A More Civilized Age: A Star Wars Podcast

Folks, we did it. After a middling pair of episodes last time and with what looked like a connected pair of stories coming up, we decided to call an audible and increase our episode count to three! So, today, join us on a journey across the galaxy: First into an experimental imperial weapon with its origin in the EU glory days of old, then on a planetary hunt for force-sensitive babies, and finally a return to Lothal where a troubled Ezra Bridger finally gets some answers about his family.  Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Show Notes Natalie's Phone Background Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

After Season 2's strong start, the crew of the Ghost is finally settling into a lower key rhythm, which has both ups and its down. On the plus side this week, we get a loving look at the B-Wing (an all time great Star Wars ship design) and some more Sabine and Hera backstory! On the other... well, that backstory ain't all that great, and we're really feeling to limits of these one-off episodes.  Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Next time: Rebels 24 & 25 ("Stealth Strike" and "The Future of the Force") Show Notes The Acolyte Trailer Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)    

This is a week for introductions and reunions. First, Rebels offers us our first real look at the Inquisitors left behind by the now fallen Grand Inquisitor. Then, as Ezra begins to doubt his place in the burgeoning rebellion, he stumbles into an old acquaintance of ours. Yes... he's back. Yes. Him. Hondo Ohnaka. And wouldn't you know it? He just happens to be looking for a new crew member,  Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Next time: Rebels 22 & 23 ("Wings of the Master" and "Blood Sisters") Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)  

We were pretty high on our return to Rebels last episode, and for good reason. This time the mood continues to improve with the return of some familiar faces. Come on in, grab a cold one, and kick your feet up... because the boys... ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Next time: Rebels 20 & 21 ("Always Two There Are" and "Brothers of the Broken Horn") Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

After months spent bouncing around the galaxy of the Old Republic, we are finally back to the wonders of the... lemme just check my notes... the era of the Empire! That's right, folks, the Emperor, Governor Tarkin, and Darth Vader are at it again, expanding their control over the galaxy and squeezing out any attempt at resistance. And you know what? It's good to be back. Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Next time: Rebels 18 & 19 ("The Lost Commanders" and "Relics of the Old Republic") Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

In only ten episodes, we've traveled from the comfortable military quarters of the Ender Spire to the viewing platform of an ancient alien species' life-devouring shipyard. Finally, it's time to face our destinies: Some of us must overcome the sudden separation from our companions and the limits of our support-focused character builds. Others must commit to doing absolutely cartoonishly evil things to our erstwhile allies.  But all of us have to dig deep... deep into our inventories, and finally use all those mines and grenades that we've been hoovering up over the last 30 hours. Thanks for joining us during this wonderful diversion into the time of the Old Republic! If you've enjoyed this season, consider supporting the show on Patreon. And make sure to get your questions for our KOTOR Q&A episode ASAP: Send them to amorecivilizedage at gmail dot com! Next time: Rebels 16 & 17 ("The Siege of Lothal Parts 1 & 2") Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)  

After last episode's grand "reveal," we're left with only a few goals remaining: one star map, a handful of side quests, and the grand finale. And hey, next up is Korriban, home of the Sith Academy and many of the events we've recently covered in our comic episodes over on our Patreon! Join us as we finally meet a character willing to explain what the Sith believe, delve into a bunch of tombs, meet Carth's son, and try to lord our newly (re)discovered status as [static sound] over the pitiful Sith undergrads. Next time: All remaining side quests + the end of the game! Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

FINALLY! After months of careful (if fundamentally futile) spoiler avoidance, we can can finally talk about the Big Twist of KOTOR. What's that? It seems as if our duo of new players had already basically figured it out? Well, hold your tongue, because there's knowing "the twist" and then there's really understanding how (and who) exactly did the twisting.  Next time: Korriban and any pre-finale side content Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Show Notes Strategy Wiki's KOTOR Guide RPG Classic's KOTOR Shrine Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)   Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized!

Ah, the blue waves of Manaan, home to the galaxy's only supply of a miracle drug, the most litigious culture in the stars, and a delicately simmering cold war. Time to go knock the whole thing off balance. Next time: THE LEVIATHAN (and any non-Korriban side stuff you wanna catch up on!) Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

From week to week, from planet after planet, one thing has remained true about our journey through the Old Republic: Zaalbar has kept his lips sealed. Sure, he'll make you a grenade. But ask him about what he knows about a place or how he's feeling or, god forbid, what his home is like? Complete. Brick. Wall. Well that ends today, because we've landed on a little world called Kashyyyk. Time to find out if the saying is true: A Wookie can never really go home again. Next time: We head to the sea planet of Manaan. Make sure to take care of any non-Korriban multi-planet sidequests before you get the star map! Show Notes   Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)  

We're back with more KOTOR! And wouldn't you know it, we're also back once again to Tatooine, the planet Star Wars just can't stay away from. What's up with this desert world some 4,000 years before Luke ever farmed a single drop of moisture? Well, would you believe a Hutt is running swoop bike races? Or that there are tensions between the indigenous population of the planet and human colonizers? What if I told you that a giant desert creature was a major threat? Grimy cantina with weirdos in it? All of this sound familiar? Well it better, because we wouldn't have it any other way. Next time: We finally head to Big Z's homeworld: Kashyyyk Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)  

The unlikely crew of the Ebon Hawk has ESCAPED Taris and set their sights for Dantooine, where TRUTHS and MYSTERIES await. We've got Jedi temples! We got mysterious ruins! We got beasts upset by a disturbance in the force! We got decades long feuds! We got droids! ....eugh, we certainly have droids, don't we....  Last time, we said we'd only do half of Dantooine but right here, we're covering the whole thing, baby! Next time: ALL of Tatooine! Let's hit these sands!! Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

Oh Taris, how we've missed you! Your glittering towers, so cleanly representing the world's heavily stratified racialized class divide. The smell of swoop fuel in the air, the distinctive odor of underworld betrayal. The wildlife! You know, Rakghouls and death droids and the slimiest crime lords this side of Nar Shadaa. Ah, Taris, it's good to be back! Oh. I've just been handed a note about the fate of Taris. Next Time: First 3 parts of the Trials on Dantooine (through the Corruption in the Grove) + Mandalorian Raiders + The Dead Settler Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

Welp. We did it. We went to space. Thanks to your support, a favor from a friend in Disney's gaming department, and our realization that our rainy day fund had finally found a storm worth being spent on, we flew down to Orlando and took in the sights, sounds, tastes, smells and stories of the Galactic Starcruiser.  This episode, recorded about a week after our visit to the Halcyon, is just one of two episodes we're releasing on our experience. The other will be a combined episode, exclusive for Patrons, that we recorded on Natalie's phone on nights 1 and 2 of the visit, which will drop next Wednesday, along with some photos from our trip! For that, make sure to join our Patreon ( which also gets you access to a a monthly Q&A cast) by going to patreon.com/civilized. Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

Join us as we continue our journey down into the depths of Taris, a city so bad that it hasn't really gotten that much worse under Sith occupation! Sure, there's a rampant plague of not-zombies spreading through the dark fantasy undercity. And a traitorous swoop racing gang has started killing people in the streets. And, well, I guess there's the matter of the Rancor.  But somehow, most of that would've happened even without Sith influence. As the wisest Jedi master of our times, bowing his head solemnly, said: "mmm, actually zero difference between good & bad things, there are. imbecile, fucking moron, you are. " Next Time: Finish Taris and Land on Dantooine!   Show Notes     Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)    

An even longer time ago, in a galaxy approximately the same level of far, far away, there was Knights of the Old Republic, a Computer Role-Playing Game based on D&D's D20 system. Natalie and Rob never heard the story of Darth Malak, probably because it is not a story the Jedi would tell you. But Bioware, back in 2003, told everyone this story and along the way invented the kind of RPG the game studio would be known and renowned for across the next two decades. It is unintentionally sad but unsurprising that on the week we start our playthrough of KOTOR, BioWare had another round of layoffs that pushed some of the people who made this game and many others out of a company they did so much to build, and our thoughts and well-wishes are with those folks and we hope we can do their contributions some justice as we play through KOTOR. As for this episode, we discuss the opening tutorial and the characters we created, as well as the party's initial crash landing on the planet Taris. We cover some of the early missions and people you meet, but stop short of descending to the lower levels. We haven't picked out a walkthrough we would recommend for folks but DO NOT CONSULT WOOKIEEPEDIA. For some reason every article touching on the contents of this game contains major plot spoilers upfront.

Hey everyone! As promised, we took some time to discuss and consider what we'll be doing for the next chunk of AMCA during the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. And we've reached a determination. As highly, overwhelmingly requested, we will be playing Knights of the Old Republic. Ali and I get into it a little on this short announcement episode, but we're both very excited for Rob and Natalie to play through this game that was so foundational for us as young Star Wars fans. Ali and I have basically plotted out the season, but we want to make sure that our estimation on episode/gameplay-segment length is right. So, for now: Episode 1 will cover from character creation through the upper level of Taris. Side content is fine to do, but don't go delving into the Lower City or Undercity quite yet! Thanks for your support during this transition. We're hyped to continue chatting to each other and you about Star Wars in the coming months! Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

In case you haven't heard via our Patreon or various social feeds: AMCA is about to PIVOT. SAG-AFTRA recently released new guidelines for podcasters. Though Rebels is not a guild production, it is hosted on Disney+ and tied closely to the ongoing promotion of Ahsoka. As such, we've been figuring out how to best continue the podcast without crossing the picket lines or promoting struck material, which we feel covering Rebels does. To help us unpack some of the background of these strikes, we invited Adam Conover to come through this week. We dig into Hollywood labor history, the internal politics of the entertainment industry unions, and the ways that the modern influencer economy fit into all of this. It's a great conversation, and we get into some details we've never heard anywhere else.  We also end the show by talking through... and potentially deciding... what comes next for A More Civilized Age

Finally, we've hit our first big Rebels milestone: the finale of season 1. With Gall Trayvis revealed to be an Imperial operative, the crew of the Ghost takes his supposed mission (getting the word out about how people should fight back) into their own hands. The result: A series of episodes that cements the first season of Rebels as better than we could've anticipated. We get answers to lingering questions. We get a well earned farewell to few characters and a (re-)introduction to a trio of new ones. And we get some of the coolest showdowns we've seen yet.        Next Time: Rebels 16 & 17 ("The Siege of Lothal" Parts 1 & 2) Show Notes Call to Action Concept Art Gallery Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)

The first season of Rebels has come around the turn of the midseason and is headed directly towards a dramatic conclusion. But before it gets there, we have some business to take care of. First of all, Ezra's gonna need to get a lightsaber. Second, we gotta get to the bottom of this "senator-in-exile" business. And of course, it wouldn't be a Filoni-helmed Star Wars product without a few special guest cameos. And hey, somehow, we're not even that mad about them. Next Time: Rebels 13 - 15 ("Call to Action," "Rebel Resolve," and "Fire Across the Galaxy") Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny (@RobZacny) Featuring Alicia Acampora (@ali_west), Austin Walker (@austin_walker), and Natalie Watson (@nataliewatson) Produced by Ricardo Contreras (@a_cado_appears) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Cover art by Xeecee (@xeeceevevo)