The Galaxy is Up for Grabs.
Lock your S-foils into attack position and grab your war-room maps! This week on Going Galactic, the diplomatic negotiations are officially over. The hosts are sitting down for the first-ever Ultimate Star Wars Fantasy Draft.

The Draft Categories:
To win the draft, each host must select one option from each of the following strategic slots:

The Movie

The Hero/Villain

The Skywalker Family Member

The Vehicle

The Wild Card

The Curse

The Definitive List. No Regrets. No Apologies.
It is the debate that has shattered friendships, divided households, and fueled the holonet since 1977. This week, the entire crew sits down in the studio with one impossible mission: rank every single live-action Star Wars movie from worst to best.

With the massive theatrical debut of The Mandalorian and Grogu fresh in our minds, the math has officially changed. We are throwing all 12 theatrical films into the arena to see which masterpiece stands on the highest ground, and which ones deserve to be cast into the fires of Mustafar.

In This Episode:
The Bottom Tier: We get the painful stuff out of the way first. Which movies suffered from too much exposition, questionable dialogue, or frustrating plot turns?

The Aggressive Middling: The entries that split the fanbase right down the middle. We debate where the standalone anthologies like Solo and Rogue One land compared to the polarizing narrative choices of The Last Jedi.

The Recency Bias Test: Where does the brand-new The Mandalorian and Grogu cinema release actually rank? Does its massive big-screen scale and emotional payoff thrust it into the top five, or does it sit comfortably as a fun, upper-tier adventure?

The God-Tier Trinity: The undeniable masterpieces. We look at the top three spots and ask the ultimate question: Can anything ever truly topple The Empire Strikes Back, or is its place at the top of the throne permanent

The Big Screen Just Got Bigger.

Mando and Grogu have officially jumped from the small screen to the cinema, and we are absolutely blown away! Grab your popcorn and your beskar armor, because this week we are breaking down the theatrical event of the summer. From the opening crawl to the mind-blowing post-credits scene, director Jon Favreau delivered everything we wanted and more.

Warning: Full spoilers ahead! We aren’t holding back on the secrets of this cinematic masterpiece.

What We’re Raving About:

• The Big Screen Scale: We discuss how the transition to film completely changed the game. The space battles feel massive, the cinematography is stunning, and seeing a live-action Super Star Destroyer in IMAX gave us literal chills.
• Grogu’s Evolution: Our favorite little foundling isn't just a passenger anymore. We break down his best action sequences (including that training montage) and how his bond with Din Djarin anchors the emotional core of the entire movie.
• The Shadow Council Threat: How Grand Admiral Thrawn’s shadow looms over the Outer Rim, and what the Imperial Remnant's new tactics mean for the future of the New Republic.
• The Cameos! Oh my god, the cameos. We dissect that surprise appearance from a certain Rebels character and what it sets up for the future of the Mando-verse.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Sound & The Score: Ludwig Göransson’s themes amplified for the theater experience.
• Action Set Pieces: Ranking the top 3 action sequences in the film (The Nevarro Chase vs. The Imperial Base Infiltration).
• Where Do We Go From Here? How the ending of this movie sets up the newly announced galactic timeline.

We Want to Hear From You! Did you see it in IMAX, 3D, or standard? What was your favorite moment? Drop your spoiler-filled thoughts in our Discord channel or hit us up on social media using #MandoGroguMovie.

The Week in Star Wars: Highs, Lows, and Hyperspace

It has been a whirlwind week for the galaxy far, far away! With the May the 4th celebrations still fresh in our minds and the theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu just days away, we’re breaking down all the massive announcements from the Disney Upfronts and beyond.

In This Episode:

• The Big Delay: We process the bittersweet news from today's Disney Upfront presentation. Rosario Dawson officially confirmed that Ahsoka Season 2 won't hit Disney+ until early 2027. We discuss the "bigger battles and higher stakes" teased in the sizzle reel and why 2026 will be the first year without a new live-action Star Wars series since the launch of Disney+. 
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• The Mandalorian and Grogu Hype: With the movie hitting theaters on May 22, we recap the final marketing push, including Pedro Pascal’s Times Square appearances and those tantalizing "Hutt Twin" clips. 
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• Galaxy’s Edge Timeline Shift: Huge news for the parks! We talk about the original trilogy characters like Luke, Han, and Leia officially joining Batuu as permanent residents, and how the "rollback" of Black Spire Outpost is changing the guest experience.
• Casting Corner: We react to the news of Rory McCann (Game of Thrones) taking over the role of Baylan Skoll. Can he capture the stoic gravity that the late Ray Stevenson brought to the character? 
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Trivia Time! 🧠

Think you know the galaxy? This week’s trivia segment focuses on the Mortis Gods and the history of the Dathomirian Great Mothers—topics that are about to become very relevant as we look toward the 2027 return of Ahsoka.

The Galaxy Trembles...

In this double-feature deep dive, we break down the explosive penultimate chapters of the Shadow Lord arc. The stakes have never been higher as the criminal empire Maul painstakingly built from the gutters of Malachor faces its ultimate litmus test: The Inquisitiorius has failed, and the Dark Lord of the Sith has been dispatched to finish the job.

What We’re Covering:

• The Crimson Dawn Protocol: We analyze Maul’s desperate tactical shift in Episode 9. Is he trying to save his syndicate, or is he simply using his loyalists as fodder to buy time for his escape?
• Vader’s Grand Entrance: From the chilling silence of his shuttle landing to the absolute carnage in the lower levels of the Coruscant underworld, we discuss why this is the most "horror-movie" version of Vader we’ve seen yet.
• The Duel of the Fates (Round 2?): A frame-by-frame breakdown of the brief but brutal skirmish between the former Shadow Lord and the Emperor’s Enforcer. We debate the power scaling—did Maul actually hold his own, or was Vader just playing with his food?
• The Cliffhanger: That ending! We speculate on what the discovery of the "Sith Holocron" means for the season finale.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Emotional Weight: Examining Maul’s obsession with Kenobi vs. his immediate fear of Vader.
• Lore Corner: How these episodes bridge the gap between Rebels and the height of the Imperial era.
• Listener Theories: We read your best theories on who survives the season finale (spoiler: it’s not looking good for the Dawn).

The Shadow deepens and the Empire trembles.

Welcome back to Going Galactic, the podcast where we dive into the darkest corners of a galaxy far, far away. In this week’s episode, we’re breaking down the intense developments in Episodes 7 and 8 of the Maul: Shadow Lord series.

Maul’s grip on the underworld is tightening, but at what cost to his own soul? We’re dissecting the tactical brilliance, the brutal combat, and the shifting loyalties that defined these two chapters.

What’s On The Holocron This Week?
The Rise of the Shadow Lord: We analyze Maul’s evolution from a vengeful survivor to a calculated architect of chaos.

Episode 7 Breakdown: A deep dive into the high-stakes heist on the Outer Rim—was it a masterstroke or a massive gamble?

Episode 8 Analysis: That cliffhanger! We discuss the shocking betrayal and what it means for Maul’s long-term vision.

The Sith Legacy: How these episodes bridge the gap between the Clone Wars era and the darker days of the Reign of the Empire.

Listener Theories: We highlight the best (and wildest) community predictions for the season finale.

Join the Syndicate
Whether you’re a devoted follower of the Crimson Dawn or a Jedi Knight in hiding, there’s a seat for you at our table.

"The dark side is a path to many abilities... and even more questions."

Going Galactic | Star Wars Maul: Episode 5 & 6, and Mandalorian & Grogu Tickets!

The Empire has arrived on Janix, and the shadows are getting darker. This week on Going Galactic, we’re diving into a massive double-header of Star Wars news and analysis. From the high-stakes tension of the latest Maul: Shadow Lord episodes to the real-world frenzy of the first big-screen Star Wars return in years, this is an episode you can’t miss.

Part 1: The Empire Strikes Janix (Episodes 5 & 6 Discussion)

The game has officially changed. With the arrival of the Inquisitors and the Empire’s iron grip tightening, we break down "Inquisition" and "Night of the Hunted."

• Maul vs. Marrok: We analyze that jaw-dropping clash and what it means for Maul’s secret agenda.
• The Fate of the Lawsons: With Brander and Riley on the run, we discuss the heartbreaking shift in their dynamic and the Jedi’s role in their plight.
• Devon’s Descent: Is the "Shadow Lord" successfully grooming his new apprentice? We look at the subtle manipulation tactics Maul is using on the rogue Jedi.
• The Mysterious Hologram: Who was Marrok reporting to? We weigh the theories on whether a Vader or Palpatine cameo is looming on the horizon.

Part 2: Secure the Asset (Mandalorian & Grogu Ticket Release)

It’s time to trade in your Beskar! Tickets for The Mandalorian & Grogu are officially hitting theaters for the May 22nd premiere.

• Buying Guide: We cover the best ways to snag your opening night seats before they disappear into hyperspace.
• Merch Alert: From the Grogu Pram popcorn vessel to the Mando Helmet buckets, we preview the theater-exclusive collectibles you’ll want to hunt down.
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• Trailer Reactions: A quick look back at the final trailer highlights that have us hyped for Mando’s big-screen debut.

The Transmission Wrap-Up

Whether you’re rooting for the underworld or the foundlings, we’ve got the full breakdown of everything happening in the galaxy this week.

Subscribe and follow us on social media to join the discussion! What was your favorite moment from Episode 6? Did you manage to get your opening night tickets? Let us know!

Available on all major podcast platforms. May the Force be with you!

The plot thickens, the stakes are rising, and the Shadow Lord’s grip on the galaxy is tightening. Welcome back to the pod as we break down the latest double-feature installment of the Maul: Shadow Lord saga!

If you thought the premiere was intense, Episodes 3 and 4 just took things to a whole new level of tactical brilliance and brutal action. We’re peeling back the layers of Maul’s grand design and discussing every lightsaber ignition and backroom deal.

Inside This Episode:

• Tactical Genius or Pure Rage? We analyze Maul’s shifting leadership style and how he’s manipulating the criminal syndicates to do his bidding.
• Key Moments & Easter Eggs: Did you catch those subtle nods to the wider lore? We highlight the blink-and-you-miss-it references hidden in the background of Episodes 3 and 4.
• Character Arc Deep Dives: We discuss the supporting cast—who is staying loyal, who is looking for an exit, and who is about to face the business end of a red blade.
• The "Shadow Lord" Philosophy: Exploring the themes of power and isolation as Maul carves out his own path outside of the Sith and the Jedi.
• Future Predictions: Based on that Episode 4 cliffhanger, where do we go from here? We share our wildest theories for the rest of the season.

The Verdict

Whether you're here for the gritty underworld politics or the high-octane combat sequences, this discussion covers it all. We're breaking down why these two episodes prove that the Shadow Lord isn't just back—he's more dangerous than ever.

Join the conversation! Follow us on social media to share your favorite moments from the episodes, and don't forget to rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform.

The Shadow Collective is growing. Are you in?

The crimson blade is ignited, the mechanical legs are thudding against the floorboards, and the underworld of a galaxy far, far away has a new master. Welcome to the definitive fan podcast dedicated to the most resilient, vengeful, and fascinating Sith apprentice-turned-crime-lord: Darth Maul.

Whether you’ve been following his journey since the hype of 1999 or you just discovered the depth of his tragedy in The Clone Wars and Rebels, this is your home for all things Shadow Collective.

What’s on the Holocron?
Every episode, we dive deep into the grit and glory of Maul’s legacy. Here’s what you can expect:

Arc Breakdowns: Deep-dive analysis of Maul’s greatest moments, from the Duel of the Fates to his final stand on Tatooine.

The Shadow Collective: Exploring the criminal underworld, the Pykes, the Black Sun, and how Maul built an empire from the scrap heaps of Lotho Minor.

Lore & Theory: We tackle the "what ifs," the hidden lore in the comics and novels, and the psychological complexity of a man literally fueled by hate.

Guest Interviews: Chatting with fellow superfans, theorists, and creators who help bring the Star Wars underworld to life.

Why Tune In?
"At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge."

We aren't just recap-ing; we're celebrating the sheer brilliance of Maul’s character evolution. If you believe Maul is the greatest antagonist in the Star Wars mythos, you’ve found your people.

Subscribe now, and let’s embrace the dark side together. Because the Shadow Lord is here... and it is amazing.

The hype is real, Galactic travelers! This week, we are breaking down the massive exclusive clip release for Maul: Shadow Lord, revisiting the tactical brilliance of the Chiss Ascendancy, and geeking out over the most elegant weapons in the galaxy.

In This Episode:

• Maul: Shadow Lord Clip Breakdown We analyze every frame of the brand-new clip released by Disney and Lucasfilm! From Sam Witwer’s chilling vocal performance to Maul’s brutal "no mercy" entrance on the planet Janix, we discuss what this means for his search for a new apprentice, Devon Izara.
• The Thrawn Trilogies Whether you’re a Legends purist or a Canon devotee, Grand Admiral Thrawn is a masterclass in villainy. We compare the original 90s trilogy by Timothy Zahn to the modern Ascendancy books. How does his tactical genius translate to the live-action "Mando-verse"?
• Our Favorite Lightsabers From the iconic hum of the Skywalker blade to the Darksaber’s unique weight and the "split-saber" tech revealed for Shadow Lord, we rank our personal Top 5 hilts. Who has the best design in the franchise?
• Holonet News A quick look at the upcoming April 6th premiere schedule and what to expect from the first two episodes, "The Dark Revenge" and "Sinister Schemes."

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