Adolescence After Alderaan

Meg and Caroline complete the "Tales" trio with a very special guest: Patrick Cotnoir, producer of "The George Lucas Talk Show" and "RaaaatScraps." Together they parse the adventures of the surprisingly ragtag, hapless, and frail collection of mercenaries who found themselves on Darth Vader's star destroyer in The Empire Strikes Back. Follow Patrick Cotnoir on Twitter: @patrickcotnoir Watch The George Lucas Talk Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGeorgeLucasTalkShow Buy tickets to RaaaatScraps: https://www.caveat.nyc/series/raaaatscraps

Caroline and Meg finally get to see the Young Jedi Knights graduate from the Jedi Academy and, surprise!, those crazy kids are off on a vacation. But on the way they'll still take the time to be terrible friends, worse family members, and the worst users of the force. The series may be going out with a whimper, but your hosts are not!

Episode 47 - Batuu Memories by Adolescence After Alderaan

Meg and Caroline are reunited with the Young Jedi Knights as they (surprise!) take a vacation to Cloud City and stumble upon a mystery they have little interest in solving. But this time Jacen, Jaina, and the increasingly ignored other characters have brought along an incredibly inappropriate friendship dynamic. Will any adults supervise them? And how old, exactly, was Casper the Friendly Ghost?

Meg and Caroline sit down to share their thoughts on Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. They've had a month to process (i.e. forget) the details, and they're ready to work through the big questions like - How do different forms of nostalgia play out across the new trilogy?, What's the thematic relationship between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker,? and What's going on with that 90's Kevin Costner Robin Hood movies? Plus, they finally offer their rankings of the Skywalker Saga movies.

Just like the characters in this book, Meg and Caroline are heading back to their roots. Yes, at long last the podcast is returning to the Young Jedi Knights, and this time... almost nothing is different! That's right, the kids are off on vacation, the adults are barely conscious, and the plot rockets from bizarre frenetics to painful inaction. But this time, there's also a Very Important Lesson to learn, so tune in!

Caroline and Meg finish out the Black Fleet Crisis with Tyrant's Test, a book that inspires the question, "What is the Black Fleet?" and also "What kind of tourist lewk is Luke serving?" Plus! They ponder this book's attempts to draw on musical theater structure, and why exactly everyone thinks Mon Mother is so old.

This week Meg and Caroline read Shield of Lies. Do they know what's going on with Lando? Barely! Has Luke made any worthwhile choices? None! Has Leia demonstrated any leadership skills at all? Nada! But this is a book that inspires a deep dive into the total nightmare that is Lobot, and the truly bizarre world of themed restaurants in the Star Wars universe.

They didn't know and nobody warned them, so this week Meg and Caroline tackled "Before the Storm." Join them as they discuss the total nightmare that is Han's parenting, Leia's bewildering determination to be stupid, and Luke's resolve to accomplish less than ever. Also featuring what should probably be considered an official recurring feature: "Whose Story Do We Know Nothing About?" (spoiler: it's Lando's).

In this episode, Meg and Caroline attempt to take on Planet of Twilight by Barbara Hambly - but it's a real toss up whether they or the book come out the winner. Tune in as they work to achieve at least 50% confidence in their comprehension of the plot, worry about Leia's unresolved trauma, discover a whole new way Luke is the worst, and get to the root of what's going wrong in Anakin Solo's childhood.

Caroline and Meg return to an old friend/author - Kevin J. Anderson, in the second book of the Callista Trilogy: Darksaber. Tune in as they reflect on a book that works to assemble basically ever EU character it can lay hands on, only to scatter them across the galaxy and set Luke off on a series of failed vacations.

Caroline and Meg are back, and kicking off a new trilogy with Children of the Jedi, by Barbara Hambly. They are confused. They've said they were confused before, but they just didn't know what confusion was yet. This is confusion. Tune in for perplexed hosts, consideration of Darth Vader's dating life, and more!

It's the podcast's one-year anniversary! Meg, Caroline, and a guest are raising their glasses to one year of Star Wars Legends novels, discussions, and community. They're also taking a moment to look back and appreciate how far they're come. Find out what surprised them, what they loved, what they hope comes next, and "How Far is [Star Wars] Tattoo Far?"

Meg and Caroline are finally ready to take on the novel component of the Star Wars Expanded Universe multimedia event "Shadows of the Empire." Ever wonder what went down between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi? Turns out, a lot of it focused on a certain underworld kingpin's incredibly sexy bod. That's right! Your hosts are taking on Xizor, plus a lot of discussion on the nature of Han and Leia's romance in the original trilogy.

Caroline and Meg are back, and looking for answers about Luke and Gaeriel's missed connection in Truce at Bakura. They talk Bond villains, Doctor Who monsters, and wonder about the romantic example Owen and Beru set for Luke as they explore a novel that asks what happened to the characters as soon as the credits rolled on Return of the Jedi. There's also a lot of Oregon Trail in there.

Meg and Caroline return to Corellia to finish Roger MacBride Allen's trilogy. Neglected children? Check. Inexplicably paranoid characters? Check. Ruminations on the nature of love? Check. Podcast hosts who understand how this story ended....? Tune in to find out! (Or reach out to explain - please.)

Meg and Caroline are back on Corellia and pondering what love really means in the EU (among many other things) in Assault at Selonia - part two of the Corellian Trilogy. Sure, there's a war (or something) going on, but this is really a book about missed connections, evil doppelgängers, and extremely poorly supervised children.

Meg and Caroline are back from their unplanned hiatus, and they're following Han Solo as he takes the family back to his roots on Corellia. In typical Solo family vacation fashion, there's not a lot of communication, and no preparation for coping with violent political unrest. Most importantly, Mon Mothma finally says everything to Luke Skywalker that Caroline and Meg been wanting to.

Caroline and Meg finish their trip through the short story collection exploring the adventures of some of Star Wars' most iconic background characters. They gain insights into the Empire's flawed management styles, consider Wookiee mustaches, and still make time to recast Batman and Superman!

Meg and Caroline return to the Heir to the Empire Trilogy to take on The Last Command - and it's possible The Last Command won the fight. Tune in to find out where the birth of Jacen and Jaina stacks up on the sitcom babies scale, what's wrong with Mara Jade, and how to pronounce "Luuke." Plus, a discussion of favorite villains!

Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the galaxy... Meg and Caroline are walking back in to the Mos Eisley Cantina, where the Casablanca references flow as freely as the droid hate, date night ends about as badly as it can, and Jawas have terrible self esteem. They're here for all of it, plus a detour into late 90s television series!

Caroline and Meg are back from Labor Day Weekend with Book 2 of the Heir to the Empire (Thrawn) Trilogy - Dark Force Rising. Did they give us enough C'blahblah? Did Thrawn get more interesting? Did anyone find anything for Han to do? Tune in and find out!

Meg and Caroline are heading to everyone's favorite wretched hive of scum and villainy for the first four Tales From Mos Eisley Cantina! These are short stories explaining the many memorable characters in the background when Luke and Ben first met Han and Chewie. Tune in to find out how it stacks up to Jabba's Palace, plus an open call for Harry Potter challenges!

Caroline and Meg are tackling the book that launched the expanded universe: Heir to the Empire. Tune in as they discover the origins of Luke's decision to found a Jedi academy, Han's nonstop self-quotations, and Leia's total helplessness. Feel free to get in touch on social media if you would like to (politely) disagree with their hot takes!

The time has finally come - Meg and Caroline are taking on The Crystal Star, a Star Wars book with a bizarre villain, a checkered reputation, and a very different kind of take on what a galaxy far, far away can be. Buckle up, haters, because this book is a joy ride!

Caroline and Meg are getting to know Corran Horn - a Rogue Squadron pilot, rising Jedi, and friend to all your favorite characters. But, what kind of a guy is Corran Horn, really? They're breaking him down, along with Luke (it's unavoidable), fan fiction, and more in I, Jedi!

Luke's asleep? Check. Child endangerment? Check. Characters quoting the movies? Check. Check. Check. Just when Meg and Caroline thought they knew what to expect from a trip to Luke's Jedi Academy, Champions of the Force came along to do all that, but then also take a hard turn to.... office parody? Tune in for the last chapter of the Jedi Academy Trilogy!

Meg and Caroline complete their journey through Jabba's Palace with six more stories! Once more into the Sarlaac Pitt; join in for charming tales of brain snatching, blossoming romance, and our best-ever Boba Fett!

After years of searching, longing, and planning, Luke Skywalker finally founds his Jedi Academy . . . and students start falling to the dark side like crazy. Caroline and Meg are back to the Jedi Academy Trilogy with Dark Apprentice, where Luke has forgotten about the "do or do not" and is leaning all the way in to "there is no try," Leia is a weepy mess, and Han seems to hate everyone.

Meg and Caroline return to Tatooine with more Tales from Jabba's Palace. In these six short stories they get a glimpse of some of the many, many plots against Jabba that are in the works in Return of the Jedi, make good use of their film studies knowledge, and get seriously creeped out by body horror. Tune in for Magic 8 Ball worship, brain snatching, and more!

Meg and Caroline are heading back to the roots of Jedi Master Luke Skywalker's "teaching" style in The Jedi Academy Trilogy. First up: Jedi Search - a book in which terrible things befall Han, Luke barely makes an effort, and Leia is annoyed. Tune in for questions about the Solo marriage, the governance of the New Republic, and our new game!

In this episode, Meg and Caroline dive in to Tales From Jabba's Palace - a collection of short stories by a variety of authors, giving many perspectives on the characters we just barely glimpsed in Return of the Jedi. This book's got it all - horror, comedy, love, and jokes about tenure! They also examine the history of Star Wars canon, and touch on recent controversies in online fan culture.

The young Jedi knights finally find Bornan Thul, but Meg and Caroline are still trying to find out how Han is spending all of his time. They're wrapping up the Diversity Alliance arc with The Emperor's Plague, and they have more questions than ever about these characters and their choices, plus a lot of brand new questions about Star Wars hospital procedures!

Caroline and Meg are back to the Young Jedi Knights! In the penultimate chapter of the Diversity Alliance arc, they consider Zekk's puzzle-solving abilities, why the universe is so against Raynar, and Disney Jr. cartoons (really!). Also: do any adults care about these kids at all? Tune in to find out!

In this special (and spoiler-filled!) episode Meg and Caroline review Solo: A Star Wars Story. They look at how Han's new origins stack up against the AC Crispin novels, examine the movie's themes of partnership and trust, and lavish praise on Lando's many capes.

Caroline and Meg bid A.C. Crispin's Han Solo trilogy a heartfelt and extremely fond farewell with Rebel Dawn - which delivers on everything from outer space casino cruises to Hutts in mortal combat! All that and more, plus: a break down what makes this prequel work where so many don't, the ethics of Bria, and hopes and expectations for Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Welcome to the first episode of Hutt Talk! Alright, technically we're still Adolescence After Alderaan, but in this episode Meg and Caroline are delighted, perplexed, and occasionally shocked by the revelations about Hutt biology and culture developed in The Hutt Gambit. Also - Han's side career as a magician, Lando's crowd-pleasing entrance, and some badass ladies. Buckle up for some fangirling, because this book's got a lot of love coming its way.

Solo: A Star Wars Story premieres in just a few weeks, so Meg and Caroline are heading back to Han Solo's Expanded Universe roots, to see the original origins of the man who shot first! Joining them is the podcast's first ever guest, to help explore this world of Wookiees, Thundercats, and swoops (and let us know if you know what a swoop is).

The Young Jedi Knights do a whole lot of nothing (including shrugging off a robot uprising) and Zekk tries to make Fake Boba Fett his mentor in Delusions of Grandeur - a book that leaves Meg and Caroline more flummoxed than usual. Tune in for theories about just who these delusions belong to, the design advantages of obnoxious droid personalities, and even further consideration of the Bounty Hunter Creed.

It's time for the Young Jedi Knights to take another vacation from school! Dive into Diversity Alliance with Caroline and Meg, as they wonder if Raynar's bullies should get to invite themselves to his home, whether extreme naivety is a great quality in a bounty hunter, and if this new villain might not be more comfortable in a James Bond novel. Plus: Raynar's mom is the Leia we've been waiting for!

In this episode Meg and Caroline examine the paradox of Shards of Alderaan - almost nothing happens, and yet so much makes them angry. They dive in to the baffling ways the Star Wars Universe deals with things like head trauma, criminal justice, and predictable natural disasters, as the Young Jedi Knights set out to wish Leia (ONLY LEIA) a happy birthday.

It all comes down to . . . this?? Meg and Caroline take on the Jedi vs. Dark Jedi confrontation as school with the dumbest leader attacks the school with the laziest leader in a contest to see who can manage to lose an easy win. Plus, a journey through dudes of late 90s pop culture as they ponder listener questions!

Meg and Caroline travel with the Young Jedi Knights to the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyk in Darkest Knight! They find plenty to remind them of 1970s sitcoms and Barbra Streisand songs, and also quickly find the limits of their knowledge of video games. Plus, Brakiss is revealed to be the stupidest person in the galaxy!

Ever wished you could build a lightsaber? Good news, apparently you totally can! But you probably shouldn't. Meg and Caroline are back with the Young Jedi Knights in (you guessed it!) Lightsabers, and they have a lot of issues to raise with a certain Jedi Master.

Caroline and Meg back with part 2 of discussion of The Courtship of Princess Leia! They round out their examination of the EU's romance novel with an examination of what happens on Dathomir, raise concerns about everyone's disrespect for Isolder's boundaries, and enjoy the ride careening from violent battle to sitcom humor.

In this episode, the first of two, Meg and Caroline try to figure out The Courtship of Princess Leia. They start with the big questions, like "What?" and "Seriously, what?" and of course "Why?" and "What is this?" Tune in, because they do have some answers.

Ever worry about the massive homelessness problem on Coruscant? No? Unfortunately for the people there, neither have our heroes. The Young Jedi Knights head home for a visit, and Caroline and Meg dive in to the workings of the New Republic's capital city/planet in The Lost Ones.

Caroline and Meg are back for the second book in the Young Jedi Knights series - Shadow Academy. They're covering everything from the nature of the dark side of the Force to undercover rancor riding, so buckle up and dive in!

What is the curriculum at Luke's Jedi Academy? Who is charge of making sure these kids are safe? What are the rules for capturing and storing dangerous creatures? We ask all the questions that Luke apparently never bothered to come up with answers to as we meet the Young Jedi Knights.

We're a podcast dedicated to retracing our adolescent journey through the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and taking deep dives into where ever those paths lead. In this episode, we'll introduce ourselves, and explore our connections to Star Wars as well as lay out our goals for the podcast going forward.