Growing Up Skywalker

Our recap of Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part II centers on Inquisitors—but we also talk about the Sith, the light side of the Force, and truly terrible bosses.

Part II brings us to Daiyu, which is cyberpunk Coruscant and is DELIGHTFUL. We get to see Obi-Wan’s best Breaking Bad impression, the immediate father/daughter chemistry between him and Leia, and his bone-deep fear of using the Force again. 

But mostly, we get fascinating insights into what it’s like to be an Inquisitor and can only guess what caused these former Jedi to become what they are. We also talk about Vader’s burning vengeance, the Padmé callback that left us shooketh, and shopping with Leia.

Join us next week for (already!) the midpoint of the series, Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part III. This will be our 100th episode!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:8:10  Daiyu vs. Coruscant Discussion

00:10:54 This Obi-Wan vs. General Obi-Wan Discussion

00:21:18 Inquisitors and Other Terrible Workplaces Discussion

00:31:32 Inquisitors and the Sith Discussion

00:37:48 Vader and Vengeance Discussion

00:43:03 Critical Reception/Why Diversity Is Necessary

00:51:26 Bae Watch

01:00:07 End Credits

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Part I opens on a broken man. But it looks like he’s not going to stay that way.

This week, we had the inestimable Kathleen Wass from The FSF Popcast on our show to talk all things Kenobi: from Inquisitors and seeing a full-strength Vader to raising an absolute firecracker of a 10-year-old.

We talked about whether this show resonates differently for veteran fans and new ones, how Inquisitors are the scariest people around on a planet ruled by the Hutts, and why the pacing of this show is absolutely perfect.

You should go watch @fsfpopcast immediately to hear from every sci-fi star you’ve ever dreamed of meeting. FSF Popcast can be found at:

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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fsfpopcast

Join us next week to talk shop about Obi-Wan Kenobi, Part II!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:12:23 Veteran Fan Reactions

00:18:40 Kenobi for Veteran Audiences vs. New Fans

00:26:56 The Age of the Empire + Inquisitors Discussion

00:40:30 The Pacing

00:44:30 Obi-Wan Discussion

00:50:59 Bae Watch

00:55:00 End Credits

We asked a provocative question in our show this week: Should Solo be the first Star Wars movie a brand-new fan watches?

There aren’t any Jedi in Solo—or even any Force users—but it’s a Star Wars story that shows a very familiar (and very fun!) side of the galaxy. Star Wars isn’t just about galactic duels between good and evil. It’s also about space heists, found family, and pushing the limits of what you think is possible. Also, spanking good costumes. Solo has it all.

Join us for discussions into all the major characters, morality, rebellions, and powerful Star Wars women. (We’re looking at you, Qi’ra, L3, and Enfys Nest.)

Join us next week for the pilot episode of Kenobi! We’re reviewing Obi-Wan Kenobi, Part 1 with Kathleen Wass from The FSF Popcast as our special guest.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:21:14 Solo—Big Picture Discussion

00:23:59 Should Solo Be Someone’s First Star Wars Movie?

00:28:40 Morality in Solo

00:34:30 Dryden Vos Discussion

00:37:53 Han and Chewie Discussion

00:47:39 Qi’ra and Maul Discussion

00:54:02 Rebels (With and Without a Cause) in Solo

01:33:00 Bae Watch

01:07:38 End Credits

The world wasn’t ready for Solo: A Star Wars Story when it premiered in 2018. But we contend it’s the perfect Star Wars movie for 2023.

In our recap of the first half of Solo, we talk about the critical reception this movie got—probably TOO critical, since it’s a romp and it’s absolutely delightful. We talk about growing up as a scrumrat on Corellia, Qi’ra’s ascent to a position as top lieutenant among Crimson Dawn, and why young Han Solo is so shiny and likable. We make a case for creating a lighter Star Wars story,  and talk about why this non-Jedi-centric movie works.

The ships are fast, the banter is faster, and the aesthetics are impeccable. We can’t wait to review the second half.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:18:18 Solo’s Critical Reception

00:25:25 The Case For A Lighter Star Wars Story

00:28:36 Crimson Dawn/Imperial Law and Order Discussion

00:37:02 A Non-Jedi Centric Story

00:39:00 Qi’ra Discussion

00:46:39 Val, Rio, Beckett Discussion

00:51:06 Lando and L3 Discussion

00:54:39 Chewie Discussion

00:56:46 Bae Watch

01:01:03 End Credits

It’s Bad Batch Season 2 finale time. Now entering the first stage of grief (denial).

“The Summit” and “Plan 99” (The Bad Batch Season 2, Episodes 15–16) form the elegant, muted, devastating conclusion to the second season of the Bad Batch. It’s a good thing we’re moving through Star Wars chronologically and behind Disney’s release schedule 100% of the time, because if we didn’t know there was a Season 3 coming we might spontaneously combust.

In our recap, we talk about how the Bad Batch storytelling is the sophisticated older cousin to The Clone Wars. We talk through character arcs from Season 1 to Season 2—covering Cid, Tarkin, Saw Gerrera, Tech, and Emerie. We deliver some odes to a fallen friend. And we come to an agreement: No body, no crime.

Grab your lucky dice and start your engines, because next week, we finally get to recap the slickest, speediest Star Wars movie of all time: Solo! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:13:54 Season Finale Discussion

00:27:57 Cid Discussion

00:33:05 Tarkin Discussion

00:37:51 Saw Gerrera Discussion

00:40:30 Tech Discussion

00:48:44 Emerie Discussion

00:53:51 Bae Watch

01:04:50 End Credits

Brb, retiring on Pabu. 

This week, we recap Bad Batch in Paradise: “Pabu” and “Tipping Point” (Season 2, Episodes 13–14). The Batch takes a well-deserved tropical vacation, eating sushi and combating natural disasters, while Crosshair fights his way out of an interrogation chamber to warn them that the Empire is coming for Omega. 

In our discussion, we talk about what to do during a tsunami, how Crosshair’s love language is murder, and wonder if the Batch could ever really retire. We also sing a love song to Echo, the best Batch of the bunch.

Join us next week for a triple celebration!! May the 4th Be With You marks our second podcast-a-versary, and our recap of the Bad Batch Season 2 finale. We’re going to celebrate with a special stream of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor…except Anna’s going to be on the controls. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Plot Overview

16:43 “Pabu” Discussion

28:20 “Tipping Point” Discussion

46:12 Easter Eggs

51:52 Bae Watch

59:15 End Credits

Alexa, play “Taps.” 

“Metamorphosis” and “The Outpost” (The Bad Batch Season 2, Episodes 11–12) are the darkest Batch episodes yet. As the Batch scavenges a downed cruiser and Crosshair makes an icy trek across Barton-IV, the past comes back to haunt them: from cloned horrors of yesteryear, to the planned obsolescence of the clone army, to Crosshair’s bad decisions.

In our recap, we talk about Emperor Palpatine’s plans for immortality, parallels to the Umbaran Arc, great Bad Batch moments, and the true meaning of ice vultures.

Join us next week to recap “Pabo” and “Tipping Point” (Season 2, Episodes 13–14).

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:15:06 “Metamorphosis” Discussion

00:31:51 “The Outpost” Discussion

00:51:26 Tiny Beautiful Moments

00:56:39 Bae Watch

01:03:39 End Credits

Get in, King Katuunko heads, we’re going to Space Arizona!

Our recap of “The Crossing” and “Retrieval” (The Bad Batch S2, 9–10) takes us to the slot canyons of Sedona—sorry, Ipsidon—where the Bad Batch is besieged by lightning, thunder, explosions, theft, gravity, and a herd of space gazelles. They also confront the evils of capitalism, and convince a bunch of kid miners to unionize. 

In our recap, we talk about the softest conversation in Bad Batch so far, between Tech and Omega. We also recap mining unionization in American history (more interesting than it sounds—also bloodier) and famous leaders of child pickpocketing gangs. Also, what’s Cid’s deal?

Join us next week to recap “Metamorphosis” and “The Outpost” (Season 2, episodes 11–12).

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:12:15 This Episode is Set in Space Arizona

00:17:33 Mokko and the Exploitation Station

00:24:29 Benni and the (Unionized) Jets

00:33:24 What’s Cid’s Deal?!

00:35:14 Omega and Tech Discussion

00:49:23 Easter Eggs 

00:55:02 Bae Watch

01:00:36 End Credits

Hold onto your tear ducts, friends, because we have a one-two punch of emotional walloping for you. 

“The Clone Conspiracy” and “Truth and Consequences” (The Bad Batch Season 2, Episodes 7–8) are a glorious callback to everything Clone Wars. We spend both episodes on Coruscant (including in Trace and Rafa Martez’s garage), hang out with Senator Chuchi and disgraced Senator Burtoni, see bureaucrats fighting over how to fund (and defund) their war machines, and hang onto the edge of our seats as noble politicians fight to expose galactic corruption. And, in true Clone Wars fashion, we see them thwarted just when victory is within grasp.

In our recap, we talk all about the many historical callbacks in these episodes, passing the Bechdel test, where we go from here, and Echo’s amazing trajectory from Domino Squad to rebel-rouser. 

To skip to your favorite segments, check out the timestamps below.

Join us next week to recap “The Crossing” and “Retrieval” (Season 2, Episodes 9–10).

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Plot Overview

00:15:07 “Clone Conspiracy” Discussion

00:30:45 “Truth and Consequences” Discussion

00:45:56 Easter Eggs + Politics

00:53:14 Where Do We Go From Here?

00:56:57 Bae Watch

1:05:06 End Credits

There’s nothing in common between “Entombed” and “Tribe” (The Bad Batch S2, Episodes 5–6) except for the adults being great role models, and that’s okay.

“Entombed” charts us a path through an Indiana Jones homage, complete with puzzle rooms, treasure maps, and unethical archaeology, plus some DEEP Star Wars lore. We get to spend time with pirate queen Phee, and see Omega become the #1 best treasure hunter student ever.

“Tribe” brings us to Kashyyyk (!!) to reunite with one of our absolute favorite Padawans (!!!!). We talk about eco warriors, the natural resource curse, cultural assimilation, and how drop-dead gorgeous Kashyyyk is. Also, Ferngully. Also, why Bad Batch is the sweetest Star Wars show (yet).

To skip to your favorite segments, check out the timestamps below.

And join us next week to watch “The Clone Conspiracy” and “Truth and Consequences.”

Timestamps:

00:00 Plot Overview

14:37 “Entombed” Discussion

28:30 “Tribe” Discussion

40:28 Are The Kids Gonna Be All Right?

47:16 Bae Watch

55:51 End Credits