Yes, this is a long episode, but ANDOR Season 2 deserves it. There's just so much to talk about regarding this series... a series that sets a new standard for Star Wars storytelling. The complex relationships between characters, the thematic elements of power, fear, hope and sacrifice, the gritty realism of the portrayal of the Empire as a fascist and oppressive force, and the emotional depth of of it all. There's never been Star Wars like this... and there may never be again. 

CHAPTERS:

00:23:00 Welcome to the Podcast.

00:01:58 Overall Reaction to the Final Episodes.

00:09:30 Episode 10 - Key Scenes.

00:28:51 Episode 11 - Key Scenes.

00:43:02 Episode 12 - Key Scenes.

00:57:12 How does Andor change the way we watch Rouge One now?

01:00:20 Is Klea the real force behind the beginnings of the Rebellion?

01:01:49 Is Klea Cassian's Sister?

01:03:32 Was Luthen a Jedi? 

01:05:19 What Happened to Mon Mothma's Family?

01:08:00 What Characters could carry their own Spin-Off Series?

01:08:30 Did Cassian know about his Child?

01:11:53 Are there still other stories to tell within the Andor Timeline?

01:15:20 What is Star Wars now?

01:20:51 Tony Gilroy's future involvement in Star Wars.

01:22:16 Will Andor create a new wave of Star Wars fans?

01:23:11 How can Disney take advantage of Andor's success?

01:26:01 Final thoughts and conclusions. 

01:29:02 Goodbyes!

Can episodes 7, 8 and 9 of Andor Season 2 continue to live up to the very high bar the show set for itself?  Is this series still the very best of Star Wars? We delve into the emotional weight and moral dilemmas faced by characters like Cassian, Dedra, and Syril, and the overarching narrative of rebellion and hope. 

CHAPTERS:

00:22 Introduction to the Podcast and Episode Overview

02:00 Episode 7: "The Messenger" - Plot and Themes

20:31 Episode 8: "Who Are You" - Character Arcs and Conflicts

40:03 Episode 9: "Welcome to the Rebellion" - Aftermath of the Massacre

53:22 Easter Eggs and Connections

57:01 Predictions for the Final Episodes

01:06:40 Final Thoughts

01:10:20 Wrap-up and Goodbye!

In this episode, we continue following the latest chapters of Andor Season 2, focusing on character development, moral complexities, and the intricate relationships between characters like Syril, Dedra, and Saw Gerrera. We get into the themes of rebellion, sacrifice, and the personal struggles faced by the characters, particularly Bix's descent into addiction and the implications of their choices in the broader context of the rebellion, Cassian's journey, the Empire's manipulative strategies, and Luthen's duality.

In this special Star Wars Day episode, we unpack all the new content announced during the recent Star Wars celebration in Japan, including the confirmed Mandalorian movie, Ryan Gosling's Starfighter film, the animated series featuring Darth Maul, Lego Star Wars content and the general future of the Star Wars universe with new trilogies and streaming series confirmed to be in the works.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome. Star Wars Day Celebration Kickoff

02:00 New Star Wars Films Announced

06:55 Ryan Gosling's Starfighter Movie

09:45 Future Star Wars Movies and Trilogies

11:42 Upcoming Star Wars TV Series

14:45 Darth Maul Animated Series

16:45 Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy Sequel

20:38 Star Wars Toys and Gaming News

26:15 What We're Looking Forward to the Most

31:00 Wrap Up and Goodbye!

Is ANDOR still the best of Star Wars? Our initial reactions to the first three episodes of Andor Season 2. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome Back to the Lightsaber Lounge

01:13 Anticipation for Andor Season 2

04:56 Expectations and Concerns

08:40 Reactions to the First Three Episodes

16:36 Character Development and Storytelling

22:14 Favourite Characters

25:00 Connecting to Rouge One

26:39 Will there be any Unexpected Twists?

28:00 Production Quality and World-Building

31:50 The Disorganization of the Rebellion

34:02 Would We Like to See Any Legacy Characters in Andor?

36:45 Lack of Aliens

42:00 Things We Want to See in Future Episodes

45:24 Casian's Journey and Morality

46:44 Dedra Meero

49:55 Conclusions and Goodbye

It's time to talk about the toxicity within the Star Wars fandom, particularly how social media amplifies negative discourse. We explore the impact of this negativity on fans' willingness to engage in discussions, the blurred lines between reasonable and unreasonable criticism, and the implications of the 'woke' debate on content creation.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to the Toxicity in Fandom

02:41 The Impact of Social Media on Fan Discourse

07:26 Navigating Reasonable vs. Unreasonable Criticism

11:09 The 'Woke' Debate and Its Implications

12:32 The Role of Disney in Fan Reactions

16:25 Finding Balance in Fandom and Criticism

TAKEAWAYS:

The Star Wars fandom is divided into vocal minorities and silent majorities.

Social media algorithms promote negativity, affecting fan discourse.

Reasonable criticism is often drowned out by toxic commentary.

The term 'woke' has become a polarizing and misused label.

Fans should focus on enjoying content rather than engaging in toxic debates.

Disney's programming decisions are influenced by social media backlash.

Criticism should be constructive, not personal or hateful.

Fans have the right to express their opinions without harassment.

Engaging in respectful discussions can help bridge divides in fandom.

Creating content, like podcasts, can be a positive outlet for opinions.

In our first episode of Season 3, we tackle the new Star Wars series, Skeleton Crew. We explore the show's premise, character development, and how it compares to other Star Wars content, particularly the Acolyte. The conversation delves into our expectations when it was first announced compared to our opinions after watching the entire series, the performances of the child actors, the overall reception of the show, and how well the series balances appeal for both younger and older audiences.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome Back to the Lightsaber Lounge

01:34 Introduction to Skeleton Crew, Plot Overview and Themes

03:36 Critical Response to the Series

04:38 Expectations When Show was First Announced

08:46 Review After Watching Entire Series

20:30 Balancing Audience Appeal

24:00 Comparative Analysis with Acolyte

26:16 Diversity and Authenticity in Casting

28:17 Balancing Fan Service and New Narratives

29:37 Exploring New Storytelling Directions for Star Wars

33:32 Potential for Future Seasons and Character Development

38:35 Final Thoughts on the Show's Reception and Quality

41:42 Looking Ahead: The State of Star Wars Fandom

42:19 Wrap-up and Goodbye