In this episode, Rachael and Kirsty discuss the following:

- J.J. Abrams announces a wrap to filming on Episode IX on Twitter, and we analyse every facet of the news - the photo of Daisy, John and Oscar hugging! Adam Driver's dress-up table! The colossal awkwardness of the wrap party speeches! John's wrap gift!

- Triple Force Friday announced for October.

- The Emperor is coming to Celebration.

- First excerpt from Claudia Gray's 'Master & Apprentice' revealed.

- The latest episode of 'Star Wars: Resistance', 'The New Trooper'.

In the spoiler section (starting at 48:35), we discuss a range of rumours (largely building on previous reports) regarding Episode IX.

Many thanks to Christy Carew for the Scavenger's Hoard theme, and Nemling for our artwork.

In this (particularly spoiler heavy!) episode, Kirsty and Rachael discuss the following:

- New Star Wars Celebration guests announced

- The latest episode of Star Wars: Resistance, ‘The First Order Occupation’

We then move on to a lengthy spoiler section starting at 28:38 (this is where you should turn off if you’re a spoiler-phobe!). We cover the following:

- Massive leak of reference photos and concept art from Episode IX

- Rumour about how the Knights of Ren play into Episode IX

- Making Star Wars speculation on the macguffin at the heart of Episode IX

- Spoiler-y listener questions.

You can find the image leak discussed in the first portion of the spoiler segment here: https://www.reddit.com/r/StarWarsLeaks/comments/aooezp/leaked_episode_ix_concept_art_and_reference_photos/

This episode marks the first use of our beautiful new theme music, which was composed and produced by the wonderful Christy Carew, and mastered by Steve Shebby. While we’re sad to say goodbye to our old theme by Miranda, we can’t thank Christy enough for the beautiful music she has created for us! You can find Christy’s work here: https://soundcloud.com/christycarew

In this episode, Rachael and Kirsty discuss the following:

- Anthony Daniels and BB-8 puppeteer report that they have wrapped on Episode IX

- Broad range of Galaxy’s Edge books announced to tie in with the new Disney theme park

- ‘The Skywalker Saga’ by Delilah S. Dawson announced

- Synopsis released for Claudia Gray’s Master & Apprentice

- The latest episode of 'Star Wars Resistance', 'Doza's Dilemma'.

In this episode, Rachael and Kirsty discuss the following:

- Star Wars scores big noms at the 2019 Oscars

- Actors and artists attending Celebration Chicago revealed, along with first event poster

- First synopsis and cover of Alphabet Squadron revealed

- Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #3 engages in an intriguing plot line

- The first two episodes of the second half of season one of 'Resistance' - 'Bibo' and 'Dangerous Business'.

Once the news is done, we continue with a spotlight on the wonderful coffee table book 'Women of the Galaxy'. We take a unique approach by picking a range of categories, and choosing one character each to discuss. The categories and our choices are below:

- Character we find most inspirational (Leia - Rachael/Rey - Kirsty)

- Character we want to learn more about (by reading books/watching material that’s already out there) (Rae Sloane - Rachael/Dr Aphra - Kirsty)

- Character with the most intriguing morality (Qi'Ra - Rachael/Ciena Ree - Kirsty)

- Character we want to see explored more in the ‘canon’ (Bazine - Rachael/Lovey/Vi Moradi - Kirsty)

- Character we'd most want to hang out with (Maz - Rachael/Rose - Kirsty)

In this episode, Rachael and Kirsty discuss the following:

- What they got up to over the Christmas break.

- The beautiful new artwork for the show, provided by the very talented Nemling.

- The trailer for the second half of season one of Star Wars: Resistance.

- Adam Driver's recent comments on his approach to Episode IX.

- Reports that Episode IX is close to wrapping.

Then, in the spotlight section, we run through the (many, many!) things to come from Star Wars in the year ahead - from the big novels (Queen's Shadow, Master & Apprentice) to Star Wars Celebration and the three (!) TV shows to come in the autumn. And there's also the matter of a little movie called Episode IX...

You can find nemling here: http://nemling.tumblr.com/

In this episode, Rachael and Kirsty discuss the following:

(20 seconds) It’s been a year since The Last Jedi came out! We discuss our first experiences with the film, and our feelings about it a year on.

(9 minutes) The main cast of The Mandalorian is announced.

(15 minutes, 30 seconds) Mark Hamill discusses the intense security measures governing the Star Wars IX set.

(20 minutes, 50 seconds) The mid-season finale of Star Wars: Resistance, Station Theta Black.

In the spotlight section (30 minutes), we are joined by Melissa (of Hux Fan Blog on Tumblr) for an extended discussion of a variety of topics - including The Last Jedi, an exciting encounter with Domhnall Gleeson and, most notably, how Rian Johnson developed the character of General Hux in Episode VIII.

Once we have said goodbye to Melissa, we enter into a spoiler section (1 hour, 27 minutes) where we discuss the latest rumours relating to Episode IX.

In this episode, Rachael and Kirsty discuss the following:

- Kevin Smith visits the Episode IX set and teases what he saw on Good Morning America

- Who Talks First/Knights of Rant get first access to the script of The Last Jedi

- The latest episode of Star Wars: Resistance, titled 'Secrets and Holograms'.

With these topics out of the way, the podcast moves into a discussion of recent spoilers to emerge from Reddit, which were backed up by an independent report from Making Star Wars. This spoiler segment covers all kinds of intriguing titbits about various projects, most notably The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Episode IX. The spoiler segment starts at around 33 minutes in, so stop the show there if you're spoiler-averse!

In this episode, Rachael and Kirsty discuss:

- An intriguing Rumi quote Vic Mahoney has recorded on the wall of her office

- The announcement of Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures

- Stephen Schiff joins Cassian Andor series as showrunner

- The latest episode of Star Wars: Resistance, 'The Platform Classic'

In the spotlight section, we discuss the Rey and Kylo threads of the sequel trilogy so far (with an emphasis on the former) in relation to the observations on female journeys made in the seminal book of feminist literary analysis, 'The Madwoman in the Attic'. In particular, we look at the parallels that emerge with two classic works of literature - Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre.

After briefly discussing some casting news for The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal is made of win) and the episode 'Synara's Score' of Star Wars: Resistance, Rachael and Kirsty delve into an extensive, beat-by-beat appreciation of the Star Wars Holiday Special. Highlights:

- Utter disgust at Itchy's mere existence

- Calls for female empowerment among Wookies

- Confusion over who every non-SW actor is

- Appreciation for that one Imperial officer who really likes Jefferson Starship

- Serious respect for Ackmena, the hero the Holiday Special needed

- An outline of a new Holiday Special for the 21st century, largely focused on the Caretaker society and their interactions with some despairing porgs (though also including miserable cameos from the main cast members).

(Special tip - it's worth listening to the end.)

In this episode, Rachael and Kirsty discuss the following news:

- Spin-off series following Cassian Andor announced - Diego Luna to star

- Adam Driver teases Episode IX in new interview with Vulture magazine

- Richard E. Grant discusses joining Episode IX on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast.

Following the news discussion, we discuss the three latest episodes of Star Wars: Resistance: The High Tower, The Children from Tehar and Signal from Sector Six.

As a spotlight, we have a special guest - Christy, a professional composer, joins us from 1 hour 13 minutes in to discuss her recent visit to the Skywalker Ranch, as well as some of the newest composers to work for Lucasfilm and what they are bringing to the galaxy far, far away.