Talking Star Wars

Alex and Connor continue their survey of the Star Wars visual media outside the films by tackling two additional animated series: Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: Resistance. The first, a story of a motley crew and Rebel Alliance cell becoming a found family and engaging with antagonists that include Agent Kallus, The Grand Inquisitor, and Grand Admiral Thrawn himself receives high marks; the second has a more mixed reception but receives a report on what virtues it does possess.

This episode contains spoilers for: Rebels, The Mandalorian, The Bad Batch, The Clone Wars, Andor, and Star Wars: Resistance.

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Connor and Alex continue their exploration of expanded universe material with a look at the novel Shadow of the Sith by Adam Christopher. One of the few tentpole works currently holding up the period between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens , this novel contextualizes and expands on several aspects of the sequel trilogy, particularly The Rise of Skywalker . The main characters include Jedi Master Luke Skywalker; retired and depressed Rebellion General Lando Calrissian; the unhinged Ochi of Bestoon; a dark side acolyte possessed by the mask of Sith Lord Exim Panshard; and the parents of Rey as they flee from Sith cultists. Also featuring several powerful and unique Sith artifacts that tear their way through the novel, this story contains excellent world building, canonizes Darth Revan, and fills in the reader on the status of the galaxy two decades after the Battle of Yavin.

This episode contains spoilers from: Shadow of the Sith, Episode VI, Episode VII, Episode VIII, Episode IX, Bloodline, The Mandalorian, The Aftermath Trilogy, Last Shot, Lando (comic), Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith (2017 comic), Darth Vader (2020 comic), Rebels, Tales of the Jedi and Sith, and Star Wars: Dark Legends.

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This episode dives into the more mystical side of the Avatar universe by examining spirits and the spirit world. Connor and Alex explore both the spirit world itself, including the ways that humans are able to journey spiritually and physically to and from this separate land, as well as surveying the unique denizens of that strange and emotionally-reactive land. From the terrifying lair of Koh the Face-Stealer to the sacred and dangerous library of Wan Shi Tong, learn about both the full range of named spirits that appear in the world and the more generic spirits that fill in the background while the hosts examine the spiritual roles they fill in the setting. The episode also delves into the narrative role of Raava and Vaatu, the ancient spirits of light and dark, and what “balance” means in the constant conflict between them.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Spoilers

ATLA Seasons 1 through 3, The Legend of Korra seasons 1 through 4, The Rise of Kyoshi, The Shadow of Kyoshi, The Search, The Rift, The Dawn of Yangchen, and The Legacy of Yangchen

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Description: Alex and Connor explore the intersection of science fiction and the western genre in Star Wars, where tropes intermingle and overlap to produce a piece of the unique aesthetic key to the identity of Star Wars. From shootouts in cantinas, gunslinger duels at high noon, heists, train robberies, and the consuming emptiness of revenge, the hosts survey the most prominent ways western storytelling beats appear in a galaxy far, far away.

This episode contains spoilers for: Episode IV, Episode V, Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Mandalorian, The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Book of Boba Fett.

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In this episode, Connor and Alex discuss the varied ways the Star Wars has handled the depiction of characters in visual media when the original actor who played them has aged out of the role - from recasting, in the case of Han Solo, to digital de-aging, to wholesale CGI replacement of an actor’s face with a recreation of another actor’s.

In general, our hosts are more in favor of letting a new actor portray the same character rather than using technology to recreate another person’s likeness, and explain their reasons why. Listen now to hear Talking Star Wars’ take on the uncanny valley, AI voice reconstruction, and views on recasting for the same character.

This episode mentions content from and contains potential spoilers for: Episodes 1 through 9, Rogue One, Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Clone Wars, and The Book of Boba Fett.

Thank you for listening to Talking Star Wars with Connor and Alex!
Check us out on Reddit here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TalkingStarWars/