Author Archives: vokadmin

VoK 83: Ender’s Game (by Orson Scott Card)

Posted on April 8, 2014 | Leave a comment

The Vassals don their flash suits and enter the Battle Room to discuss Ender’s Game, the first novel in Orson Scott Card’s popular science fiction series. Michael (Lord Prism), Greg (Claudius the Fool), and Zach (Alias) delve into why they enjoy this story so much and the various philosophical questions that it evokes. Topics include whether or not the story can be described as a “children’s book”, the futuristic world of Ender’s Game, bullying, the true meaning of the book’s title, and much more.

Credits:
Edited by Zach (Alias)
Music from the film Ender’s Game, composed by Steve Jablonsky

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Links:
Ender’s Game @ amazon
Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson @ amazon
Post on the “Philotic Theorum”
Podcast Shownotes @ Google Docs
Essay on Ender’s Game, analyzed with Queer Theory

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Alias, claudiusthefool, LordPrism

VoK 80: Game of Thrones – Pre-Season 4 Speculation

Posted on April 6, 2014 | 2 comments

Vikram (Fortytwo) is joined by Brook (Asha Greatjoy) and Grey(claudiusthefool) to go over the Production/Featurette videos, Trailers and casting news and get psyched for the upcoming Season 4 of HBO’s Game of Thrones premiering April 6th 2014

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (Fortytwo)
Outro Music was Ramin Djawadi’s Night’s Watch from Game of Thrones Original Soundtrack.

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Show Notes @ Google Docs

2 Comments

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

Tagged Asha Greatjoy, claudiusthefool, fortytwo

VoK 77: Downton Abbey (ITV series)

Posted on March 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

Vikram (Fortytwo) is joined by Nadia, Glen(Dagos_Rivers) and Saad (Saad164) to review Julian Fellowes Period Drama Downton Abbey.

Beware of Spoilers and we regret the poor audio quality.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (Fortytwo)
Audio and Music excerpts taken from the Show

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Posted in History, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Dagos_Rivers, fortytwo, Nadia, saad164

VoK 75: The Hedge Knight (by George R. R. Martin)

Posted on March 18, 2014 | 5 comments

The Vassals raise their pavilions at Ashford Meadow to discuss The Hedge Knight, the first story in George R. R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg series of novellas. Topics include the role of smallfolk in Westeros and the main story, knights and knighthood, how coinage and the economy of Westeros functions, the age old question of who has a right and claim to rule, and why fahrenheit is better than celsius. Zach (Alias), Bina (Bina007), Vikram (FortyTwo), Amanda (MiddleCyclone), Michael (Mordion), Leigh (LordManderblee) and Nadia (Nadia) also consider various theories that the story has spawned and how they relate to the A Song of Ice and Fire world at large.

Credits:
Edited by Zach (Alias)
Music excerpts taken from the soundtrack of HBO’s Game of Thrones, composed by Ramin Djawadi

Links:
Legends (The Hedge Knight)
The Hedge Knight Graphic Novel
Legends II (The Sworn Sword)
The Sworn Sword Graphic Novel
Warriors (The Mystery Knight)

5 Comments

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

Tagged Alias, Bina007, fortytwo, LordManderBlee, middlecyclone, Mordion, Nadia

VoK 74: Vikings (History Channel series) – Season 1

Posted on March 16, 2014 | 7 comments

Vikram (Fortytwo) is joined by Brett(White Raven) and Nadia to review and discuss Michael Hirst’s Epic Saga Vikings. The crew try to puzzle out navigation by sun dial, women in Viking society, what was the point of the priest character Athelstan, Effect of Vikings on England and then finish it all off with One Nite/marry/kill game.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (Fortytwo)
Outro music was Fever Ray’s If I had a heart

7 Comments

Posted in History, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged fortytwo, Nadia, White Raven

VoK 71: Jean Cocteau Cinema (Q & A)

Posted on March 11, 2014 | Leave a comment

Travis (travisotraviso from the forums) went to one of the Game of Thrones showings at GRRM’s Jean Cocteau Cinema in Sante Fe, and talks through the experience with Brian (Ikswarum). Travis went on the night where Maisie Williams visited, and he plays the audio from the Q&A sessions that George and Maisie held. Hear about Maisie’s dream role, what she learned most during filming, and her thoughts on which character has most influenced Arya. GRRM shares the experience that inspired Tyrion’s loss of nose, and stick around for the after show, where Travis and Brian stumble through understanding the “Pop Vinyl” figures.

Credits:
Edited by TravisoTraviso

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

Tagged ikswarum, TravisoTraviso

VoK 69: SoccerCast (Vol.1)

Posted on March 5, 2014 | 5 comments

Bina007 is joined by Linecom1, Lordmanderblee, and Pod’s Plight from the APOIAF forums to discuss the World Cup, British Snobbery, the English Premier League, and the EPL to Westeros Converter.

Credits:
Edited by Linecom1

5 Comments

Posted in Fandom, Podcast, Sports

Tagged Bina007, linecom1, LordManderBlee, Pod's Plight

VoK 68: House of Cards (Netflix series) – Seasons 1 & 2

Posted on March 3, 2014 | Leave a comment

Beware of Spoilers, the following podcast discusses Season 1 and 2 of House of Cards in detail.

Join the Vassals as they review and discuss the first and second season of Netflix Original Series “House of Cards”. Quorum includes Fortytwo, FTWard, Mordian, Shellfish and Bina007.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram aka Fortytwo
Outro is “Whatever Became of Hubert” by Tom Lehrer

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Posted in Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Bina007, fortytwo, FTWard, Mordion, Shellfish

VoK 66: Sherlock (BBC series)

Posted on March 1, 2014 | 3 comments

Julia (No True Lady), Nadine (Erinyes), Nadia, Bina, and special guest Kyle (from APOIAF) ruminate on the triumphs, missteps and the future of BBC’s smash hit Sherlock. Guest starring Kyle’s little birds and Julia’s surprise dinner guests.

Credits:
Edited by Julia aka No True Lady

3 Comments

Posted in Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Bina007, Erinyes, Kyle, Nadia, No True Lady

We are now VOKpodcast.com

Posted on February 25, 2014 | Leave a comment

VOKpodcast.com

“Behold – the glories of the internet!”

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Posted in Announcements

VoK 65: Fall of Giants (by Ken Follett)

Posted on February 21, 2014 | Leave a comment

*Spoiler warning to potential fans of Ken Follett*

Mordion (Michael) and Dagos_Rivers (Glen) discuss the 2010 book release, ‘Fall of Giants’ by Ken Follett, decide to spoil every single sentence in the book, discuss other adult authors like ‘Child Lee’, Dan Brown and Jeffrey Archer, and discuss and value for money when using Audible.

Other topics of discussion:
-Marry, one night or join the Russian Army
-Scottish Referendum
-The perils of Downton Abbey-esque Housemaids
-TV adaptations

Credits:
Edited by Dagos_Rivers

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast

Tagged Dagos_Rivers, Mordion

VoK 63: Writer’s Workshop

Posted on February 7, 2014 | 1 comment

Five Vassals sit down to discuss the craft of writing and share some of their own work. Join Steven (SJLee), Michal (inkasrain), Zach (Alias), Duncan (Valkyrist), and Ace (SomeNewGuy), as they share their insights into writing, offer feedback to one another, and discuss their latest projects.

Ace shares an inspired-by-real-life comedy of life overseas in the Peace Corps. Zach and Duncan discuss their early foray into fantasy fiction. Michal’s unique cop drama, set in a world of drug-addicted dragons, captures the interest of her fellow hosts. And Steven describes his post-apocalyptic novel, which is nearing completion. The conversation covers many areas of writing:

1:55 – Part 1: General Discussion on Writing
23:15 – Part 2: Roundtable Conversation on Work [Gardeners vs. Architects; Breaking down the Fantasy Genre; Plot vs. Character; Female Characters and “Unlikeable” Protagonists; World-building; Writing Post-Apocalyptic Fiction; Publishing your Work]
1:58:10 – Part 3: Advice to Fellow Writers [including a defense for Fan Fiction]

Credits:
Edited by SJLee

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[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Links:
The Anxiety of Writers
Year of the Dragon by inkasrain (extract)
Quincy’s Tale by SomeNewGuy
The Knight of Leafport by Valkyrist (extract)
A Shattered World by SJLee (extract)

1 Comment

Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Alias, inkasrain, SJLee, SomeNewGuy, Valkyrist

VoK 58: Blade Runner [1982] (DVD Commentary)

Posted on January 23, 2014 | Leave a comment

The Vassals dream of electric sheep in this audio commentary for Ridley Scott’s 1982 science-fiction classic Blade Runner (The Final Cut). Join Katie (Lady Griffin), Bina (Bina007), and Duncan (Valkyrist) as they debate whether or not Deckard is a replicant and (maybe) drive off into the mountains for a happy ending.

The movie should be synced from 7:00 to 2:05:00, and the commentary itself will begin exactly 1 minute into the movie, due to minor recording issues.

Credits:
Edited by Katie
Audio clips owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment.

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Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Bina007, Lady Griffin, Valkyrist

VoK 54: The Hunger Games – Catching Fire [2013] (Review)

Posted on January 7, 2014 | Leave a comment

Vassals of Kingsgrave tackle the soon-to-be Highest grossing movie of 2013, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

In this aleged ‘movie’ review show, we spoil the hell out of the next (two) installment(s) ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’, fawn over Johanna Mason/Jena Malone, discuss the trend of splitting the final installment of a movie to cash in, the ill-fated ‘bitch slap’ from the movie, and that adorable cat (Buttercup).

Dagos_Rivers is joined by two new VOK Hosts: Claudiometer and saad164.

Credits:
Edited by Dagos_Rivers

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Posted in Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged Claudiometer, Dagos_Rivers, saad164

VoK 53: The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug [2013] (Review)

Posted on January 5, 2014 | Leave a comment

Happy New Year Listeners! . Fortytwo is joined by LordManderblee, Bina007, Shellfish, No True Lady, White Raven and Scilens to rate, review and discuss Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013).

Credits:
Edited by Fortytwo

Links:
Tolkien Professor on Hobbit 2
Elf Lore Comic
Thranduil in 1977’s Hobbit
Golum in Wellington Airport

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Posted in Movies, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Bina007, fortytwo, LordManderBlee, No True Lady, Scilens, Shellfish, White Raven

Happy New Year VOK! (Podcast Announcements)

Posted on January 1, 2014 | Leave a comment

HAPPY 2014 VASSALS! It was almost 7 months ago that the first VoK was released, and since then we’ve organised and recorded 51 episodes, comprising over 70 hours of original content. Mother have mercy, just imagine what we’ll have achieved in 7 more months. As always, a big thanks to Amin and the Podcast of Ice and Fire crew for their lovely support, and of course to you guys (listeners and hosts), who make it all worthwhile.

In case you wanted to get VoK a (late) Christmas present, then we would be super appreciative if you could leave us a positive review and rating on iTunes, and (if you haven’t already) follow us on Twitter and YouTube. It should only take 30 seconds (a minute at the most), but we would be eternally grateful! Seriously, it would really help us out in terms of iTunes visibility. Anyway, that’s enough grovelling 😉

Here is a list of all of the “Call to Arms” threads currently active on the forums. Feel free to get involved in any of them… or, if you’re feeling brave enough, even start your own!

Movies & TV:
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (review)
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (review)
Amadeus (fan commentary)
Sherlock (BBC series)

Books & Novellas:
The Lord of the Rings (full reread)
ASOIAF Crackpot Theories
Real Word vs. ASOIAF History
A Flight of Sorrows (Collector’s Edition)
The Gentlemen Bastards series (by Scott Lynch)
Discworld series (by Terry Pratchett)

Video Games:
Fallout series
Dragon Age series

The full VoK Topic List is located HERE, and is updated frequently.

Finally, while it may be 2014, as Quaithe says, “to go forward you must go back”. Accordingly, all of the character discussions from our epic FeastDance reread have been neatly edited and indexed into a convenient YouTube playlist. For example:

So you can check out the full playlist HERE, and peruse individual character chapters at your leisure. We’re also hoping it will drive a bit more traffic to the podcast.

Anyway, that should put you all up to date. Happy New Year and long live House Manwoody! 🙂

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Posted in Announcements

VoK 49: Perceptions of Historical Events

Posted on December 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

The following podcast is about historical perceptions and how they are changed based on the culture you live in. It is by Stefan from Boiled Leather podcast and Steven from Race to the Iron Throne Blog and podcast. It was first published on Dec 2013 on Stefan’s nerd stream era blog. We thought u might enjoy it , so Stefan and Steven let us borrow it.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly.
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[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast only feed.
[Forum] Podcast Forums.

Links:
Stefan’s Nerd Stream Era Blog
Stefan’s History Blog in German
Steven’s Race to the Iron Throne Blog
Boiled Leather Audio Hour

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Posted in History, Podcast

Tagged Stefan, Steven

VoK 48: Counterfactual History

Posted on December 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

The following podcast is about Counter-factual history or What-if history. It is by Stefan of Boiled Leather podcast and Steven from Race to the Iron Throne Blog and podcast. It was first published on July 2013 on Stefan’s nerd stream era blog. We thought u might enjoy it , so Stefan and Steven let us borrow it.

Links:
Stefan’s Nerd Stream Era Blog
Stefan’s History Blog in German
Steven’s Race to the Iron Throne Blog
Boiled Leather Audio Hour

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Posted in History, Podcast

Tagged Stefan, Steven

VoK 47: Mass Effect series (BioWare)

Posted on December 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

To Discuss Bioware’s Mass Effect Series , Katie (Lady Griffin) is joined by Zach (Alias), Eddie (Teddard), Matt (Eiffel), and Peter (Shellfish).

2:00 Introductions and Icebreakers
11:00 Trilogy Highlights
34:00 Mass Effect 3 Ending
58:00 Multiplayer, Paragon and Renegade, and The Future of Mass Effect
1:08:00 Aftershow – Snakes and Scorpions, Badasses and Dumbasses

Warning: Contains plot spoilers for all Mass Effect games and downloadable content. Minor spoilers for the novel Mass Effect: Revelation by Drew Karpyshyn.

Credits:
Edited by Katie
Intro: ‘The Old Machines’ by Rig
32:40: ‘I’m Proud of You’ by Sam Hulick
58:36: ‘Staggered Injection’ (Purgatory Bar Music) by Ekstrak
Outro: 1:09: DJ Harbinger – Surrender Shepard!
All Mass Effect clips belong to Bioware and Electronic Arts, Inc. All fanworks belong to their respective owners.