:21 – The Shivering Sea
2:00:21 – Ib
2:17:54 – East of Ib
2:29:20 – ???

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“Naathi and Butterfly” painted by uflGator1 (click here for the full-resolution image)

Links:
VoK 175: The World of Ice and Fire – The Free Cities
The World of Ice and Fire (Amazon page)
The Lands of Ice and Fire (hi-res map)
uflGator1’s Art Site
Haven in a Red Waste

2 Comments

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

Tagged claudiusthefool, Khal Wadege, linecom1, Ser Patrick the Tall, uflGator1, Valkyrist, witless chum

VoK 179: The Sopranos ReWatch (Part 2) – The Strong, Silent Type

Posted on February 1, 2015 | 3 comments

The Vassals continue their increasingly bloody rewatch of arguably the greatest television show ever made – HBO’s The Sopranos. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Michael (Mordion) and newcomer Kristen (Lady K) as they delve into the mob carnage, familial tensions and cigar-clouded therapy sessions of seasons 3 to 5.

This is the second podcast in a three-part retrospective of the series.

05:03 – Season 3 Discussion
1:17:27 – Season 4 Discussion
2:05:52 – Season 5 Discussion

Warning: Contains #SPOILERS# for all aired episodes of HBO’s The Sopranos

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio clips owned by HBO

Links:
VoK 151: The Sopranos (Part 1) – Since the Ducks Left

3 Comments

Posted in Podcast, The Sopranos, TV Shows

Tagged Lady K, Mordion, Valkyrist

VoK 175: The World of Ice and Fire – The Free Cities

Posted on December 22, 2014 | 4 comments

Merry Christmas from across the Narrow Sea! In their first in-depth foray into The World of Ice and Fire, the Vassals set sail to the Nine Free Cities of Essos.

Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Thomas (FTWard), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), Dan (witless chum), Augustine (linecom1), and Michael (Khal Wadege) as they ponder maze-loving minotaurs; the badassery of war-bears; the shocking secret behind Oathkeeper; Essosi potato-farming; the pH levels of the Disputed Lands; Patchface’s failed betrothal; and the fabulousness of the Uncloaking Festival. With the help of Maester Yandel, they also speculate (wildly) on the future events of the novels, and the various real-world historical allusions scattered throughout the compendium.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

1:39 – Beyond the Sunset Kingdom
20:00 – Lorath
33:26 – Norvos
45:50 – Qohor
1:01:07 – Myr, Lys & Tyrosh
1:20:21 – Pentos
1:25:02 – Volantis
1:38:09 – Braavos
2:16:33 – ???

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“This Land is Your Land (Valyrian Edition)” by Aiwendil

Links:
The World of Ice and Fire (Amazon page)
The Lands of Ice and Fire (map)
Dreams of a Red Door

4 Comments

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

Tagged FTWard, Khal Wadege, linecom1, Ser Patrick the Tall, Valkyrist, witless chum

VoK 158: Movie Roundtable (Vol.2) – Horror Edition

Posted on October 31, 2014 | Leave a comment

[audio http://archive.org/download/VOK158MovieRoundtable2Horror/VOK158_MovieRoundtable2_Horror.mp3]

Happy Halloween vassals! The guys of VOK gather around the campfire to tell spooky stories and reveal their deepest, darkest fears. Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Zach (Alias), Greg (claudiusthefool), Glen (Dagos_Rivers), Thomas (FTWard), and Mattias (Beric175) as they discuss demonic ankle-biters, menstrual overkill, insect impregnation, cultured cannibals, manifest vampirism, and “The Sprinting Dead.”

7:27 – The Appeal of Horror Movies
21:52 – The Omen (Richard Donner, 1976)
39:41 – Carrie (Brian De Palma, 1976)
55:18 – The Fly (David Cronenberg, 1986)
1:17:53 – The Silence of the Lambs (Jonathan Demme, 1991)
1:43:51 – Ravenous (Antonia Bird, 1999)
2:02:18 – 28 Days Later (Danny Boyle, 2002)

Warning: Contains #SPOILERS# for all six films

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

Links:
Gazing into the Abyss: The Uncanny Attraction of Horror Movies
Infographic: For Whom Would Your Favourite Horror Movie Vote?
9 Creepy Facts about The Omen
Carrie: The Musical (2012 Revival)
Roger Ebert’s Review of Ravenous
Why are Zombies still so Popular?

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Posted in Fandom, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Alias, Beric175, claudiusthefool, Dagos_Rivers, FTWard, Valkyrist

VoK 151: The Sopranos ReWatch (Part 1) – Since the Ducks Left

Posted on October 7, 2014 | 3 comments

What happens when four wiseguys walk into a psychiatrist’s office? Join vassals Duncan (Valkyrist), Bina (Bina007), Michael (Mordion), and Mattias (Maca) as they hijack and dismantle the first two seasons of HBO’s crown jewel – The Sopranos.

This is the first podcast in a three-part retrospective of the series.

02:51 – Cultural Impact
22:22 – Season 1 Discussion
1:02:33 – Season 2 Discussion

Warning: Contains #SPOILERS# for all aired episodes of HBO’s The Sopranos

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Audio clips owned by HBO

[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

3 Comments

Posted in Podcast, The Sopranos, TV Shows

Tagged Bina007, Maca, Mordion, Valkyrist

VoK 142: Movie Roundtable (Vol.1)

Posted on September 4, 2014 | Leave a comment

Heat up some popcorn, cause the vassals are heading to the cinema! Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Greg (claudiusthefool), Imogen (Imogen.OB), and Joseph (Ciao_Gamer) as they riff about optimistic armageddons, plagiaristic lions, urban gunslingers, and the live-action prequel to Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.

07:55 – The Postman (Kevin Costner, 1997)
29:47 – The Lion King (Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff, 1994)
45:33 – Dirty Harry (Don Seigel, 1971)
1:06:30 – Rocky (John G. Avildsen, 1976)

Warning: Contains #SPOILERS# for all four films

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist

[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

Leave a comment

Posted in Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Ciao_Gamer, claudiusthefool, Imogen.OB, Valkyrist

VoK 137: Full Cast(le) Recording #7 – The Motherf**king Queensmoot

Posted on August 20, 2014 | 4 comments

What is dead may never die… After an interminable scheduling process, and an even lengthier edit, the fabled “Queensmoot” chapter reading finally emerges from the Darkling Depths. Eleven salty vassals wade onto the shores of Pyke to claim their crowns, and perform “The Drowned Man” from George R. R. Martin’s A Feast for Crows.

And stick around afterwards for an in-depth discussion on Greyjoy psychology, Ironborn culture and Victarion’s ill-fated foray into nature documentaries.

2:27 – Chapter Reading
39:32 – Chapter Discussion
1:26:53 – Aftershow

The Cast:
Michal (inkasrain) – Narrator
Brooke (Asha Greatjoy) – Aeron Greyjoy
Dan (witless chum) – A Drowned Man / Meldred Merlyn / Baelor Blacktyde
Zach (Alias) – The Drowned God / Eric Ironmaker / Harmund Sharp
John (BarrelRoll42) – Rus / Red Oarsman / Ralf Stoneshouse
Seif (reg roone) – A Drowned Man / Ralf the Limper / Sexual-Harassment Kraken / Euron Greyjoy
Leigh (LordManderBlee) – Gylbert Farwynd / Lucas Codd
Peter (Shellfish) – Victarion Greyjoy
Paul (Pod’s Plight) – Dunstan Drumm
Elena (Lady_Grey) – Asha Greyjoy
Greg (claudiusthefool) – Rodrik Harlaw / Qarl the Maid

The Crew:
Michal (inkasrain) – Host
Duncan (Valkyrist) – Editor

[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

4 Comments

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

Tagged Alias, Asha Greatjoy, BarrelRoll42, claudiusthefool, inkasrain, Lady_Grey, LordManderBlee, Pod's Plight, reg roone, Shellfish, witless chum

KrakenMoot (Melbourne, 2014)

Posted on July 9, 2014 | 4 comments

Last night, in a little café off Swanston St, in the Melbourne CBD, the second ever Vassals of Kingsgrave Australian meet-up was held. In attendance (pictured from left to right) was Duncan (aka Valkyrist), Tanja (aka Scilens, en route back to Germany), Marius, and Jessica (aka jesicka309).

Coffee and red wine was drunk, wild ASOIAF theories were exchanged, winter cake was eaten (pictured below, baked by Marius), and a fun time was had by all! 🙂