Star Wars 7x7: A Daily Bite-Sized Dose of Star Wars Joy

Our penultimate Jedi Business episode for the Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi series looks at the ratings for Chapter 5 ("Frame Within a Frame"), reconsiders the usability of them, and looks ahead to more ratings info sources. Punch it! Here's the Screen Rant article mentioned in the episode: https://screenrant.com/streaming-movies-shows-netflix-viewership-break-records-data/ ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

What they did well, and where they could have improved - that's what we'll be considering on this final "final review" podcast for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, which also includes praise and appreciation for Vivian Lyra Blair and Grant Feely. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The Kenobi series starts differently for you depending on whether you're only experience with Obi-Wan is in the movies, or includes other storytelling media. But either way, Old Ben goes through a straight-up Hero's Journey in the series. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

When I started prepping this episode, the plan was to talk about Anakin and Vader. And I do ... but I also spend a lot of time talking about Hayden Christensen as well. Today, our final review series for Obi-Wan Kenobi continues. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The Obi-Wan Kenobi series is as much Reva Sevander's story as it is Ben's. And Reva is the very first character we see, BTW. Today, we start a series of final looks at the Kenobi show, and express our gratitude that her character survived her arc, for multiple reasons. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

On this Spinner Sunday episode, we'll take a look at the second of five dives into Obi-Wan's backstory, with links to A New Hope, the prequels, and Star Wars Rebels. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It's been a minute since we checked in on the Disney+ YouTube channel to see what new Star-Wars-related content they've posted recently. So today we're covering the five videos they've posted since our last look earlier this year... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The numbers still look great for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series! Nielsen ratings for the week that included Chapter 4 ("Staring Contest") were lower than the previous week, but still higher than Boba Fett numbers. And from there, we explain why it's hard to go any deeper into the weeds about this ratings business. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Rumor has it Taika Waititi's Star Wars movie could be starting up in "early 2023." So let's talk about what we already know, and revisit The Force Awakens production timeline to get a better sense of what we're really talking about. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The 2022 Emmy nominations were announced yesterday! Star Wars got five nods, and we'll talk about those today, as well as one series that was surprisingly absent. Punch it! The nominations are: Star Wars: Visions - "The Duel" for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett for: Outstanding Stunt Coordination For A Drama Series, Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie Outstanding Special Visual Effects In A Season Or A Movie Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes for Chapter 1: Stranger In A Strange Land Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) for Chapter 6: From The Desert Comes A Stranger Congratulations and best of luck to the nominees! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

We're circling back to look at what storytelling details could be gleaned from the Obi-Wan Wednesday merch reveals that happened while the Kenobi series aired. The answer? Not much! But there's a new and interesting link between Kenobi and Ahsoka... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It's one of our occasional "potpourri" episodes, where we follow up on some bits of Star Wars news that wouldn't take up a whole episode individually. Today: updates about the Lando series, the Hunters game, and the timing of Phase 2 for The High Republic. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

"Inheritance" by George Mann is the 3rd of 4 "Galactic Tales" in honor of the 20th anniversary of Attack of the Clones. And it's as much a prequel era story as it is a High Republic one. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

In our latest "What to Watch Now" segment, we're checking in on what Industrial Light & Magic has been posting on their YouTube account. It turns out that something big just dropped - the trailer for the "Light & Magic" documentary! Let's discuss... Punch it! Here's the link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM_XwzOK_98 ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The Nielsen ratings for the week including Kenobi Chapter 3 ("Not the Face!") are out, and we'll put its 958 million total minutes viewed in context with Stranger Things, The Book of Boba Fett, and more. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Star Wars 7x7x8! It's a big day here: the 8th anniversary of the show that's been bringing you a daily dose of Star Wars joy since 7/7/14. Today, I'm reflecting on 8 aspects of these past years for which I'm immensely thankful. Punch it! And as promised, here's the link to watch "Hyperspacing Hope" at TED.com, aka "Why hope is Star Wars' most powerful force": https://www.ted.com/talks/allen_voivod_why_hope_is_star_wars_most_powerful_force/ ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

it's the last of our current run of Star Wars Celebration Anaheim interviews (still more to come), and I'm thrilled to interview an editor - which I don't get to do very often! Today, we're welcoming Sammy Holland from Insight Editions to the podcast. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Hey, it's more interviews from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim! Today, we're featuring a creator of some of the most amazing Star Wars items out there - Jenn Fujikawa, food writer and culinary artist. ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

We're finishing up a set of interviews from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim featuring co-authors of Star Wars: Timelines (what looks to be an amazing reference book from DK Publishing)! Today, it's Jason Fry, and we'll continue an unusual tradition we've had in our conversations with him as well. Punch it! And here's Jason's Substack: https://jasonfry.substack.com/ ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Round 2 of interviews from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim featuring authors of the upcoming reference book Star Wars: Timelines! Today, Clayton Sandell returns for another one-question interview. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

We're diving back into interviews from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim! Today, the first of three interviews with co-authors of Star Wars: Timelines - Amy Richau. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

There are (at least!) five live action series and five animated seasons in active development *right now* in the galaxy far, far away! Today, we'll explore all the Star Wars storytelling in the works and set to release in July 2022. Punch it! As with each of our monthly previews, we're looking at storytelling in these 12 categories: Movies Live Action Animation Books Audiobooks Short Stories Comics Virtual Reality Video Games Merchandise Streaming Live Experiences ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Heartbreaking moments abound in Adam Christopher's "Shadow of the Sith," including some perhaps unintentional ones - like the scenes with Luke and Ben. We'll dig into those and what's revealed about Luke's Jedi Temple on this light-spoilers episode. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

With a nuanced performance from William DeMeritt and a tense atmosphere for the soundscape, the audiobook version of Shadow of the Sith is just as essential as the novel in its own epic way. Punch it! Thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for sharing a review copy with me. And you can get a free download of Shadow of the Sith along with a free 30-day Audible trial (new accounts only, of course) if you sign up at https://audibletrial.com/sw7x7. ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

An essential Star Wars novel, Adam Christopher's "Shadow of the Sith" is a terrific tale set between the events of the original and sequel trilogies. It would have been a perfect "Journey to The Rise of Skywalker" novel, and should be required reading before your next movie viewing. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Since we've been talking with "Shadow of the Sith" author Adam Christopher, I thought it would be a great time to share his one-question interview from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim on today's episode. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

On the second half of our "Shadow of the Sith" conversation with author Adam Christopher, we're going to get very Sith focused, talk about connections with other Star Wars stories, and much more. Punch it! Here's where you can keep up with Adam online: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ghostfinder Instagram: https://instagram.com/adamchristopherwriter Website: https://adamchristopher.me ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The new Luke 'n Lando novel "Shadow of the Sith" comes out on Tuesday, and I'm thrilled to welcome its author, Adam Christopher, to the podcast for the first half of a wide-ranging interview. Punch it! Here's where you can keep up with Adam online: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ghostfinder Instagram: https://instagram.com/adamchristopherwriter Website: https://adamchristopher.me ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

On our deeper dive into "Letting Go" - what we're calling part 6 of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series - we'll dive deeper into the final fight between Anakin/Vader and Obi-Wan, including rhyming, contradictions, bridges, and much more. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

"Letting Go" is the episode title we're giving to the finale of the #ObiWanKenobi limited series, with the promised rematch, a powerful redemption, and more echoes from across the Skywalker Saga. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Our series of one-question interviews with the Fab 5 - the original High Republic story architects - concludes today with Daniel José Older taking his turn on the microphone. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It's the fourth of five Star Wars Celebration Anaheim interviews with the original story architects of The High Republic storytelling initiative! Today, we feature Charles Soule's answer to the one-question interview, and I share what was going on in my head at the time, about a potentially embarrassing Twitter thread... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It's round 3 (of 5, natch) of #TheHighRepublic interviews conducted at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim! Today, my first time getting to interview Claudia Gray - and I'll share a bit about my nerves around that, too. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

It's round 2 of our #TheHighRepublic interviews from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim! Today, we continue around the table with Justina Ireland, and I'll also share a bit of background about the overall interview situation itself. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Another round of Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022 interviews begins! This set features all of the original five #TheHighRepublic authors/story architects, and we're kicking things off with Cavan Scott. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

For this deeper dive on Kenobi Part 5, we're going to talk about that content warning; the political nature of Star Wars; how the personal and the political are intertwined; representation; and what Lucas was really doing with Star Wars...

They saved the shocks for episode 5 of the Obi-Wan Kenobi show - which we've elected to title "Frame Within a Frame," for the layers that were just unpeeled in penultimate part of the series. Punch it! The seven highlights we're talking about in the show are: 1. The "old as dirt" framing trope 2. The long-rumored flashback - and it's different 3. The "Lore Advisor" and his input on the show 4. Solving most of the "Grand Inquisitor" conundrums 5. The twist! 6. The fight! 7. The ending and how it sets up two separate confrontations ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

One of "those" headlines claimed Obi-Wan Kenobi is "tanking" in the ratings. But not in the ones that matter! It's our first-ever "Jedi Business" episode focused on a live-action series, and we'll explain what's *real* so far about the (Nielsen) ratings that matter. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

For our next #SWCA2022 interview, we're staying with the @PRHAudio family! Today, it's narrator extraordinaire Marc Thompson (@CaptainEhud on Twitter). Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The first of our #SWCA2022 interviews is here! And since we were talking to @PRHAudio's @NickMartorelli over the weekend, it seemed like a perfect time to close that circle and feature his answer to the one-question interview. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Concluding our new interview with Executive Producer Nick Martorelli of Penguin Random House Audio, discussing the unabridged Essential Legends Collections recordings and much more. Punch it! PRH Audio Website: https://www.PenguinRandomHouseAudio.com PRH Audio Twitter: https://twitter.com/PRHAudio Nick Martorelli Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickMartorelli ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

New interview! Nick Martorelli of Penguin Random House Audio returns, this time to talk about the Essential Legends Collection, newly unabridged recordings of Shatterpoint, Rogue Squadron, and more. Punch it! PRH Audio Website: https://www.PenguinRandomHouseAudio.com PRH Audio Twitter: https://twitter.com/PRHAudio Nick Martorelli Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickMartorelli ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The more we see rhyming, retcons, and Easter eggs in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, the more I'm wondering - is Star Wars going the way of other fandoms, or are we seeing a new take on the old canon hierarchy idea? Punch it! Here's the Den of Geek article I mentioned in the show: https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-wars-obi-wan-kenobi-episode-4-easter-eggs/ And the Inverse article: https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/obi-wan-kenobi-episode-3-jedi And an explanation of the Legends continuity database levels: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Wookieepedia:Canon_policy#Holocron_continuity_database ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

"Staring Contest": In an episode filled with moments of tension and release, Part 4 of the #ObiWanKenobi series delivers ongoing thrills despite the predictability of its setup. Punch it! Here are the seven points we cover on this breakdown episode: 1. That tension and release 2. The predicted rescue setup 3. The Path - contrasting it with the Rebellion, and revisiting the challenge of persuasion 4. The patient development of Obi reconnecting to the Force 5. The fortress/tomb and the setup that doesn't quite follow through 6. The awesomeness of well-drawn female characters driving this episode 7. The tracker, and how did Reva get Lola back to Leia, anyway? ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Kenobi! Where we've been, where we're going, the loss of Anakin's we're not discussing, Obi-Wan's Satine regret, the Grand Inquisitor possibilities, and so much more. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Previous Star Wars storytelling establishes it's Luke who gets trained to defeat the Sith. In our our third Obi-Wan Kenobi deeper dive, we'll talk about how the series is (un)intentionally raising the question of why Obi-Wan didn't train Leia instead - and what that says about him as a character. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Darth Bane came up with the Rule of Two, and when you get a bunch of dark-side Force users together in a dysfunctional workplace, it's easy to see why. In today's Kenobi deep dive, focused primarily on Part 2 ("Make Me Float"), we look at how Reva embodies the classic Sith ambition. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Now that we've completed our briefings on the first three Obi-Wan Kenobi episodes, we're going to dig a little deeper. Today, we'll address Kenobi's self-assumption of the blame for the whole collapse of the Republic. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The "real" dad Leia's always wondered about gets the rematch he's clearly been dreaming about - and it's probably only the first fight that Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader will have in the series. We're calling Part III "Not the Face!" Punch it! The 7 highlights we're talking about are... 1. How does the Force work? 2. Which dark side Force users actually affect Obi-Wan? 3. Are you my real dad? 4. Setting up the Qui-Gon Jinn appearance again 5. Indira Varma's role, and the Quinlan Vos name check 6. James Earl Jones and the Respeecher app 7. THAT FIGHT and Anakin's long-planned revenge ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Obi-Wan Kenobi heads to Daiyu to rescue young Princess Leia and gets an earth-shattering surprise in Part II of the Star Wars limited series. The episodes don't have formal titles, so we decided to call this one "Make Me Float." Punch it! Here are the seven highlights we're covering on this breakdown: 1. The callback device 2. Rhyming with other Star Wars storytelling 3. Mistaking Ben for the bounty hunter and legit chase scenes 4. Not that long since Obi's been in a fight 5. Playing (effectively) on nostalgia 6. The Grand Inquisitor's chances of survival 7. How many people know that Darth Vader is Anakin Skywalker? ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***