Category Archives: The Lord of the Rings

VOK 614: Two Towers EE Fan Watch

Posted on July 19, 2020 by bina007 | Leave a comment

the-two-towers.jpg.839x0_q71_crop-scale

Following on from our LOTR AltHistory discussion, the ReRead crew get together to watch the Extended Edition of The Two Towers. They ramble chat and occasionally offer insights into why Faramir is dreamy.

Hosts: Bina007, Adam/DrownedSnow, Nadia, Matt/Varley, Marie/Nymeria, MunroJock2 and O.G of the M.E. Peter/Shellfish.

Spoilers for all things Tolkien duh.

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Posted in Podcast, The Lord of the Rings, Uncategorized

Tagged Bina007, drownedsnow, Munrojock2, Nadia, Nymeria, Shellfish, Varley

VOK 613: The Fellowship Of The Ring Fan Watch

Posted on July 5, 2020 by bina007 | Leave a comment

Book Cover

Following on from our LOTR AltHistory discussion, the ReRead crew get together to watch the Extended Edition of Fellowship of the Ring. They ramble chat and occasionally offer insights on why Boromir is the most under-rated character in LOTR.

Hosts: Bina007, Adam/DrownedSnow, Nadia, Matt/Varley, Paul/Ser Dinner Roll and O.G of the M.E. Peter/Shellfish.

Spoilers for all things Tolkien duh.

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Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Bina007, drownedsnow, Nadia, SerDinnerRoll, Shellfish, Varley

VOK 612: LOTR ReRead Reunion – Counterfactual History

Posted on July 1, 2020 by bina007 | 2 comments

Book Cover

Many of us are comfort-reading LOTR right now, so Bina007 decided to gather up the Vassals who hosted the LOTR re-read back in 2013 to discuss what would have happened if Faramir had attended the Council of Elrond rather than Boromir; if Sauron had never found the Ring; if Theoden hadn’t helped Gondor; what if Sauron won; and what if Saruman never went bad.

Thanks to Matt’s Air Con and Paul playing LOTR online this isn’t the cleanest of audio files but we thought The Listener would still like to hear OG Vassals Shellfish, Nadia and EastTexasDirewolf back on the airwaves. Quotidian hosts include Matt/Varley, Bina, Brett/Whiteraven, Adam/Drownedsnow and Paul/SerDinnerRoll.

Spoilers for all things Tolkien duh.

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Posted in Books & Novellas, History, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged amberrocks, Bina007, drownedsnow, easttexasdirewolf, Nadia, SerDinnerRoll, Shellfish, White Raven

VoK 420: The Hobbit ReRead (Part 2)

Posted on September 21, 2017 by drownedsnow | Leave a comment

In honor of the 80th anniversary of “The Hobbit” the Vassals blaze their way through the second half of J.R.R Tolkien’s first visit to Middle Earth. The tale grew in the telling and was nearly extended to 3 episodes but we wisely managed to keep it at 2.

Hosts: Adam (drownedsnow), Matt (Varley), Nadia, and Paul (SerDinneRoll).

This was was actually recorded around the same time as part 1, which you can find below.
[Part 1]

Spoilers: This episode covers all published works of J.R.R. Tolkien as well as George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire.
Editor: Adam

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged drownedsnow, Nadia, SerDinnerRoll, Varley

VoK 414: The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring [2001] (DVD Commentary)

Posted on September 9, 2017 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

It’s the podcast everyone’s been waiting for…

Join Casey (blue-eyed-queen) as she watches Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring for the first time, along with Lord of the Rings experts: Zach (Alias), Paul (Serdinnerroll), and Alex (LuckyCharms)! They discuss first impressions, music, New Zealand, Grime Con 2016, and maybe a little bit of LOTR.

Warning: contains spoilers for the Fellowship of the Ring and maybe the other LOTR movies/books I’m not really sure…

Credits:
Edited by Casey (blue-eyed-queen)
Music credit: Kevin MacLeod ~ Achaidh Cheide

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Posted in DVD Commentary, Movies, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Alias, blue-eyed-queen, LuckyCharms, SerDinnerRoll

VoK 328: Tolkien Trivia (Vol.2) – Don’t Be a Gorbag!

Posted on September 7, 2016 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

colbert

Join the Vassals for Round 2 (of 100?) of the fun and fact-filled Tolkien Trivia Night! Contestants Adam (drownedsnow), Matt (Varley), Shane (Easttexasdirewolf), Alex (LuckyCharms) & Paul (SerDinnerRoll) vie for dominance with scorekeeper & rules enforcer Nadia and host and reigning champion Greg (claudiusthefool).

Join us for a future Tolkien Trivia Night on the Podcast of Ice & Fire Forums

Edited by Greg

Intro music: Ren & Stimpy Big Show Theme
Aftershow Interlude: The Lords of the Rhymes

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Posted in Board Games & Trivia, Books & Novellas, Fandom, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged claudiusthefool, drownedsnow, easttexasdirewolf, LuckyCharms, Nadia, SerDinnerRoll, Varley

VoK 326: The Hobbit ReRead (Part 1)

Posted on August 26, 2016 by drownedsnow | 2 comments

Join Vassals Matt (Varley), Drew (Wargasm), Nadia, and Adam (drownedsnow) on the first of a two-part re-read through J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” where everything goes entirely according to plan.
The aftershow begins at 1:17:33.

This episode features spoilers for all published works of J. R. R. Tolkien and probably George R R Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire as well.

Editor: Adam

Picture credit: Gandalf at Bag End by John Howe.
Music Credit: Hero’s Theme by Twin Musicom, Evil March by Kevin MacLeod

stormsend

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Posted in Books & Novellas, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged drownedsnow, Nadia, Varley, Wargasm

VoK 324: Tolkien Trivia (Vol.1)

Posted on August 17, 2016 by vokadmin | 1 comment

Trivia

Listen in as Vassals try their hand at some trivia to see who will be come the Lord of the Rings!

This will (hopefully) become a regular thing, so let it be known if you’d like to join future Tolkien (or any other ) trivia VOKs!

Hosts: Paul (SerDinnerRoll) Alex (Lucky Charms), Matt (Varley), Nadia (Nadia), Greg (claudiusthefool), Adam (Drownedsnow) & Amber (Amberrocks)

Edited by Paul

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Posted in Board Games & Trivia, Books & Novellas, Fandom, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged amberrocks, claudiusthefool, drownedsnow, LuckyCharms, Nadia, SerDinnerRoll, Varley

VoK 258: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 9) – Of the Third Age and the Rings of Power

Posted on February 9, 2016 by vokadmin | 1 comment

One Ring

The Vassals of Kingsgrave conclude their Silmarillion re-read series with Part 9 in which we cover the final section of The Silmarillion, “Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age”. Join Greg (claudiusthefool), Matt (Varley), Shane (Easttexasdirewolf) & lurker extraordinaire Amber (Amberrocks) as we cover thousands of years of history in 50 minutes.

We tackle the tough questions:
– Was Sauron truly redeemable?
– How much power did Sauron wield through the Rings of Power?
– What happens to all those beautiful ships that sail to Valinor on their one-way voyage?
– How long do you roll your “r”s when pronouncing Saurrrrrrron?

Edited by Greg

Episode Art: “Sauron Forging the One Ring” by Ted Nasmith

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged amberrocks, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Varley

VoK 251: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 8) – Akallabeth

Posted on January 11, 2016 by bina007 | Leave a comment

Join hosts Brett (Whitehaven), Greg (claudiusthefool), Matt (Varley), Matthieu (Beric175) & Shane (Easttexasdirewolf) as they retell the story of the fall of Numenor.

Edited by Bina007

Episode Art: “The Fall of Numenor” by Darrell Sweet.

Song: Akallabeth by Iggy Metall and Samwise the Brave by Howard Shore, available to purchase on iTunes and other services.

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Beric175, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Varley, White Raven

VoK 249: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 7) – The End of an Age

Posted on December 31, 2015 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

Doors_of_Night The Vassals of Kingsgrave gather to finish The Quenta Silmarillion. In part 7 of the re-read we cover chapters 22-24 (Of the Ruin of Doriath, Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin & Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of Wrath).

Join hosts Greg (claudiusthefool), Matt (Varley), Matthieu (Beric175) & Shane (Easttexasdirewolf) as we recap battles between Elves & Dwarves, Beren kicking some Dwarvish ass, many discussions on the Half-elven, ACTUAL WINGED DRAGONS! as well as the epic conclusion of the first age and the (final?) war between Morgoth and The Valar.

Edited by Greg

Episode Art: “The Doors of Night” by John Howe.

Song: “Die Dragons” by Shane, copyright VOK Classics 2015

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Beric175, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Varley

VoK 236: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 6) – The Tale of Turin Turambar

Posted on September 21, 2015 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

The VOK Silmarillion crew reconvenes after a seven-month recess to discuss the uplifting tale of Turin Turambar and his messed up family. Join hosts Greg, Brett & Matt as we spend and unusual amount of time discussing Glaurung’s lack of wings (which two of us are still getting over), the collected wit and wisdom of Sador Labadal, Oedipal complexes in the First Age and many more fun topics.

Previous Silmarillion Re-Read episodes are VOK episodes 147, 155, 163, 172 & 182.

Edited by Greg

Music: “The World Turned Upside Down” written circa 1640 (author unknown). Performed by Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band.

Artwork: “Glaurung and Nienor by Eric Velhagen

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged claudiusthefool, Varley, White Raven

VoK 182: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 5) – Beren and Luthien

Posted on February 10, 2015 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

The Vassals of Kingsgrave celebrate Valentine’s Day by discussing Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beren and Luthien. Star-crossed lovers or doomed from the start?

Beren the mortal falls in love with Luthien, the most beautiful elf that has ever lived. Before they can marry Beren must complete the impossible task of cutting a Silmaril from the crown of Morgoth. As we follow Beren on his journey we touch on the continued dickishness of the Sons of Feanor, the possibility of Morgoth babies, the epic awesomeness that is Huan the Hound of Valinor as well as the Epic Rap Battles of the First Age and Luthien’s ability to make everyone simultaneously fall in love with her and fall asleep.

Hosts Greg, Matt, Alix, Matthieu, & Eddie discuss all this and more in the fifth part of our continued Silmarillion re-read series. The previous episodes in this series are VOK Episodes 147, 155, 163 & 172.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image art: “Carcharoth” by Justin Gerard

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Aiwendil, Beric175, claudiusthefool, Teddard, Varley

VoK 181: The Hobbit 3 – Battle of Five Armies [2014] (Review)

Posted on February 8, 2015 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

In this podcast the crew give eulogies for their (second)favorite Hobbit…trilogy.

0:00 – Spoiler free discussion of the movie, trilogy and the book series
31:30 – Spoiler filled deepdive discussion begins
1:47:00 – Claudiusthefool’s review of the movie

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Beric175, Ser Patrick the Tall, Aiwendil, White Raven, Amberrocks, Alias,Scilens, Teddart, claudiusthefool and fortytwo
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Other Music by BoxCat Games BoxCat’s Discography

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Links:
Tolkien Edit or 4 hour fan edit

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Posted in Movies, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Aiwendil, Alias, amberrocks, Beric175, claudiusthefool, fortytwo, Scilens, Ser Patrick the Tall, Teddard, White Raven

VoK 172: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 4) – The Beginning of the End

Posted on December 13, 2014 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

The Vassals of Kingsgrave continue our Silmarillion re-read in which we cover chapters 13-18 of the Quenta Silmarillion; “Of the Return of the Noldor” through “Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin”.

The Noldor have a few bright spots and shining moments before everything starts to go downhill in their ceaseless war against Morgoth. We visit the hidden city of Gondolin and follow Maeglin the clinically depressed Elf as he tackles his daddy issues and falls in love with his cousin. Men finally show up on the scene and join the fight; and we get one of the most awesome and bittersweet scenes in the book in which Fingolfin challenges Morgoth to single combat with the expected results.

Hosts Greg, Matt, Alix, Shane, Brett & Matthieu explore all this and various tangents including having several lessons on pronunciation, debate the wingspan of the great eagles, who would win in a fight; Gimli or The Mountain, and why didn’t the eagles just fly the damn ring right to Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image art of Fingolfin and Morgoth by artist unknown

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Aiwendil, Beric175, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Varley, White Raven

VoK 163: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 3) – Oaths Before Bros

Posted on November 10, 2014 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

Join the Vassals of Kingsgrave for the third part of the ongoing Silmarillion re-read project. Today we recap chapters 7-12 of the Quenta Silmarillion which covers “The Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor” through “Of Men”.

The action picks up in earnest as the light of the Two Trees are extinguished by Melkor and his giant spider, the Noldor swear a terrible oath, the Valar create the Sun and Moon, and the Dwarves (Stunted People) and Men (The Sickly) finally come into the story.

Hosts Greg, Matt, Shane, Brett & Matthieu debate the dickishness of Feanor, the haughtiness of Elves in general and the unintended consequences of unbreakable oaths made in haste.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image art of the “Kinslaying at Alqualonde” by Ted Nasmith

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Beric175, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Varley, White Raven

VoK 155: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 2) – Dwarves Still Gonna Need Wood

Posted on October 16, 2014 by vokadmin | 2 comments

The Vassals of Kingsgrave continue their Silmarillion re-read series. Today we discuss the first six chapters of the Quenta Silmarillion. We finally meet the first Elves and follow them as they make their way West and along the way many adventures and hijinks ensue. The Dwarves make a brief appearance, there is some bickering between married gods, a lovely island ferry, mighty eagles, Ents and Orcs.

We also learn the twelve different names the Elves have for themselves (Quendi, Eldar, Avari, Falmari, Eldalie, Calaquendi, Umanyar, Moriquendi, Nandor, Sindar, Falathrim & Eglath) in case you were wondering.

Join hosts Greg, Brett, Shane, Alix, Matt & first time podcaster Matthieu as they attempt to keep all the names straight while at the same time try to understand why Tulkas likes wrestling so much.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image art by Ted Nasmith

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Aiwendil, Beric175, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Varley, White Raven

VoK 154: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Monolith)

Posted on October 13, 2014 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

Join Fortytwo, Alias and White Raven for their review of Monolith’s new game, “Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor”. First half of podcast is spoiler-free. Spoiler filled review starts at 43mins.

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

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Links:
AngryJoe vs Olgoth

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Posted in Podcast, The Lord of the Rings, Video Games

Tagged Alias, fortytwo, White Raven

VoK 147: The Silmarillion ReRead (Part 1) – Meet the Valar

Posted on September 26, 2014 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

The Vassals of Kingsgrave kick off their Silmarillion Re-read series. Before discussing the book itself we break down the troubled history of the publication and the development of the text of what eventually became The Silmarillion as it was published in 1977, four years after the death of J.R.R. Tolkien. We also analyze the letter that Tolkien wrote in 1950 to a friend in which he explained his reasoning behind writing The Silmarillion and what he hoped it would mean to England.

Join hosts Greg, Brett, Shane, Alix & Matt as they try to get into the head of Eru Iluvatar and his musical selections.

Put on your finest raiment and hearken to the tales of the Music of the Ainur and the Valaquenta.

Credits:
Edited by Greg

Image from the Melkor Was Here Tumblr from March 12, 2014.

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Aiwendil, claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Varley, White Raven

VoK 102: LOTR ReRead (Part 8) – The Fourth Age of Middle-Earth

Posted on May 25, 2014 by bina007 | Leave a comment

Join the Fellowship of Vassals for the final episode of their epic eight part re-read of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of The Rings. In this episode, Bina007, Shellfish (Peter), Nadia, Middlecyclone (Amanda), Whiteraven (Brett) and EastTexasDirewolf (Shane) discuss chapters 5 to 9 of The Return of the King and the Appendices.

Topics of discussion include the logistics of Maiar reincarnation; the sex lives of elves; badass ninja hobbits; whether, if Galadriel had a beard, she would be more attractive to Gimli; the ineptitude of the White Council and the relative merits of a wiffle bat and a cricket bat in the event of a Zombie apocalypse.

The chapter discussion runs up to 1h 9m and the appendices to 2h.

This podcast contains spoilers for the works of Tolkien and George R R Martin.

Credits:
Edited by Bina007

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Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, The Lord of the Rings

Tagged Bina007, easttexasdirewolf, middlecyclone, Nadia, Shellfish, White Raven