Category Archives: Science Fiction

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


mrrobot

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

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


the_hitchhiker_s_guide_to_the_galaxy_wallpaper_by_cainag-d66ny8a

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.

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VoK 224: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC series) – Season 2


agentsofshieldseason2

The agents of Kingsgrave break their cover to discuss season two of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Join Michal (inkasrain), Eddie (Teddard), Adam (drownedsnow), and Amber (Amberrocks) as they talk about the highs and lows of aliens, Inhumans, Ultron, and of course, Edward James Olmos.

We apologize for any frequent beeping, buzzing, or poor sound quality. It’s Hydra’s fault.

Credits:
Edited by inkasrain

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VoK 222: Comic Book Club (Vol.5) – Spring TV Shows


VOK 222 Image

The fifth meeting of the Secret Book Club invites you to join our round table conversation about comics on TV in the Spring of 2015.
Thomas (FTWard), Shane (easttexasdirewolf), Scott (Skywaltzer) and Adam (drownedsnow) discuss Arrow, The Flash and Daredevil as well as iZombie, Powers, Constantine and Gotham.
We talk TV, we talk comics, we talk Swamp Thing, we talk Canadian-American relations you know the drill.

4:25, Arrow
34:55, The Flash
1:04:30, Daredevil
1:48:00, The Rest
2:19:50, After Show

Credits:
Edited by FTWard
Blog Image by Legends of the Superheroes National Broadcasting Company

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Music:
Bein Green
Written by Joe Raposo
Performed by Sophie Milman

The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel (Scratch Perverts Remix)
By Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Scratch Perverts
Special Thanks to: Chic, Blondie, Queen, Sugar Hill Gang, Furious Five and Spoonie Gee

Sympathy for the Devil
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Performed by alfatones

Uptown Funk
Written by Jeff Bhasker, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Nicholas Williams, Devon Gallaspy, Lonnie Simmons, Ronnie Wilson, Charles Wilson, Robert Wilson, Rudolph Taylor
Performed by Andie

Blame Canada
Written by Trey Parker and Marc Shaiman
Performed by MrConor777

VoK 203: Avengers – Age of Ultron [2015] (Review)


mexican ultron

In this Cinco De Mayo special, the crew split themselves up into Mexican and French side to bring both a Spoiler Free and Spoiler Filled review of the new Avenger Age of Ultron.

0:00: Spoiler Free review with Beric175, Teddard and Fortytwo
23:00: Spoiler Filled review with Amin, White Raven, EastTexasDirewolf, Amberrocks and Fortytwo

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Amin,Beric175,Teddard,White Raven, EastTexasDirewolf, Amberrocks and Fortytwo
Music: Gablé , BoxCat

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VoK 195: The Walking Dead (AMC series) – Season 5


VOK 195

The Vassals of Kingsgrave gather in the safety (relative) of Alexandria to review and discuss the 5th season of AMC’s The Walking Dead.  Join Greg (claudiusthefool), Amanda (Middlecyclone), Augustine (linecom1) & Steven (SJLee) as we discuss how comfortable we are with a possible Ricktatorship, are the Alexandrians dumb or just ignorant of the reality in which they live, how awesome Carl is (just kidding, he’s still awful) and generally meander our way from topic to topic much as the survivors do on the show but still end up where we are meant to be in the end.

***Warning: This podcast contains spoilers for the first five seasons of AMC’s The Walking Dead as well as references and spoilers for The Walking Dead Comic by Robert Kirkman (up to the point where the show has reached in the comics.  There will be no spoilers for the comics beyond that point.)***

Edited by Greg

Audio clip copyright AMC

Song: “Zombie” – The Cranberries

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VoK 193: Video Game Roundtable (Vol.1)


gaming round table

The Crew talk about their favorite games, gaming console and games they are looking forward to playing in 2015.

1min 50sec – Dark Souls 2 Discussion
24mins 30sec – Hello Kitty Online
25mins 30sec – Honeypop
28mins – Valkyria Chronicles
43mins 50sec – Gaming Console discussion
51mins 20sec – Bayonetta
1hr 11mins – Darkest Dungeon
1hr 30mins – Metroid Prime
1hr 52mins – League of Legends
1hr 55mins – Star Wars Games
1hr 58mins – Antispated releases of 2015
2hr 15mins – Game of Throne Games and Mods (caution minor spoiler)

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: White Raven, Valkyrist, Alias, Khal Wadege, Shoeshiner, Patrick the tall, Ciao Gamer and Fortytwo
Music: Gablé , BoxCat , Bass Assassin , Bassinfected , Christian Bjoerklund , Flex Vector, Ghost

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VoK 185: Book Club (Vol.4) – Ready Player One (by Ernest Cline)


VOKBC4IMG Join the Vassals of Kingsgrave for the fourth meeting of the VOK Book Club.  We leave the real world to enter the OASIS and discuss “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline.

Join hosts Greg, Zach, Brett, Duncan, Paul & Alex as they debate how awesome the 80s actually were, how healthy it is to live in a virtual world even if you do have your own X-Wing fighter, the pros and cons of watching Highlander 200 times, and why you should always let the girl say, “I love you” first. We also ponder what the true nature of happiness is anyway.

Be sure to vote on the forums for the next pick of the VOK Book Club!

Note: The first 27 minutes of the discussion is spoiler free.  When you hear “The Safety Dance” playing that means we are moving to the spoiler-filled discussion.

Credits: Edited by Greg

Image created by Zach (Alias)

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VoK 178: The Fly [1986] (Review)


The Fly

Weeks after the Horror Movie Roundtable (VOK 158), Dagos_Rivers (Glen) and Beric175 (Matthieu) recorded an expanded edition of the 1986 cult classic, ‘The Fly’ starring Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis and John Getz.

References are briefly made towards The Fly II, The Fly (1958) and other disgusting 80’s movies like Cocoon and Videodrome. However, the primary focus is Jeff Goldblum / Geena Davis vehicle.

Both Vassals discuss how much Jeff Goldblum looks like Michael Jackson, Stalking 101, and are (truly) classic movies ‘unremakable’? Glen contradicts himself about the difference between remakes and ‘readaptations’ as
he realises both Carrie movies were based on the Stephen King book.

The most infamous scenes of the picture are discussed, the professionalism of the midwife (cameo by Mr. Cronenberg), movies that are in development hell and the plot is discussed at length.

Running Time: 02:49:57

Credits:
Edited by Dagos_Rivers

Links:

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References:
Girl with 8 Limbs

VoK 166: Book Club (Vol.3) – Station Eleven (by Emily St. John Mandel)


VOK Book Club 3 Image

Join the vassals for the third meeting of the VOK Book Club.  We review and discuss Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, a finalist for the 2014 National Book Award (that’s right, literature!).

Join hosts Greg (claudiusthefool), Amber (amberrocks), Zach (Alias), Michal (inkasrain) & first-time podcaster Alex (LuckyCharms) as they try to make sense of this “hopeful” post-apocalyptic world in which 99% of the world’s population has been killed by a super-flu and yet Shakespeare (and comic books) have survived.

Come journey the empty weed-ravaged roads of what once was Michigan with the Traveling Symphony and its motley group of eccentric musicians and performers as well as visit The Museum of Civilization with its exhibits from a gone-away world.

Be sure to vote on the forums for the next pick of the VOK Book Club!

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Jacket image and map taken from the US Hardcover Edition published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2014.  Station Eleven Comic by Nathan Burton.  Logo from The Adventures in Bookland Blog.

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VoK 160: Comic Book Club (Vol.2) – Fall TV Shows


CBC 2

VoK 160: Comic Book Club Comics on TV Fall 2014

The third second Meeting of the Secret Book Club invites you to join our conversation about the current state of comics on television.

Thomas (FTWard), Greg (claudiusthefool), Shane (easttexasdirewolf) & Matt (Eiffel) discuss The Walking Dead, Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Arrow, The Flash and Gotham as well as some genuinely nerdy topics like the Top 5 Fighters in the DCU, who everyone’s favorite Flash is, the identity of Skye’s father, the nature of prostitution in Canada and of course Swamp Thing.

3:35 The Walking Dead

17:00 Marvel Agents of SHIELD

33:05 Arrow

49:50 The Flash

1:08:00 Gotham

1:28:00 After Show

 

Credits:
Edited by: FTWard
Image: Art by Al Plastino

Music: Various Artists

 

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


VOK_Halloween2
[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

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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?

VoK 153: Destiny (Bungie)


destiny cover

Fortytwo teams up with Alias and White Raven to take on a Boss called “Podcast”. The Crew review Bungie’s Destiny the game. At time of Recording Patch 1.0.2 is live and Iron Banner event is underway.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Fortytwo, Alias, White Raven
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Various other music: Gillicuddy’s Discography
Blog image by Janee Meadows

 

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Links:
AngryJoe’s Review

VoK 149: Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Animax series)


Fmab-poster

The Vassals turn toward anime territory to discuss and review Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the second series released following the story of the Full Metal Alchemist manga. Hosts Zach (Alias), Bing (Shoeshiner), Adam (drownedsnow), and Tony (The Reader) delve into why they feel that this anime stands as a particularly special entry for its genre.

Favorite and least favorites characters are discussed, along with favorite moments and story arcs, as well as an involved look at the good and bad aspects of the original anime and Brotherhood.

Credits:
Edited by Zach (Alias)
Hosts: Bing (Shoeshiner), Adam (drownedsnow), Tony (The Reader), and Zach (Alias)

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VoK 142: Movie Roundtable (Vol.1)


MoviePopcorn

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

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Links:
Similarities between The Lion King and Kimba the White Lion
Montage Overload: The Insanity of Rocky IV
The Best of Tommy Wiseau’s The Room

VoK 141: Captain America: The Winter Soldier [2014] and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.


AgentsOfShield

In this long-awaited episode, Vassals Michal (inkasrain), Bina (Bina007), Eddie (Teddard) and Nadia converge to converse about Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier film, and season one of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Sobering real-world parallels are drawn, the morality of redemption arcs is discussed, and furious debate breaks out over which member of the cast is the hottest.

Credits:
Edited by inkasrain

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VoK 136: Comic Book Club (Vol.1) – Saga (by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples)


LyingCatSmallThe first meeting of the Secret Book Club (The Vassals of Kingsgrave Comic Book Club [Girls Most Definitely Allowed]) discusses Saga written by Brian K. Vaughan with art by Fiona Staples published by Image Comics.

Please join Thomas (FTWard), Greg (claudiusthefool), Shane (easttexasdirewolf) & Scott (Skywaltzer) as we examine the first 12 issues of Saga and its “FUCKING OUTER SPACE GALAXY OF MAGIC” and generally geek out about all things sequential art.

Credits:
Edited by FTWard
Image: Lying Cat by uflgator1

Music:
Intro: “Rocket Man” written by Ser Elton John and Bernie Taupin.  Performed by William ShatnerAfter
Show Intro: “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile” written by George Henry Powell & Felix Powell.  Performed by Concert Band & Chorus of the R.A.A.F.

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


Second-Guardians-of-the-Galaxy-Poster-High-Res

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.

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VoK 127: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes [2014] (Review)


Dawn_of_the_Planet_of_the_Apes

Fortytwo(Vikram) is joined by vkalra13(Vidur), claudiusthefool(Greg), amberrocks(Amber) and Valkyrist(Duncan) to rate and review Matt Reeves’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. 74:30 mins in crew talk about other movies releasing this year and 82 mins in they talk about upcoming VoKs.

Beware of Spoilers, the following podcast will discuss the movies Rise and Dawn of Planet of the Apes

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Outro Music is Dr. Zaius Song from the Simpsons

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


20100907-enders-game

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