Growing Up Skywalker

In another glorious stroke of in-universe chronology meeting up with the Star Wars release schedule, we got to watch Tales of the Jedi (Ahsoka’s Tale) this week! We recapped Chapters 1, 5 and 6 (“Life and Death,” “Practice Makes Perfect,” and “Resolve”) and cried a LOT. In our discussion, we talked about how these episodes give Ahsoka a natural continuation of the Martez Sisters arc from S7 of The Clone Wars — and Sam teases where she’s going next. We also talk about Inquisitors, what makes Ahsoka a hero, Pav-ti giving really good mom-wisdom, raising a Force-sensitive baby, and discuss the criticism of “Resolve” (potentially) erasing an Ahsoka love interest. Next…we’re taking a hiatus! Now that Growing Up Skywalker has concluded Phase 1 of our chronological watch-through, we’re putting the show on hold until January 10, because we’re busy moving in together (!!!). We’ll be back in your earbuds in January with our review of “Aftermath,” the Bad Batch S1 pilot. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

For the first time ever, Growing Up Skywalker’s chronological walkthrough lines up with something Star Wars recently released…Tales of the Jedi! This week, we talked about Dooku’s Tale: Chapters 2, 3 and 4 (“Justice,” “Choices,” and “The Sith Lord”). We go chapter-by-chapter, discussing Dooku’s genuine love for Qui-Gon, the trauma of being a young person having to watch out for the adults in your life, Master Yaddle’s absolutely beautiful soul, the Star Wars smoothie-blend of history and culture, and the (missing) checks and balances in the Jedi Order. We were also thrilled to talk about Tales of the Jedi on The FSF Popcast last week! Check them out on YouTube and everywhere you get podcasts. Next week, we’re recapping Tales of the Jedi (Ahsoka’s Tale): Chapters 1, 5 and 6 (“Life and Death,” “Practice Makes Perfect,” and “Resolve”). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

It’s really here — the end of The Clone Wars. In our recap of the final episodes of The Clone Wars (7.11–12, “Shattered” and “Victory and Death”) we talk about tragedy, betrayal, and the power move of asking a bunch of mischievous astromech droids to help you throw an entire cruiser into chaos. Most importantly, we talk about seeing Ahsoka fully mature into her powers — and deprogramming herself from being a soldier, so she can become a keeper of the peace. Next week, we’re recapping chapters 2, 3, and 4 of Tales of the Jedi (Dooku’s Tale). The week after that, we’re recapping chapters 1, 5 and 6 (Ahsoka’s Tale). And before we get to The Bad Batch, we’re taking a small vacation from the podcast, because we’ll be busy moving in together! This week, we were also delighted to be special guests on The FSF Popcast, where we talked all about Tales of the Jedi. Like, follow, and subscribe to The FSF Popcast on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and every major podcast platform! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

We finish Revenge of the Sith — the sweeping conclusion to the Prequel Era — with big feelings on Order 66 and the end of the Jedi Order, big love for beloved characters, and big thoughts on the cyclical story of Star Wars. As the Empire takes power in Revenge of the Sith, the galaxy is plunged into darkness. But is the sun setting or rising for our favorite characters? In our character study, we talk about Anakin’s slow descent into darkness, Obi-Wan’s total control, and Padmé’s dreamlike passivity. In our big-picture discussion, we analyze the ultimate confrontation between Sith and Jedi, and decide who walks away stronger. This film is big, and bombastic, and inevitable, and utterly confident, and we love every minute of it. Join us next week for the conclusion to the Prequel Era — the Siege of Mandalore, Part 2 (The Clone Wars 7.11–12, “Shattered” and “Victory and Death”). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Another happy landing! This week, we’re army-crawling to the finish line of the Prequel Era. In our recap of Revenge of the Sith (Part One), we talk about the gorgeous visuals, tight plotting, absolutely delightful banter and compelling themes of Star Wars’ final prequel film. We talk about Anakin and Obi-Wan vanquishing their ultimate foes, R2 disassembling Grievous’s droid army, Palpatine’s completely insidious (heh) manipulation of EVERYBODY, and the forces tugging Anakin to the Dark Side (and back to the Light). Next week, we’re finishing Revenge of the Sith. Then, we’ll have a surprise special guest for the final episodes of The Clone Wars: “Shattered” and “Victory and Death.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Begun, the Clone War has! This week, we’re rewatching Attack of the Clones in all of its magnificent sprawl. We talk all about the rewards of a second watch-through after seeing the Clone Wars TV show, the huge differences in production between The Phantom Menace and Attack, the weirdness between Anakin and Obi-Wan, the iconic Yoda/Dooku duel. We have lots of thoughts about Padme and Anakin. And you already know we talk about Padme’s outfits. Next week, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming, and our regularly structured episodes. We’ll cover the first half of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. After we finish Revenge, we’ll cover the final two episodes of The Clone Wars TV show. And then we’re onto Bad Batch! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Start your engines! Just in time for the Boonta Eve Classic, we’re getting back to our roots with a rewatch of The Phantom Menace. A lot has changed since we watched Phantom on the first two episodes of Growing Up Skywalker (and we have, too!). Our recap centers on the viewers we used to be versus the watchers we are today. We talk about how our perceptions of the main quartet — Anakin, Qui-Gon, Padmé and Shmi — have changed wildly over time. We try to figure out why George Lucas decided to start Star Wars here, and why he decided to frame it around an economic story. We share our favorite Easter eggs, and — most importantly — crown a Queen of Bae Watch. Grab your rain slicker and Zam Wesell’s red lipstick, because next week, we’re rewatching Attack of the Clones! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

The Siege of Mandalore has begun — not with a bang, but with many. And also, Ahsoka somersaulting into Sundari, backlit by the carnage she has caused. This is some of the best action of Star Wars, and it is DELIGHTFUL. “Old Friends Not Forgotten” and “The Phantom Apprentice” (TCW 7.9–10) form the first part of the Siege of Mandalore Arc, which blends the action in the Clone Wars with the events of Revenge of the Sith. In our recap, we talk about how Maul escaped from Darth Sidious to become the leader of a crime syndicate, the dynamic between Maul and Ahsoka, and whether the Anakin of these episodes is Anakin at his best. (Highly possible.) We also break down some of the most iconic dialogue and best action scenes. Ahsoka’s twin lightsabers are the star of the show. Next week, we’re NOT continuing straight into the second half of the Siege of Mandalore. First, we’ll rewatch The Phantom Menace, and then Attack of the Clones. Then, we’ll split Revenge of the Sith into a traditional two-part episode. And finally, we’ll finish the Siege of Mandalore — and then begin the Bad Batch. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Season 7 of the Clone Wars only has three arcs, and we finished up the second by recapping 7.3–4, “On the Wings of Keeradaks” and “Unfinished Business.” The second half of the Bad Batch arc isn’t nearly as much fun as the first. Echo has to regain the trust of everyone around him (and find trust in himself). Rex has to carry his guilt over leaving a man behind. And Anakin has to face the fact that he no longer considers himself a Jedi. So, this arc is less fun, but no less worthy. We laugh a LOT about Wat Tambor, Mace Windu and the TechnoUnion being full of nerds. Next week, we’ll start the final arc of S7: the Siege of Mandalore, Part 1 (“Old Friends Not Forgotten” and “The Phantom Apprentice”). Then we’re returning to Episode 1: The Phantom Menace and Episode 2: Attack of the Clones! We’ll review those in single episodes, and then finish up the final arc of S7. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

The Bad Batch is the Best Batch and that’s canon. This week, we recapped the phenomenal first half of the Bad Batch Arc (The Clone Wars 7.1–2, “The Bad Batch” and “A Distant Echo”). Anna cried, Sam mused, and we laughed a LOT. The Bad Batch are an elite special forces squad of “defective” clones with “desirable mutations.” In other words, they are fantastic — and different from Rex and Cody, who team up with them to infiltrate a Separatist cyber center to unravel why their enemies are anticipating their every move. We talk all about Clone 99 being the house dad of the entire clone operation on Kamino, why you want (and don’t want) an entire clone army made out of Bad Batchers, and why Hunter is a walking thirst trap. Also, how Padmé is second-trimester-preggo in this arc and Anakin didn’t notice (?!). Next week, we’ll finish the Bad Batch Arc, covering TCW 7.3–4, “On the Wings of Keeradaks” and “Unfinished Business.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

The second half of the Martez Sisters Arc (The Clone Wars 7.7–8, “Dangerous Debt” and “Together Again”) has us debating the thorniest ethics questions around. But like, in a fun way. This arc sees Ahsoka, Rafa and Trace escaping from the Pyke prison — again — and again — and again. While their dashing escapes are foiled, we get to catch up with some old faves: Bo-Katan and the Nite Owls, that random goat guy from Season 5 and (spoiler alert) DARTH MAUL?!?! We also get the tragic Martez sister backstory and a few minor prison breaks. We hope you’re waiting with bated breath for next week…the first half of the CHAD BATCH ARC! We’ll be covering TCW 7.1–2, “The Bad Batch” and “A Distant Echo.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Do you ever have days when you just want to be part of a cool trio of BIPOC female minor criminals, and it’s just not working out that great for you? Ahsoka does! In the Martez Sisters Arc, Part 1 (The Clone Wars 7.5–6, “Gone with a Trace” and “Deal No Deal”) we find out what Ahsoka’s been up to for the last minute or two — trying to keep a disreputable minor crime-lord and her sister out of trouble. In our recap, we talk about living a life of crime in the Coruscant underworld, the Martez sisters’ wonky dynamic, and how great the animation is in Season 7. Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion to this arc — TCW 7.7–8, “Dangerous Debt” and “Together Again.” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

Season 6 of The Clone Wars ends not with a bang, but with a sigh of surrender — and hope for a different kind of victory. In the Yoda’s Journey Arc (TCW 6.11–13, “Voices,” “Destiny,” and “Sacrifice”) we follow Yoda from Coruscant to Dagobah, to the heart of the universe, and then finally to Moraband, the ancient homeworld of the Sith. His quest takes him through every step of the Hero’s Journey in pursuit of “the great gift:” the secret of creating consciousness after death. And he discovers the truth about the Jedi’s hopes of winning the Clone War. Throughout his quest, Yoda has to face down everything from creepy-crawly Sith smoke snakes to the dark gremlin inside of himself. And it…is…FANTASTIC. We do a blow-by-blow recap of the epic duel between Yoda and the Dark Lord of the Sith, recite a CVS receipt-length litany of Yoda wisdom and shed some tears for the wisest Jedi of all. Next week, we’re beginning Season 7 of The Clone Wars! YAHOO! Tune in for our recap of the first half of the Martez Sisters Arc (TCW 7.5–6, “Gone with a Trace” and “Deal or No Deal”). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

In which the Jedi Council remembers they never bothered to have a funeral for Sifo-Dyas. We jest. “The Lost One” (The Clone Wars 6.10) is a dense and beautiful foreshadowing for the events of Revenge of the Sith. It also gives us a seven-layer tiramisu of MYSTERIES. Why did Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas have to die? Why did Dooku care about him at all? And what was the relationship between them? Also, who gave the Pykes the right to be so great? For our recap, we hop into the Mystery Van and go sleuthing. We also talk about how much we love Pyke society, Obi-Wan and Anakin as “complementary halves of a single warrior” and break down the most beautiful lightsaber duel of the Clone Wars so far. (Spoiler alert: Dooku is the SECOND-best part.) Next week, we’re covering the final arc of Season 6: Yoda’s Journey (6.11–13, “Voices,” “Destiny,” and “Sacrifice”). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message

In the glorious Disappeared Arc of the Clone Wars, Jar Jar gets to be a love interest…the hero of the galaxy…and the one who gets the girl. Oh, Mace Windu is there, too. The Disappeared Arc (The Clone Wars 6.8–9, “The Disappeared, Part One” and “The Disappeared, Part Two”) introduces us to the Dagoyan Masters of Bardotta, ancient mystics who are estranged from the Jedi Order. But their mystics are disappearing one by one, and it’s up to the unlikely dream team of Jar Jar Binks and Mace Windu to save them — and the galaxy. If you did not already know, this podcast is a #1 foam finger Jar Jar Binks fan club. Even without him, this arc would be FAN-TASTIC. It gives us demon cultists who wear terrifying masks and backhand people down stone slip-and-slides, an ancient prophecy foretelling the rise of darkness across the galaxy, deeper discussions on the living Force, and a scene where Jar Jar and Mace Windu have to rent space-camels to go charging across the desert to save Jar Jar’s one true love. I don’t know what more you could want!! Next week, we’re covering a one-off episode: “The Lost One” ( The Clone Wars 6.10). Then we’re onto the final arc of Season 6: Yoda’s Journey (6.11–13, “Voices,” “Destiny,” and “Sacrifice”). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/growingupskywalker/message