Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens

Matthew is out this week, but Erin and Alex have all the hot takes on Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Season 3, Episode 5, titled "The Return."

The duo delves into the dynamics between Hunter and Crosshair — exploring the complexities of their brotherhood — and discusses Wrecker's unique knack for uniting the team. They also ponder over why the Bad Batch could really use a pet.

Members: don't miss our bonus segment on "The Luckless Rodian," a captivating story by Renée Ahdieh from the anthology Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View: A New Hope.

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

Can Omega and Crosshair find a way to work together? What has Alex so excited about Project Necromancer? Can our hosts stick to this episode without diving into a discussion of Saw Gerrera, Andor, the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to fight the empire, and events in our own world? (That one is clearly a "no.")

We continue our journey along with Crosshair, Omega, Hunter, Wrecker, and the rest of our favorites in our coverage of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, season 3, episode 4: "A Different Approach". With bonus content for members on "Beru Whitessun Lars," by Meg Cabot, a short story from Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View, A New Hope.

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

Join hosts Matthew Fox and Erin McGowan as they dive deep into the first three episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, season three. They analyze key plot points, discuss character arcs and development, explore major themes, and speculate on what's to come in the rest of the season. Whether you're a diehard Star Wars fan or just enjoy compelling storytelling, this episode offers insight that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next episodes.

Key Questions Discussed:

• How did Omega and Crosshair end up imprisoned and what is their dynamic like now?
• What do the experiments at Hemlock's lab imply about Palpatine’s motivations regarding cloning technology?
• How does the horror vibe of the vine planet tie into larger themes of scientific amorality in the show?
• What does Emery's perspective reveal about the complex power dynamics under oppression?
• Does Omega’s compassion for Crosshair and Emery reveal a character flaw or moral strength?

Other Topics Covered:

• Speculation about Omega’s origins and Force sensitivity
• Analysis of villains like Dr. Hemlock and their detachment from consequences
• The emotional significance of the Bad Batch being split up
• Importance of clone identity and found family in the show
• How the squad’s coordinated escape plan connects them despite past conflict
• Clone aging and the introduction of young clone characters

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

It’s Erin’s world - we’re just living in it! With Matthew and Alex unavailable, Erin McGowan (Lady Tano Presents) goes over the key characters and plot points of Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 2 and all the reasons she's so excited for the upcoming season 3. Her mini episode leads into a rebroadcast of our The Bad Batch Season 2 Wrap Up episode we did after the last season finished.

Whether you're a diehard Batcher, or you've never seen an episode but might check out season 3, this is the episode for you!

Bonus Content for Members: Erin talks about the 2010 book Star Wars: Red Harvest by Joe Schreiber. Force zombies? Force zombies!

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

Could the Galactic Republic have just let the Separatists go? Is Padawan Anakin a romantic figure or a walking red flag? Does Jango Fett get a bad rap, and can we find things in this movie to love, and how freaking cool were seismic charges?

Alex, Erin, & Matthew dive into Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. We explore the above questions and more, including:

Was Count Dooku right in what he said to Obi-Wan Kenobi? Did he intend to join with Kenobi against Darth Sidious?
What draws Padmé to Anakin, and why can she look past his murder of the Tusken Raiders?
What does this movie teach us about the hubris of the Jedi, and the number of Jedi Masters who ignored Anakin's warning signs?
Why does Matthew call lightsaber-wielding Yoda a bouncing green ball of ableism?

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

Join hosts Erin McGowan, Alex Kormann, and Matthew Fox as they discuss Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. What was our first viewing of the movie like? How have our feelings on it changed over the years? We discuss what we liked and what didn’t work for us, how the movie fit into the version of the past the Original Trilogy paints, and then dive into ethical questions such as the nature of the Force, was Qui-Gon Jinn wrong to try and use mind tricks on Watto, and why Natalie Portman’s Queen Amidala was giving side eye flirts to a 9 year old Anakin Skywalker.

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

Join host Matthew Fox and guests Riki Hayashi and Sarah Hayashi as we discuss the Star Wars Rebels series finale, "Family Reunion and Farewell." They explore the events of the last episode, analyze key character arcs, praise the show's found family theme, and share their thoughts on what makes it a satisfying conclusion.

• Overview of the finale's plot wrapping up the Lothal storyline and showing where the characters end up 5 years later after Return of the Jedi
• Strong performances from recurring guests like Hondo and satisfaction seeing secondary characters return
• Excellent portrayal of Emperor Palpatine by Ian McDermid and Ezra resisting his manipulation
• Callus completing his redemption arc and earning Zeb's trust and love
• The show's found family theme mirrored in the Ghost crew's connections versus Thrawn and the Empire's isolation
• Powerful ending for the Clone troopers Gregor and Rex fighting for a cause they believe in
• Ezra foregoing temptation to have his parents revived to stay true to his found family
• Hera, Rex and Zeb/Callus' roles in the later Rebellion and New Republic

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

We wrap up our discussion of the Star Wars original trilogy—things we noticed, favorite characters and storylines, issues, and parts of which we want more.

Key Discussion Points

• Our greater appreciation for the original trilogy and characters like Han, Luke, and Leia after analyzing them more closely as adults
• We examine issues around the "Slave Leia" outfit and the need for more diversity in the original trilogy casts
• Lucas was a creative visionary but needed editors and collaborators to refine his ideas into an accessible story
• The trilogy holds up well as a coherent narrative, more so than the prequels or sequels
• Highlights include the droids as connective threads and Greek chorus, the consistent humor of C-3PO, and Mark Hamill's layered performance as Luke

Other Topics Covered:

• Flaws like the Leia sibling reveal, underdeveloped characters like Chewbacca, and logic gaps around the Falcon being tracked
• Possible spinoff shows around characters like Lando Calrissian and backstories of figures like Mon Mothma
• Whether a standalone Darth Vader movie is needed or if appearances in other stories would be better
• Cosplay charity events for kids with communication disorders

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

The first trailer for season three of Star Wars: The Bad Batch is live, and Alex Kormann joins me to talk about it!

Stay tuned for episode coverage of Hunter, Wrecker, Echo, Crosshair, and Omega, starting in February.

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

With Matthew delayed by Midwest weather, Alex & Erin dive into some fan questions about Return of the Jedi, the debate over slave/Jabba's slayer Leia, and Alex's continued efforts to work Revenge of the Sith into every conversation possible!

Bonus content for members, hear Erin gives her version of a Krayt Dragon roar, while they talk about "Rites," by John Jackson Miller, a short story in From a Certain Point of View: A New Hope.

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!

Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM Podcast
• Email: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com
• 𝕏: SWGenerations
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: SWGenerationsPod
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!
• You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.
• To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams!

You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55.

Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.