Wake up babe, new Saw Gerrera backstory just dropped.

This week, we’re asking what makes a Rebel cell the “real deal.” Is it Saw Gerrera’s Cave Angels, who have all the fire—but lack direction? Is it the Ghorman Front, who want the Empire gone, but haven’t looked past their front doorstep? And do Luthen, Kleya, and Cassian count, when they keep raising the barrier to entry to the Rebellion?

We’re asking all this, and whether Dedra cares if Syril lives or dies, in our recap of “I Have Friends Everywhere” (Andor S2, E5).

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:01:53 Plot Summary

00:13:35 What It Takes to Grow a Rebellion

00:29:21 Are The Ghormans The Real Deal?

00:36:54 More Saw Gerrera Backstory

00:52:42 Syril and Dedra 4ever???

00:59:56 Bae Watch

01:06:57 Closing Thoughts

If you’re looking for liminal spaces, 1 million French WWII parallels, and honeypots for days, this episode is for you.

In “Ever Been To Ghorman?” (Andor S2, E4), we meditate on resource extraction and the Ghormans’ supremely reasonable political demands. We also dive deep into the history of the Maquis—the French resistance group fighting Nazis during WWII—and feel very, very worried about Bix. 

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:01:30 Plot Summary

00:12:05 French WWII Parallels For Days

00:24:43 Resource Extraction and the Ghormans' Political Stance

00:41:10 Syril and Dedra 4ever

00:47:51 Very Worried About Bix BTW

00:57:21 Bae Watch

01:07:06 Closing Thoughts

The harvest has come in, and we’re tallying one less Rebel in its count.

In the final installment of Andor’s first triptych, “Harvest” (S2, E3), we’re counting the cost of freedom. Mon sells her daughter to the Rebellion, Vel catches a glimpse of a lover who never spares the time…and one of our faves gives their life to the cause. 

In a happier light, we also revel in Chandrilan wedding rites and wonder how that marriage is really going to go. The star of this episode is, obviously, the Syril/Eedy/Dedra dinner party. We have been so bad and it was so good. (This is Dedra’s world—we’re just living in it.)

New to Growing Up Skywalker? Come join us for non-toxic Star Wars recaps from a veteran and a new fan. New episodes every Tuesday.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:02:26 Plot Summary

00:13:21 First Impressions and Body Counts

00:23:42 Chandrilan Weddings (and Marriages)

00:45:34 Syril and Dedra 4ever

00:56:45 Bae Watch

01:03:46 Closing Thoughts

Andor’s second season is a different beast—and an absolute feast of real-world parallels.

In “Sagrona Teema,” (Andor S2, E2), the differences between Andor’s seasons become clear: Season 2 is faster, more mysterious, and altogether more oblique. But the parallels to life in 2025 have become even more clear. In our recap this week, we draw the lines connecting Andor to ICE deportations, leftist infighting, and issues of consent. 

On a happier note, we’re giving a Chandrilan toast to the return of Syril and the hard launch of Sedra (is that their couple name??). 

New to Growing Up Skywalker? Come join us for non-toxic Star Wars recaps from a veteran and a new fan. New episodes every Tuesday.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:04:10 Plot Summary

00:14:36 Season 1 and Season 2 Distinctions

00:20:58 Real-World Parallels: Deportation, Exploitation, Leftist Infighting

00:43:15 Syril and Dedra 4ever

00:56:23 Bae Watch

01:08:14 Closing Thoughts

Fast, pointed, and irresistibly astute: Andor’s Season 2 premiere, “One Year Later,” isn’t holding any punches.

In our recap this week, we discuss Andor’s magical ability to pull on both historic and modern-day threads. The super-secret Imperial summit, for instance, calls back to the World War II Wannsee Conference and its “Final Solution of the Jewish Question.” But it’s also a dead ringer for conversations about energy independence happening in the White House today.

In its zippy season premiere, Andor manages to mock leftist infighting (again), stage a gloriously tense TIE Avenger heist, and throw open the Mothma estate for a splashy pre-nuptial bash. We knew Season 2 wasn’t going to disappoint—but even we weren’t expecting it to look this good while doing it.

New to Growing Up Skywalker? Come join us for non-toxic Star Wars recaps from a veteran and a new fan. New episodes every Tuesday.

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

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:03:27 Andor S1 Plot Recap

00:08:28 One Year Later Plot Overview

00:18:53 First Impressions: Fast, Pointed, On The Nose

00:40:19 Character Deep Dives: Vel and Dedra

00:54:23 Bae Watch

00:59:26 Closing Thoughts

With one mysterious smile, Jod’s story ends—for now—and we sweep into Skeleton Crew’s storybook ending. The real question is what happens next.

This week, we talk through all the implications of Skeleton Crew’s final moments. What will happen to At Attin? And all of its meticulously trained employees? What does this mean for Jod? And the New Republic?

We’re also getting HYPED (!!!) for Andor Season 2. Our recap of the first episode, “One Year Later,” will drop next week. <3

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:02:32 Plot Overview

00:11:45 What Will Happen to At Attin?

00:39:21 The End of Jod’s Story?

00:43:48 Parenting

00:52:06 Finals Thoughts on The Supervisor

00:56:27 Bae Watch

01:02:44 Closing Thoughts

Is Jod falling to the Dark Side? Or is he just full of so, so many red flags? Find out in Skeleton Crew’s “We’re Gonna Be In So Much Trouble” (S1, E7).

This week, we talk through what we know about Jod’s arc—from lost boy to pirate captain to potential Dark Side Force user. We discuss Star Wars’ treatment of fallen Force users and question whether Jod still has a chance at redemption. And we take a few potshots at parenting choices, as far as our At Attin adults are concerned.

Next week, it’s time for the Skeleton Crew finale—and then we’re officially traveling back in time for Andor Season 2.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:07:00 Plot Overview

00:16:05 Jod’s Fall To The Dark Side

00:48:16 Reactions To The Communications Buoy

00:55:48 Bae Watch

01:04:02 Closing Thoughts

“Zero Friends Again” was such a delightful exemplar of both Skeleton Crew and Star Wars that we spent about 15 minutes singing Bryce Dallas Howard’s praises. Then we get into the REALLY good stuff: the shapes and structures of Star Wars stories, disability in Star Wars, and community-building. (Mega points to our kiddos for building community amongst themselves, and zero points for Jod Na Nawood’s community-building among pirate thieves because we’re still very upset with him.)

As our various protagonists begin to finally start closing in on At Attin, the danger is escalating. Next episode, we’ll see if the kids have learned enough lessons to save their planet from being raided—or worse.

PS: We have a big crossroads in front of us. Should we watch Andor S2 with the rest of the world? Or go on to watch Mando S2 as planned? Weigh in on our poll!

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:04:00 Plot Overview

00:13:50 Unlimited Praise!!! (for Bryce Dallas Howard)

00:29:06 The Shapes of Star Wars Stories

00:33:58 Disability in Star Wars

00:55:04 Bae Watch

01:03:34 Closing Thoughts

Not even Star Wars is immune to gentrification, huh? 

In the most delightful Skeleton Crew episode so far (S1, E5, “You Have A Lot To Learn About Pirates”), our faves navigate the mud baths and grottos of the spa planet Lanupa. (It’s the former hideout of ferocious pirate Tak Rennod.)

The spa offers a wealth of opportunities for our characters to dress up, let off steam, escape death traps, and find hidden treasure—but it’s the heel-face turn at the end of the episode that really has us blowing steam. We also explore how a parent’s love could lead to the downfall of At Attin society. (Eeep!)

Fingers crossed you enjoy this episode in your very own mud bath.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:03:45 Plot Overview

00:23:28 Are The Parents Right To Break The Barrier?

00:33:48 Jod’s Betrayal and The Redemptive Power of Love

00:52:42 Bae Watch

01:01:06 Closing Thoughts

What exactly went wrong on At Achrann? We have some theories…

In this week’s episode, our recap of “Can’t Say I Remember No At Attin” (Skeleton Crew S1, E4) opens up a conversation that starts with the Kardashev Scale, bounces through the hypocrisy of child soldiers, and brings us around to exploring the deeper mysteries of At Attin.

We also talk through the importance of great societal works, clues to Skeleton Crew’s timeline, and the uneasiness of elite combat veterans who are no more than 13 years old.

Check out the extended notes for the many books and movies we referenced this episode.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:03:04 Plot Overview

00:12:40 The Importance of Great Societal Works

00:24:34 Child Soldiers and What Went Wrong on At Achrann

00:44:38 Timeline Stuff

00:52:27 Bae Watch

00:58:26 Closing Thoughts

Books and Movies Mentioned This Episode:

• Hobbes’ and co.’s Social Contract Theory
• The Traitor Baru Cormorant (The Masquerade #1)
• Old Man's War Series
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks
• Stealing Worlds