In this episode, Connor and Alex take a broad look at a small portion of the various sentient alien species in Star Wars and explore the narrative space each alien race occupies, their unique and interesting characteristics, and notable members of that race in the Star Wars canon. Discussed today include the Twi’leks, Zabrak, Wookiees, Pantorans, Duros, Chiss, Rodians, Mon Calamari, Quarren, Tuskens, and Neimoidians. In addition to a review of their features and history, Connor and Alex also delve into deeper themes of identity and culture. From Twi’lek code-switching, to the tension between the Mon Calamari and Quarren peoples, to the way both Wookiees and Tuskens are victims of colonization, and to the ingrained cultural shame of the Chiss and their use of Force-sensitive child soldiers, Alex and Connor discuss the way Star Wars uses its expansive galaxy and proliferation of alien races to explore themes relevant to real-world multiculturalism, and what the melting pot of a galaxy far, far away can say about identity, culture, and conflict.
This episode discussed content from: Episode I, Episode II, Episode III, Episode IV, Episode VI, Episode VII, Rebels, The Aftermath Trilogy, Dr. Aphra, The Clone Wars, The Bad Batch, Poe Damerson (comic), the Thrawn and Thrawn: Ascendancy trilogies, Star Wars (2015 comic run), The Book of Boba Fett, and Brotherhood.
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