Talking Star Wars

Connor and Alex continue their ongoing overview of each work in the current Star Wars canon and proceed with their survey of expanded universe novels. In this episode, they discuss the following books: Lord of the Sith, Dark Disciple, Lost Stars, The Weapon of a Jedi: A Luke Skywalker Adventure, Smuggler’s Run: A Han Solo and Chewbacca Adventure, and Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure. For each work, Connor and Alex provide an overview of the plot and discuss the quality of the novel both as a piece of fiction and as a part of the larger Star Wars universe.

This episode contains spoilers for: Lords of the Sith, Dark Disciple, Lost Stars, The Weapon of a Jedi: A Luke Skywalker Adventure, Smuggler’s Run: A Han Solo and Chewbacca Adventure, Moving Target: A Princess Leia Adventure, The Clone Wars, Rebels, Andor, The Bad Batch, Episode II, Episode III, Episode IV, Episode V, and Episode VI.

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Connor and Alex begin the long journey of providing a high-level overview of each work in the new Star Wars canon, starting with the first handful of novels published after the Disney acquisition of Star Wars. In this episode, they discuss the first five novels in new canon: Ezra’s Gamble, A New Dawn, Servants of the Empire, Tarkin, and Heir to the Jedi. For each work, Connor and Alex provide an overview of the plot and discuss how the novel works both as a piece of fiction and as a part of the larger Star Wars universe.

This episode contains spoilers for: Ezra’s Gamble, A New Dawn, Servants of the Empire, Tarkin, Heir to the Jedi, Rebels, The Mandalorian, and The Bad Batch.

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

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Description: From the many capes of Lando Calrissian to the color symbolism of Luke’s tunics, and from the elaborate headdresses of Padmè Amidala to the simple robes of the Jedi, Connor and Alex delve into how clothing choices, fashion, and the garb of various characters support and enhance their narrative function and character development. Learn about how Palpatine’s elaborate outfits help obfuscate his growing fascism, why certain Imperial officers wear white, and how Princess Leia’s evolution to General Organa is highlighted by her evolving wardrobe.

This episode references and contains spoilers for: Episode I, Episode II, Episode III, Episode IV, Episode V, Episode VI, Episode VII, Episode VIII, Rogue One, The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Mandalorian, The Queen’s Shadow, Last Shot, and Fallen Order.

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Description: Connor and Alex do a deep dive into a unique force power introduced in the sequel trilogy - the Force Dyad that connected Rey and Kylo Ren which allowed them to speak to each other, see each other, and even translocate objects across seemingly infinite space. They then go on to compare and contrast this connection with other unique depictions of the ways The Force has connected both individuals and points in space in other Star Wars media - in particular, the World Between Worlds as shown in season four of Rebels.

This episode contains spoilers for: Episode III, Episode IV, Episode V, Episode VI, Episode VII, Episode VIII, Episode IX, Rebels, Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith, Master and Apprentice (minor), and The Clone Wars.

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

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Description: Alex and Connor explore the intersection of science fiction and the western genre in Star Wars, where tropes intermingle and overlap to produce a piece of the unique aesthetic key to the identity of Star Wars. From shootouts in cantinas, gunslinger duels at high noon, heists, train robberies, and the consuming emptiness of revenge, the hosts survey the most prominent ways western storytelling beats appear in a galaxy far, far away.

This episode contains spoilers for: Episode IV, Episode V, Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Mandalorian, The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Book of Boba Fett.

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Description: In this episode, Alex talks through the plot of the expanded universe novel Lords of the Sith while Connor asks questions to illuminate the novel’s themes and impact on the rest of the Star Wars universe. Learn more about the twisted partnership between Darth Vader and Darth Sidious; watch a nascent Rebel cell blow up a Star Destroyed; and watch how oppression twists and turns toxic all relationships present in the novel.

This episode contains spoilers for: The Lords of the Sith, The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Bad Batch, Episode III, Episode VI, Kenobi, Star Wars: Lando (comic), Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith (comic), and The Force Unleashed (Legends).

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Description: Connor and Alex explore the character of Luke Skywalker as depicted in The Last Jedi - no longer the savior of the galaxy, but instead a bitter and exiled hermit cast in the mold of his own mentors Obi-Wan and Yoda, tucked away on a far-off planet and reluctant to pass on any knowledge to a new student. They discuss how Luke’s trauma informs his character, how even as a old man Luke still has more to learn, and what the completion of Luke’s character arc means for Star Wars as a whole.

This episode contains spoilers for: Episode IV, Episode V, Episode VI, Episode VII, Episode VIII, Episode IX, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Kenobi.

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

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Connor and Alex explore the depictions of two unique force powers and their narrative and thematic impact on the stories they inhabit: Force Healing and its ability to mend injuries with an exchange of life force on the light side of the Force, and the destructive might of Force Lightning as wielded by many of the Sith on the dark side of the Force.

This episode contains spoilers for: The Mandalorian, Episode I, Episode II, Episode III, Episode VI, Episode IX, The Clone Wars, Rebels, Dooku: Jedi Lost, Lord of the Sith, and Visions

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Connor and Alex discuss the struggle, strife, and refusal to change that characterize Darth Maul, from his first appearance in The Phantom Menace through his reappearance in The Clone Wars and beyond. They review the details of his life and analyze Maul through the lens of Greek mythology’s boulder-pushing Sisyphus: viewing Maul as a man who continually loses everything he has gained at the cusp of his greatest successes due to his own pride and hubris.

This episodes contains spoilers for: Episode I, Solo, The Clone Wars, Rebels, Darth Maul (comic), Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir (comic), Age of Republic (Villains), Kenobi

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Description: Connor and Alex continue their discussion of missed opportunities for characters in the sequel trilogy; this time focusing on Finn, former stormtrooper and compelling individuals unfortunately left on the sidelines and underdeveloped for two movies. They discuss how Finn’s character could be improved, what actions he could have taken, and where they hope the character goes in the future.

This episode contains spoilers for: Episode VII, Episode VIII, Episode IX, Knight of the Old Republic, The Mandalorian, Rogue One, and Rebels.

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!

Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/