Vassals of Kingsgrave

VoK 246: Star Wars – The Force Awakens (EuroSmug Review)

Posted on December 16, 2015 by bina007 | 4 comments

The European vassals lord it over their American cousins with an early review of The Force Awakens. There is a very brief rating and ranking of the film which is spoiler-free and then after a musical interlude we move into a deeply spoilery discussion of the movie.

Hosts – Bina007, Eddie (Teddard), Patrick (Ser Patrick The Tall) and Tanja (Scilens).

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Posted in Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction, Star Wars

Tagged Bina007, Scilens, Ser Patrick the Tall, Teddard

VoK 245: Westerosi Spanx aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 7)

Posted on December 6, 2015 by bina007 | Leave a comment

Join the Vassals as they continue their epic linear re-read of Game of Thrones, focussing in this episode on the chapters covering the Tourney of the Hand.

Timeline: Sansa 2 (2m); Ned 7 (31m); Arya 3 (57m); Ned 8 (1hr 10m); Ned 9 (1hr 30m); Which Disney Princess Would Each Host Be? (1hr 56m); Varley opens his VOK Secret Santa present (2hr 02m); Aftershow (2hr 05m).

Hosts: Adam (DrownedSnow), Amber (Amberrocks), Bina007, Katie (Lady Griffin), Nadia, Patrick (Ser Patrick The Tall), Scott (Shaggydog), and Zack (Alias).

For the listener playing along at home, the next instalment will cover the end of September 298 and the first half of October 298, including the Tower of Joy: Cat 6, Ned 10, Ned 11 and Sansa 3.

This episode discusses the books in spoiler-y detail but doesn’t give spoilers from the show.

Picture credit: The APOIAF Artbook of Game of Thrones, as drawn by Jenn Rose. All new opening music credit for the linear re-read by Alpine Universe. Let us know what you think! End music from the Disney film Beauty and the Beast.

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

Tagged Alias, amberrocks, Bina007, drownedsnow, Lady Griffin, Nadia, Ser Patrick the Tall, Shaggy Dog, Varley

VoK 244: R+P=D aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 6)

Posted on November 21, 2015 by bina007 | 2 comments

In the sixth part of the Linear Game of Thrones Re-read, VOK regulars Varley, Bina and Nadia are joined by lore-master Scott aka Shaggydog. They discuss the Game of Thrones chapters covering Cat’s apprehension of Tyrion, Sam’s arrival at the Wall and CSI King’s Landing.

Timeline: Ned 5 (3m), Jon 4 (17m), Cat 5 (29m), Tyrion 4 (44m), Ned 6 (50m), R+P=D (1hr).

For the listener playing along at home, the next instalment will cover the Tourney of the Hand chapters: Sansa 2, Ned 7, Arya 3, Ned 8 and Ned 9.

This episode discusses the books in spoiler-y detail but doesn’t give spoilers from the show.

Picture credit: The APOIAF Artbook of Game of Thrones. Music credit: Miss Piggy.

2 Comments

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

Tagged Bina007, Nadia, Shaggy Dog, Varley

VoK 243: Comic Book Club (Vol.6) – Alias (by Brian Michael Bendis & Michael Gaydos)

Posted on November 15, 2015 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

In the latest meeting of the Secret Book Club – Thomas (FTWard), Shane (easttexasdirewolf) and Scott (Skywaltzer) discuss the comic Alias AKA Jessica Jones written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Michael Gaydos.

We cover the first 9 issues of the Marvel series and also speculate on the upcoming Jessica Jones Netflix series that launches on November 20.

Finally we cover the beginning of the Fall seasons of comics on TV and wonder if Steve Rogers collects Social Security.

3:00 Alias Comic Issues #1-9

55:00 Netflix’s Jessica Jones and Alias Issues #10-28

1:28:00 Comics on TV

Credits:

Edited by FTWard

Art by David Mack

Music:

“Hurt” by Trent Reznor

Performed by Ainjel Emme

“Purple Rain” by Prince and The Revolution

Performed by Natasha Bedingfield

“Stronger Woman” by Marv Green and Jewel

Performed by Jewel

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Posted in Comics, Podcast, Science Fiction

Tagged easttexasdirewolf, FTWard, skywaltzer

VoK 242: This is England (Movie and TV Series Review)

Posted on November 5, 2015 by bina007 | Leave a comment

Oi oi! The Vassals of Kingsgrave welcome all mongs and spazzes, rude boys and skin-heads, for a discussion of Shane Meadows’ iconic movie and TV miniseries, This Is England. Chronicling the adventures of a group of friends from 1983 to 1990, this series is a tragicomic exploration of social unrest, racism, sex, drugs and dodgy haircuts. The discussion is therefore both explicit and full of spoilers. Also apologies for the intermittent background music from the airport lounge in which this episode was recorded.

Hosts: Bina007 and Dagos_Rivers.

Music credits: Billy Bragg, A New England.

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Posted in History, Movies, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Bina007, Dagos_Rivers

VoK 241: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 7)

Posted on October 31, 2015 by kcrumpton2013 | Leave a comment

Where do we go from here? The Bookhouse Boys & Girls close the case on episodes 8-9 of Twin Peaks Season 2: “Drive With A Dead Girl” and “Arbitrary Law.” Sing along with Katie (Lady Griffin), Steven (SJLee), Shane (easttexasdirewolf) and Greg (claudiusthefool) in this very…musical entry of VOK.

As with previous installments, there are no Twin Peaks spoilers past the episodes discussed.

Credits:
Edited by Katie

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Posted in Podcast, TV Shows, Twin Peaks

Tagged claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Lady Griffin, SJLee

VoK 240: Varley’s Plea aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 5)

Posted on October 25, 2015 by bina007 | Leave a comment

In the fifth part of the Linear Game of Thrones Re-read, the Vassals discuss feedback on the previous episode and finish up August 298, covering Jon 3 (12m), Tyrion 3 (28m), Arya 2 (40m), Bran 4 (56m). The aftershow starts at 1hr 15m.

For the listener playing along at home, the next instalment will cover the chapters in September 298 – Ned 5, Jon 4, Cat 5, Tyrion 4 and Ned 6.

This episode discusses the books in spoiler-y detail but doesn’t give spoilers from the show.

Picture credit: HBO’s Game of Thrones. Music credit: The Presidents of the United States of America.

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

Tagged Alias, Bina007, JoThirteen, Scilens, Vakasha, Varley, White Raven

VoK 239: Renly was Arya’s Mother aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 4)

Posted on October 7, 2015 by vokadmin | 1 comment

The Great Linear ASOIAF Re-Read continues! Join us for the fourth installment of this planned 67 part series. Today we cover chapters Sansa I, Ned 3, Bran 3, Catelyn 4 & Ned 4 of A Game of Thrones. We delve into the finances of Westeros and Bina demands a Ledger of Ice and Fire. We also come up with several new crackpot Baratheon-centered theories as well as come to the realization that Robert Baratheon just may turn out to not be the awesomest dude who ever lived.

Hosts: Greg (claudiusthefool), Nadia (Nadia), Amber (Amberrocks), Adam (drownedsnow), Calvin (KCenturion), Tanja (Scilens), & Bina (Bina007).

For the listener playing along at home, the next installment will cover the rest of the August 298 chapters – Jon 3, Tyrion 3, Arya 2, Bran 4 & Ned 5.

Edited by Greg

Artwork: http://www.fanpop.com (artist not credited)
“Music”: Commercial for the Biffy Bidet from 2005

1 Comment

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

Tagged amberrocks, Bina007, claudiusthefool, drownedsnow, KCenturion, Nadia, Scilens

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

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Valkyrist | 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 237: The Iron Bidet aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 3)

Posted on September 23, 2015 by bina007 | 8 comments

In the third part of our linear re-read the Fellowship of Vassals expands both in numbers and chapters covered. We go through the events of May and June 298 which sees an assassination attempt on Bran, Tyrion go north to the wall, Ned go south with Robert, and Dany visiting Vaes Dothrak. Naturally, the podcast contains spoilers for all works in the Song of Ice and Fire series as well as HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Bran 2 (0m); Tyrion 1 (20m); Jon 2 (45m); Cat 3 (1hr); Tyrion 2 (1hr 17m); Dany 4 (1hr 30m); Ned (1hr 40m); Aftershow (2hr).

For the listener playing along at home, the next instalment will cover the chapters in July 298 – Sansa 1 & Ned 3 – and the first half of August 298 – Bran 3, Cat 4 and Ned 4.

Hosts: Adam (Drowned Snow), Amanda (Middlecyclone), Bina007, Brett (Whiteraven), Calvin (KCenturion), Kelvin (Brum Riverlander), Matt (Varley), Nadia, and Tanja (Scilens).

Picture credit: HBO’s Game of Thrones. Music credit: Johnny Cash.

8 Comments

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

Tagged Bina007, Brum Riverlander, drownedsnow, KCenturion, middlecyclone, Nadia, Scilens, Varley, White Raven

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 235: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 6)

Posted on September 15, 2015 by kcrumpton2013 | Leave a comment

Uh-oh. The Bookhouse Boys & Girls have a bad feeling about episodes 6-7 of Twin Peaks season 2: “Demons” and “Lonely Souls.” Greg (claudiusthefool) shoots his television, Shane (easttexasdirewolf) reveals a terrible secret, Steven (SJLee) educates everyone about Northern Territories, and Katie (Lady Griffin) sticks around for the curtains. Beautiful, swaying red curtains.

As with previous installments, there are no Twin Peaks spoilers past the episodes discussed.

Credits:
Edited by Katie

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Posted in Podcast, TV Shows, Twin Peaks

Tagged claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Lady Griffin, SJLee

VoK 234: “I Am” by Leona Lewis (Album Review)

Posted on September 12, 2015 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

Dagos_Rivers (Glen), hardcore ‘bunny’ (Leona Lewis calls her fans that, much to my chagrin) attempts a solo podcast to discuss the music, career, and fan obsession of X Factor champion; Leona Lewis, in particular her return to the music scene with her 5th Studio Album, ‘I Am’.

I also discuss the following topics:
-Artwork and the theme of the album
-My appreciation of music in 2006 – 2008
-The 411 on Leona Lewis
-I Am Track by Track review
-Trials and Tribulations for patient Leona fans
-The songs that got away: Burn, Halo, We Found Love, Strangers, etc.
-Anniversary / Christmas gifts

Running Time: 00:56:44
Credits: Edited by Dagos_Rivers

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Posted in Fandom, Music, Podcast

Tagged Dagos_Rivers

VoK 233: The Virtues of a 9-Inch Meat Pie aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 2)

Posted on September 8, 2015 by bina007 | Leave a comment

The second podcast in our linear ASOIAF re-read begins with feedback on last week’s episode focussing on the character of Ser Weymar Royce and Lunar dragons. We then cover the events of April 298, with the King and the Lannisters arriving at Winterfell as news of Jon Arryn’s death reaches Cat. This translates into the Game of Thrones chapters Ned 1 (16m), Jon 1 (37m), Cat 2 (49m) and Arya 1 (1h5m). The aftershow begins at 1hr 15m.

Spoilers: All published novels in the ASOIAF series but neither spoiler chapters for The Winds of Winter nor the latest season of Game of Thrones.

Podcast hosts: FTWard (Thomas), Mordion (Michael), Claudius The Fool (Greg), Bina007, Middlecyclone (Amanda), Nadia, Varley (Matt) and Whiteraven (Brett) .

For those of you playing along at home, the next episode will cover the events of May 298, so Game of Thrones: Bran 2, Tyrion 1, Jon 2 and Cat 3.

Picture credit: HBO’s Game of Thrones. Music credit: Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean.

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

Tagged Bina007, claudiusthefool, FTWard, middlecyclone, Mordion, Nadia, Varley, White Raven

VoK 232: Panspermia! aka The Great Linear ASOIAF ReRead (Part 1)

Posted on August 31, 2015 by bina007 | 6 comments

In the first in a new series of VOK-casts, the Vassals return to their roots with a linear re-read of George R R Martin’s A Song Of Ice And Fire. This episode covers events from June 297 to March 298. This translates to the following chapters in Game of Thrones: the Prologue, Dany 1 (21 mins), Dany 2 (37 mins), Bran 1 (48 mins), Cat 1 (1hr 9m) and Dany 3 (1 hr 18m) in that order. Whiteraven then shares his theory of why seasons change (1hr 28m). In doing this re-read we are hugely indebted to the reddit author who compiled the linear timeline linked below.

Spoilers: All published novels in the ASOIAF series but neither spoiler chapters for The Winds of Winter nor the latest season of Game of Thrones.

Podcast hosts: Bina007, Middlecyclone (Amanda), Nadia, Varley (Matt) and Whiteraven (Brett) with extra podcast goodness from the Podcast Bard, Jed O’ White Hart.

For those of you playing along at home, the next episode will cover Game of Thrones: Ned 1, Jon 1, Cat 2 and Arya 1 which corresponds to April 298.

Picture credit: Jon Neimeister. Music credit: Sammy Davis Jr’s superlative Old Black Magic.

6 Comments

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

Tagged Bina007, jed o'white hart, middlecyclone, Nadia, Varley, White Raven

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

Posted on August 21, 2015 by bina007 | Leave a comment

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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Posted in Books & Novellas, Movies, Podcast, Science Fiction, TV Shows

Tagged Alias, Bina007, claudiusthefool, Nicole, Scilens, Ser Patrick the Tall

VoK 230: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 5)

Posted on August 18, 2015 by kcrumpton2013 | Leave a comment

Who will you meet in Valhalla? Bookhouse Boys & Girls Greg (claudiusthefool), Steven (SJLee), Katie (Lady Griffin), and Shane (easttexasdirewolf) reconvene in the Roadhouse for some rabbit chili and episodes 3-5 of Twin Peaks season 2: “The Man Behind Glass,” “Laura’s Secret Diary,” and “The Orchid’s Curse.”

As with previous installments, there are no Twin Peaks spoilers past the episodes discussed.

Credits:
Edited by Katie

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Posted in Podcast, TV Shows, Twin Peaks

Tagged claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Lady Griffin, SJLee

VoK 229: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBC miniseries)

Posted on August 15, 2015 by bina007 | 1 comment

In this episode, Bina007, Augustine (Linecom1) and Shane (EastTexasDirewolf) discuss the BBC miniseries based on Susanna Clarke’s novel set in alternate early 19th century England in which practical magic has made a comeback. After the main podcast ends at 1hr20, Bina then speaks to Michal (Inkasrain) about her reaction the show and book.

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[Hurtfew] A Wiki of Strange and Norrell

1 Comment

Posted in Books & Novellas, Podcast, TV Shows

Tagged Bina007, easttexasdirewolf, inkasrain, linecom1

VoK 228: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 4)

Posted on August 4, 2015 by kcrumpton2013 | 3 comments

How long were we out? The Bookhouse Boys & Girls return from their bullet-induced hiatus to review the first two episodes of Twin Peaks Season 2: “May The Giant Be With You” and “Coma.” Friendly Giant Katie (Lady Griffin) takes over vaguely helpful spectral hosting duties from Bina (Bina007) as fledgling agents Greg (claudiusthefool), Shane (easttexasdirewolf), and Steven (SJLee) search for their missing rings and try to remember….something.

As with previous installments, there are no Twin Peaks spoilers past the episodes discussed.

Credits:
Edited by Katie

3 Comments

Posted in Podcast, TV Shows, Twin Peaks

Tagged claudiusthefool, easttexasdirewolf, Lady Griffin, SJLee

VoK 227: Empire (Fox series) – Season 1

Posted on August 2, 2015 by vokadmin | Leave a comment

Beware of Spoilers, The following podcast discusses Season 1 of Empire in detail, the season finale cliffhanger and resolutions to many of the storylines.

Dagos_Rivers (Glen) is joined by Bina007 (Bina) to discuss the music, storylines, characters and the most shocking moments of the self proclaimed ‘Hip Hopera’, ‘Empire’ which has proved to be huge ratings success in America.

The hosts also discuss the following topics:
-Bina and Glen discuss their favourite trashy / scripted reality shows.
-Other more ‘respected’ shows like ‘The Affair’, ‘Penny Dreadful’ and ‘Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell’.
-Future VOK podcasts being planned.
-Influneces for Empire such as Dynasty, Dallas and King Lear.

Running Time: 01:23
Credits: Edited by Dagos_Rivers