Talking Star Wars

This episode spotlights one of the most wholesome characters in popular fiction: Uncle Iroh, the Dragon of the West, and surrogate father figure to Prince Zuko. Known for his wisdom, his hidden depths, and his love of tea, Iroh also serves as an example of redemption and forgiveness for the entire cast. The hosts trace the trajectory of Iroh’s life, from his time as a ruthless General, to his secr...

This week, Connor and Alex examine the concept of bending in the Avatar universe: the ability to manipulate the four elements of air, water, earth, and fire. They survey the origins of bending in the setting, discuss the power as a worldbuilding element, and review each type of bending. This episode also explores how use of each element shapes Avatar societies and impacts their spiritual practices...

In this episode, Alex and Connor explore the varied antagonists throughout the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, from Aang’s initial rivalry with the brutal Admiral Zhao, to Zuko’s inter-family conflict with his sister and father, to the many philosophical questions posed by Amon and Zaheer in Korra’s day. The hosts compare the role of Admiral Zhao and Grand Moff Tarkin in their role as the ini...

In this episode, Connor and Alex introduce their interlude season on the world and themes of Avatar: The Last Airbender, replete with parallels with the Star Wars universe, and initial analysis of the series, and the similarities of the two franchises. This episode lays out the reasons the hosts fina Avatar: The Last Airbender worth exploring, provides an overview of the Avatar setting, and lays o...

Hello Talking Star Wars fans! A quick update on the podcast: Season 2 of the core Talking Star Wars podcast will resume in early 2024 with more Force Powers episodes, more media surveys, and more character spotlights (among many other topics). Stay subscribed to see when the next season starts! In the interim, the hosts will be releasing a brief Interlude season exploring another media franchise w...

I n their finale for Season 1 of the Talking Star Wars podcast, Connor and Alex dive into an exploration of the life, background, and abilities of one of the most complex and compelling of the new expanded universe characters: Ahsoka Tano. First appearing as the adolescent Padawan of Anakin Skywalker, over the course of her life Ahsoka is a war commander, guerilla operative, teacher, vigilante, ro...

In this episode, Connor and Alex delve into the seedy underbelly of the galaxy far, far away and examine the role of the bounty hunter - notorious hunter, fixers, and mercenaries of all kinds who take credits for unsavory and dangerous work. The hosts discuss the niche bounty hunters fill in the setting as unaffiliated and money-driven gunslingers, talk about notable bounty hunters (such as Boba F...

This week, the hosts a survey the media inspired by the bombshell that was Star Wars after it dropped into the creative sphere in 1977 and trace the impact of Star Wars through to the present day. From the immediate expansion of science fiction blockbuster releases in the 70s and 80s ( Alien, Moonraker, Blade Runner ) to the used-future aesthetic that Star Wars popularized in later series such as...

Connor and Alex continue their review and discussion of each work in the current Star Wars canon with the next installment of their ongoing survey of expanded universe novels. In this episode, they discuss the following books: Inferno Squad, Leia: Princess of Alderaan, Phasma, From a Certain Point of View, The Legends of Luke Skywalker, Canto Bight, and Cobalt Squadron. For each work, Connor and A...

In this episode, the hosts discuss the history and current state of video games set in the Star Wars universe. This episode delves into the differences between storytelling in a static vs. an interactive medium, highlights notable titles from both Legends and the current Star Wars canon, and explores the tension between gameplay mechanics and narrative in a shared universe. Connor and Alex also su...

Alex and Connor discuss the Wolf and Cub motif - that of the older, grizzled warrior who takes on the protector and parent role for a more helpless child in a dangerous world - as it appears in Star Wars. The hosts establish the common story beats that accompany the appearance of this motif and trope, and then further explore the appearance of other character pairs in the Star Wars Universe: The M...

This week, Connor and Alex explore the role of the starship in the galaxy of Star Wars. They survey both the various kinds of ships in Star Wars and the specific iconic ships found in the galaxy far, far away. Starships fill many roles in Star Wars, from the cool car, the deadly dogfighter, or as a spacefaring home for ragtag groups of Rebels. Audiences also get attached to specific ships that fil...

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...

Alex and Connor continue their series of Genre Intersection episodes and explore the movies, episodes, scenes, characters, themes, and tropes that Star Wars had in common with the War genre; a specific type of media largely popularized in its current form after World War II and iterated on since then. The first Star Wars movie was released in the wake of the Vietnam War and all the propaganda, pub...

In this episode, Connor and Alex continue their exploration of the many sentient alien species in the Star Wars universe, analyzing their depiction, discussing their unique traits, and mentioning the most notable members of each alien species that appear in canon media. Discussed today include the Gungans, Kaminoans, Umbarans, Togruta, Sullustans, Geonosians, Trandoshans, Weequay, Lasat, Hutts, an...

Continuing the ongoing survey of Star Wars visual media outside the films, Connor and Alex take an episode-by-episode look of the diverse stories told by Star Wars: Visions Season 2, and discuss the themes, lore, and appeal of each episode as both a piece of visual storytelling and as part of the greater Star Wars universe. Connor and Alex also discuss whether each episode calls for a continuation...

This week, our hosts continue their ongoing series of episodes exploring various Force powers depicted in the Star Wars Universe with a discussion of the Jedi Mind Trick. Connor and Alex review the use of the Mind Trick in visual media and expanded universe materials, discuss the ethics of the Mind Trick, and the variations of the power as used by the Jedi, Sith, and others. From Obi-Wan’s insiste...

Connor and Alex continue their ongoing series exploring the themes, audience, and plot of all Star Wars visual media outside the films by taking a deep dive into the first three seasons of the Mandalorian. The hosts discuss Din Djarin’s relationship with his ward Grogu; the way The Mandalorian serves as a vehicle to explore a post-Empire galaxy; and the many genres that Din finds himself embroiled...

Connor and Alex take an episode to explore cloning in the universe of Star Wars; who engages in cloning, what are the ethics in question, and how cloning figures into the larger tapestry of Star Wars storytelling. From the attitude of the Kaminoan cloners towards their creations, to the brotherhood and camaraderie that evolves between the clone troopers that fight for the Republic in The Clone War...

Connor and Alex provide an overview of the nine eras established by Disney for the Star War universe, and review the key works in each era, what themes are present, and if future media is needed to expand on that era. This episode explores where and when various key parts of the Star Wars setting are established, including the Jedi themselves, the Sith, the Sith’s Rule of Two, the Republic, and so...

In this episode, our hosts explore the unique character of Qui-Gon Jinn - a powerful, wise, and multifaceted Jedi who believes in justice but distrusts all authority figures; who was the Padawan of Count Dooku, a future Sith, and was the Master of Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the most powerful and loyal Jedi of his age; and who combined a firm pragmatism with a true belief in Jedi prophecy. Qui-Gon was...

Connor and Alex continue their ongoing series exploring various Force powers utilized by the Jedi, Sith, and other Force users in the Star Wars universe. Today, the focus is on the Force Choke, the power most famously used by Darth Vader on any officers who displeased him. The hosts discuss other figures who utilize Force Choke - from Count Dooku, to Asajj Ventress, to Luke Skywalker himself - and...

Connor and Alex give an episode by episode breakdown of Star Wars: Visions , an anthology series where every short was animated by a different studio, and with each telling a standalone and unique story. The hosts take the listeners through each episode of the first season of Visions and explore the story, themes, animation style, connections to the larger Star Wars canon, and whether each story c...

In this episode, Connor and Alex take a broad look at a small portion of the various sentient alien species in Star Wars and explore the narrative space each alien race occupies, their unique and interesting characteristics, and notable members of that race in the Star Wars canon. Discussed today include the Twi’leks, Zabrak, Wookiees, Pantorans, Duros, Chiss, Rodians, Mon Calamari, Quarren, Tuske...

In a twist on their previous episodes, Alex and Connor take the opportunity to highlight the positives of the sequel trilogy. They dive into the character work, the scenes, and the plot points in Episodes VII, VIII, and IX that do work well and are a compelling part of the Star Wars canon. From the Dyad connection between Rey and Kylo Ren, to Finn’s relationships with both Poe and Rey, to the stun...