Ranking Thrones

Host's log: Phil returns to boldly go into a deep dive of three unique episodes from Star Trek: The Original Series that were all inspired by the plot of Shakespeare's plays.  Elaan of Troyius: Kirk and the Enterprise have to transport this haughty Princess to her arranged marriage. But can Kirk tame this beautiful woman, or will her feminine wiles and Klingon attacks mean the end? Inspired b...

They say that Shakespeare's work is immortal and universal. Akira Kurosawa proves that with his adaptation of Macbeth into feudal Japan with the masterpiece Throne of Blood. Guest Phil joins Jamie in discussing how well Kurosawa translates the story of Macbeth. The two get into the cross-cultural similarities and differences as well as the phenomenal performances and cinematography.

Bailey returns to chat about the Macbeth film starring the one and only Sir Patrick Stewart. We speak about the modernization, the symbolism and more in this week's episode!

Alex returns to complete our 3-part analysis of The Hollow Crown. But rather than simply talk about Thea Sharrock's magnificent film, we broaden and speak about the two famous films by Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir Kenneth Branagh. Each adaptation of Henry V is a masterpiece that highlights different aspects of the text and bring Shakespeare's play and characters in wholly different light. Join us...

Continuing our in-depth analysis on The Hollow Crown, Alex returns to talk about one of the best showcases of Shakespeare. We analyze the historical basis for the play, Falstaff, why there was a sequel and the character of Hal. All this and Minions in this week's episode.

In 2012, BBC created an adaptation of the Henriad. The first and arguably greatest in the tetralogy is Richard II. Directed by Rupert Goold and starring Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear. Alex rejoins as he and Jamie discuss their love of the play, Shakespeare at the zenith of his craft and why is Richard II not as popular a play.

Friend of the podcast Gorgo of the Online Shakespeare Repetory joins to talk about Joseph Mankiewicz's Julius Caesar. We get into the politics of the play and Shakespeare, the Academy Award nominated Marlon Brando and more!

James and Evan dive deep into the Civil War between Caesar and Pompey. Find out how Pompey beat Caesar and still lost the war. Our intro to Cleopatra. And Octavian and Caesar's relationship.

James and Evan begin a miniseries exploring the life of Rome's first Emperor on the month named after him. In the year Gaius Octavian was born a Civil War was imminent. How the crisis came about and its resolution would be the perfect setting for the rise of Augustus.

Jamie finally does the episode he has dreaded, Luhrman's Romeo + Juliet. Thankfully his guests Vicki and Alex insisted that they could only talk about the movie if they compared it to the vastly superior Franco Zefereli film.

Steven Attewell and Jim McGeehin come back to Ranking Thrones to address why Robert Baratheon was able to end the Targaryen Dynasty while Daemon Blackfyre failed? What advantages did Robert have over Daemon? Also, how many historical parallels can we cram into one podcast?

James watches Coriolanus for the first time and speaks with his guest, Amy about National Theatre Live's production starring Tom Hiddelston (Loki). We discuss how it is based on a period of Roman history almost never dramatized, regional accents, Occupy Wall Street and Plutarch.

Ranking Thrones and upcoming podcast Civil Wars co-host Evan joins Shakespeare Onscreen to chat about National Theatre Live's Antony & Cleopatra starring Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo. We remember our days of college, how accurate the play is and how the colorblind casting is more historically accurate than one may believe.

This episode I am joined with the wonderful hosts of The Bicks Pod who are covering Shakespeare's plays and wider topics related to the Bard. They chose Justin Kurzel's Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotiliard. We discuss sex-position, the fascinating adaptation choices made by the director and color filters in this week's episode!

Bailey joins James to chat about Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing. Is Shakespeare's play more relevant in the MeToo era? What do we think about Keanu Reeves, and more.

The debut of a new podcast where I chat with a guest about filmed adaptations of Shakespeare. This week we cover the 1990s Get Over It. Is it a forgettable 90s comedy or a flawed masterpiece? All of this and a brief discussion of LA LA Land.

Something is rotten in the state of Westeros. Jim and James conclude their History of Westeros with the death of the Targaryen dynasty, the honor of the Kingsguard and the false promise of Robert. Three Spring Princes turn out to be false. In particular Jim and James wonder what Rhaegar was thinking? Art from The World of Ice & Fire

In honor of May the Fourth, James and Evan go through all 5 of the new Star Wars movies. Can James say nice things about TFA? How many characters can they name from Rogue One? How divided are James and Evan of The Last Jedi? Is Solo a love story? All this and a lot of talk about behind the scenes in this deep dive into the new Star Wars movies.

In the next chapter on the History of Westeros, Jim McGeehin and Steven Attewell join James on the Blackfyre Rebellions. Who was the brother that Bloodraven loved? Why did the Rebellions continue, and the decline of the Targaryen dynasty and the tarnishing of the Blackfyre cause. Art from the World of Ice & Fire

After the Targaryens destroyed their basis of power, the question now was what their rule would be based on? Jim and James explore the varied attempts to overcome a dragon-free Westeros. Art by Naomi Makes Art

Ranking Thrones has covered the Dance of the Dragons across 8 episodes. But now Jim and James go in depth for 3 hours on the lead-up to and the clash of the Targaryens. James shows his defense of Rhaenyra while Jim holds all in contempt.

Jim McGeehin joins to chat about the history of Westeros from a broader perspective. In this series James and Jim analyze the trends of Kingship. In this episode they cover Aegon's style of Kingship and how his sons parroted aspects of their father. We also discuss the unsung significance of Visenya and more! Art by Amok

In our first and only time we will be discussing a show version of a King. We dive into D&D's portrayal of Tommen I. The poor good hearted boy that became King in a time of war.

For the first time since Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror, there was a King in the North. Allied with the Riverlands who pledged fealty to Robb Stark, Robb forged a new crown and went to war against Tywin Lannister. Robb would astonish all as one of the greatest generals since Daeron the Young Dragon. Unfortunately though, Robb's prowess in combat was equaled by his mistakes in p...

Evan is out this week but we have on Jim McGeehin of Wars & Politics of Ice & Fire to discuss Daeron II. We have discussed the most polarizing king from the Black and Red Dragon perspective, now Jim comes from a fair-minded and skeptical perspective to Daeron's legacy. Come for a magnificent hot take on the Red Dragon.  The Panel discussed: Targaryen Politics in Post-Dragon Westeros