Growing Up Skywalker

Resistance: "The Disappeared” and “Descent” (Season 1, Episodes 18–19)

The Star Wars: Resistance episodes “The Disappeared” and “Descent” take place right at the beginning of The Force Awakens, so we’re detouring back into animated territory to cover the lead-up to the destruction of Hosnian Prime. In our coverage this week, we talk about the fascistic tendency of “disappearing” people and how it lines up (or doesn’t) with the social contract on the Colossus. We also talk through the appeal of an Agent Tierney to a young person like Tam; why Doza might be continuing to submit to the First Order; and how Leia is activating new Resistance cells across the galaxy. Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! We've got Ninth Jedi coverage on tap right after Sam recaps the Phasma novel for us. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:01 Plot Summary 00:09:46 Fascism and “Disappearing People” 00:24:16 Tam and Agent Tierney 00:37:47 Doza, Leia, and New Resistance Cells 00:52:19 Bae Watch 00:57:37 Closing Thoughts

The Force Awakens, Part 2

With the balance of power in the galaxy deeply shifted towards the Dark, what is next for our heroes—and our villains? It’s time for us to find out in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. We focus our discussion on the second half of the film on the Pyrrhic victory that is the end of Starkiller Base and the passing of the torch from the Original Trilogy trio (Luke, Leia and Han) to the new era: Rey, Finn, and Poe. We also do character deep-dives, and parse which characters have the most—and, notably, the least—chemistry. The Force Awakens is a monument to the modern era of Star Wars, and we wouldn't exist without it. Find our recap everywhere you get podcasts—and join us next week for the next chronological entries in the timeline, Resistance: The Disappeared + Descent (Season 1, Episodes 18–19). Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! We've got Ninth Jedi coverage on tap. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:14 Plot Summary 00:11:07 Rey and the Persephone Myth 00:25:46 The End of Starkiller Base 00:44:22 Deep Dive into the Trio (Also Romance?!) 00:54:12 Kylo Deep-Dive 01:08:40 Bae Watch 01:15:58 Closing Thoughts

The Force Awakens, Part 1

Our non-toxic, loving, and chronological coverage of Star Wars has wound its way through five years to bring us to this point: Episode VII, The Force Awakens. In the first half of the most expensive movie of all time, themes of baptism and rebirth, found family and lost family, and the subtle manipulation of the Dark Side are all strongly apparent. We do a deep dive into our leading characters, discuss the plot to position Kylo Ren as a Sith apprentice before he was even born, and talk through the resurgence of fascism in the galaxy. We also wonder if this movie was either 1 or 10 years too early to catch the winds of resurgent fascism in our own timeline. The Force Awakens is a total bop. Find our recap everywhere you get podcasts—and join us next week for the thrilling conclusion. Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! We've got Book reports on Heir to the Jedi and Twilight Company coming up this week and next. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:37 Plot Summary 00:13:38 First Impressions 00:16:15 Character Deep-Dives: Finn, Han, and Rey 00:39:48 Kylo and Snoke 00:53:55 The First Order 01:14:58 Bae Watch 01:24:41 Closing Thoughts

Resistance: "The New Trooper” and “The Core Problem” (Season 1, Episodes 16–17)

How much power does the First Order actually have, and how much is projection? (And does it even matter?) These are the central questions of our recap of the final Star Wars: Resistance episodes before Episode VII, The Force Awakens: “The New Trooper” and “The Core Problem” (Season 1, Episodes 16–17). We try to understand the shape of the First Order, the scope of their power, and how much influence they have based on fear and intimidation vs. actual military force. We also wonder how many First Order troops are true believers, and how many have been indoctrinated to the cause. Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! We’re beginning The Ninth Jedi coverage next week. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:04:36 Plot Summary 00:11:40 Power versus Power Projection 00:43:14 First Order Reconditioning 00:52:50 Bae Watch 01:02:43 Closing Thoughts

Resistance: "Dangerous Business," “The Doza Dilemma” and "The First Order Occupation” (Season 1, Episodes 13–15)

Slowly at first, then all at once, the First Order is taking over the Colossus. In our first and only triple-header of Season 1 of Resistance, we cover "Dangerous Business," “The Doza Dilemma” and "The First Order Occupation” (Episodes 13–15) so we can parse the speed of the First Order occupation. But do they want the Colossus as a toehold into the wider Republic, or as a weapons manufacturing plant? We also wonder if Captain Doza ever had a plan to combat the pirates or the First Order, and try to understand Synara through the lens of order vs. freedom. Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:30 Plot Summary 00:11:00 The Speed of First Order Occupation 00:24:33 Did Doza Have a Plan? 00:40:22 Synara and the Order vs. Freedom Calculus 00:50:17 Bae Watch 00:57:08 Closing Thoughts

Resistance: "Station Theta Black" and "Bipo” (Season 1, Episodes 11–12)

Poe Dameron is a big dang hero and has been since he was about 18 months old. That’s all. In this week’s episode, “Station Theta Black” and “Bipo” (Resistance Season 1, Episodes 11–12), we dig into Poe Dameron’s past as a swashbuckling Rebel-style hero of old, and how he represents the Rebellion within the Resistance. We also sing the praises of General Leia Organa and parse the nefarious thorniness of the First Order’s weapons manufacturing scheme. Finally, we nail down why “Bipo” isn’t just a filler episode—and how we can all lean into our own personal revolution. Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:01:49 Plot Summary 00:11:57 Poe Dameron Is a Big Dang Hero 00:21:15 First Order Weapons Manufacturing 00:31:26 General Leia Organa 00:36:40 Bipo and Personal Revolution 00:51:13 Bae Watch 00:57:43 Closing Thoughts

Resistance: "The Platform Classic" and "Secrets and Holograms” (Season 1, Episodes 9–10)

How far will you go to forgive someone? What if they’re family? What if they’re also your former enemy? In "The Platform Classic" and "Secrets and Holograms” (Resistance Season 1, Episodes 9–10), we talk about the limits of love and loyalty when it comes to family: for Jarek Yeager and his brother, Marcus Speedstar, but also for Captain Doza and his daughter, Ace pilot Torra. We discuss the downsizing of the New Republic military after it deemed the Imperial threat to be over, and Doza’s overtures to the First Order. We also wonder whether Yeager (or Doza!) could be a First Order spy…or maybe even a sleeper agent of the Resistance. Come for the thrilling flying sequences and stay for the drama. Seeing Yeager fly for the first time is just as delightful as being completely charmed by Torra Doza. Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:20 Plot Summary 00:11:06 Yeager, Marcus, and Family Forgiveness 00:22:09 Downsizing the New Republic Military 00:29:15 Doza, Yeager, and Spyhood 00:47:45 Torra and Her Dad 00:55:39 Bae Watch 01:00:38 Closing Thoughts

Resistance: "Signal From Sector Six" and "Synara’s Score” (Season 1, Episodes 7–8)

The sibilances are strong in this week’s episodes. And so are Synara’s pirating powers. In “Signal From Sector Six” and “Synara’s Score” (Resistance Season 1, Episodes 5–6), we dive deep into Doza’s dilemma on the Colossus: Invite the First Order into the fold, or let them take over his colony by proxy? We tackle this question, and the question of the Resistance’s role in the galaxy, through the lens of the social contract We also talk about Yeager as a Resistance hero, Synara as a spy queen, and the budding droid romance (?!) sparking between BB-8 and CB-23. The stakes are rising for our favorite space-race + spy show mashup! Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:52 Plot Summary 00:10:56 Doza’s Dilemma 00:18:12 Yeager As Resistance Hero 00:22:38 Synara Is a Spy Queen 00:28:40 The Social Contract and the Resistance’s Dilemma 00:44:43 Budding Droid Romance?! 00:49:38 Bae Watch 00:56:34 Closing Thoughts

Resistance: "The High Tower" and "Children of Tehar” (Season 1, Episodes 5–6)

Well, the madcap adventures of Team Fireball were delightful while they lasted. But there’s a new sheriff in town, and their name is the First Order. The Star Wars: Resistance episodes of the week—"The High Tower" and "Children of Tehar” (Season 1, Episodes 5–6)—introduce Kylo Ren and Captain Doza, and give Captain Phasma and Major Vonreg time in the spotlight. And they pull no punches…especially when we discover The First Order is doing genocide purely to hide the bodies. Even the delightful sequences of Kaz running like a noodle with a torso don’t really bring light to these dark times. In our recap, we talk about classism on the Colossus, what about the First Order, and how the relationships of the characters might blossom. Big heart eyes for the Chelidae, btw. Join us next week for Episodes 6–7, "Signal from Sector Six" and "Synara's Score.” Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:21 Plot Summary 00:13:59 Classism and Economics on the Colossus 00:26:00 Kylo Ren and Tehar 00:28:25 The Colors of The First Order 00:43:29 Bae Watch 00:49:42 Closing Thoughts

Resistance: “The Triple Dark” and “Fuel For the Fire” (Season 1, Episodes 3–4)

The madcap adventures of the Team Fireball continue! In the third and fourth episodes of Star Wars: Resistance (The Triple Dark + Fuel for the Fire), Kaz is struggling with double duty and managing to fail forward—and sometimes backwards—on everything. In this week’s episode, we talk about how fitting in is hard for Kaz, but being a good person seems to come easy. We speculate on Yeager’s backstory as a Rebel hero, threats to the Colossus, and how the First Order is maneuvering to establish a foothold in the galaxy. Join us next week for episodes 4–5, "The High Tower" and "Children of Tehar.” Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:01:57 Plot Summary 00:10:29 Threats to the Colossus 00:17:03 Kaz’s Struggle 00:30:11 Yeager, Former Rebel Hero 00:37:14 The Colossus 00:51:10 Bae Watch 00:59:14 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

Resistance Season 1 Premiere: The Recruit

The biggest time jump in Growing Up Skywalker history! This week, we flash forward to ABY 34. Everyone we know and love is 20 years older, and a new story is rising in the Outer Rim…the story of the First Order and the Resistance. We dive into galaxy-spanning politics like how, exactly, the New Republic came to need a Resistance wing and which Imperial remnants we think became part of the First Order. We also name Resistance a spiritual successor to Rebels, discuss Kaz’s spectacular penchant for bad first impressions, and question whether his dad, the beyond-bad Senator Xiono, could possibly be a First Order mole. We had so much to talk about we also recorded a 45-minute “leftovers” episode on Patreon. Check it out! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:03:23 Plot Summary 00:11:25 First Impressions 00:16:54 A Spiritual Successor to Rebels 00:21:18 What is the Resistance? What is the First Order? 00:45:48 Is Senator Xiono a Mole? 00:55:52 Bae Watch 01:01:34 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

The Mandalorian and Grogu: Part 2

All good things must come to an end—including our Mandalorian and Grogu coverage. This week, we’re picking up the second half of The Mandalorian and Grogu with Embo’s assault on the Nevarro cabin. Along the way, we listen for echoes of Star Wars past, from callbacks to Yoda on Dagobah to memories of Boba Fett’s takeover on Tatooine. We discuss the Hutt succession plan (or lack thereof?!) and wonder how the New Republic plans to fill a massive power vacuum in the Outer Rim. Finally, we consider that the Mandalorian and Grogu’s efforts on Nal Hutta may inspire a new wave of young heroes. Next week, join us for the premiere of Star Wars: Resistance! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:03:36 Plot Summary 00:16:28 Echoes of Star Wars Past 00:24:38 The Hutt Succession Plan, Or Lack Thereof 00:46:57 A New Wave of Heroism 00:58:02 Bae Watch 01:05:47 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

The Mandalorian and Grogu: Part 1

Movie tickets? Bought. Notebooks? Out. Butts? In seats. The Mandalorian and Grogu was the first theatrical release we had the opportunity to see during Growing Up Skywalker’s run—and what a joy it was to see Star Wars on the big screen! This week, we’re covering the first half of the movie, from opening credits to Embo’s first appearance, and parsing themes of fatherhood, masculinity, and bread-and-circus blood sports. We discuss the strategic importance of this movie in giving movie-only fans a taste of the New Republic in its heyday. We also sing the praises of Rotta the Hutt (he who paints arenas with blood and sets the stage for a classic Mandalorian-style romp) and Zeb, who is only getting better with age. Next week, join us for the back half of The Mandalorian & Grogu! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:45 Plot Summary 00:13:15 The New Republic and Subcontractor Reliance 00:31:13 We Have Heart Eyes For Rotta the Hutt 00:50:32 Zeb! 00:57:43 Bae Watch 01:04:03 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

Maul – Shadow Lord: Season 1 Finale (Chapters 9–10, Strange Allies + The Dark Lord)

The thrilling conclusion to Maul - Shadow Lord is at hand—and it raises many questions about the Dark. In the Maul Season 1 finale (Chapters 9–10, Strange Allies + The Dark Lord), our heroes are greatly diminished, and facing an impeccable foe. The shifting alliances we’ve tracked all season finally solidify, just as the sands in favorite characters’ hourglasses finally run out. We discuss what it takes to be a Dark Lord of the Sith and how Maul stacks up, and parse Devon’s fall to the Dark. We also make predictions for Season 2, and sing a swan song to the Lawson boys. This finale was emotional, fast, and brutal, and we hope to bring a thoughtful deep-dive into how we got here and what happens after the dust is settled. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:01:57 Plot Summary 00:14:58 Peak Darth Vader and Less Peak Maul 00:37:05 Devon and Her Fall to the Dark 00:50:08 The Lawson Boys 00:55:16 Season 2 Predictions 01:05:03 Bae Watch 01:12:55 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

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Maul – Shadow Lord: Chapters 7–8 (Call to Oblivion + The Creeping Fear)

For the first time, we get to look through Maul’s eyes. He sees the galaxy darkly. In “Call to Oblivion” and “The Creeping Fear” (Maul – Shadow Lord, Chapters 7–8) we dive into thorny thoughts on brothers, Inquisitors, and Maul’s deep-seated pain. We parse Devon and Daki’s ties, and why they were paired together as Master and Padawan. And we talk through the mechanics of Mandalorian betrayal. This episode is also a masterclass in reparenting your inner child—so big kudos to Maul (not as big as the kudos for Spybot, who is simply and atrociously the best). Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:03:14 Plot Summary 00:12:45 Looking Through Maul’s Eyes 00:25:18 Brothers, Inquisitors, and Maul 00:39:29 Devon and Daki’s Ties 00:48:56 Mandalorian Betrayal 00:56:54 Bae Watch 01:05:22 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

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Maul – Shadow Lord: Chapters 5–6 (Inquisition + Night of the Hunted)

Alliances are shifting like sand by the midpoint of Maul – Shadow Lord. Who will end up on top? In this week’s episode, we recap "Inquisition" and “Night of the Hunted” (Season 1, Chapters 5–6). These episodes mark the first time—in chronological order—that we see an Inquisitor onscreen, and we talk through the formation of these Jedi hunters. We also play a little game of alliances, doing a deep dive into where every main character stands with the next. As Devon and Maul are drawn closer together, she and her Master are being driven apart. But there’s also a growing strength between Master Daki and Captain Lawson, both of whom reveal hidden depths. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:08 Plot Summary 00:10:02 The Beginning of the Inquisitors 00:21:47 Shifting Alliances 00:28:03 Survivor: Maul Edition 00:53:44 Bae Watch 01:01:04 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Inspired by Brander and Drea Lawson, for the next few weeks, we're meditating on parents—the good, the bad, and the absentee—in Star Wars history.

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Maul – Shadow Lord: Chapters 3–4 (Whispers in the Unknown + Pride and Vengeance)

Maul is the king of rhetoric, the master gaslighter, and the sensei of spin. He’s also, like, usually right? In this week’s episodes, “Whispers in the Unknown” and “Pride and Vengeance” (Maul – Shadow Lord: Chapters 2–3) we talk through Maul’s masterful messaging and how his most seductive ideas are also closest to the truth. We also discuss Master Daki’s unshakable faith in his Jedi training, Devon’s extremely shaky Padawan foundation, and Lawson’s three terrible family dynamics. This is a special episode: Not just a celebration of May the 4th, but also our 5-year anniversary as a podcast! Thank you so much for being on the ride. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:03:06 Plot Summary 00:13:18 Creating A Live-Action Animation 00:16:50 Maul’s Messaging 00:33:01 Devon, Daki, and the Force 00:42:01 Lawson and Other Terrible Family Dynamics 00:56:32 Bae Watch 01:04:10 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

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Maul – Shadow Lord: Season 1 Premiere

He’s out for revenge, and he doesn’t care who he takes down with him. The Maul – Shadow Lord Season 1 premiere plunges us into the gritty, abstracted cityscape of Janix, where Maul is unraveling at the edges. In our recap of “Chapter 1: The Dark Revenge” and “Chapter 2: Sinister Schemes,” we talk through the differences between Janix and Coruscant, and how the moody, macabre styling of this show reflect Maul’s twisted headspace. We also discuss our two Jedi on the run, ego death among the Sith, and cheeky chaotic evil droids. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:23 Plot Summary 00:10:11 Aesthetics and Meta Reasons For Them 00:18:10 Jedi on the Run 00:22:19 Janix vs. Coruscant 00:34:52 Ego Death Among the Sith 00:50:34 Bae Watch 00:56:51 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

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Maul: The Story Thus Far

Darth Maul. The Shadow. Shadow Lord. And after a while…just Maul. He’s got names for days and a story that spans galactic history. Who is he? What does he want? And what’s his story? In preparation for Maul: Shadow Lord, we watched every single movie and TV show Maul appears in, in chronological order, and bring you our thoughts on his arc. Themes of revenge and rebirth sweep across his epic journey. Maul’s tale is a dark, spare, and thrilling way to cover Star Wars’ greatest hits. Join us! Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:03:20 Highlights of the Darth Maul Story 00:08:06 Revenge 00:15:13 Rebirth 00:20:29 Thrawn vs. Maul 00:41:07 New Ground to Cover 00:48:38 Bae Watch 00:55:36 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

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Ahsoka Season 1 Finale: “The Jedi, The Witch, and the Warlord”

It’s Thrawn versus the New Republic. Who will triumph? We don’t find out in Ahsoka’s Season 1 Finale, that’s for sure. “The Jedi, The Witch, and The Warlord” is more concerned with rematches, sacrifices, callbacks, and deep lore—not hard and fast answers. Instead, we discuss the Mortis gods, ronin Jedi, and Morgan Elsbeth’s great tragedy. Next week, we’re departing from our usual programming to bring you a Maul Retrospective advance of “Maul—Shadow Lord.” And then we’re going on our long-delayed honeymoon, so you won’t hear from us for a few weeks. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Who Are We? 00:02:03 Plot Summary 00:11:29 Ronin Jedi 00:21:42 Baylan and the Mortis Gods 00:33:41 Thrawn vs. New Republic 00:47:05 Morgan Elsbeth’s Tragedy 00:55:54 Bae Watch 01:02:09 Closing Thoughts Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content!

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