The Force Awakens, Part 2
Movies Anna Squires Movies Anna Squires

The Force Awakens, Part 2

With the balance of power in the galaxy deeply shifted towards the Dark, what is next for our heroes—and our villains? It’s time for us to find out in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

We focus our discussion on the second half of the film on the Pyrrhic victory that is the end of Starkiller Base and the passing of the torch from the Original Trilogy trio (Luke, Leia and Han) to the new era: Rey, Finn, and Poe. We also do character deep-dives, and parse which characters have the most—and, notably, the least—chemistry.

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The Force Awakens, Part 1
Movies Anna Squires Movies Anna Squires

The Force Awakens, Part 1

Our non-toxic, loving, and chronological coverage of Star Wars has wound its way through five years to bring us to this point: Episode VII, The Force Awakens.

In the first half of the most expensive movie of all time, themes of baptism and rebirth, found family and lost family, and the subtle manipulation of the Dark Side are all strongly apparent.

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Resistance: Dangerous Business + The Doza Dilemma + The First Order Occupation (Season 1, Episodes 13–15)
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Resistance: Dangerous Business + The Doza Dilemma + The First Order Occupation (Season 1, Episodes 13–15)

In our first and only triple-header of Season 1 of Resistance, we cover "Dangerous Business," “The Doza Dilemma” and "The First Order Occupation” (Episodes 13–15) so we can parse the speed of the First Order occupation. But do they want the Colossus as a toehold into the wider Republic, or as a weapons manufacturing plant?

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Resistance: Station Theta Black + Bipo (Season 1, Episodes 11-12)
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Resistance: Station Theta Black + Bipo (Season 1, Episodes 11-12)

In this week’s episode, “Station Theta Black” and “Bipo” (Resistance Season 1, Episodes 11–12), we dig into Poe Dameron’s past as a swashbuckling Rebel-style hero of old, and how he represents the Rebellion within the Resistance. We also sing the praises of General Leia Organa and parse the nefarious thorniness of the First Order’s weapons manufacturing scheme.

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Resistance: Signal From Sector Six + Synara’s Score (Season 1, Episodes 7–8)
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Resistance: Signal From Sector Six + Synara’s Score (Season 1, Episodes 7–8)

In “Signal From Sector Six” and “Synara’s Score” (Resistance Season 1, Episodes 5–6), we dive deep into Doza’s dilemma on the Colossus: Invite the First Order into the fold, or let them take over his colony by proxy? We tackle this question, and the question of the Resistance’s role in the galaxy, through the lens of the social contract.

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The Mandalorian and Grogu: Part 2

The Mandalorian and Grogu: Part 2

All good things must come to an end—including our Mandalorian and Grogu coverage.

This week, we’re picking up the second half of The Mandalorian and Grogu with Embo’s assault on the Nevarro cabin. Along the way, we listen for echoes of Star Wars past, from callbacks to Yoda on Dagobah to memories of Boba Fett’s takeover on Tatooine.

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Maul – Shadow Lord: Chapters 5–6 (Inquisition + Night of the Hunted)
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Maul – Shadow Lord: Chapters 5–6 (Inquisition + Night of the Hunted)

In this week’s episode, we recap "Inquisition" and “Night of the Hunted” (Season 1, Chapters 5–6). These episodes mark the first time—in chronological order—that we see an Inquisitor onscreen, and we talk through the formation of these Jedi hunters. We also play a little game of alliances, doing a deep dive into where every main character stands with the next.

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Maul – Shadow Lord: Chapters 3–4 (Whispers in the Unknown + Pride and Vengeance)
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Maul – Shadow Lord: Chapters 3–4 (Whispers in the Unknown + Pride and Vengeance)

In this week’s episodes, “Whispers in the Unknown” and “Pride and Vengeance” (Maul – Shadow Lord: Chapters 2–3) we talk through Maul’s masterful messaging and how his most seductive ideas are also closest to the truth. We also discuss Master Daki’s unshakable faith in his Jedi training, Devon’s extremely shaky Padawan foundation, and Lawson’s three terrible family dynamics.

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Maul – Shadow Lord: Season 1 Premiere
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Maul – Shadow Lord: Season 1 Premiere

The Maul – Shadow Lord Season 1 premiere plunges us into the gritty, abstracted cityscape of Janix, where Maul is unraveling at the edges. In our recap of “Chapter 1: The Dark Revenge” and “Chapter 2: Sinister Schemes,” we talk through the differences between Janix and Coruscant, and how the moody, macabre styling of this show reflect Maul’s twisted headspace. 

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