Tag Archives: claudiusthefool

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


VOK 182 Cover Art

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


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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

VoK 180: Comic Book Club (Vol.3) – Planetary (by Warren Ellis & John Cassaday)


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The third meeting of The Secret Book Club discusses the comic Planetary, written by Warren Ellis with art by John Cassaday published by Wildstorm Comics.
Please join the Fictionauts (Thomas, Greg, Shane, Matt and Scott) as we explore the secret history of this extraordinary work.
Along the way we try and answer many important questions.
Where IS Wallace? Why does Doc Brass need TWO belts? Which is the real REAL Nautilus? And most confoundingly, What the FUCK is up with Devis?
Credits
Edited by: FTWard
Image: Elijah Snow by John Cassaday
Music
Intro: “Sloop John B” written by Brian Wilson. Performed by Johnny Cash.
After Show: “Blackwater Bay” by Blackwater Bay https://soundcloud.com/blackwater-bay/blackwater-bay
After After Show: “Close (to the Edit)” written by Anne Dudley, Gary Langan, J.J. Jeczalik, Paul Morley and Trevor Horn. Arranged by Kevin Thompson. Performed by Yiyi Hsu, Howard Chen, Brian Shen and Sonia Stewart.
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VoK 174: Game of Thrones (Ep.1) – Iron From Ice (Telltale Games)


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The crew cozy up next to a fire with a cup of eggnog to rate and review 1st episode of TellTale’s Game of Thrones Video game. This game can be played on iOS devices, Android devices, PlayStation 3/4, XBox 360/ONE and Steam PC/MAC.

Spoiler Scope:
First 35 mins of Podcast has NO Game spoilers,
Podcast contains spoilers for HBOs Game Of Thrones upto Season 4, and
Upto Book 5 of A Song of Ice and Fire Series.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Fortytwo, Alias, claudiusthefool and drownedsnow
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Christmas Music by E’s Jammy Jams courtesy of Youtube’s Audio Library

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Links:
Forrester Family Tree
Support Archive.org

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


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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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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 164: The World of Ice and Fire (by Martin, Garcia & Antonsson) – First Impressions


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In this (not)161st podcast the crew gather around a coffee table to give their first impressions on GRRM’s The World of Ice and Fire. They lay down plans for more podcasts on this book. In after show they do an impromptu review on Brad Pitt’s Fury. Discussion is mostly kept spoiler free.

0:00 Pre Podcast Discussion (minor spoilers for GoT season 5)
9:20 Podcast Begins
1:12:00 After show

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

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


VOK 3 Image

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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VoK 162: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 3)


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In this episode Bina007 is joined by three high roller oral surgeons from the Tri-City area, Greg (ClaudiustheFool), Shane (EastTexasDirewolf) and Steven (SJLee) to discuss the final two episodes of the first season of Twin Peaks: Realization Time and The Last Evening. As usual, we will fully spoil all episodes up to this point but will not discuss any material from Season Two, allowing our female long-distance trucker Native American listener to join along at home.

Some corrections: Who shot JR featured as a plot in Dallas in 1981 rather than 1984; viewers had to wait a mere four months between seasons 1 and 2 in the USA.  The main show ends at 1 hr 8 mins.

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[VoK 73] Spoiler filled Twin Peaks overview episode

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


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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 159: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 2)


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What do you get if you cross a Norwegian and a Swede? For the answer to this and other burning questions, tune in for the second part of the VoK Twin Peaks Rewatch.  Bina007 is joined by VoK’s own version of The Bookhouse Boys – Sherriff SJLee (Steven), Deputy EastTexasDirewolf (Shane) and Big ClaudiusTheFool (Greg) to discuss Episodes 3, 4 and 5 of Season One – from Rest In Pain to Cooper’s Dreams.  As usual, we won’t be spoiling later episodes of the series so you are safe to follow along at home.

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[VoK 73] Spoiler filled Twin Peaks overview episode

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


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[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 156: Twin Peaks ReWatch (Part 1)


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Prompted by David Lynch’s announcement that his ground-breaking 25 year old TV show Twin Peaks will return to the air, VoK has decided to do a rewatch of the previous two series.  Join Shane (EastTexasDirewolf), Bina007, Steven (SJLee) and Greg (ClaudiusTheFool) as they discuss the Pilot and Episodes 1 and 2 of the series in depth.

This episode will NOT contain spoilers for later episodes of the show or Fire Walk With Me, allowing listeners following along at home not to be spoiled.   However, those of you looking for an overarching series discussion can tune in to our Twin Peaks episode.

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[VoK 73] Spoiler filled Twin Peaks overview episode

And for all you ladies, a picture of EastTexasDirewolf too sexy to button his shirt.

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


VOK Sil 2 Graphic

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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VoK 148: Podcast Roundtable


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Make some room in your MP3 players, cause the vassals are reviewing their favorite Podcasts. They talk about how they got into podcasts, list their favorites and list podcast they hate as well.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (fortytwo)
Hosts: Alias, Amberrocks, Valkyrist, Claudiusthefool and Fortytwo
Intro Music: “hmm ok” by Gablé
Various other music: Chris Zabriskie’s Discography

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


VOK Sil Image 1

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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VoK 143: Book Club (Vol.2) – Half a King (by Joe Abercrombie)


VOK

Join the vassals for the second meeting of the VOK Book Club.  We review and discuss Half a King by Joe Abercrombie.

Join hosts Greg (claudiusthefool), Amber (amberrocks), Brett (White Raven), Alix (Aiwendil) and Duncan (Valkyrist) as they review the first book of Abercrombie’s planned Shattered Sea Trilogy.  A high fantasy adventure of epic proportions full of betrayal, vengeance, slave revolts, pirates, savages, ancient ruins and blood oaths.

Unshackle your slave collar and join us on our sojourn around the Shattered Sea.

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 Del Rey 2014.  Artwork by Jon McCoy from the Subterranean Press limited edition.

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


Queensmoot

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

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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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