Most Things Kenobi - A Star Wars Podcast

MAJOR Spoilers ahead in this episode if you have not read the book "Rebel Rising", so proceed with cation! With that being said, we have recently read the novel and have many, MANY thoughts on it (especially after seeing the "Andor" series!) This is the story of Jyn Erso's life after Saw Gerrera rescues her from the bunker on Lah'mu in "Rogue One", and spans through the years leading up to when we see her again in the movie. The novel also answers a lot of the questions on where Jyn's attitude, her fighting skills, her growing abandonment issues, and her eventual hope for the future comes from. We'll discuss all this and more, and explain all the incredible (and heartbreaking) similarities there are between Jyn's story and Cassian's story. We ask the question: did the Force bring them together in the end? We give our answers and we hope you provide us yours as well. 

In this week's episode we're using a different approach to analyze the original trilogy in the Star Wars universe; we're discussing our favorite characters' entrances and exits. How does their first appearance on screen compare with their last? Is there symbolism in the cinematography? Does an entrance or an exit play into a larger narrative? Join us as we examine R2D2, C3PO, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo & Chewbacca, Lando, the Emperor, and Yoda through this unusual lens.

Our Patrons chose the topic of this week's episode, and we couldn't be happier. They wanted us to do a character study on everyone's favorite galactic pirate, Hondo Ohnaka! He's become a fixture in the Star Wars universe and one of our personal favorite characters! From his original appearance in The Clone Wars, his continuation in Rebels, comics, and even his current residency at Disney's "Galaxy's Edge" theme park, how has one Weequay pirate stood the test of time and stolen the hearts of millions (not to mention spices, goods, and occasionally even some people?) We'll discuss it all in this episode! 

Oh you thought the torture and drama and insanity was over? WRONG. "Escape from Kadavo" is the dramatic and crazy conclusion of this three part episode arc, and it does not disappoint. We get it all: we finally get to see the slaves escaping (but, um...why so few? where did all the other slaves go?) We get Rex javelin-spearing a fat dude in a floating chair through the chest. We get Anakin and Ahsoka not having any sort of conversation over wtf just happened with the Zygerrians and why they were sent on this mission in the first place. It's the culmination of a rather traumatic mission, despite the entertainment it provided. But, in the end, it's a happy one (kind of.) The mental and physical scars that Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Rex sustain on this mission linger long after it has ended, but hey - at least the people of Kiros were saved! Ah yes, we adore you, Kadavo Arc! 

Here is part 2 of our breakdown of the Kadavo Arc from The Clone Wars. If you can believe it, things get even crazier as Obi-Wan gets another beating of a lifetime, Anakin seduces a queen, and Ahsoka goes under cover as a slave...oh, and Rex tags along in the mayhem. "Slaves of the Republic" has stuff we never thought we would see in a kids animated series...but as we all know by now, Clone Wars is not your ordinary kid's show. Sit back and enjoy the chaos with us!

This week we're heading back to The Clone Wars as we break down some of our favorite episodes: The Kadavo Arc. We start with "Kidnapped," a crazy plot that includes Obi-Wan getting the sh!t kicked out of him, Anakin completely losing his temper, and Ahsoka doing her best in the middle of the chaos. Join us as we discuss one of the most notorious Clone Wars stories full of beatings, kidnapping, and A LOT of bruises.

This week we conclude our deep discussion on Obi-Wan and Darth Maul's relationship throughout Star Wars, beginning with "The Lawless" and finishing with the dramatic conclusion between these two linked characters in Rebels episode "Twin Suns." We even discuss Maul's twisted, sordid obsession with Satine and his shrine we catch a glimpse of in Rebels, dissecting what we think the shrine meant and how it shows a new level of Maul's character. In the end, Obi-Wan and Maul are two characters who have been connected from the start, and the compassion Obi-Wan shows Maul in the end shows Obi-Wan's true character. What a full circle story between the two of them. We hope we covered it sufficiently between our previous episode and this week's episode, because as painful as their story is: it's one of the greatest in Star Wars.  

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul's lives have been linked since the beginning: from The Phantom Menace all the way through to Star Wars Rebels, these two characters have shared loss, isolation and emotion together, and have had a constant presence in one another's life. In this episode, we break down the similarities and differences between these two characters, starting with the Phantom Menace through The Clone Wars "Revival" episode. (In next week's episode, we'll pick it back up and continue through their conclusion in Star Wars Rebels episode, "Twin Suns.") We also raise the question of whether it was a smart idea to bring Maul back, and if it has forwarded the Star Wars story in a positive or negative way. Given that we're dedicating two episodes to this dumpster fire of a relationship between Kenobi and Maul - you probably already know our answer!

We. Freaking. Loved. This. Show. Andor was a brilliant work of art that we both absolutely adored. In this episode, we go through our favorite moments from Andor 8-12, including revisiting the epic monologues, gushing about Diego Luna's beautiful portrayal of Cassian (GIVE THIS MAN AN AWARD!!!), spazzing out about Mon Mothma's ruthlessness, and gushing about Maarva'S brick, Brasso's hug, B2EMO's hologram projection, Kino's courage (we will never forget you, Kino!!!), Luthen's sacrifice, and more!!!

This is week 2 of getting to know your hosts, and it's Lauren's turn to ask LeeAnn all the questions! Plenty of the questions are Star Wars related, and many more are off-the-wall and totally unrelated...and prove to be equally hilarious and insightful. Plus, there's the Rapid Fire Star Wars Round at the end, which was a blast to record. Hell, BOTH episodes of Lauren and LeeAnn asking each other questions were a blast to record! We hope you got to know your hosts a little more and laughed along with us.