Luke, Leia, and Han’s last adventure? Mortis found? Handing off to a next generation? What the Heck? These questions asked, and more, all on the next Star Wars Beyond the Films. YOUR Star Wars discussion podcast! YOUR ticket to the EU!

This week true believers, Beyonders, Fanboys, Fangirls, respected aliens around the galaxy, The Defender of the EU; Mark Hurliman, and your EU Guru; Nathan P. Butler, sit down to discuss Star Wars: Crucible. Strap in and tighten your crash webbing Fandom, Star Wars Beyond the Films is setting off on another rapid-fire trip into the galaxy far, far away!

The first 27 minutes are spoiler free, and there IS a last minute SPOILER WARNING at the 27 mark. Enjoy!

Jumping in your hosts talk about the recent release of Star Wars in Shakspeare. And they also explain why and how this episode Flow Walked its way behind Episode 79. In fact Nathan recalls Image comics Storm Watch, and how there is a likeness to its 25th issue.

The guys discuss what “passing the torch to the next generation” means to them, and how Crucible could be the EU’s passing of the torch to a new continuity? They also mention Paul S. Kemp’s doulogy, and the word that it was placed on stand by, as well as what that might mean for Sword of the Jedi trilogy now that Crucible is out.

Nathan relates Die Hard and the Big 3. And how no matter how old they get they just keep taking their lumps.

Mark talks about his love / dislike relationship with Denning’s works. As Nathan relates it to more of the old Bantam era style of EU books. Nathan continues and sets up the plot in a spoiler free fashion, which lead the guys to talking about the Columi as a species as well as antagonists. What did they look like for instance. Kang or the Leader spring to Nathan’s mind whereas Mark sees more the classic x-files aliens.

They are a sort of under utilized species after all. Older than most species in the grand scheme of things.

Could it be said that Crucible has a sort of reverse Choices of One feel to it? Nathan thinks so; he tells you why. Mark enjoyed the book, and talks about a few things regarding the upcoming Sword of the Jedi trilogy. Which of course leads to some sequel trilogy discussion and Crucible’s possible role as the book-end of the novels for now.

27 minutes in the hosts start to tackle the spoilers. With Nathan pointing out a couple corrected errors that were fixed before final proofs.

They discuss new characters like Omad Kaeg, and how Omad and Han play counterpoint to each other. Which in turn shows how age plays a minor role through out the novel for our main three heroes.

Nathan brings up the fact that the Qrephs actions to kill Han and cripple Lando’s business ventures in the Rift brought memories of 9/11 to mind. Whereas Mark recalls the feeling moments from the Red Riding trilogy’s first episode, when everyone was out to get the main character, and how the Sullustan Senator gave the Qrephs with their shadow corporations that mafia-like feel. The guys talk character motivations, and plot advancment.

They ponder things like:

Also be sure to listen for what Mark means when he says the book has “Depth with no meaning.” And more!

Once again, your dynamic duo cover entirely too much elderly Jedi action in their ONE hour, but don’t worry, give it a go; you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you might even get a little education on the EU while you’re at it. But no matter how you slice it and dice it, you’ll be having another adventure Beyond the Films. So sit back, hang on, enjoy the show, and may the Force be with you!

Also be sure to check out the latest SWBTF Video Links from your hosts:

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