Growing Up Skywalker

Smuggler? Such a small word. He’s more of a…galactic entrepreneur. 

This week, our episodes (Rebels S1, 11–12, “Idiot’s Array” and “Vision of Hope”) feature special guest and major scamp LANDO CALRISSIAN. We also meet the strawberry-shaped/ strawberry-slurping merchant of questionable morality, Azmorigan, and hang out with exiled senator Gall Trayvis. Hera punches every single one of them, and every single one of them deserved it.

In our recap, we talk about how Lando has changed from Solo and Lando now, how Ezra’s Force sensitivity is incredibly attuned to Lothal, and propaganda techniques from WWII–now. We also talk about the renowned voice actors who graced this episode and why it’s so important than Ezra is being trained by the whole family.

Tune in next week as we cover “Call to Action” and “Rebel Resolve” (Rebels Season 1, episodes 13–14). And make sure to take our poll below, on whether we should continue with Rebels seasons 2–4, or slot in Andor season 1!

Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content.

Timestamps:

00:01:51 Plot Overview

00:13:48 Lando Discussion

00:20:48 Idiot’s Array’s Problems Discussion 

00:29:26 Ezra and the Force Discussion

00:33:38 Gall Trayvis, Sleeper Agent Discussion

00:50:54 Bae Watch

00:58:18 End Credits

This week’s episode is all about elaborate Padawan training rituals, bonding with monsters through the Force, and surviving being a 15-year-old boy. We. Are. All. About it!

“Gathering Forces” takes Ezra and Kanan back to the moon where Sabine and Hera were almost eaten by dragons—and forces Ezra to confront a deep fear. Then, immediately in the next episode, “Path of the Jedi,” he has to confront his EVEN DEEPER fears!!

We talk about what our customized Padawan training rites would look like, where Yoda was when he tuned into the goings-on at the Lothal Jedi temple, and why the Kanan/Ezra bonding hits so hard. We also give our best advice for teenage listeners.

Tune in next week as we cover “Idiot’s Array” and “Vision of Hope” (Rebels Season 1, episodes 11–12).

Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! 

Timestamps:

00:02:01 Plot Overview

00:15:21 Tseebo Discussion

00:17:56 Kanan, Ezra, and the Force 

00:32:40 Yoda and the Temple Discussion

00:38:10 Padawan Trials Discussion

00:47:41 Ezra’s Lightsaber Discussion

00:51:19 Bae Watch

00:57:45 End Credits

You know how Anna’s spent the last month begging for more Spectre backstories? Well, “Out of Darkness” and “Empire Day” (Rebels S1, episodes 7–8) deliver them in a big way.

In this week’s recap, we talk about Ezra’s tragic backstory, Sabine’s time as a cadet on Mandalore, and Hera and Kanan meeting. We also dive deep into the tyranny, propaganda, consent, and control strategies the Empire deploys—especially on Empire Day, the 15th anniversary of Palpatine’s victory over the galaxy. 

Join us next week to resolve the “Empire Day” cliffhanger in episodes 9–10, “Gathering Forces” and “Path of the Jedi.”

This is also a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! This week, we’re watching and talking about the Volume 2 premiere of the 2003 Tartakovsky Clone Wars.

Timestamps:

00:01:34 Plot Overview

00:13:15 Ezra’s Tragic Backstory

00:17:28 Consent, Propaganda, and Tyranny

00:27:48 Sabine and Hera Discussion

00:41:31 Kanan Discussion

00:51:17 Bae Watch

00:56:35 End Credits

Welcome to Halloween in August. This week’s Rebels episodes are a spooky bunch.

“Rise of the Old Masters” and “Breaking Ranks” (Season 1, episodes 5–6) take us to a remote fortress called the Spire where Luminara Unduli is being held captive, and the inside of the Imperial child soldier academy. They’re callbacks to classic Clone Wars plotlines: the Rako Hardeen arc, Boba Fett infiltrating Tipoca City, and the Citadel arc. And they also take us to new understandings of childhood (or the lack thereof) in Star Wars, being a teacher even when you don’t feel ready, and choosing the family you have.

This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! This week, we’re sharing leftover topics from this week’s episode: debates on the quality of Stormtroopers as soldiers, and how Star Wars handles Blackness. 

And you can join us next week for episodes 7–8 of Star Wars Rebels: Out of Darkness and Empire Day. 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:14:44 Rise of the Old Masters Discussion

00:27:25 Child Soldiers and Childhood in Star Wars

00:44:51 Luminara Discussion

00:47:53 Bae Watch

00:53:10 End Credits

This is Commander Meiloorun speaking. Rebels is very silly and we love it very much.

We’re a little later than normal this week due to updated podcast guidelines from SAG-AFTRA in light of the writer and actor strike. But, we are able to be in your earbuds this week with a recap of Rebels Season 1, episodes 3–4, “Droids in Distress” and “Fighter Flight.” 

In our recap, we talk about how Rebels holds dark themes very lightly, and how that makes it a time capsule for 2014. We discuss the morality of the Spectres, fellow rebels, the Empire, and Agent Callus in particular. We talk about brotherhood and being parents of unruly children. And we also cackle about the straight-into-the-vein injection of pure delight that is “Fighter Flight.”

This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! And join us next week for the Star Wars Rebels: Rise of the Old Masters and Breaking Ranks. 

Timestamps:

00:02:31 Plot Overview

00:13:06 Meta Themes of the Arc

00:16:10 Characters Discussion

00:28:20 Fighter Flight Discussion

00:40:58 Morality and Darkness Discussion

00:55:03 Bae Watch

00:59:17 End Credits

Get in fam, it’s time for the Rebels pilot! 

We’ve finally arrived at Sam’s favorite Star Wars show—Rebels. This week, we recap the double-header pilot, “Spark of Rebellion,” which originally premiered in 2014 as an hour-long movie.

We talk about the critical reception Rebels received when it premiered versus its reputation now, which is a show for true fans. We also talk about the expansion of the Empire across the galaxy, how each Spectre is a part of the family and also a distinguishable member of a D&D party, how some people just grow up and start adopting dangerous street youths, and why Rebels is (and is not) a “kid’s show.” 

This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! And join us next week for the pilot of Star Wars Rebels: Droids in Distress and Fighter Flight.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:13:38 Characters Discussion 

00:28:45 The Empire in Rebels

00:36:46 Rebels as a Series Discussion

00:43:17 Rebels as a “Kids Show”

00:54:06 Bae Watch

00:57:58 End Credits

The Obi-Wan Kenobi finale is a SWAN SONG to Star Wars. It teaches us about the Force, about being an avatar of the Light, about friendship and love, and when it’s time to be a warrior (versus when it’s time to go back to grad school).

In our recap, we talk about the role of love in catalyzing Obi-Wan to finish his duel with Darth Vader. We discuss which characters got a hello in this series, and which ones got a goodbye. We award the Darth Lola Redemption Medal to Owen Lars, whose character got a truly phenomenal upgrade, and have a fascinating discussion about who Palpatine would have chosen as his new apprentice if Kenobi had decided to end Vader once and for all.

This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content on Obi-Wan Kenobi! And join us next week for the pilot of Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion, Parts 1–2.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:11:26 Star Wars is About Love (And Warriors)

00:16:31 Vader Discussion

00:23:00 Character Hellos and Goodbyes 

00:30:53 Ending the Prequel Era Discussion

00:39:34 Reva Discussion

00:50:04 What Did Kenobi Contribute to Star Wars?

00:52:14 Bae Watch

01:03:05 End Credits

We loved Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part V so. gosh. dang. much. And not for entirely uncomplicated reasons.

Our recap centered on discussions of the series’ two most powerful women: Tala and Reva. We used this episode as a way to process not just the death of a compelling female character, but Star Wars’ long, long history of killing off (almost all of) its compelling female characters. In the case of Part V, we ultimately realize something beautiful. 

We also talk about the Anakin/Obi-Wan practice duel and how it had us smiling ear-to-ear, Reva’s tragic backstory, and the Jedi who have traveled the Path. 

For bonus audio content on Obi-Wan Kenobi, sign up for our Patreon! And join us next week for the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale, Part VI.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:10:56 The Practice Duel Discussion

00:22:41 Tala Discussion

00:28:40 Was Tala Fridged? Discussion 

00:39:10 Reva Discussion

00:44:59 Vader and Leia Discussion

00:53:44 Bae Watch

00:59:14 End Credits

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Part IV is tense, beautifully shot, and full of Easter eggs. 

In our recap this week, we talk about the MANY different kinds of violence threaded through the episode, from Tala’s martial arts moves to Obi-Wan firing up his lightsaber again to the casual violence of Imperial reign.

We also talk about rooting for Reva (even though we’re not supposed to), job security for the Inquisitors, purge troopers, embalming former Jedi, and why T-47s swooping out of the sky is Sam’s love language.

For bonus audio content from this episode, sign up for our Patreon! And join us next week for Obi-Wan Kenobi, Part V.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:08:36 Critical Reception

00:11:45 Different Forms of Violence Discussion 

00:26:08 Purge Troopers and the Tomb Discussion

00:36:10 Darth Vader Discussion

00:39:26 Reva Discussion

00:45:01 Tala Discussion

00:51:05 Rebels + T-47 Discussion

00:57:15 Bae Watch

01:02:09 End Credits

What makes the darkest episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi (so far) tick? Exquisite world-building, delicious power dynamics, and a real contribution to Star Wars’ anti-fascism agenda. Also, some capital-D drama courtesy of capital-D Darth Vader.

Obi-Wan Kenobi Part III takes us into Vader’s inner world—one where he’s spent 10 years planning revenge on his former master. We get to see what that revenge looks like, and how he pits the Inquisitors against each other to get to it (and laugh about the ~scenic vistas~ from his office windows).

We also get to talk about the appeal of the Empire for people like Tala and Freck, Underground Railroads of history, and all the deep lore scratched into the Rebel safe room walls.

This week marks our 100th podcast episode! It’s also a great time to sign up for a membership on our Patreon. In honor of 100 episodes, we’re releasing 30 minutes of bonus content on Obi-Wan Part III this week—and just $3 a month gets you access to it, plus two years of backlogged content. (PS: Welcome to our newest patron, Tim!)

Join us next week for Obi-Wan Kenobi, Part IV!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:10:41 Story Structure and Spacing Discussion

00:13:45 Vader and Capital-D Drama Discussion

00:16:50 The Weight of the Past Discussion

00:23:17 The Force Discussion

00:25:51 Fame, Fear, Power, and Fascism Discussion

00:36:48 Reva and the Inquisitors Discussion

00:46:40 Easter Eggs

00:52:01 Bae Watch

00:58:38 End Credits