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Tales of the Empire: Barriss’s Tale
In our final “catch-up” episode to get back into chronological order, we’re covering Tales of the Empire: Barriss’s Tale (S1, Ep. 4–6, “Devoted,” “Realization,” and “The Way Out”). We dive into themes of redemption, the parallels between Barriss, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka, and the archetype of The Crone.
The Bad Batch Finale: “The Cavalry has Arrived”
In the Bad Batch finale ("The Cavalry has Arrived," S3 Ep.15), heroic and monstrous intervention combine to conclude this dark and beautiful chapter of Star Wars. This episode showcases what the Bad Batch is capable of even when outnumbered, bruised, battered, and ambushed.
The Bad Batch: “Juggernaut,” “Into The Breach,” and “Flash Strike” (Season 3, Episodes 12–14)
Over this week’s episodes (“Juggernaut,” “Into The Breach,” and “Flash Strike,” S3 Ep. 12–14), the Batch calls in essentially every favor they have left. A Monster truck-style tank battle, a tautly executed stealth mission, and a rush through the jungle of Wayland leave our heroes set up for the endgame.
The Bad Batch: “Identity Crisis” and “Point of No Return” (Season 3, Episodes 10–11)
This week, we're recapping “Identity Crisis” and “Point of No Return” (S3, Ep. 10–11). We talk through the work happening at the Mount Tantiss facility, the long fascist history of medical experimentation, and how community is the answer to oppression…until even community may not be enough. (That’s when action is required.)
The Bad Batch: “Bad Territory” and “The Harbinger” (Season 3, Episodes 8–9)
This week’s episodes (“Bad Territory” and “The Harbinger,” S3, Ep. 8–9) mark the return of two scene-stealers: Fennec Shand and Asajj Ventress. These women of many talents shine with Bad Batch’s upgraded visuals (seriously, we’ve never seen Asajj in high definition before), and also dance around what they’re really up to—and the truth about Omega.
The Bad Batch: “Infiltration” and “Extraction” (Season 3, Episodes 6–7)
“Infiltration” and “Extraction” (The Bad Batch Season 3, Ep. 6–7) finally give us a glimpse of Rex’s work over the past three seasons of The Bad Batch: Building a clone resistance force. It only takes one shadow trooper to tear it all down.
The Bad Batch: “A Different Approach” and “The Return” (Season 3, Episodes 4–5)
We may be stewing in the oppressive soup of the Galactic Empire again—but at least we get a family reunion out of it. “A Different Approach” and “The Return” (The Bad Batch Season 3, Ep. 4–5) ask Crosshair, at gunpoint, if he’s willing to accept the new Bad Batch. (Spoiler alert: He is, and everybody cries.)
The Bad Batch Season 3 Premiere: Confined + Paths Unknown + Shadows of Tantiss (S3, E1–3)
The Bad Batch Season 3 premiere (S3, Ep. 1–3, "Confined," "Paths Unknown," and "Shadows of Tantiss”) is a confident, thrilling, beautiful arc that thrusts us back under the Empire’s boot. In our discussion this week, we covered our first impressions of this gripping first installment, the disturbing implications of Project Necromancer, and the loneliness of being Hunter and Wrecker rattling around the Marauder.
The Acolyte: The Acolyte (Season 1, Episode 8)
In The Acolyte’s season finale, a convergence around a vergence leads each of our faves back to Brendok for a final showdown. In “The Acolyte” (The Acolyte S1, Ep. 8), we see circles closing, mirrors breaking, and themes resolving…and not always for the better.
The Acolyte: Choice (Season 1, Episode 7)
Our recap of “Teach / Corrupt” (The Acolyte S1, E6) focuses on mirrors, desire, and the faces we present to the world. We talk through the responsibilities teachers have to their pupils and discuss which of Star Wars’ teachers merit the title of “good.” We also talk through the temptations presented by the Sith, Qimir / The Stranger’s many masks, and the ones Sol might be wearing, too.
The Acolyte: Teach / Corrupt (Season 1, Episode 6)
Our recap of “Teach / Corrupt” (The Acolyte S1, E6) focuses on mirrors, desire, and the faces we present to the world. We talk through the responsibilities teachers have to their pupils and discuss which of Star Wars’ teachers merit the title of “good.” We also talk through the temptations presented by the Sith, Qimir / The Stranger’s many masks, and the ones Sol might be wearing, too.
The Acolyte: Day / Night (Season 1, Episodes 4–5)
We dive deep into the twisting forest of Khofar this week. Our discussion covers the secrets of the Sith-like Stranger, the hypocrisies of the Jedi, and the razor line between light and dark.
The Acolyte: Destiny (Season 1, Ep. 3)
Witches. Get. Stitches. We’re in flashback mode this episode as we hearken back to the Clone Wars’ Nightsisters, and bring back the same conversation we had during their extermination—about the persecution of powerful women.
The Acolyte: Revenge / Justice (Season 1, Ep. 2)
“The Acolyte” is a cop procedural, right?? That’s our working thesis this week as we recap episode two, “Revenge / Justice,” which opens on a locked-room murder scene, and introduces fascinating new allies and enemies. (The line between which is which becomes murkier every moment.)
The Acolyte Season 1 Premiere: Lost / Found
We’re typewritering back in time to watch “The Acolyte” (2024). The season premiere, “Lost / Found,” invites us to ask about the elitism of the Jedi, the seeds of fascism, and the good twin/bad twin paradigm. We also talk about this episode’s beautiful pacing and masterful manipulation of reality, perception, and time.
Return of the Jedi: Part 2
After 160 episodes of Growing Up Skywalker, we finally hit the end of the Original Trilogy. The moment of Anakin's redemption hits really different after seeing his entire story. This week, we had a deep conversation on the nature of the Force, cosmic death, destiny, and redemption.
Return of the Jedi: Part 1
The first half of "Return of the Jedi" is a who's who of who dies how on Jabba's sail barge. It also gives us the perfect opportunity to zoom out and discuss Luke's Hero's Journey and his 5 Jedi Trials, the big picture of galactic conflict, Leia’s rebrand to Huttslayer, and teeny-weeny bikinis. Did Anna or did Anna not read an entire doctoral thesis on Women of Star Wars for this episode? Find out!
The Empire Strikes Back: Part 2
Welcome to Cloud City! This week, we’re covering 01:06:33 all the way to the end of “The Empire Strikes Back.” The Original Trilogy flexes its operatic muscles and hits on deep themes of family, loyalty, individuality, and fate.
The Empire Strikes Back: Part 1
This week, join us for 00:00 to 01:06:33—the first half of 1980’s “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.” On a freezing planet, the Rebellion bides its time. On a swamp and fleeing through an asteroid belt, the Rebels run from enemies and dive into mystery. The first half of Empire Strikes Back sets an atmosphere and cadence that weaves the Original Trilogy magic.
A New Hope: Part 2
We’re carrying the wisdom of 150+ episodes of Growing Up Skywalker into our viewing of the second half of 1977’s “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Turns out, we’re super jaded about Luke and Han shooting down a measly 4 TIE fighters—but Leia’s sass will never get old. This week, we’re diving into Star Wars archetypes, tropes, and sacred plotlines. We’re also doing deep dives into Leia, Han, Luke, Obi-Wan, and Vader—and shedding not a single tear for Grand Moff Tarkin.