Hyperspace Theories

Season One of The Mandalorian concluded with a two-part story arc consisting of “Chapter 7: The Reckoning” and “Chapter 8: Redemption.” In this episode of Hyperspace Theories, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester analyze how the finale episodes pay off the storytelling and characterization set up during the course of the season. We also look ahead to how the threads left open at the end of Season One may lay the groundwork for the stories to come in Season Two.

The finale episodes of Season One provide compelling character development for the titular Mandalorian (whose real name, we learn, is Din Djarin), as well as further evolving Baby Yoda’s understanding of the Force, a change of heart by Greef Carga, and the fateful sacrifices of Kuill and IG-11 to save the Child from Imperial captivity. We also discuss the humorous sequence at the opening of Chapter 8, involving the two biker scouts with Baby Yoda, and examine the storytelling impact and thematic purpose of humor in conveying a moral message to the audience. And of course we have to talk about the incredible new villain, Moff Gideon – who, it is revealed in the last moments of the season, is in possession of the Darksaber, an important relic of Mandalorian culture.

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Direct download: HyperspaceTheories_The_Mandalorian_S1_Part_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:06pm EDT

With Season Two of The Mandalorian premiering at the end of the month, our latest episode of Hyperspace Theories revisits the stories told in Season One. Between the three-episode opening arc and the two-episode conclusion falls a trio of distinct episodes that build and develop a number of important character dynamics. Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester discuss Chapter Four: Sanctuary, Chapter Five: The Gunslinger, and Chapter Six: The Prisoner and what they contribute to The Mandalorian’s story progression.

Many of those developments involve the show’s central and titular character. Like the middle of a Campbellian journey, Mando faces tests and trials while encountering allies and enemies. These episodes, for example, reinforce Mando’s distaste for droids and his sworn commitment to never remove his helmet around other people. They also show his worldly experience, his tactical combat prowess and creativity, and the code of honor that plays a role in determining which adversaries he defeats but leaves alive – and which ones he kills. And of course, his relationship with his ward, Baby Yoda, advances too, with a little prompting from Cara Dune, Omera, and Pelli Motto, as well as Mando’s own burgeoning affection for the child.

Check back soon for our next episode, also to be released before Season Two begins, when we will discuss the finale episodes of Season One.

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Direct download: HyperspaceTheories_The_Mandalorian_S1_Part_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00pm EDT

Teresa Delgado (Fangirls Going Rogue, Star Wars Bookworms) joins Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester of FANgirl Blog to discuss the concluding arc of The Clone Wars.

Direct download: HyperspaceTheories_Siege_of_Mandalore.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:02pm EDT

For this episode of Hyperspace Theories, the show comes full circle. Joining Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester for our continuing discussion of The Clone Wars Season Seven is Megan Crouse, a familiar name to long-time readers of FANgirl Blog – and our guest on the second-ever episode of the podcast. Megan wrote reviews of The Clone Wars episodes during Seasons Four and Five when they originally aired on Cartoon Network, as well as contributing book reviews and other articles. Since then, Megan has gone on to write for StarWars.Com, Star Wars Insider magazine, Den of Geek, and other websites. Welcome back, Megan!

The focus of our discussion is the second arc of Season Seven, which tells a story of Ahsoka's struggle to redefine her identity relatively soon after her resignation from the Jedi Order at the end of Season Five. Her thinking about herself is influenced by her interaction with the two sisters she meets early in the first episode: Trace and Rafa Martez. As Dave Filoni explained on Clone Wars Download, the sisters represent two possibilities for who Ahsoka could become: the earnest and compassion Trace, or the cynical and selfish Rafa. Over the course of the four episodes, Ahsoka makes her choice – and in the process helps Rafa realize that she can make different choices for herself and her sister, too.

In addition to discussing Ahsoka and the Martez sisters, we discuss other themes highlighted by this story arc, particularly how the Jedi Order has been morally compromised. We also share thoughts about how this arc relates to other stories from The Clone Wars, including the novel Dark Disciple and the first two episodes of the final Siege of Mandalore arc, which had already aired by the time of recording.

 

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Direct download: Hyperspace_Theories_Martez_arc.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:44pm EDT

Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester discuss the storytelling behind The Clone Wars Bad Batch arc.

Direct download: HyperspaceTheories_Bad_Batch_Arc.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:13pm EDT

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