Resistance: The New Trooper + The Core Problem (Season 1, Episodes 16–17)

How much power does the First Order actually have, and how much is projection? (And does it even matter?)

These are the central questions of our recap of the final Star Wars: Resistance episodes before Episode VII, The Force Awakens: “The New Trooper” and “The Core Problem” (Season 1, Episodes 16–17).

We try to understand the shape of the First Order, the scope of their power, and how much influence they have based on fear and intimidation vs. actual military force. We also wonder how many First Order troops are true believers, and how many have been indoctrinated to the cause.

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Who Are We?

00:04:36 Plot Summary

00:11:40 Power versus Power Projection

00:43:14 First Order Reconditioning

00:52:50 Bae Watch

01:02:43 Closing Thoughts