Growing Up Skywalker

In which all Mando wants is to get off-planet without being besieged by rogues and scavengers.

This week, in our recap of The Mandalorian’s Chapter 2, “The Child,” we talk through the Mandalorian’s stylish, distinct, comic book-esque visual language and the rights of Mudhorns to, you know, peacefully exist. We also talk about the Mandalorian’s code of ethics—which is in flux—and what it must feel like for a highly professional bounty hunter to suddenly…not be in his element.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:02:20 Plot Overview

00:8:59 Three Different Ways To Understand This Episode

00:25:23 The Mandalorian’s Visual Language

00:42:27 The Mudhorn and Creature Rights

00:48:58 The Mandalorian’s Tenacity

00:51:10 Bae Watch

00:56:20 Closing Thoughts

Three and a half years ago, Growing Up Skywalker began a non-toxic, chronological weekly watchthrough of all of Star Wars—with the goal of getting to The Mandalorian. And we’re here! We’re finally here!

On the show this week, we’re recapping the premiere of the shot heard ’round the world in the form of the first Star Wars live-action TV show, “The Mandalorian.” We talk through justice in the Era of the New Republic, the mishmash of ancient legend + spaghetti Western + samurai story + space opera, and the reason we created our fan-favorite segment, Bae Watch. (Spoiler alert: It’s Kuiil. It’s always been Kuiil.)

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:03:50 Plot Overview

00:11:30 Everyone’s First Impressions of The Mandalorian

00:28:55 Justice, Ethics and Moral Codes in the New Republic Era

00:58:48 Bae Watch

01:06:31 Closing Thoughts

We often talk about how every Star Wars character’s story forms a tile in the mosaic of the galaxy, and Barriss Offee’s tale is no exception.

In our final “catch-up” episode to get back into chronological order, we’re covering Tales of the Empire: Barriss’s Tale (S1, Ep. 4–6, “Devoted,” “Realization,” and “The Way Out”). We dive into themes of redemption, the parallels between Barriss, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka, and the archetype of The Crone.

AND FINALLY! After a one-week holiday break, we’ll arrive at the reason Growing Up Skywalker started in the first place: The Mandalorian. 

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:02:18 Plot Overview

00:11:35 Barriss’s Timeline

00:23:35 Character Deep Dive: Barriss Offee 

00:36:08 The Archetype of the Crone 

00:52:49 Bae Watch

00:59:42 Closing Thoughts

It’s the end of an era…a Bad one.

In the Bad Batch finale ("The Cavalry has Arrived," S3 Ep.15), heroic and monstrous intervention combine to conclude this dark and beautiful chapter of Star Wars. This episode showcases what the Bad Batch is capable of even when outnumbered, bruised, battered, and ambushed. 

With our heroes hanging up their blasters, it's time for a new generation to take the fight to the Empire. That’s true for us, too—we’re finishing our catch-up era by watching Tales of the Empire (Barriss’s Tale) next week.

What should we watch after that? Skeleton Crew, or The Mandalorian? Let us know!

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:04:04 Plot Overview

00:15:33 Good Vibes for the Bad Batch

00:22:09 Sith Character Discussions: Omega, Echo, Emerie, The Bad Batch 

00:48:57 The End of Project Necromancer?

00:59:07 Bae Watch

01:06:03 Closing Thoughts

Surprise! We’re throwing a fastball—this week, we’re covering all three of the episodes leading up to the Bad Batch finale. 

Over this week’s episodes (“Juggernaut,” “Into The Breach,” and “Flash Strike,” S3 Ep. 12–14), the Batch calls in essentially every favor they have left. A Monster truck-style tank battle, a tautly executed stealth mission, and a rush through the jungle of Wayland leave our heroes set up for the endgame.

We talk through how the Batch is laying a blueprint for the nascent Rebellion and what their fates might mean for the next 10 years of anti-Imperial sentiment. This is the Bad Batch at its best.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:03:21 Plot Overview

00:14:59 The Bad Batch’s Growth

00:30:52 Sith Immortality

00:35:19 The Bad Batch’s Blueprint for a Rebellion

00:51:26 Bae Watch

00:59:56 Closing Thoughts

At first blush, these episodes are beautiful, but surface level. On closer inspection, they turn into a surprisingly moving—and compelling—statement on anti-fascist work.

This week, we talk through the work happening at the Mount Tantiss facility, the long fascist history of medical experimentation, and how community is the answer to oppression…until even community may not be enough. (That’s when action is required.)

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?

00:02:29 Plot Overview

00:12:14 Dr. Emerie, Dr. Hemlock, and Nala Se

00:20:46 Medical Experimentation, Fascism, and the Rules of Community

00:44:26 Cad Bane and the Younglings Pipeline

00:48:38 Bae Watch

00:57:54 Closing Thoughts

Things we love about Bad Batch Season 3: The deepening love between Crosshair and Omega. Things that make us laugh: Schmonsters on schmonsters on schmonsters. 

This week’s episodes (“Bad Territory” and “The Harbinger,” S3, Ep. 8–9) mark the return of two scene-stealers: Fennec Shand and Asajj Ventress. These women of many talents shine with Bad Batch’s upgraded visuals (seriously, we’ve never seen Asajj in high definition before), and also dance around what they’re really up to—and the truth about Omega.

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?

00:02:44 Plot Overview

00:17:05 Star Wars Animation

00:22:30 Asajj’s Intel: M-Count and the Force

00:29:33 Character Deep-Dive: Asajj, Omega, and Crosshair

00:50:02 Bae Watch

00:58:14 Closing Thoughts

This week, it’s clones all the way down.

“Infiltration” and “Extraction” (The Bad Batch Season 3, Ep. 6–7) finally give us a glimpse of Rex’s work over the past three seasons of The Bad Batch: Building a clone resistance force. It only takes one shadow trooper to tear it all down.

This week, we’re diving deep into the world of clones, TK troopers, inhibitor chips, brainwashing, and Imperial control. We also talk about loyalty and disposability as core themes for our favorite clones—especially Crosshair.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:02:26 Plot Overview

00:16:06 Chuchi’s Resistance

00:21:38 Shadow Troopers, Clones, and Inhibitor Chips

00:42:11 Character Discussion: Crosshair 

00:51:01 Bae Watch

00:56:32 Closing Thoughts

We may be stewing in the oppressive soup of the Galactic Empire again—but at least we get a family reunion out of it.

“A Different Approach” and “The Return” (The Bad Batch Season 3, Ep. 4–5) ask Crosshair, at gunpoint, if he’s willing to accept the new Bad Batch. (Spoiler alert: He is, and everybody cries.)

These episodes brilliantly weave together threads of Bad Batch yore, giving everybody second chances to shine. Omega gets the chance to hustle entire towns out of their life savings. Crosshair gets the chance to repent for his crimes. Hunter gets a chance to be the leader of a 5-person squad again. And Batcher gets the chance to be the best girl in the galaxy.

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?

00:03:25 Plot Overview

00:15:28 The New Bad Batch

00:21:43 Back to Imperial-Era Fascism

00:32:25 Character Discussions: Omega and Crosshair 

00:48:41 Bae Watch

00:54:40 Closing Thoughts

The cavalry has arrived! Well…the cavalry that’s left.

The Bad Batch Season 3 premiere (S3, Ep. 1–3, "Confined," "Paths Unknown," and "Shadows of Tantiss”) is a confident, thrilling, beautiful arc that thrusts us back under the Empire’s boot. In our discussion this week, we covered our first impressions of this gripping first installment, the disturbing implications of Project Necromancer, and the loneliness of being Hunter and Wrecker rattling around the Marauder. 

Also…there is a PUPPY.

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?

00:03:48 Plot Overview

00:21:22 First Impressions

00:32:01 Project Necromancer

00:48:05 Character Discussions: Emerie and Hemlock

00:59:15 Bae Watch

01:06:11 Closing Thoughts