The Believer Analysis

A bonus episode! This is Part 2 of Stories by Darksaber Light's analysis of The Book of Boba Fett, Episode 5, "The Return of the Mandalorian." While the previous episode was a bit more clinical, this one the emotions come out, and we invite special guest Meg Dowell to join in the laments! We react to the glassing of Sundari and the new insights we've gotten into Mando culture, and talk about the darkness of recent Star Wars content and why going forward, we'd like to see hope to offset that despair.

Stories by Darksaber Light is back after a long hiatus and ready to dive deep into more Star Wars and analyze its storytelling. On this episode, Jess and Arica Jade react to the Episode 5 of "The Mandalorian" . . . I mean . . . "The Book of Boba Fett." The first half includes overview of the (sometimes confusing) timeline regarding Mandalorian history that the shows have given us, and the second have takes a dive into a conversation around the ways that Din and Luke relate to their pasts. What aspects will they seek to keep in their own lives moving forward? And what aspects are better left behind them?

Happy (belated) Star Wars Day! Recorded before the premiere of The Bad Batch, Arica and Jess discuss what they hope to see in the new show, and tackle a deep conversation surrounding the enduring messages of Star Wars, bringing up topics of philosophy, theology, worldviews, raising kids, and particularly, the enduring theme of hope. Other topics include why Star Wars being "for kids" is a good thing that should be embraced and celebrated and how Star Wars and other sci-fi shows (Stargate, Star Trek) maintain unique balances between the familiar & fantastical.

Join Jess and Arica for a detour through Westview and the storytelling of WandaVision. We discuss sitcom history and tropes, the uniqueness of WandaVision's premise, and the show's explorations of grief and healing. We also compare WandaVision and The Mandalorian -- not as a way to determine which is "better" -- but as as way to explore the purpose of each show, what can be expected from Star Wars and Marvel Disney+ shows in the future, and how fan expectations and theories both increase our enjoyment of new material and can set us up for disappointment. We also ask the important questions, like "which sitcoms would you like to live through?"

Join Jess, Arica, and special guest Meg Dowell for an ALL-MANDALORIAN EXTRAVAGANZA!!! Hear them reflect on the new material we got in The Mandalorian Season 2 but also celebrate Mandalorians more generally. They'll explore fan-favorite characters and episodes from The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Mandalorian, gush over the iconic Darksaber, talk about what Mandalorian-focused stories they'd like to see, and examine why narratively, Korkie Kryze (or is that his real last name?) could be future of Star Wars storytelling.

Princess Leia has been one of the most iconic fictional film characters for over forty years: a symbol of resistance, resilience, and Girl Power personified. Join Jess and guests Merisha (Coruscant Radio Underground) and Michelle (Force of Light Entertainment) as they discuss Leia in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, how Leia's upbringing prepared her for the person she becomes, Leia's love for her son and Ben Solo's redemption, and the role Carrie Fisher played in keeping intelligent, beautiful, successful Leia from ever feeling unrealistic. 

In this first installment of Star Wars Relationships, join Jess and Arica for a special "Valenship" episode as they discuss their love of "shipping," their favorite couples, tropes within Star Wars romance, romantic relationships as a catalyst for character development (Luke x Mara), the parallel and foil of Anidala/Obitine, how The Clone Wars' romances retroactively impact the Revenge of the Sith and the original trilogy, and the ultimate OTP: Luke/Hot Chocolate.

Join Jess and Arica as they introduce themselves and talk a bit about when and how they got into Star Wars, set the stage for what's coming in the first full-length season of Stories by Darksaber Light, talk about why Star Wars is a franchise that has had a lasting generational impact, and discuss what future projects they are particularly excited for.  Recorded in honor of the first annual Star Wars Podcast Day (February 7th, 2021), chosen in recognition of the original airdate of Jedi Talk, the first Star Wars podcast, which premiered in 1999.

With so much to talk about in regards to both the Mandalorians and the Jedi, join Jess and Arica for a long and heart-felt discussion on the final episode of The Mandalorian Season 2.  Topics of discussion include the "Mandalorian" heritage of the clones, rules of Darksaber succession, celebration of great female warriors/characters, Gideon's Bluffs, Grogu's agency, potential continuity changes, the status of Sundari, and *hope* in Star Wars and at the end of a very difficult year.  Happy Holidays to all of our listeners. You have made this an immensely enjoyable experience. We will be back after a short hiatus will all-new content in the new year!

Join Jess, Arica, and special guest Maggie for discussion of a deeply philosophical new episode of The Mandalorian. Topics include the strength of convictions and when we're willing to break them, the idea of characters living in transitions (the "inbetween places"), the similarities between Din and Migs Mayfeld, and crafting 3-dimensional characters in storytelling.