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

Mild spoilers in this episode of the show, where I talk about a character that makes an unexpected appearance in Star Wars: Queen's Shadow. It's particularly interesting because this character has appeared more in the last five years in Star Wars stories than in the 35 years before that. And that character's fate may not be set in stone... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

E.K. Johnston's novel Star Wars: Queen's Shadow hits bookshelves today, and what's especially remarkable about the book is how it deepens our understanding of the many roles played by Padme's handmaidens - and how that affects our experiences with the handmaidens in other Star Wars media, 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.***

Folks like Nerdist's Amy Ratcliffe and EW's Anthony Breznican got an extensive look inside Galaxy's Edge last week. On today's show, I'm piecing together story reveals from across all of Breznican's articles that happen mere weeks before Episode IX. 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, it's a little confusing, because we're supposed to get 22 episodes, but there's only a half-hour episode on March 17th, so that would only make 21 ... but what we do know for sure are the details for "Descent" and ""No Escape" parts 1 and 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.***

40 days left until Star Wars Celebration Chicago! Lots more guests have been revealed, but precious few panels have been announced. So let's use the announced guests to speculate... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

You may have heard about some of the actors who auditioned for the parts of Luke, Leia, and Han back in the 1970s, but some of the names may surprise you - and you may not have heard that a few other actors weren't the first choice for their supporting parts, either. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

How many different titles has Leia held, and which ones offered opportunities for advancement? What is the deal with bacta, and how were its effect different for Kylo Ren and Finn? Get the answers to these and more in my February Patreon Q&A 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 next step in the First Order's takeover of the Colossus platform goes into effect in "The Disappeared," and we find out that the FO has also been quietly arresting people and removing them from the Colossus - to where, we don't know... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Here we go! Composer Ryan Shore talks about how he came to score Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures and Forces of Destiny, and what goes into the creation of the music for these two web 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.***

If you've watched Galaxy of Adventures or Forces of Destiny, then you're already familiar with Ryan Shore's work. He scored both of these animated series, blending his own original compositions with John Williams' classic themes. And that's in addition to dozens of other projects! Part one of my interview with Ryan is 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.***

It's a reasonably safe bet that Anthony Daniels saw the developing Episode IX title frenzy and decided to have a little fun with it - but not without purpose. Now that things seem to have been resolved (as far as they're going to be for now, at least), here's the scoop on his tweets. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Entertainment Tonight caught up with J.J. Abrams, and after politely asking about the U.S.-Ireland Alliance event being hosted at Bad Robot, the conversation was quickly turned to Episode IX. Let's unpack what J.J. had to say... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

You think you know how talkative Chewbacca was in the Original Trilogy, but really, you have NO idea. No idea at all! And the same goes for Yoda grunting, groaning and giggling, and a few other surprising things being captured in the new Star Wars by the Numbers 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.***

There are 15 installments of Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures to date, which ought to be more than enough to get us started on reviewing this new foray into Star Wars storytelling. And if this is what the future looks like, then we're in good hands 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.***

The announcement of Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures back in November not only revealed what kinds of moments we'd see depicted, but also hinted at a couple of much larger storytelling implications for the Star Wars galaxy on the cusp of Episode IX. 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 end is nigh ... for season 1 of Star Wars Resistance. Based on the finale date, we know (at a high level) how the rest of the season is going to unfold - and what still needs to be revealed. 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 just an episode or two away in Star Wars Resistance from them crossing the line into the territory of The Force Awakens. In "The Core Problem" (episode 17 of season 1), we get to see a graveyard that may be the result of the early Starkiller weapon's development. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Meanwhile... from who knows the title of Episode IX (and who should but doesn't?), to stormtroopers in The Mandalorian, to Rian Johnson again confirming his trilogy, to a Triple Force Friday! Here's our roundup of Star Wars news we've yet to cover on the 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.***

It's a wrap! Episode IX has finished filming, and J.J. Abrams marked the occasion with a touching tweet, and a photo that's worth dissecting. The big question: Where in the galaxy are they? 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 publisher's summary and a first excerpt for Claudia Gray's Master and Apprentice have been released. On the one hand, it's a bummer that we're not going to hear about Obi-Wan and the Duchess Satine of Mandalore in this one! On the other, it's an exciting glimpse at something brand-new - which could also include Dooku during his Jedi Master days. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes aand other insider rewards.***

Wild Space. Unknown Regions. What's the difference? It was defined by Pablo Hidalgo a few years ago in a Rebels Recon episode, and recent information (Thrawn: Alliances, Lando's Luck, Galaxy's Edge, and Star Wars Resistance) seem to be complicating the matter. Let's clear it up today. 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 the Benioff and Weiss Star Wars movies were announced (one year ago on 2/6!), they were labeled as a "series." Now, HBO's network president Casey Bloys is on the record being more specific about the number of Star Wars movies to which they're committed. 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 there's something I need to clarify amidst all the information and possibility presented around the "awakening," and we'll set the record straight about Rey, Kylo, and Snoke's involvement in it on today's 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.***

The next step in the First Order's master plan comes into focus in "The New Trooper," episode 16 from season 1 of Star Wars Resistance. Plus, their fair share of slapstick, and lots of flying fruit. 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 "cosmic Force" was stirred by Rey's awakening, as opposed to the "living Force" first introduced to us conceptually by Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace. So, what's the difference between the two? And how does that difference indicate that Rey's awakening may not have been the moment of crisis we talked about yesterday? 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 has been an awakening," Snoke said. But the cosmic Force had lain dormant for years, after the destruction of Luke Skywalker's fledgling Jedi temple and following. So what, exactly, caused the awakening? And might the timing be off a bit? Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Kylo Ren promised his grandfather that he would finish what Vader started. Kylo certainly made big strides in that direction, but what di he really mean by it? And can he actually fulfill that promise? 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 "Complete Visual Dictionary" leverages a lot of content from previous movie visual dictionaries, but there are distinct differences. Today, new facts (and some old ones worth revisiting) about Kylo Ren and his link to the Knights of Ren. 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'm listening to the Disney investor call so you don't have to! And there's nothing earth-shattering being revealed, but there are some interesting notes from Disney CEO Bob Iger about Disney+, Galaxy's Edge, and Star Wars video games. 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 didn't get any Star Wars reveals during the Big Game. How much longer must we wait? In my final title speculation episode, I'll explain why it has to be before Celebration Chicago, and even before March 7th. Why that date? Listen to find out... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Kaz risks everything to help Synara escape from the First Order, and the deal gets worse all the time for Captain Doza and the Colossus residents in "The First Order Occupation," episode 15 from season 1 of Star Wars Resistance. 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've all been told that Episode IX is the "final installment in the Skywalker saga." But what does that actually mean for the predicament of our (non-Skywalker) heroes after Episode IX? Not nearly as much as we might have guessed... 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're not calling it "Journey to Galaxy's Edge," but they might as well, considering that the new initiative includes three books, two comic series, and a cookbook (you read that right)... Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

What amounts to a "Journey to Galaxy's Edge" publishing initiative has been announced, and one of the pieces, the novel "Black Spire" by Delilah S. Dawson, could well be a "Journey to Episode IX" book 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.***

Seems far-fetched, doesn't it? Well, maybe that's not the case, but as he heads into post-production on Knives Out - which now has a release date, and by extension, a date by which he can get started on his new Star Wars trilogy - he's telegraphing a strong move into movies with comic elements. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Due to a quirk on the Disney/ABC Press Website, it's not immediately clear that Star Wars Resistance will debut a new episode on Super Bowl Sunday. But they will, entitled "The First Order Occupation." (Another tiding that doesn't bode well for an Episode IX tease on Sunday.) And that, along with the other three newly announced episodes, tell us a lot about the run they're making to the season finale. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Deadline Hollywood is hearing that we won't see a Super Bowl trailer for Episode IX, and the marketing campaigns for Rogue One and The Last Jedi are being cited as examples of how Lucasfilm does their thing. But there are crucial differences between those two movies and Episode IX when it comes to marketing possibilities. 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 Doza Dilemma" could as easily been called "Reversals of Fortune," as nearly all the major players have things flipped around on them in episode 14 from season 1 of Star Wars Resistance - some for the good, most for the bad. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Featured in our January 2019 installment of answering questions submitted by Patrons of the show is an in-depth look at whether the object that fell from the bottom of Cloud City was, in fact, Luke's lightsaber being clutched by his severed hand. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

She debuted in a novel, conquered animation, comics, and webisodes, and even fought at the Battle of Scarif in Rogue One. Now, Hera Syndulla's back and in charge of Alphabet Squadron. 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 New Republic and the Resistance may not be as wiped out as we thought, but even a year after the Hosnian attack, they're still not ready to take on the First Order by themselves. So, who's going to come to the galaxy's rescue? I've got the answer for you today. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Rey says the First Order will take military control of the galaxy in a matter of weeks. Is that legit? If so, how will they do it? on today's podcast we look at the facts in their favor, and hint at the one source of trouble they haven't taken into account. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Is the Resistance in "good shape"? Certainly not - they're worse off than the New Republic by comparison. But the fact that no one answered their calls for help in The Last Jedi is not a sign that they're down to only the people left on the Millennium Falcon... 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 all saw the Hosnian cataclysm in The Force Awakens, but does that mean the New Republic was totally wiped out? The answer's "No," and on today's episode, I'm going to share some examples of how the New Republic survived the Starkiller attack. 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 shady dude claims to be with the mining guild, but who is he REALLY working for? You're about to find out, as well as how The Force Awakens is affected by "Dangerous Business," episode 13 from season 1 of Star Wars Resistance. 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'm going behind the scenes of the Super Bowl advertising process to see just how likely it is that we'll get an Episode IX teaser during the big game. I'll never tell you the odds, but I'll explain the reasoning behind them, and what one thing I think there's a very good chance we'll learn. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***

Voice actors and authors have been announced, but I'm pretty sure we haven't heard about all of them just yet, and I've got some examples of missing folks in both categories. Plus, the enormous fan props have been announced, and I've got the rundown 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.***

A couple tidbits of information about the shopping experience at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge from that Barron's magazine piece, paired with some previously released information, suggests that the level of "immersiveness" you'll experience in the new Star Wars land far exceeds anything you've experienced at the Disney Parks 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.***

How does Galaxy's Edge tie into other Star Wars media? Where did the team go for inspiration in building the 14-acre expansion? And what will your first views be like? That and more in our discussion on the show today... 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 descriptions of the two types of AGV "Dark Rides" created by the theme-park experts at Dynamic Attractions sound so much like the descriptions of "Smuggler's Run" and "Rise of the Resistance" at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge that it's downright crazy. Punch it! ***I'm listener supported! Join the community at http://Patreon.com/sw7x7 to get access to bonus episodes and other insider rewards.***