Star Wars Generations Podcast • Beyond the Screen

Danielle (Written in the Star Wars) stole the keys to the podcast, and took Erin off on a joyride without me! Aka, I was out of town this week, and these two awesome creators took over the podcast for me, recording their thoughts on The Bad Batch, Season 2, Episode 9, along with bonus content about the best bounty hunters in the galaxy.Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaDanielle (she/her) spends her days talking too much about Star Wars, MCU, and The Last of Us. She’s also a PhD researcher in Text & Image Studies, which basically means she gets read lots of comics and call it work. You can find her on TikTok at writteninthestarwars, Twitter at danies394, and Instagram at writteninthesw. You can find more of her content on the Bad Batch on Templeofgeek.com https://templeofgeek.com/author/danielle/Erin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer, she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her:Tik Tok @amateurahsokaInstagram: lady.tano.createsWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!

Danielle (Written in the Star Wars) joins Erin and I to talk clones, conspiracies, & consequences as we dive into The Bad Batch, season 2, episodes 7-8.Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaDanielle (she/her) spends her days talking too much about Star Wars, MCU, and The Last of Us. She’s also a PhD researcher in Text & Image Studies, which basically means she gets read lots of comics and call it work. You can find her on TikTok at writteninthestarwars, Twitter at danies394, and Instagram at writteninthesw. You can find more of her content on the Bad Batch on Templeofgeek.com https://templeofgeek.com/author/danielle/Erin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer, she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her:Tik Tok @amateurahsokaInstagram: lady.tano.createsWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!

Erin and I continue our coverage of The Bad Batch with season 2, episode 6.Patrons get access to bonus content with every episode! To show your support for this podcast, and all things Ethical Panda, please join us at - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaErin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer. she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her atTik Tok @amateurahsokaInstagram: lady.tano.createsWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPanda

AJ (Jedi_Starkiller) joins Erin and I to talk The Bad Batch, Season 2, Episode 5. We love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandar go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!Erin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer. she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her atTik Tok @amateurahsokaInstagram: lady.tano.createsAJ is a Star Wars fan, MtG Commander Player, Movie Buff, Comic Book Fan, family man, dog dad. Find Content on: @Jedi_Starkiller on TikTok and YouTube, he/him

We're talking Mario Kart, we're talking Tech, we're talking Crosshair's emotional damage and why so many of us relate to it- its Erin McGowan and I talking The Bad Batch Season 2, Episode 4.My cohost Erin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer. she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her atTik Tok @amateurahsokaInstagram: lady.tano.createsLily Bean, the cosplay Erin mentioned, can be found at - https://www.instagram.com/lily.bean.cosplay/We want to hear what you think! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!

Erin and I come to you from the frozen plains of Hoth (Minnesota) to talk The Bad Batch, Season 2, Episode 3.Thank you to our newest patrons, Riley and Mary Garrett! To join our partreon and access the bonus content, go to - https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpanda. We love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandar go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!

Erin McGowan and I jump into The Bad Batch, season 2, episodes 1-2. Enjoying our content? Please think about giving back by supporting our patreon! https://www.patreon.com/theethicalpandaWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!For more on UnWhiteWash the Bad Batch, check out - https://unwhitewashthebadbatch.carrd.co/

The very, very, VERY long overdue part 2 of Paul and I talking about Star Wars in 2022.

With The Bad Batch Season 2 a week away, we look back at the characters and story lines from season one, bringing you up to speed with all you need to know for season 2!We'll be releasing episode by episode coverage, so be sure to subscribe to Star Wars Universe Podcast so you can follow along! We want to hear what you think! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!My guest Erin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer. she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her atTik Tok @amateurahsokaInstagram: lady.tano.creates

Erin McGowan and I dive into Season 1 of Star Wars Resistance! We talk about the main characters and their journeys, and how the story depicts the reasons for the fall of the New Republic and the rise of the First Order. Erin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer. she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her atTik Tok @amateurahsokaInstagram: lady.tano.creates

Matthew and Paul embark on a quest to discuss every bit of Star Wars released in 2022. Part 1 covers Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Book of Boba Fett. Part 2 will cover Tales of the Jedi and Star Wars Summer Vacation, as well as novels and video games.

Ashoka Cosplayer and Star Wars SuperFan Erin McGowan joins Paul and myself to talk Andor & Ashoka, and some of the great feedback you've all been sending us!Erin McGowan is a Twin Cities based cosplayer. she/her, who is new to cosplay and LOVING it. You can find her atTik Tok @amateurahsokaInstagram: lady.tano.createsWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!

Danielle (Written in the Star Wars) and AJ (Jedi_Starkiller) join me to look back at Andor and deep dive into our thoughts on the stories that were and weren't covered. Danielle (she/her) spends her days talking too much about Star Wars, MCU, and The Last of Us. She’s also a PhD researcher in Text & Image Studies, which basically means she gets read lots of comics and call it work. You can find her on TikTok at writteninthestarwars, Twitter at danies394, and Instagram at writteninthesw.AJ is a Star Wars fan, MtG Commander Player, Movie Buff, Comic Book Fan, family man, dog dad. Find Content on: @Jedi_Starkiller on TikTok and YouTube, he/himWe love feedback! To ask questions or let us know what you think, contact us atEmail: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comTwitter: https://EthicalPanda77Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEthicalPandaOr go to our website www.theethicalpanda.com for more information, contact info and to find all of our podcasts!

The finale is finally here!Prof Matthew Kappell returns to join Paul and myself to talk about Andor ep 12.Matthew Wilhelm Kapell has taught everything from human genetics to film studies at universities and colleges in California, Michigan, the UK, and now New York City at Pace University. Currently he edits an academic book series on the study of digital and tabletop games. You can find out about his books and other stuff at matthewkapell.com. He never forgets that too many “Hero’s Journeys” are also “Heroine’s Ordeals.”

Prof Matthew Kappell returns to join Paul and myself to talk about Andor ep 11.Matthew Wilhelm Kapell has taught everything from human genetics to film studies at universities and colleges in California, Michigan, the UK, and now New York City at Pace University. Currently he edits an academic book series on the study of digital and tabletop games. You can find out about his books and other stuff at matthewkapell.com. He never forgets that too many “Hero’s Journeys” are also “Heroine’s Ordeals.”

Maul Returns: Breaking Down the Shadow Lord Trailer and His Clone Wars SurvivalThe Star Wars timeline between Revenge of the Sith and Rebels remains one of the franchise’s most intriguing periods, and the upcoming Maul: Shadow Lord series drops us right into the early Imperial era. With the trailer now public, we’re revisiting how Maul survived being bisected in The Phantom Menace and examining the Clone Wars episodes that revealed his shocking return, along with the trailer itself. From spider-legged madness to criminal syndicate mastermind, Maul’s journey through the underworld of the galaxy takes center stage as he faces Inquisitors, builds his empire, and potentially trains a new apprentice in Darth Talon.In this episode, we discuss:When does Maul: Shadow Lord take place in the Star Wars timeline, and how does it connect to The Bad Batch and Solo?What are Maul’s motivations during the early Imperial era, and why is he building a criminal empire?How does the character of Savage Opress differ from Maul in his approach to brutality and the dark side?Why does Maul constantly seek apprentices, and what does this reveal about his psychological state after being abandoned by Palpatine?What makes the Clone Wars episodes revealing Maul’s survival so important for understanding his character arc?How does Maul’s obsession with both destroying and mimicking the Sith master-servant dynamic define his actions?**************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Clone Cadets: Where Domino Squad Learned to Stop FailingBefore Fives uncovered Order 66 and Echo became a cyborg, they were just cadets who couldn't pass basic training. This Season 3 premiere of Clone Wars takes us to Kamino's training facilities where Domino Squad—Echo, Fives, Hevy, Droidbait, and Cutup—face decommissioning if they can't learn to work as a team. With Shaak Ti advocating for compassion, Bric sabotaging their test, and 99 offering unexpected wisdom, these misfits must prove that clone troopers are more than their numbers.Matthew, Erin, and youngest fan Aurelia (age 11) explore why this training episode hits differently when you know where these characters end up, and how Dee Bradley Baker manages to voice an entire squad talking to themselves.Questions We Discussed:Why does leaving a man behind result in automatic failure, and how does that theme echo throughout Clone Wars?How does Shaak Ti's motherly compassion toward the clones contrast with her minimal role in the prequel films?What makes 99 such a compelling character despite his brief appearances in the series?Why do clone naming conventions matter so much to characters like Fives and Echo?What makes Dee Bradley Baker's voice work in clone-heavy scenes so impressive when each character remains instantly identifiable?How does knowing Fives' and Echo's eventual fates change the way we watch their origin story?**************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

Why We Love Star Wars Novels: Behind the Scenes of Star Wars Generations Book ClubThe Star Wars Generations hosts pull back the curtain on their popular book club series, explaining what makes the written word such a powerful medium for galaxy far, far away storytelling. Erin, Alex, and Matthew share their personal journeys with Star Wars literature and preview upcoming selections.What makes Star Wars books worth reading when the franchise is so visual? While Star Wars is known for spectacular lightsaber duels and space battles, novels provide something films cannot: direct access to characters' internal thoughts and emotional struggles. This inside-the-head perspective reveals motivations, moral conflicts, and character development that external observation alone cannot capture, making quieter characters and complex political situations come alive.How did Karen Traviss's Republic Commando series revolutionize clone representation? Traviss transformed clones from the faceless soldiers seen in Attack of the Clones into fully realized individuals. By exploring what it means to be a 10-year-old mind in a warrior's body—someone with combat training but limited life experience—the series gave clones emotional depth and raised profound questions about creating sentient beings designed for war.Why do some fans prefer Senate politics to lightsaber battles? Books allow for detailed exploration of governmental intrigue and bureaucratic maneuvering that would never sustain a film or TV show. Whether it's Claudia Gray's Bloodline following Princess Leia through New Republic politics or imagining literal Senate meeting minutes from the late Republic era, novels serve readers who find the talking more compelling than the fighting.How do novels keep the Star Wars universe alive between screen content? For fans who grew up with limited films and shows, books opened doors to unexplored corners of the galaxy and filled gaps that visual media cannot cover. From the original Timothy Zahn Thrawn trilogy to modern canon novels, books answer lingering questions, develop side characters, and create the connective tissue between major events—including crucial story elements like Vader discovering Padmé's grave that many fans miss in comics.Other Topics Covered:How the Darth Plagueis novel makes the prequel trilogy more meaningfulThe value of reading movie novelizations for additional character insightHow Thrawn's journey from Legends books to Rebels to Ahsoka demonstrates the book-to-screen pipelineThe challenge of reading established film characters on page versus original literary creationsDoctor Aphra's successful transition from comics to audio dramatizationThe hosts' different relationships with comics versus proseImportant canon revelations happening in comics that fans might missHow books serve readers at different ages and knowledge levelsThe hosts invite listeners to read along and share their own Star Wars reading recommendations, with advance notice of upcoming topics for group discussion. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

As 2025 draws to a close, the Star Wars landscape looks radically different than it did a year ago. The Acolyte's cancellation sent shockwaves through the fandom, Skeleton Crew emerged as an unexpected gem, and Andor Season 2 proved why some stories are worth the wait. Matthew, Erin, and Alex reunite to reflect on a tumultuous year that saw creative risks, behind-the-scenes drama, and a franchise at a crossroads.Questions We ExploredHow did Skeleton Crew defy expectations to become one of the year's standout shows? From Jod Na Nawood's complex villainy to the show's Amblin-inspired heart, we discuss what made this series work when skepticism ran high.Did Andor Season 2 deliver on its promise as prestige Star Wars television? We break down why this season elevated political drama in the franchise and why the three-episode arcs proved so effective.What does the Mandoverse's future look like after The Mandalorian and Grogu film announcement? We explore Dave Filoni's expanding role and whether interconnected storytelling helps or hinders individual shows.How has Star Wars animation evolved with Tales of the Empire and The Bad Batch's conclusion? We discuss Morgan Elsbeth's origin story, Barriss Offee's redemption, and whether animated content is carrying the franchise's creative torch.What role did fandom toxicity play in shaping this year's Star Wars conversation? From review bombing to the Acolyte controversy, we examine how online discourse impacts creative decisions and cast members.Where should Star Wars go next to recapture its creative momentum? We offer our perspectives on what stories the franchise should tell, which risks are worth taking, and how to balance nostalgia with innovation.**************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

With a new season of Star Wars: Visions out, we’re talking about the stories we love, the ones that made us think, and the ones that made us scratch our heads. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.