Aggressive Negotiations: A Star Wars Podcast

The 10th episode of Star Wars Andor gives Matt and John plenty to discuss as the explosively emotional climax of the Narkina 5 prison break, the indictment of detached life, and the role of the hero is not just to save but serve as the symbol that those making difficult choices never can. Join them for a discussion of “One Way Out,” the Star Wars episode that birthed an unforgettable meme among am...

Andor: Season One - Nobody’s Listening! The 9th episode of Star Wars: Andor left everyone reeling, with enhanced interrogation (torture) displayed onscreen, the prison complex of Narkina 5 becoming an even more desperate place, and the people of Coruscant reacting to daily life in the Empire in very different ways. John and Matt discuss their reactions to the themes of this episode and ponder what...

Andor: Season One - Narkina 5. Matt and John continue their S1 rewatch with the 8th episode of Star Wars: Andor. Andor, on the run from his past, was arrested for a crime he didn't commit and now we get to see the Imperial Justice System from the inside. In “Narkina 5,” questions about industrial prisons, humane treatment, and scales of justice are asked. But does the audience get satisfaction fro...

Andor: Season One - Announcement. As Andor Season 2 approaches, Matt and John discuss the themes and story turns in the seventh episode of Star Wars: Andor. A new arc starts with this episode, focused on the galactic ripple effects from the Aldhani heist, while Cassian returns home amid planning what to do with his score. What is the episode trying to say? Does it advance the series momentum? Does...

Andor: Season One - The Eye. As Andor Season 2 approaches, Matt and John continue their StarWars: Andor Season 1 rewatch to discuss their opinions of the sixth episode, “The Eye.” The conclusion of the second 3-episode arc, does it deliver on the promise of a great heist moment…or prove to be a dud of mismatched storylines? Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Love listening to Aggressive Negotiati...

We’re closer to the new season of Andor, and so Matt and John continue their StarWars: Andor Season 1 rewatch to discuss their opinions of the fifth episode, “The Axe Forgets.” In the unenviable position as the middle episode of a three-episode arc, does it keep the momentum or lose its footing like a hike in the Aldhani mountains? This episode features an in-depth discussion of the fifth episode...

As Andor Season 2 draws one week closer, Matt and John continue their StarWars: Andor rewatch to discuss their opinions of the fourth episode. Things got spicy last week with John’s heterodox opinion that Andor got off to a lukewarm start. Will tensions continue to rise like those within the rebel cell, or will cooler heads prevail in these Aggressive Negotiation? This episode features an in-depth...

Andor: Season One - Premiere Episodes. In preparation for the second season, Matt and John start a StarWars: Andor rewatch to discuss their opinions and see what might have shifted. Critically lauded and praised by many fans, John was lukewarm on the show when it first aired and Matt was a big fan off what was done.  This episode features an in-depth discussion of the first three-episode arc of St...

Can Clones Be Jedi? Inspired by a new Star Wars: The Clone Wars rewatch, John surprises Matt with a core question spurred by Yoda’s declaration that all life, even clones, are unique beings within the Force. Given that George Lucas himself said that midichlorian count alone didn’t determine if someone could learn to be a Force user, and that the first time the comics ever resurrected Palpatine was...

Leaving Lothal Alone. Join Matt & John as they try to solve and unanswered question left from Star Wars Rebels: Why DIDN’T the Galactic Empire exact revenge on Lothal? Was Palpatine afraid? Was the bureaucracy inefficient? Was the Empire distracted?  Plus they have a free bit of advice for Disney+ to permanently woo subscribers back to the platform! Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us...

Affirming Anakin. Join Matt & John  for a deep dive exploration into how the Jedi Order helped create Anakin Skywalker’s grim destiny by failing to affirm him in the ways he deserved. Was Obi-Wan too harsh? Was the Jedi Order too strict in its approach to teaching? Would Palpatine have found a way to appeal to Anakin if they’d been wiser in their ways? Join us for another rich discussion! Host...

Podracing: Rebellion Recruitment Tool? Podracing is a high-octane sport in the Star Wars universe, but could it be more than just a thrill ride? Matt and John explore the potential of podracing as a hotbed of rebellion activity, examining how podracers could be recruited as spies, smugglers, or even elite pilots. They look at the possibility that Imperial corruption would lend itself to helping th...

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Matt and John discuss their reactions and share their insight on the latest Star Wars television adventure, Skeleton Crew, on a special crossover episode with The 602 Club. They explore favorite characters, effectiveness of the effects, the 1980s adventure vibe, and whether the show is worthy of a second season. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! T...

Galactic (Medical) Governance. John and Matt discuss the challenges for any galactic government in the Star Wars Galaxy, whether Republic or Empire, to manage a truly robust healthcare system. They discuss coverage, cost and care, and the inevitable classism that would arise from the variance in medical capabilities between prosperous planetary systems and those on the fringes. Host John Mills and...

Expanded Universe Adaptations. Matt and John discuss what additional material from the legendary Star Wars Expanded Universe they’d like to see adapted into big & small-screen material, both live action and animated, for modern audiences to experience. They challenge themselves to keep it limited to 5 sources each, but as with most things like this…they maybe went a little beyond that. Host Jo...

Star Wars Movie Releases. Did a summer release date doom “Solo: A Star Wars Story”? Did a December release help “The Last Jedi”? When is the right time to release a “Star Wars” film anymore? John and Matt debate whether films like the upcoming “The Mandalorian and Grogu” should debut in December, May, or sometime else. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMas...

Thanksgungan 2024. It’s time for the greatest #StarWars podcast tradition of the year: Thanksgungan! Matt & John engage in their annual discussion of all the things they’re #thankful for in 2024, from great #collectibles to #animated series like #TheBadBatch to #books to people they treasure who work to make the Galaxy Far, Far Away a reality. Join us for our most wonderful tradition! Host Joh...

Galactic Reviews. It’s a quick-hit warmup for the big feast of #Thanksgungan next week as John & Matt  explore whether online ratings in the Star Wars Galaxy Far, Far Away would be ignored in favor of word of mouth, because of a lack of trust in Galactic Reviews. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdPar...

Soul Posture. What makes a Force power good or evil? Are certain powers inherently open to Sith and other Dark Side users, and others open only to those who follow the Jedi path? John and Matt explore this topic in the way only they can. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/  Email: http://www.thenerd...

Jedi Book Club: Darth Plagueis. It’s a special Halloween episode, with Matt and John looking back on and discussing James Luceno’s 2012 Star Wars Legends novel, Darth Plagueis. Listen in as they discuss the #Sith Lord who discovered many things that some would consider…unnatural. What did they think of how the novel ties everything together? Is it a deft reworking of the known story, or a lore bri...

A Special Message. A brief special episode this week to remind listeners about an important discussion coming up at the end of the month…Matt and John will be revisiting James Luceno’s 2012 Star Wars Legends novel, Darth Plagueis, for their special Halloween episode! Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdPar...

Star Wars Merchandising. This week Matt and John explore the role of merchandising in Star Wars’ enduring popularity through the decades, and debate whether the treasures of the past hold a key for the franchise’s future as well. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/  Email: http://www.thenerdparty.co...

Jedi Repopulation. John and Matt explore a topic only they could, as they discuss the possibility of Jedi after Order 66 who didn’t just consider it a noble duty to survive, but to procreate in order to ensure the training of a next generation of light-side Force users. Host John Mills and Matthew Rushing Send us your feedback! Twitter: @TheJediMasters    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerd...

James Earl Jones: A Legacy. This week Matt and John take a moment to reflect on the tremendous impact of James Earl Jones, not just within the StarWars series, but within the acting community and culture as a whole.  They nod to his immense influence on how they have come to appreciate all the facets of the acting craft, and the place he holds within the firmament of pop culture. They look at his...

The State of Star Wars. The Chancellor has dispatched 2 guardians, John + Matt, to see if peace can be restored with some Star Wars love and understanding in this episode of Aggressive Negotiations. They look at the state of the franchise, the overall success of the projects,  the growing pains that have strained the fans’ communications, and how the nature of online interactions has changed how f...