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

As I was prepping the Star Wars: The Bad Batch mid-season review, I started wondering whether any character development was happening. The deeper I looked, the more I saw that it is, and primarily for one Bad Batch member in particular. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Eight observations about the first eight episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch - it's our mid-season review, including informed story-arc speculation for the rest of the season... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Hidden Danger is the latest short story from the High Republic mega storytelling initiative, taking place in between the Wave 1 and 2 stories. It's got a great setup happening at just the right moment in the timeline... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Well, that "Reunion" didn't go so well for anyone! It's episode 8 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, and we'll talking about following through on set-ups, a surprise appearance, and much more in the briefing. 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 declaration of Juneteenth as a national holiday got me thinking about the concept of slavery as it's portrayed in Star Wars - and it's been a part of the storytelling since the late '70s. 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 2021 E3 conference has come and gone without any Star Wars video game news! Well, maaaybe there was a hint in an interview we'll discuss; meanwhile, we'll reset where we stand with upcoming and rumored video games. Punch it! Here's the interview article if you want to check it out for yourself: https://www.ign.com/articles/disney-let-ubisoft-massive-make-a-star-wars-game-after-a-meeting-about-its-avatar-game ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

As the old saying goes, if you've ever been in Star Wars, you can't do a press junket without being asked about Star Wars. This time, The Book of Boba Fett's Temuera Morrison reveals a little more about the mysterious 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.***

So you heard about the set photos leak from the Star Wars: Kenobi studio lot? Don't worry, I can tell you all about them without spoilers. And really, there weren't nearly as many photos as they said, anyway... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Flyovers that focus on the Original Trilogy and Sequel Trilogy eras, Star Wars Biomes is peaceful and meditative (or, in two cases, gently dread-filled), and deserves to be seen at scale. Punch it! If you're not familiar with it, it's an 18-minute little thing on Disney+, and here's the official description: Take a virtual vacation to some of the Star Wars films' most iconic and beloved locations like Hoth, Tatooine, and Sorgan as this charming series whisks you off for fly-over tours of a galaxy far, far away. ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

On a new Spinner Sunday episode, we're looking at "Dark Temple," a twisty tale that also has its fair share of comic dialogue! It's mostly a prequel to the video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, but has a contemporary element as well. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

A friendly face from the Star Wars past arrives, and offers to help the Bad Batch with the thorniest of their problems in "Battle Scars," episode 7 from season 1. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Ewan McGregor and Pedro Pascal talked together for a half hour on Variety's "Actors on Actors" series, and they dropped a little new news, but also some great good vibes about working in Star Wars now. Punch it! Here's the link to where you can find the whole conversation: https://variety.com/2021/tv/actors/actors-on-actors-pedro-pascal-ewan-mcgregor-mandalorian-halston-1234991717/ ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

An appreciation on the first anniversary of one of the rare feel-good stories of 2020 - the return of Ahmed Best to Star Wars with the Jedi Temple Challenge. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Not "officially" announced, but close enough for Star Wars work! And it's shocking how little we know about The Book of Boba Fett now that filming is complete. But maybe there's an episode count? Punch it! (And stay tuned after the credits for a "stinger" - doing it this way as inspired by the reveal of The Book of Boba Fett!) ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Three weeks from now, The Rising Storm will launch Wave 2 of Phase I of Star Wars: The High Republic in earnest. Today, 7+ non-spoiler observations about the novel in this non-spoiler review. Punch it! In case you're interested, here's the full (and boiled-down) review I wrote for it: Scott gives the reader an unparalleled sense of the enormity of the Star Wars galaxy in The High Republic: The Rising Storm. But when the time comes to get down to business (namely, the assault by the Nihil on the optimistic Republic Fair), Scott's focus smartly narrows to a handful of characters on both sides of the battle, including compelling newcomer and "saber-for-hire" Ty Yorrick. Scott keeps the pace swift and develops his characters throughout the conflict, while saving his biggest surprises for the final chapters. Behind the scenes, Marchion Ro - a Star Wars villain for the ages - has been pulling strings and building up to his most horrific act yet. Scott brings us the first real experience of the threat to the Force itself, the one promised by The High Republic's promotional materials. In his hands, the threat is as terrifying as anything the Jedi could possibly encounter. And it will leave you desperate to learn more about it. ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

The High Republic comic reveals that, when the Jedi released the Drengir in Into the Dark, they released a very specific one - one that causes a whole lot of bad news, but that could also be the key to stopping the threat. 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 story arc is complete! Marvel's Star Wars: The High Republic kicked off with "There Is No Fear," and we're recapping the five issues of that inaugural comic foray 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.***

Some previous foreshadowings start paying off, and a couple of familiar faces make a surprise appearance in "Decommissioned," episode 6 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

I started playing around in May with a less-than-60-seconds "This Day in Star Wars History" video idea, and now it's officially a daily thing. Here's where to find it... Punch it! Here's where you can connect with me via Star Wars 7x7... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sw7x7 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sw7x7 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sw7x7 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sw7x7 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sw7x7podcast ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Sorry it's a bit clickbait-y, but with all the talk about Kevin Feige developing a Star Wars movie over the years, there's one aspect I never thought about, and no one really talks about. So I'll address that, and also where the project stands now. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

I've been wondering about the mystery of why Kamino's Chief Medical Scientist and head cloner Nala Se helped Clone Force 99 and Omega escape in Star Wars: The Bad Batch. I think I have some answers... 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 second wave of Phase I in The High Republic multi-platform initiative is the big news when it comes to new Star Wars storytelling in June 2021. The "War of the Bounty Hunters" comics crossover continues, and there's more to discuss as well... Punch it! Even though there's not notable news in all of the categories, we'll check in on them all in this episode - and we're adding an 11th category as well! Here's what they are... Movies Live-action TV Animation Books Audiobooks Short Stories Comics Virtual Reality Video Games Experiential (Events/Conventions/Parks) Merchandise (Streaming - the 12th category that we'll start checking in on beginning next month!) ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Which Star Wars: The High Republic character has a bigger role than expected, and whose journey has been plotted from the very beginning? Those and other big revelations from Episode 3 of The High Republic Show. 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: The High Republic Show (Episode 2) features a great conversation with story architects Daniel José Older and Claudia Gray, fascinating insights from the artistic side of the project, and much more. Punch it! And here's where you can watch the full show yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y6eZpmHCe4 ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

"Rampage" (Star Wars: The Bad Batch episode 5) features a Mando-style quid-pro-quo, a classic "you didn't tell us X" trope, and sets a new foundation for the series while adding more ominous foreshadowing. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

So J.J. Abrams was doing press for the 10th anniversary of Super 8, and he was asked whether planning out all three movies of the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy would have made them better. And honestly, I don't even want to talk about this. Punch it! Here's the link so you can see the interview clip for yourself, if you like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt7OSRMq1Ek ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

A slip of the tongue heard 'round the fandom! Hear for yourself Disney CEO Bob Chapek's comments about Star Wars series coming to Disney+, and let's talk about Solo rumors over the years. 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 dates have changed again, and Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022 is now exactly one year away! And as of yesterday, we know a little bit less about it than we did before... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

One-fourth of the way through season 1 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, and today we're looking at how it differs from previous series; the big themes it's tackling; pitfalls it needs to avoid; 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.***

Circling back to a series that had just one last part to cover, on today's show we're talking about the mix of myth and mayhem that is the finale of the Star Wars "Vintage" Clone Wars 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.***

Buried in the 6th paragraph of a nine-paragraph story in about Dave Filoni's promotion was a line about Star Wars: Rangers of the New Republic being "not currently in active development." Let's discuss. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Vibes from as far back as Attack of the Clones and as recent as Star Wars Resistance permeate "Cornered," the action-packed episode 4 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch. 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 was new news outside Lucasfilm, old news inside - Dave Filoni had been promoted to "Executive Creative Director" last summer. Let's put that in context, looking at the two other LFL ECDs, and the leadership at Marvel by comparison. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Matt Lanter, the voice of Anakin Skywalker, says we'll see him again in Lucasfilm Animation. That. combined with new Ahsoka news, is why we're talking about whether we'll see either or both of them in The Bad Batch. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

From the Department of Corrections: A Patron points out a flaw in my clone inhibitor chip thinking, which leads me to explore how every member of the Bad Batch is basically a time bomb that could go off in any 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.***

The advance reader copies of the first three novels in Star Wars: The High Republic Phase 1 Wave 2 have arrived! (Whew, that's a mouthful.) And though reviews and details are embargoed, there are a couple things I can share... 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 was one character left to which we never dedicated a Mando Memos epiosde, and it's high time to rectify that. Today, what we learned (and just as importantly, what was left out) about Grogu in The Mandalorian season 2. 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 suggested since the premiere that Omega from Star Wars: The Bad Batch could be Force-sensitive, but I think there's another explanation for the skill set we've seen from her so far. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

"Replacements," episode 3 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, is hardly about The Batch at all. What it does do, though, is reveal just how ambitious this series intends to be. (Very ambitious indeed.) 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 George Lucas's 77th birthday! Today, some fun facts from his life and career that don't get discussed as often as his Star Wars work (but yes, a bunch of Star Wars stuff as well). 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 two episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, we've learned so much more about the clone inhibitor chips, how they work, and why they fail. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Chain codes, Solo vibes, an old clone friend, a new Imperial menace, and Tech and Echo getting tetchy - that and more in "Cut and Run" from Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Not too long ago, Ewan McGregor sat for a long interview with The Hollywood Reporter. And some of the things he shared about the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series are almost as good as if they'd come from Lucasfilm itself. Punch it! Here's a link to the full interview: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ewan-mcgregor-obi-wan-star-wars-halston-4174111/ ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Today, it's the second half of my new conversation with author Amy Ratcliffe, as we discuss one of her latest books, The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Punch it! As I mentioned yesterday, the questions I had prepared for her didn't necessarily get asked and answered in the order presented below, but this was the plan: Fans may be familiar with other Art of… books like the ones for the movies or The Mandalorian. How is Art of SWGE similar to those live-action-focused books, and how is it different? What kinds of parameters did you have for the writing of the book? Were you character-limited within certain layouts, for example, or did you have the license to write as much as needed to be written? You've previously written about the book coming together "in layers" – can you talk about that process? You had the benefit of spending a significant amount of time at both Galaxy's Edge locations prior to the pandemic. What surprised you the most to learn about Galaxy's Edge as a result of writing this book, from both a broad overview perspective and from a most-amazing-little-detail-they-thought-of perspective? Fair to say that you conducted dozens of interviews for the book? If you had to pick one or two of them from which you learned the most about Galaxy's Edge (or specific elements of it) that you didn't previously know, or that you found particularly exciting, which were they? Will people learn more about the story of Galaxy's Edge, from the perspective of how it fits into the storytelling timeline? For someone who reads this book and has never been to Galaxy's Edge, what do you hope this book will provide? And for the person who's already been? And, as promised, here's where you can keep up with Amy: Instagram: https://instagram.com/amy_geek Substack: https://amyratcliffe.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/amy_geek ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

She's back! Amy Ratcliffe returns to Star Wars 7x7 to discuss one of her latest books, The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Today, the first half of our conversation. Punch it! The questions I had prepared for her didn't necessarily get asked and answered in the order presented here, but this was the plan: Fans may be familiar with other Art of… books like the ones for the movies or The Mandalorian. How is Art of SWGE similar to those live-action-focused books, and how is it different? What kinds of parameters did you have for the writing of the book? Were you character-limited within certain layouts, for example, or did you have the license to write as much as needed to be written? You've previously written about the book coming together "in layers" – can you talk about that process? You had the benefit of spending a significant amount of time at both Galaxy's Edge locations prior to the pandemic. What surprised you the most to learn about Galaxy's Edge as a result of writing this book, from both a broad overview perspective and from a most-amazing-little-detail-they-thought-of perspective? Fair to say that you conducted dozens of interviews for the book? If you had to pick one or two of them from which you learned the most about Galaxy's Edge (or specific elements of it) that you didn't previously know, or that you found particularly exciting, which were they? Will people learn more about the story of Galaxy's Edge, from the perspective of how it fits into the storytelling timeline? For someone who reads this book and has never been to Galaxy's Edge, what do you hope this book will provide? And for the person who's already been? And, as promised, here's where you can keep up with Amy: Instagram: https://instagram.com/amy_geek Substack: https://amyratcliffe.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/amy_geek ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Life (and Star Wars!) marches ever onward, and on today's milestone episode, a little look back and a lot of thanks to a special group of people who helped get me here. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Omega is still a mystery after the premiere of The Bad Batch, but certain elements of her character were discussed in the episode, as well as hints about her genetic enhancements... 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 appearance of a certain padawan in The Bad Batch season premiere implies we'll have a lot more guest stars in this series - and also raises continuity questions. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

They did the job they set out to do! The Bad Batch premiered on Star Wars Day, and in this non-spoiler review, we'll talk about the primary goals of this kickoff and how well they achieved them. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Happy May the 4th!!! We're wrapping up a week+ of looks back at interviews from Star Wars Celebration Anaheim in 2015 with this conversation, featuring Chris Taylor. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***