Growing Up Skywalker

Good soldiers follow orders, but we’re just following the Bad Batch (with heart eyes) as we continue our Season 1 recap!

“Cut and Run” and “Replacements” (The Bad Batch S1, Ep. 2–3) continue to illuminate a changing galaxy. The Empire is rolling out chain codes to register and track citizens, sending elite forces to wipe out insurrectionists, and scheming to make the former Republic’s clone troopers obsolete. At the same time, the Bad Batch is skittering from one hidey-hole to the next, never able to stand still.

The tension is tight, but we still get some absolutely delightful moments: Omega seeing sunlight and dirt for the first time, reuniting with Cut Lawquane and Suu, moon dragons, piggy-back rides from Uncle Wrecker, and a plot that revolves around getting a family onto a bus out of town. This show has us in tears in all the best ways.

Next week, join us in recapping “Cornered” and “Rampage” (The Bad Batch Season 1, Episodes 4–5).

And we’re back! We return from our holiday hiatus with a brand new phase for the podcast, a brand-new series, and a brand-new galaxy for our heroes to survive.

The 70-minute pilot episode of The Bad Batch, “Aftermath,” smash-opens with another view of Order 66 (like we needed to suffer this pain again). Then we follow the Bad Batch as they navigate a changing galaxy — one that isn’t exactly giving them cakes and wishing them a fine day. We meet Omega, a tiny girl with a mighty Australian accent, and reencounter some old favorites (including SAW GERRERA!). There is a food fight, a delightful battle simulation, and a betrayal of the highest order. Also, so many hand signals. This is basically the Clone Wars Season 8 and we are here for it.

Next week, join us in recapping “Cut and Run” and “Replacements” (The Bad Batch Season 1, Episodes 2–3).

PS: A huge thank you to Nick Stockbridge of Funny Science Fiction Popcast for our fantastic new show intro!

In another glorious stroke of in-universe chronology meeting up with the Star Wars release schedule, we got to watch Tales of the Jedi (Ahsoka’s Tale) this week!

We recapped Chapters 1, 5 and 6 (“Life and Death,” “Practice Makes Perfect,” and “Resolve”) and cried a LOT.

In our discussion, we talked about how these episodes give Ahsoka a natural continuation of the Martez Sisters arc from S7 of The Clone Wars — and Sam teases where she’s going next. We also talk about Inquisitors, what makes Ahsoka a hero, Pav-ti giving really good mom-wisdom, raising a Force-sensitive baby, and discuss the criticism of “Resolve” (potentially) erasing an Ahsoka love interest.

Next…we’re taking a hiatus! Now that Growing Up Skywalker has concluded Phase 1 of our chronological watch-through, we’re putting the show on hold until January 10, because we’re busy moving in together (!!!). We’ll be back in your earbuds in January with our review of “Aftermath,” the Bad Batch S1 pilot.

For the first time ever, Growing Up Skywalker’s chronological walkthrough lines up with something Star Wars recently released…Tales of the Jedi!

This week, we talked about Dooku’s Tale: Chapters 2, 3 and 4 (“Justice,” “Choices,” and “The Sith Lord”). We go chapter-by-chapter, discussing Dooku’s genuine love for Qui-Gon, the trauma of being a young person having to watch out for the adults in your life, Master Yaddle’s absolutely beautiful soul, the Star Wars smoothie-blend of history and culture, and the (missing) checks and balances in the Jedi Order.

We were also thrilled to talk about Tales of the Jedi on The FSF Popcast last week! Check them out on YouTube and everywhere you get podcasts.

Next week, we’re recapping Tales of the Jedi (Ahsoka’s Tale): Chapters 1, 5 and 6 (“Life and Death,” “Practice Makes Perfect,” and “Resolve”).

It’s really here — the end of The Clone Wars.

In our recap of the final episodes of The Clone Wars (7.11–12, “Shattered” and “Victory and Death”) we talk about tragedy, betrayal, and the power move of asking a bunch of mischievous astromech droids to help you throw an entire cruiser into chaos. Most importantly, we talk about seeing Ahsoka fully mature into her powers — and deprogramming herself from being a soldier, so she can become a keeper of the peace.

Next week, we’re recapping chapters 2, 3, and 4 of Tales of the Jedi (Dooku’s Tale). The week after that, we’re recapping chapters 1, 5 and 6 (Ahsoka’s Tale). And before we get to The Bad Batch, we’re taking a small vacation from the podcast, because we’ll be busy moving in together!

This week, we were also delighted to be special guests on The FSF Popcast, where we talked all about Tales of the Jedi. Like, follow, and subscribe to The FSF Popcast on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and every major podcast platform!

We finish Revenge of the Sith — the sweeping conclusion to the Prequel Era — with big feelings on Order 66 and the end of the Jedi Order, big love for beloved characters, and big thoughts on the cyclical story of Star Wars.

As the Empire takes power in Revenge of the Sith, the galaxy is plunged into darkness. But is the sun setting or rising for our favorite characters? In our character study, we talk about Anakin’s slow descent into darkness, Obi-Wan’s total control, and Padmé’s dreamlike passivity. In our big-picture discussion, we analyze the ultimate confrontation between Sith and Jedi, and decide who walks away stronger. This film is big, and bombastic, and inevitable, and utterly confident, and we love every minute of it.

Join us next week for the conclusion to the Prequel Era — the Siege of Mandalore, Part 2 (The Clone Wars 7.11–12, “Shattered” and “Victory and Death”).

Another happy landing!

This week, we’re army-crawling to the finish line of the Prequel Era. In our recap of Revenge of the Sith (Part One), we talk about the gorgeous visuals, tight plotting, absolutely delightful banter and compelling themes of Star Wars’ final prequel film. We talk about Anakin and Obi-Wan vanquishing their ultimate foes, R2 disassembling Grievous’s droid army, Palpatine’s completely insidious (heh) manipulation of EVERYBODY, and the forces tugging Anakin to the Dark Side (and back to the Light).

Next week, we’re finishing Revenge of the Sith. Then, we’ll have a surprise special guest for the final episodes of The Clone Wars: “Shattered” and “Victory and Death.”

Begun, the Clone War has!

This week, we’re rewatching Attack of the Clones in all of its magnificent sprawl. We talk all about the rewards of a second watch-through after seeing the Clone Wars TV show, the huge differences in production between The Phantom Menace and Attack, the weirdness between Anakin and Obi-Wan, the iconic Yoda/Dooku duel. We have lots of thoughts about Padme and Anakin. And you already know we talk about Padme’s outfits.

Next week, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming, and our regularly structured episodes. We’ll cover the first half of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. After we finish Revenge, we’ll cover the final two episodes of The Clone Wars TV show. And then we’re onto Bad Batch!

Start your engines! Just in time for the Boonta Eve Classic, we’re getting back to our roots with a rewatch of The Phantom Menace.

A lot has changed since we watched Phantom on the first two episodes of Growing Up Skywalker (and we have, too!). Our recap centers on the viewers we used to be versus the watchers we are today. We talk about how our perceptions of the main quartet — Anakin, Qui-Gon, Padmé and Shmi — have changed wildly over time. We try to figure out why George Lucas decided to start Star Wars here, and why he decided to frame it around an economic story. We share our favorite Easter eggs, and — most importantly — crown a Queen of Bae Watch.

Grab your rain slicker and Zam Wesell’s red lipstick, because next week, we’re rewatching Attack of the Clones!

The Siege of Mandalore has begun — not with a bang, but with many. And also, Ahsoka somersaulting into Sundari, backlit by the carnage she has caused. This is some of the best action of Star Wars, and it is DELIGHTFUL.

“Old Friends Not Forgotten” and “The Phantom Apprentice” (TCW 7.9–10) form the first part of the Siege of Mandalore Arc, which blends the action in the Clone Wars with the events of Revenge of the Sith. In our recap, we talk about how Maul escaped from Darth Sidious to become the leader of a crime syndicate, the dynamic between Maul and Ahsoka, and whether the Anakin of these episodes is Anakin at his best. (Highly possible.)

We also break down some of the most iconic dialogue and best action scenes. Ahsoka’s twin lightsabers are the star of the show.

Next week, we’re NOT continuing straight into the second half of the Siege of Mandalore. First, we’ll rewatch The Phantom Menace, and then Attack of the Clones. Then, we’ll split Revenge of the Sith into a traditional two-part episode. And finally, we’ll finish the Siege of Mandalore — and then begin the Bad Batch.