Distant Echoes: A Star Wars Podcast

A Japanese animation powerhouse, Production I.G., takes the reigns of the 5th episode of Star Wars: Visions Season 1, bringing us "The Ninth Jedi." We discuss everything we love and some of what we didn't in this episode focused on lightsabers, plot twists, and just the right amount of goofy droids. Plus, we discuss what we expect from the sequel in Season 3 and The Last Jedi: Child...

A mysterious masked figure, a picturesque Japanese-inspired mountain village, and a bride and groom in turmoil. What could make this beautiful story even more poignant? Matthew Wood voiced Battle Droids, of course! That's right, we're still revisiting Star Wars: Visions and we're so very happy to be talking The Village Bride once again, as it's easily one of our favorites of the en...

We've got a bad feeling about this one. Just kidding! ...or are we? That's right, we're tackling one of Studio Trigger's two contributions to Star Wars: Visions Season 1, the reference-fest that is "The Twins." A beautifully animated episode that's only hampered by it's need to constantly remind the viewer that it's referencing Star Wars. Hear what we think ab...

Ready to make some noise for everyone's favorite Galactic Pop Punk band, Star Waver ? We're cruising through our series "Hindsight is 20/20: Looking Back at Star Wars: Visions Season One" and it's time to rock out to Studio Colorido's Tatooine Rhapsody . We dive into this somewhat maligned second episode and discuss everything we love, actually, about this adorable short...

What's that? More Star Wars: Visions coverage? That's right, we're taking a look back at Season 1 with our aptly named series, "Hindsight is 20/20: Looking Back at Star Wars Visions Season One!" To kick off, we discuss everything there is to love about "The Duel," from the Seven Samurai and other Akira Kurasawa references to the incredible re-interpretation of Duel...

With our official coverage of Andor behind us, we decided to turn to one of our favorite hobbies to help give the show a proper send-off: Tabletop Roleplaying Games! We created Dungeons & Dragons Character sheets for some of our favorite Andor: A Star Wars Story characters—Luthen Rael, Cassian Andor, Saw Gerrera, and Karis Nemik. What do you think of our choices? What Andor character would you...

We've finally arrived at the end and, goodness, do we hate that it's over. We've said it so many times, but this is a very special show. We discuss the satisfying end of the series and so many character's journeys—Luthen, Kleya, Cass, Bix, Vel, Dedra—even Partagaz. Plus, we spend time on some of the lighter moments in this arc, which are necessary and beautiful in their own right. (We love Granny...

Cass, just trying to live his life with Bix on Yavin IV, is marked as a “messenger” by a mysterious Force Healer; soon after, he and Wil return to Ghorman to target Dedra Meero. The Ghorman people are kettled into the town square by Imperial Forces, which quickly turns into the Ghorman Massacre - a heartbreaking event we found impossible not to connect to current events in Gaza. And, last but not...

The Ghorman story really takes flight in this arc as the Empire, through Dedra and Syril, tug on the strands of the Ghorlectipod web they've woven behind the scenes. Cass and Bix try to get settled in Coruscant, Kleya and Luthen have to clean up a mess they made, Saw teaches Wilmon to huff rhydo, and Vel and Cinta reunite briefly. We talk about it all. And the Teletubbies. (We promise it makes sen...

Now that the dust has settled on Season 2 of Andor , what better time to start a rewatch with us as we kick off our coverage of the second season of the critically acclaimed series. The first arc of the season begins with a bang. So much action as we begin one year from the finale of season 1. We've got grand theft auto, a wedding, and the Empire coming after the Ferrix survivors and plotting...

We've arrived at our 100th Episode! And to celebrate, we're answering your questions and talking all about our time in Japan, our thoughts on Star Wars Celebration, May the Fierce Be With You, and our plans for our next 100 episodes! Thank you to everyone who sent us questions, and thanks to everyone who's been along for this journey. We wouldn't be doing it without y'all! <...

We've reached the end of Season 1 of Andor, and what a journey it's been. At the start of our coverage, we talked about the competing mythos in Star Wars - the mystical and singularly heroic, and those that reflect our own histories, highlighting antifascist movements and collective action. And, boy, did the finale really hit that message home. Listen to hear us gush about the ending and t...

The penultimate episode of Season 1 does not disappoint (not that we expected it to!). Cassian and Melchi make it off Narkina 5 with the help of some amazing freaks. Meanwhile, the situation on Ferrix takes a depressing turn. We talk the impact of Maarva's death, recite a poem to our boy Syril, unpack Leida's trad turn, and give this episode the affirming grunts it deserves. Plus, it's...

Is "One Way Out" the best episode of Star Wars television ever? We discuss everything that makes this episode great, including standout performances from Stellan Skarsgård and Andy Serkis, their incredible monologues, the message this episode teaches us about collective action, and so much more. Plus, as we continue to inch closer and closer to Star Wars Celebration Japan, we break down...

Today marks the FIRST episode of our weekly run for the month of April as we prep for Season 2 of Andor and Star Wars Celebration! And to kick things off, we discuss the second episode of the Narkina prison arc! Bix endures horrific torture while Cass adjusts to live in prison before learning a terrible truth -- the Empire has no plans to let anyone out. We give our condolences to Ulaf (RIP) and s...

We arrive on Narkina 5 and see the THX 1138-inspired Imperial prison facility in it's full, sci-fi, terrifying glory. We give our thoughts on this episode, how it connects to the U.S. carceral system, and request that Dedra step on us both. To begin our episode, we talk about the injustice currently being perpetrated by the U.S. Government against Mahmoud Khalil, a student activist and permane...

With the rebels making "an announcement" with the Aldhani heist, the empire begins tightening their fist. We discuss the fallout from the last arc as our players move into position to begin the next one. Maarva, Luthen, and Mon Mothma are all standouts in this episode that, honestly, caught us by surprise! Then, in our Beyond the Outer Rim segment, tickets are officially on sale for the...

The Aldhani rebels reach a point of no return...because they're heading out for their mission! We react to to the finale of the Aldhani heist arc, how the episode subverted our expectations (in the best way possible) every step of the way, and what ripples we think the ending will have on the remainder of the season. This show is so good ! Then, in our Beyond the Outer Rim segment, we announce...

Tension mounts as the Aldhani group prepares for the upcoming Imperial heist. This episode gives us so much juicy character development and tons of quotes. The view may forget, but the pod remembers! We're loving the pace of this season so far. It's simmering, tension is building, scenes are breathing, and characters can really show us who they are. Then, in our Outer Rim, we mention some non-fict...

We were so enamored with Skeleton Crew that we had to give you our thoughts, so we're doubling up this Monday with a bonus episode talking all 8 episodes of Skeleton Crew! We give our thoughts on the show, our favorite characters and moments, queer and neurodiverse representation, and where we think the show could go if we get another season. Where to find us- Web: ⁠ GitterJaw.com ⁠⁠ Bluesky:...

Cassian sets off for a new adventure, leaving Ferrix, and his troubles with Pre-Mor, behind. We're introduced to a new cast of characters as we enter the next three-episode arc, including Mon Mothma and Luthen Rael's alter ego. We gush over Stellan Skarsgård and Genevieve O'Reilly's ability to speak in "thieves' cant" and seamlessly go from portraying their characters...

Everything comes to a head in Andor Season 1, Episode 3 "Reckoning" as Luthen Rael arrives to meet Cassian on Ferrix. We discuss the workers' aiding Cassian 's escape--letting us and the Pre-Mor Authority hear what a reckoning sounds like--Luthen's knowledge of Cassian's past, and the brutal treatment of Maarva and Bix. It's hard to believe this show keeps getting better after this. And for our Ou...

In our discussion of Episode 2, we explore how the show has become a unique and powerful addition to the Star Wars franchise after just two episodes and how we're trying not to rush through it because we're already obsessed. We delve deeper into how the Empire, through the Pre-Mor Authority, is poised to strengthen it's grip on Ferrix, drawing parallels to the very real corporate authorities that...

The day has finally come - we're finally watching Andor Season 1 for the very first time! In this episode, we discuss how the show became such a powerful, yet different entry in the Star Wars franchise, how we almost got a much different show (K2Fast, K2Furious: A Cassian Andor Story), the real life "mythologies" that shaped the show, and, of course, our thoughts on Episode 1: Kassa. Plus: The tri...

As we gear up for our coverage of Season 1 of Andor , we thought we'd stop by the film that started it all first-- 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story . We discuss our feelings for the film when we first saw it in theaters and how, as we've grown, our opinions have changed over time. We also touch on real life connections to the movie, controversies, and why the film is just as important today as...