Episode 76: Siege of Mandalore, Part 2
The Clone Wars Anna Squires The Clone Wars Anna Squires

Episode 76: Siege of Mandalore, Part 2

In our recap of the final episodes of The Clone Wars (7.11–12, “Shattered” and “Victory and Death”) we talk about tragedy, betrayal, and the power move of asking a bunch of mischievous astromech droids to help you throw an entire cruiser into chaos. Most importantly, we talk about seeing Ahsoka fully mature into her powers — and deprogramming herself from being a soldier, so she can become a keeper of the peace.

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Episode 72: Rewatching The Phantom Menace
Movies Anna Squires Movies Anna Squires

Episode 72: Rewatching The Phantom Menace

A lot has changed since we watched Phantom on the first two episodes of Growing Up Skywalker (and we have, too!).

Our recap centers on the viewers we used to be versus the watchers we are today. We talk about how our perceptions of the main quartet — Anakin, Qui-Gon, Padmé and Shmi — have changed wildly over time. We try to figure out why George Lucas decided to start Star Wars here, and why he decided to frame it around an economic story. We share our favorite Easter eggs, and — most importantly — crown a Queen of Bae Watch.

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Episode 58: Revenge Arc, Part 2
The Clone Wars Anna Squires The Clone Wars Anna Squires

Episode 58: Revenge Arc, Part 2

Alexa, play “Taps.”

The body count in the second half of the Revenge Arc (The Clone Wars 5.15–16, “Shades of Reason” and “The Lawless”) might not be as high as the Umbara Arc. But as Mandalore descends into civil war and political leaders become cannon fodder, it feels like this is just the start of something bigger.

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Episode 57: Revenge Arc, Part 1
The Clone Wars Anna Squires The Clone Wars Anna Squires

Episode 57: Revenge Arc, Part 1

In the first half of the Revenge Arc, Maul and Savage almost manage to take over Hondo Ohnaka’s pirate crew, but then very nearly become fishsticks floating in space. Then they effortlessly raise an army of terrifying criminals and set out to help Death Watch take over Mandalore — maybe.

In our recap, we talk about Maul’s plan to eviscerate not just Obi-Wan, but also his legacy. We cover Palpatine’s plan within plans, quote half of Maul’s lines and all of Hondo’s, and and discuss Pre Vizsla and the noble trope of the buttmonkey.

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Episode 50: One Year Anniversary Celebration! Asajj + Maul Arc, Part 2 with Tim Beisiegel of Funny Science Fiction Podcast
The Clone Wars Anna Squires The Clone Wars Anna Squires

Episode 50: One Year Anniversary Celebration! Asajj + Maul Arc, Part 2 with Tim Beisiegel of Funny Science Fiction Podcast

We have so much to celebrate this episode! The Asajj + Maul Arc, Part 2 marks the end of Season Four of the Clone Wars…our 50th episode…our one-year anniversary as a podcast…and May the 4th (Be With You).

In our recap of “Brothers” and “Revenge” (The Clone Wars 4.21–22) we talk about Mother Talzin’s band of terrifying children, Sam Witwer’s theory of the void inside all Sith, the symmetry of Anakin and Darth Maul’s journeys, and Obi-Wan’s imposter syndrome.

Our special guest, Tim Beisiegel of Funny Science Fiction Podcast and Pop Culture Addicts, make this anniversary celebration an absolute delight.

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Episode 49: Asajj vs. Maul Arc, Part 1
The Clone Wars Anna Squires The Clone Wars Anna Squires

Episode 49: Asajj vs. Maul Arc, Part 1

In the first half of the Asajj and Maul arc, Asajj renounces her ties to the Sith and pledges herself to the Nightsisters. Cue Dooku losing his dang mind.

We talk about loyalty, betrayal, witchy covens, catharsis, and Asajj’s four life-altering transformations: slave to Jedi, Jedi to Sith, Sith to Nightsister, and Nightsister to outcast. Somehow we also touch on the meaning of life???

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Episode 2: The Phantom Menace, Part 2
Movies Anna Squires Movies Anna Squires

Episode 2: The Phantom Menace, Part 2

In the second full-length episode of Growing Up Skywalker, we talk about the thrilling conclusion to The Phantom Menace (not actually inspired by #WakandaForever) and how a 16-part plan cooked up by a 14-year-old actually works.

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