Through the first five episodes of The Bad Batch, very traditional and clear Star Wars themes are shining through. Family, hope, rogues, underdogs. All present and accounted for. Where the series is dressed in such traditional Star Wars garb, the connection and contrast between identity and belonging has put the spotlight clearly on itself after […]
Read more "Belonging and The Bad Batch: Rampage"The rise of the Empire came quietly sneaking up on the galaxy through the machinations of Palpatine, but once its flag flew there was no denying it. The new regime challenged the identity of all citizens. In this restructuring, rogues such as Clone Force 99, The Bad Batch, would have to figure out who they […]
Read more "Belonging and The Bad Batch: Cornered"Light and dark. Good and evil. Jedi and Sith. Duality and Dyads. The binary nature of life, and the spectrum of that binary, is about as Star Wars as one can get. The Bad Batch, which has become a story about belonging and identity, set up ideas in the first two episodes that fully birthed […]
Read more "Belonging and The Bad Batch: Replacements."When Maul, formerly Darth, and Lady Tano finally met on Mandalore, it felt like the moment had been building for years. But Maul didn’t know Ahsoka, and she knew him by reputation and connections alone. Why did it feel like this meeting, this moment, was inevitable? The answer lies in their paths. Maul and Ahsoka […]
Read more "Maul and Ahsoka: Light and Dark Manifest"The Mandalorian was expected to be the dark and gritty Star Wars show. Instead, it’s a story about a dad and his kid. Enter The Bad Batch, a show expected to be focused on a group of outcasts on the run and hiding for survival. But, once more, it is a story about a dad […]
Read more "Belonging and The Bad Batch: Cut and Run"“You can either adapt and survive or die with the past.” In the aftermath of a war, in the aftermath of any trauma, there are but those two choices. One most grow and evolve, absorbing trauma into self or die. The death may be metaphorical rather than literal, as we all can think of someone […]
Read more "Belonging and The Bad Batch: Aftermath"When season seven of Clone Wars went from an idea to an actuality, hype immediately surpassed anything since the announcement of Disney buying Lucasfilm and declaring that Episode VII would be a reality. While the “Siege of Mandalore” is undoubtedly one of the best entries into Star Wars canon, full stop, the other two arcs […]
Read more "Why We Need Clone Force 99 Now More Than Ever"The darkness rises. The pain pours from his eyes as he looks into those of his father, both knowing what he should do and what he will do. The father knows it too, although he is trying to change the course of destiny. But he can’t. The red blade ignites. “Thank you,” the son tells […]
Read more "Killing the Father: Destiny or Choice?"There are moments that define a fandom and define a fan’s life. Luke Skywalker’s entrance into the story of The Mandalorian scores on both accounts, leaving Star Wars different forevermore. Yet, there is something familiar. There is something that makes it, beyond the Skywalker name, beyond the green lightsaber, beyond the epicness of the action, […]
Read more "Shmi and Anakin May Predict the Future of The Mandalorian"The last chapter has concluded, closing the book on the lives of Din Dijarin and his son, Grogu, for the time being. Where season one set up the relationship between the two, the second season has focused on the strengthening of that bond, while also challenging their individual identities. As great Star Wars does, it […]
Read more "Meaning in Mando Chapter 16 and Season Review"
CLASHING SABERS 