The Fandom Apprentice

Who the hell is Roger and why do the battle droids invoke him so much? We jump back to the start of the Skywalker Saga to discuss young Ewan McGregor, the first meeting of future husbands Artoo and Threepio, and whatever Qui-Gon and Shmi got up to during the sandstorm! Predictably, Sam hates Jar Jar Binks, Ryn has opinions about Naboo's ecology, George Lucas is prone to systemic racism and misogyny, and John Williams saves the day again. Come along for the ride!

Covers Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace (1999)

Moving on to Empire, it's the relationships episode! We discuss Han and Leia's toxic burgeoning romance, Luke and Leia's Force connection, R2 and 3PO's slightly strained marriage, Han and Luke's queerplatonic friendship, Yoda and Luke's training montage, and Chewie and Lando, the casanovas of Kashyyyk and Bespin respectively!  


Covers Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

In part 2 of our discussion of A New Hope, Ryn and Sam tackle misogyny, supporting the girls, the iconic sights and sounds of late 1900s pop culture, courtesy of John Williams and Industrial Light & Magic, and who the hell gave Luke Skywalker a 13-pack in the original poster?

Covers the making of and the cast and crew behind Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (1977). This can be more or less listened to in any order with our previous episode, but we did record these in the order that they're posted. 

It is a period of civil unrest. Rebel podcasters, striking from a hidden recording studio, have created their first episodes of a NEW SEASON.  

Now, Ryn must bring Sam back to the beginning, to the very first STAR WAR, to show her the place where it all began...  

What's this? A Monday update? On an off-week?

Happy Star Wars Day, listeners! This is Part 1 of 2 episodes about A New Hope, covering pretty much just the plot and visual choices! We'll talk more about The Making Of and associated topics next time! But for now, topics include Leia being the most competent character, yippee-coding, post-release changes, the Force, a we establish the season's first new Rule of Fantasy! And also C-3PO and R2-D2 are married. We make the rules and they're married. Anyway, come listen! I promise we're charming to the last.   


Covers the plot of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (1977)

Whoops! We took an unintentional break in there but we're back with the last two episodes of the Mandalorian Season 1! We discuss the weather, the music, production, whether droids have souls, video game main questlines, Giancarlo Esposito as the Perfect Villain, and Armor Mommy!

Covers Episode 7: The Reckoning and Episode 8: Redemption of The Mandalorian Season 1

We roll into Mando's Monster of the Week era, get drunk on shrimp alcohol, fight a Disney Princess, wax poetic about Connor Storrie's ass, the art of tight storytelling, Kurosawa, and spoiler culture and twists! 

We enter the galaxy far far away in something of an unexpected spot with our favorite bounty hunter, and discuss his ascent into Daddy-hood, how Jawas are the Minions of the Star Wars galaxy, the galaxy's absolute worst vibrator, Space Nazis, and why Baby Yoda is so goddamn cute!

Covers episodes 1-3 of The Mandalorian: Season 1

Hello there everyone and welcome back! We've missed you, but we're back now with a whole new season! Join us as we make the jump to hyperspace and set course for a galaxy far far away to discuss Star Wars!

If you're new to the show, this is a great place to start. Come get (re)introduced to the scruffy-looking nerf herders hosting this thing and hear about our plans for the season. We're very excited to dive in and hope that you'll join us in this wretched hive of scum and villainy. This is the podcast you're looking for!

Finishing out our coverage of the Murderbot Media current available, we discuss worker's rights, music, special effects, sexual tension, and as a special bonus, Ryn has a Biologist Moment!

Also stay tuned at the end for our announcement about whats happening for Season 3!! We're going to be taking a short break but will be back in a few weeks with brand new episodes on some media Ryn grew up with and Sam didn't!

Thanks for listening to Season 2, and we hope to see you in Season 3!


Covers Season 1 Episodes 7-10 of the AppleTV+ show Murderbot (2025)

There's a place beyond the wormholes... we haven't found it yet but come search with us! We have reached the Murderbot TV show! We talk visual decisions, casting, story adaptation, throuples, tentacles, and our love of practical effects! BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING NEXT EPISODE! Stay tuned!

Covers episodes 1-6 of the AppleTV+ show "Murderbot" (2025)