Growing Up Skywalker

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
  

Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning. That’s how you find At Attin, right?

This week, we’re recapping Skeleton Crew’s second and third installments, “Way, Way Out Past The Barrier” and “Very Interesting, As An Astrogation Problem.” They’re DEEPLY Peter Pan-coded and full of classic Star Wars homages. 

Even more importantly, they’re full of mystery (and some really excellent grown-up role models).

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?

00:03:40 Plot Overview

00:17:01 Mysteries, Headcanons, and Peter Pan Allusions

00:26:52 Captain Silvo Deep-Dive

00:38:12 Adult Figures in Skeleton Crew

00:49:10 Easter Eggs

01:01:26 Bae Watch

01:09:40 Closing Thoughts

This could be a real adventure—and a real vibe shift for Growing Up Skywalker.

Hot off the heels of our coverage of The Mandalorian’s first season, we’re diving into a brighter side of the galaxy in Skeleton Crew.

In our recap of the premiere, “This Could Be a Real Adventure,” we discuss the mysteries of At Attin, the tyranny of suburbs, and the glorification of busyness.

We also cover the critical reception of the show (which contrasts heavily with the reception of The Acolyte during a similar timeframe) and continue our Mandalorian-era discussion of justice as enforced by the New Republic.

Neither Sam nor Anna has ever seen Skeleton Crew before, so we’re all in this adventure together!

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?

00:01:59  Plot Overview

00:11:53 The Great Work 

00:16:46 The Suburbs, Oppression, and Childhood Stories

00:38:18 Pirates in Space

00:43:23 Critical Reception

00:52:25 Bae Watch

01:00:38 Closing Thoughts

Callbacks to Rebels and The Clone Wars abound in The Mandalorian’s season 1 finale, but in the end, this show has always known what it’s really about.

In our recap of “Redemption” (The Mandalorian Season 1, Chapter 8), we wrestle with questions of honor, if it matters, and why it’s so important to try. We also cover the chain of ownership of darksaber (and question why Lando doesn’t have it??), the importance of the Child, and the role of Moff Gideon in the somehow still-functioning Empire (???).

Buckle up—this could be a real adventure! Next week, we’re shifting vibes entirely to cover the premiere of Skeleton Crew (!!!!!!!!).

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?

00:02:37 Plot Overview

00:15:18 The Lineage of the Darksaber and Why Lando Doesn’t Have It

00:24:52 Star Wars Grammar

00:30:43 Honor in The Mandalorian

00:48:48 The Child, The Empire, and Moff Gideon

00:56:42 Bae Watch

01:05:11 Closing Thoughts

Maarva Andor's words about reckonings loom over our discussion today. As authoritarianism creeps over the United States, we’re finding parallels to the Imperial Era everywhere.

In “The Reckoning” (The Mandalorian, Chapter 7), we explore the governance (and lack thereof) of the New Republic, the rise of fascism in a post-Endor era, and what the Empire looks like in ABY 9. We also pay an homage to Kuiil—the original Bae, and one of the reasons for the start of Growing Up Skywalker—by exploring the concept of honor.

This cliffhanger episode ratchets up the tension, and we have a ton to say about the political reality of The Mandalorian (and our own time). Join us next week for the thrilling Mandalorian Season 1 finale!

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?

00:04:59 Plot Overview

00:12:06 Are We Not In a Post-Imperial Timeline??

00:41:09 Other Big Themes: Honor, Force Healing, and Droid Rights

00:56:30 Bae Watch

01:09:04 Closing Thoughts

Mando’s in his freelance era. (Spoiler alert: It’s not going that great??)

In “The Prisoner,” (The Mandalorian, Chapter 6), we take a good long look at prison, punishment, and justice in the New Republic Era. We talk through the DELIGHTFUL cameos of this episode—Matt Lanter, Dave Filoni, Deborah Chow, Rick Famuyiwa, and more—and ask ourselves…Does Mando have a plan?

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

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:03:30 Plot Overview

00:14:45 CAMEOS!!

00:24:53 Prison, Punishment, and Justice in the New Republic Era

00:41:14 Does Mando Have a Plan?

00:52:39 Bae Watch

00:59:02 Closing Thoughts

He’s a rich boy, and he’s gone too far…

This week, we’re talking about honor, traitors, quests, rich newbies, and elite assassins in The Mandalorian, Chapter 5, “The Gunslinger.”

Is Toro Calican an inexperienced newbie, or a seasoned killer? What’s Fennec Shand been up to since we saw her in the Bad Batch? And is the Mandalorian a paragon of honor, or a morally ambiguous cowboy? 

One thing is clear—The Mandalorian definitely isn’t your dad’s Star Wars.

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

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:02:35 Plot Overview

00:08:42 This Is Not Your Dad’s Star Wars

00:22:31 Honor, Traitors, and Quests

00:49:40 Bae Watch

00:54:48 Closing Thoughts

After an unexpected hiatus (sorry!! Loth-flu is catching!!) we’re just in time for “Sanctuary,” (The Mandalorian, Chapter 4)...and the introduction of the tough and tender Carasynthia Dune.

This week, we dive behind the camera to explore the female gaze in The Mandalorian and how it stems from the first female directors of a live-action Star Wars project. We dig into Cara Dune’s backstory, the classic Star Wars village story, the comparisons between “Sanctuary” and the Clone Wars’ “Bounty Hunters,” and the state of our main characters’ moral codes. 

We also discuss separating artists from their art, and relish in how live-action shows continue to make the Empire scarier than in the movies—a pressing and relevant reminder of fascism’s deep roots in the galaxy. 

We are well along on our Mandalorian coverage, and now is a fantastic time to join us!

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 Plot Overview

00:13:24 Cara Dune and Separating Art From the Artist

00:33:11 Seven Samurai / Bounty Hunters Callbacks

00:48:22 The Female Gaze in Sanctuary

00:53:21 Bae Watch

01:02:21 Closing Thoughts

The Spaghetti Western spirit is strong in The Mandalorian, Chapter 3: “The Sin.”

This week, we dive deep into the Mandalorian’s crisis of ethics, starting with the Bounty Hunter Guild Code and ending with his loyalty to the Mandalorian Creed. We also dig into thoughts on currency, value, and compensation; showdowns on the street; and whether or not we got an Embo cameo.

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?

00:02:40 Plot Overview

00:11:45 Spaghetti Western Tropes

00:16:27 The Mandalorian’s Ethics 

00:45:41 Currency, Value, and Compensation

00:53:22 Bae Watch

00:58:43 Closing Thoughts