Growing Up Skywalker

This week, we recap “Daughter of Ferrix” (Andor S1, Ep. 11), where each character is looking down the barrel of a loaded gun and wondering what they’ll decide. Will Cass return to Ferrix, or warn the galaxy about Narkina 5? Will Bix give up her final secret to the Empire? Will Maarva live up to her promise to join the Rebellion (from beyond the grave)? In our recap, we talk about how to link up with your friendly local rebel cells, why a second generation 13-year-old Chandrilan immigrant would find religion, and why hope is the fuel of the Rebellion—it’s an antidote to the darkness and pain that gives Palpatine and Vader power.  Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! We’ve officially begun our watchthrough of Visions Season 1. Timestamps: 00:01:54 Plot Overview 00:19:34 Finding Your Friendly Local Rebels 00:26:34 Mon, Leida, and Chandrilan Customs 00:37:39 Maarva, Bix, Torture, and Hope 00:52:37 Bae Watch 01:02:03 Closing Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

The only way out is through. Our recap of “One Way Out” (Andor S1, Ep. 10) takes us through a discussion of Andor’s chain-linked, escalating structure. We talk about freedom, prison, sacrifice, and the mental calculus of ethics. We also ask who Andor wants us to see as a hero—and who is a hero behind the curtain. Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re finishing our Patreon exclusive recap of the Tartakovsky Clone Wars and beginning on Visions Season 1. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Plot Overview 00:13:14 Andor’s Escalating Structure 00:17:57 Freedom, Prison, Sacrifice, and Moral Calculus  00:40:36 Kino Discussion 00:46:10 Bae Watch 00:52:38 Closing Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Such a jaunty title for such a dark episode. “Nobody’s Listening!” (Andor S1, Ep. 9) is a meditation on suffering, and power, and and breaking points. Fortunately, we do get to lighten up the conversation by talking about not one, but TWO toxic crushes (sorry Vel, Cinta may not be the one???) (also sorry not sorry that Deedra Meero had to fend off romantic overtures at work, she deserved it). In our recap this week, we talk about why everyone’s crushes are toxic, why this episode WORKS, parallels to prequel-era Star Wars, and whether or not this is the most evil we’ve ever seen the Empire.  Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Plot Overview 00:10:44 Everyone’s Crushes Are Toxic (Sorry) 00:17:50 Why This Episode Hit New Heights 00:45:24 Bae Watch 00:51:56 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Welcome to the darkest timeline. “Narkina 5” (Andor S1, Ep. 8) throws Cassian Andor by the scruff of his neck into the prison-industrial complex. And given how the surveillance state is working for the Empire so far, the rest of the galaxy doesn’t seem to be far behind. In our recap, we talk about Cassian’s Hero’s Journey, what Saw Gerrera really wants, what drives Dedra Meero, and how Andor is a mirror that reflects back everything in our society that makes us so uncomfortable. Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Plot Overview 00:14:45 Surveillance State/Prison-Industrial Complex 00:22:42 Saw Gerrera’s Goal 00:34:36 Cassian’s Hero’s Journey 00:42:47 What Drives Dedra Metro? 00:51:12 Bae Watch 01:00:22 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

The Rebellion has made its announcement: It’s in this fight for real. In response, the Empire made several terrible announcements back. Welcome to a totalitarian galaxy. This week, our recap of “Announcement” (Andor S1, Ep. 7) focuses on the rapid slide of the Empire from an authoritarian state to totalitarianism—and why Luthen is intentionally pushing it that direction even faster. We also dive deep into the Hero’s Journey (Cassian is refusing the call—while Maarva is answering it) and discuss Mon Mothma’s cunning, subversive form of rebellion. Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:01:58 Plot Overview 00:18:05 Syril Karn Discussion 00:22:08 Cassian and The Hero’s Journey 00:35:28 The Empire and Totalitarianism   00:49:34 Mon Mothma Discussion 00:54:41 Bae Watch 01:01:51 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

The train heist in Solo walked so the Aldhani heist in Andor could run. And that just scratches the surface of why “The Eye” (Andor S1, Ep. 6) is phenomenal television. In our recap, we talk about the aftermath of the grand plan to secure $80 million credits for the Rebellion. We discuss the Empire and its gleeful colonization, military spending siphoning away funding for medical science, Cassian’s moral code, and why Andor is a radical call to action (even for those of us in the year of our Lord 2023). Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Plot Overview 00:12:09 The Heist and its Aftermath 00:20:46 Cassian’s Morals 00:26:37 The Empire and Colonization  00:42:32 Medical Science and Military Funding 01:01:40 Bae Watch 01:06:20 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Andor is a show that loves grassroots revolution. And we love that for Andor. “The Axe Forgets” takes us deep into the psyches of the people choosing to rebel against the Empire. We have Skeen, from whom the Empire took a childhood (and a brother). And we have Nemik, a true, hotblooded philosopher-rebel. And we have Lieutenant Gorn, who lost his love to Imperial control—and, of course, Cassian, who has a million mysterious reasons to hate the Empire (very few of which have been shown on-screen). In this week’s recap, we talk about rising up against tyranny, the claustrophobia of group projects, what seeds Star Wars is sowing for its grand, future rebellion—and what it costs you to rebel. Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:01:59 Plot Overview 00:13:40 Cassian and the Heist Crew 00:18:30 Grassroots Revolution in Andor 00:31:00 Perrin and Mon Mothma 00:36:08 The Future of Andor’s Rebellion 00:45:11 Bae Watch 00:59:21 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

“Aldhani” (Andor S1, Ep. 4) is an episode cut with surgical precision.  The four looping subplots of Aldhani draw us through one of the most beautiful and intricate Star Wars episodes we’ve ever seen. The dialogue? Perfection. The scenery? Flawless. The depths of Star Wars lore plumbed? Fathomless. We are BIG FANS. In our recap, we talk about the 10,000 Easter eggs and pieces of trivia saturating this episode. We also discuss the characters we love…to hate. (Syril Karn is finally booted out of the Number One spot by Mon Mothma’s terrible husband, Perrin.) And we dive deep into Cassian’s Mimban backstory—plus, discuss the many women struggling to negotiate their roles in the galaxy. Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:01:30 Plot Overview 00:14:54 Aldhani’s Deep Star Wars Lore 00:31:01 Characters We Love (To Hate) 00:44:58 Cassian’s Mimban Backstory 00:50:24 Bae Watch 00:58:21 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

This is what a reckoning sounds like.  In this week’s episode, we recap “Reckoning” (Andor S1, Ep. 2). Cassian and Luthen heist their way through Ferrix, Syril Karn cements his status as a wet noodle, and Space Timm receives his comeuppance for being a snitch—plus, after tying up the Kenari plotline, we’re ready to hurtle into the unknown. We talk about Andor’s stance on police brutality, religion in Star Wars, and “rescuing” children from the wilderness. We also talk about Andor’s love of mirroring and plot parallels, and how beautifully they tie into one another. Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:02:27 Plot Overview 00:12:21 Police Brutality and the Doctrine of Fear 00:31:13 Maarva and the Kenari Plot 00:45:00 Religion in Andor? 00:52:02 Bae Watch 00:58:29 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Star Wars goes domestic in “That Would Be Me,” the second episode of Andor. (Incidentally, so did we: The Growing Up Skywalker team is officially getting married!) “That Would Be Me” gives us sneak peeks into what life is like for regular people on Ferrix. We see booty calls, money problems, crappy work schedules, and messy houses. It’s a big vibe shift and a perfect contrast to the deeply unsettling realization this episode gives us about Kenari—specifically, why there is a group of children Lord of the Flies-ing through the jungle.  We also talk about Andor’s stane on police brutality, Syril Karn stepping into his destiny, and why Bix is out of Space Timm’s league.  Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:03:05 Plot Overview 00:11:22 Life on Ferrix Discussion 00:26:04 Linus Mosk and Police Brutality Discussion 00:34:10 Syril Karn Is Stepping Into His Destiny 00:39:41 Kenari Discussion 00:48:21 Bae Watch 00:53:26 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Welcome to a new side of the galaxy—a very dark one. The Season 1 premiere of Andor (“Kassa”) is the grittiest Star Wars we’ve seen so far. Planets are ruled by corporations, sentient beings are for sale on the street, and people are just eking out a living however they can. Also, everyone in the show is already 100% fed up with Cassian Andor, which is…pretty great. In our recap, we talk about Cassian’s role as a Star Wars rogue and draw parallels between other beloved intergalactic grifters—Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and Hondo Ohnaka. We also dive deep into class systems in Star Wars and make our guesses about how the Kenari plotline will play out.  Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Plot Overview 00:10:56 Cassian Andor Discussion 00:19:40 Exploitation and Class Discussion 00:35:00 Kenari and Star Wars “Village Stories” 00:46:50 Critical Reception  00:50:17 Bae Watch 00:58:15 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

The Spectres are out of the frying pan and into the fire—a fire that’s spreading across the galaxy. Our recap of the Rebels Season 1 finale centers on metamorphosis, rebellion, how a Padawan becomes a Jedi Knight, Kanan’s incredible dad energy, and what it will take for a galaxy to rise up against the Empire. We also cover the breadcrumb trail that leads to Fulcrum’s identity, and our thoughts on Season 1 as a tight, intentional, eyes-on-the-prize piece of media. (It was a bop.) Also, the people have spoken! Next week, we’ll begin our foray into Andor, which also takes place in BBY 5, beginning with the Andor pilot, “Kassa.” Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:01:47 Plot Overview 00:11:00 Clues and Bookends in Season 1 00:18:38 Kanan Discussion  00:28:58 Fulcrum Discussion  00:36:39 Rebelling Against the Empire Discussion 00:48:02 Rebels S1 Thoughts 00:54:17 Bae Watch 00:59:10 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Calling all Tarkin stans—Rebels S1 is the man’s time to shine. This week, we covered the two episodes leading up to the Season 1 finale: “Call to Action” and “Rebel Resolve” (episodes 13–14). And Grand Moff Tarkin is displeased with EVERYBODY’S job performance. In our recap, we cover Tarkin’s job description, the strategic importance of the Outer Rim using a pizza analogy, and everything we know about Fulcrum so far (very little). We also talk about Hera’s allegiance to the rebel cause over love, raising rebel children, and Ezra’s message of hope for the galaxy. Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Join us next week for the REBELS S1 FINALE—and then for our foray into ANDOR! Timestamps: 00:02:37 Plot Overview 00:12:20 Information We Have in 2023 vs. 2014 00:15:09 Tarkin Discussion  00:35:21 Hera, Fulcrum, and Rising Rebel Kids  00:49:27 Bae Watch 00:55:47 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Smuggler? Such a small word. He’s more of a…galactic entrepreneur.  This week, our episodes (Rebels S1, 11–12, “Idiot’s Array” and “Vision of Hope”) feature special guest and major scamp LANDO CALRISSIAN. We also meet the strawberry-shaped/ strawberry-slurping merchant of questionable morality, Azmorigan, and hang out with exiled senator Gall Trayvis. Hera punches every single one of them, and every single one of them deserved it. In our recap, we talk about how Lando has changed from Solo and Lando now, how Ezra’s Force sensitivity is incredibly attuned to Lothal, and propaganda techniques from WWII–now. We also talk about the renowned voice actors who graced this episode and why it’s so important than Ezra is being trained by the whole family. Tune in next week as we cover “Call to Action” and “Rebel Resolve” (Rebels Season 1, episodes 13–14). And make sure to take our poll below, on whether we should continue with Rebels seasons 2–4, or slot in Andor season 1! Want even more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content. Timestamps: 00:01:51 Plot Overview 00:13:48 Lando Discussion 00:20:48 Idiot’s Array’s Problems Discussion  00:29:26 Ezra and the Force Discussion 00:33:38 Gall Trayvis, Sleeper Agent Discussion 00:50:54 Bae Watch 00:58:18 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

This week’s episode is all about elaborate Padawan training rituals, bonding with monsters through the Force, and surviving being a 15-year-old boy. We. Are. All. About it! “Gathering Forces” takes Ezra and Kanan back to the moon where Sabine and Hera were almost eaten by dragons—and forces Ezra to confront a deep fear. Then, immediately in the next episode, “Path of the Jedi,” he has to confront his EVEN DEEPER fears!! We talk about what our customized Padawan training rites would look like, where Yoda was when he tuned into the goings-on at the Lothal Jedi temple, and why the Kanan/Ezra bonding hits so hard. We also give our best advice for teenage listeners. Tune in next week as we cover “Idiot’s Array” and “Vision of Hope” (Rebels Season 1, episodes 11–12). Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!  Timestamps: 00:02:01 Plot Overview 00:15:21 Tseebo Discussion 00:17:56 Kanan, Ezra, and the Force  00:32:40 Yoda and the Temple Discussion 00:38:10 Padawan Trials Discussion 00:47:41 Ezra’s Lightsaber Discussion 00:51:19 Bae Watch 00:57:45 End Credits --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message