Growing Up Skywalker

Fire up your righteous indignation. We’re recapping the Jedi Temple Bombing Arc (The Clone Wars 5.17–18) and seeing Ahsoka framed for murder.

The Clone Wars is continuing to snap the pieces together to make a bridge between Episodes 2 and 3. In our recap, we talk about how the clones who once trusted and deferred to Ahsoka so quickly turn against her; the Jedi’s nosediving reputation; Jedi funerals; and why the darkness of the Clone Wars feels so prescient today.

Next week, we finish the Jedi Temple Bombing Arc and the final episodes of Season 5: The Clone Wars 5.19–20, “To Catch a Jedi” and “The Wrong Jedi.”

In which the Jedi Council remembers they never bothered to have a funeral for Sifo-Dyas.

We jest. “The Lost One” (The Clone Wars 6.10) is a dense and beautiful foreshadowing for the events of Revenge of the Sith. It also gives us a seven-layer tiramisu of MYSTERIES. Why did Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas have to die? Why did Dooku care about him at all? And what was the relationship between them? Also, who gave the Pykes the right to be so great?

For our recap, we hop into the Mystery Van and go sleuthing. We also talk about how much we love Pyke society, Obi-Wan and Anakin as “complementary halves of a single warrior” and break down the most beautiful lightsaber duel of the Clone Wars so far. (Spoiler alert: Dooku is the SECOND-best part.)

Next week, we’re covering the final arc of Season 6: Yoda’s Journey (6.11–13, “Voices,” “Destiny,” and “Sacrifice”).

And we’re back! We return from our holiday hiatus with a brand new phase for the podcast, a brand-new series, and a brand-new galaxy for our heroes to survive.

The 70-minute pilot episode of The Bad Batch, “Aftermath,” smash-opens with another view of Order 66 (like we needed to suffer this pain again). Then we follow the Bad Batch as they navigate a changing galaxy — one that isn’t exactly giving them cakes and wishing them a fine day. We meet Omega, a tiny girl with a mighty Australian accent, and reencounter some old favorites (including SAW GERRERA!). There is a food fight, a delightful battle simulation, and a betrayal of the highest order. Also, so many hand signals. This is basically the Clone Wars Season 8 and we are here for it.

Next week, join us in recapping “Cut and Run” and “Replacements” (The Bad Batch Season 1, Episodes 2–3).

PS: A huge thank you to Nick Stockbridge of Funny Science Fiction Popcast for our fantastic new show intro!

Alexa, play “Taps.”

The body count in the second half of the Revenge Arc 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.

In our recap of The Clone Wars 5.15–16, “Shades of Reason” and “The Lawless,” we dissect both spectacular darksaber duels blow-by-blow. We talk about Duchess Satine’s isolation as she tries to live out her ideal of pacifism. (Also, how it’s a direct contrast to Bo-Katan’s warlike alliances.) We even talk about all the Mandalorian artwork we see — moar Cubism! — and how it’s a form of propaganda that helps keep Mandalorian society together.

Next week, we start the final arc of Season 5: the Jedi Temple Bombing arc, part one (5.17–18, “Sabotage” and “The Jedi Who Knew Too Much”).

Hold onto your lightsabers, because Hondo Ohnaka is coming for them.

In the first half of the Ahsoka + Younglings arc (The Clone Wars 5.6–7, “The Gathering” and “A Test of Strength”) we meet a crew of Jedi younglings who find their very own kyber crystals — just in time to almost lose them to Hondo’s pirate gang. (And they actually DO lose Ahsoka.) But don’t worry. Petro, Katooni, Ganodi, Zatt, Byph and Gungi are up to the challenge!

For this week’s recap, we invited an actual youngling to talk about the arc. Raphael, the Geeky Dad, and Arianna, the Multiverse Kid, joined us to talk about lightsabers, Star Wars girls and the challenges we overcome to become better. If you like baby Wookiee Jedi, this is the arc for you!

Next week, we’re tumbling (literally) into the second half of the arc, “Bound for Rescue” and “A Necessary Bond” (The Clone Wars 5.8–9).