Unknown Regions: A Star Wars Podcast

Welcome to the 2nd installment of the Unknown Regions Podcast's Late & Lazy Reader's High Republic Book Club in which we discuss the darker & intriguing THR novel, "THE RISING STORM" by Cavan Scott! The High Republic slaps, & we are blessed, once again, with guidance from our lovely friend, SARAH (Friends of the Force Podcast, @seh221), to help us process all the goings-on in this darker middle chapter of Phase 1 of The High Republic novels.

Welcome to the Unknown Regions Podcast Late & Lazy Reader's High Republic Book Club! We have finally started our journey into Star Wars: The High Republic! We asked our dear friend, SARAH (Friends of the Force Podcast, @seh221), High Republic aficionado, to guide us through "LIGHT OF THE JEDI" by Charles Soule.  Join us for a lively discussion about the book that set the stage for High Republic storytelling. And if you too are late and/or lazy and would like to catch up on THR, join us for our next book..."THE RISING STORM" by Cavan Scott!

Veering off into time rather than just space, join us for a full spoiler review & analysis of Lucasfilm's current (and likely last) adventure with Indiana Jones! We give the full Unknown Regions treatment to "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" as we let our opinions on Indy 5 loose, as well as deep dive into the possible symbolism and metaphor of this delightful and at times unexpectedly moving film. There's a lot going on under the surface of this Indiana Jones adventure, so we hope you enjoy our discussion!

Freshly back from Star Wars Celebration 2023, your 2 hosts reunite to discuss Chapters 22 & 23 of THE MANDALORIAN! we delve into "Guns for Hire" & review possible themes & metaphors that perhaps were subtle compared to the bananas guest stars & untraditional plot devices. And of course we spend ample time discussing "The Spies", one of the most densely-packed episodes to date. WHO ARE "THE SPIES" (including a presentation of evidence to counter some of the suspicion being cast on the Armorer)? What are our season 3 finale responsible AND irresponsible speculations? JOIN US!

We made it to Episode 66!!! *clinks glasses of spotchka together  We're back to discuss THE MANDALORIAN Chapter 21 "The Pirate". This episode basically had it all....action, surprise cameos, politics, & of course PIRATES! Join us as we yo ho & dig for the treasure of deeper meaning in this episode. And of course we discuss the fascinating & moving journey of the Mandalorians.

WE! ARE! BACK! In this episode we return to discuss what the heck we think is going on so far on The Mandalorian Season 3 (Chapters 17-20). Why so much green? What do the mines of Mandalore represent? Where do we stand regarding The Armorer & her not-very-merry band of Mandos? Join us once again for our thoughts on all this & more!

We're back in this triple-sized episode to discuss THE BAD BATCH Episodes 4, 5 & 6! Three engaging episodes with very different tones, but we make the case that they all emphasize the same themes. We discuss character theories regarding Cid & Phee, the comedy gold of Tay-0 & Tech, WHAT IS UP WITH THAT GIANT MECH, and how George Lucas directly influenced the Wookiee culture of "Tribe". 

Come along as we discuss STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH, Season 2 Episode 3 "The Solitary Clone". Once again, TBB is firing on all cylinders delivering quite a poignant episode while also hitting all the nostalgic action buttons for "The Clone Wars" fans. We agree, this is one of the best "The Bad Batch" episodes if not one of the best Star Wars animated episodes over all. 

THE BAD BATCH IS BACK! And we are so glad! After a long wait, we are thrilled to catch up with Omega, Hunter, Wrecker, Echo, Tech and Crosshair. The 2-part premiere really left us wanting for nothing and does what this show does best...breakneck action, a meaningful metaphor peppered in & a more complex theme just beneath the surface of what appears to be a simple story. PLUS, THRONE ROOM CONTENT!

After a looooong hiatus we are back to discuss Episodes 9 & 10 of ANDOR! This arc provided some of the best acting and writing of the past 40+ years of Star Wars, and we are here to fawn over each and every performance. Not to mention an A+ WATER EPISODE!!! 

In another gripping episode, "Star Wars: ANDOR" continues to impress us. Join us as we analyze  the many layers of Episode 8, "Narkina 5". What is up with all the 7's? What is up with all the shots of feet? What is up with this looking/feeling  so much like George Lucas's early film "THX 1138"? What is up with us making TWO Seinfeld references?

No ifs ANDOR buts, we are back from the Unknown Regions once again to discuss the long-awaited premiere of the new Disney+ series "Star Wars: Andor"! Sorry for the delay as Collin has been hard at work for several months composing another masterpiece, but rest assured we will be covering this new show that promises to be a whole new take on Star Wars and the spy thriller genre. Join us while we give our 1st impressions, dive into Nicholas Britell's fascinating musical score, the characters (both new & old), and even some early speculation. 

"Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part VI", the finale, is here, AND IT IS A BANGER. In what could be some of the best Star Wars ever made, Deborah Chow delivered an epic finale concluding some exceptional storytelling. Please join us for "Rock Talk", discussing the Star Wars brawl of the century, Reva's place in all this & more metaFORCEical goodness as we say goodbye there to this amazing story.

Join us for an abnormally brief discussion of "OBI-WAN KENOBI: PART V". The secrets revealed! The perfectly utilized flashbacks! Some light electrical work! The classic switcharoo gimmick! Once again, Deborah Chow delivers an episode that feels so Star Wars but is still doing its own thing.

FINALLY, Unknown Regions Podcast has a meeting of the minds to discuss the Disney+ series "Obi-Wan Kenobi", Parts 1-4. Deborah Chow has painted a spectacular canvas full of themes, metaphor and symbolism. Water, "The Middle Path", the theme of "talking vs silence", name symbolism...this show is dense with so much amazingness. Please join us to discuss what we're finding right beneath the surface!

In an exhausted stupor after 4 days of Star Wars Celebration 2022 & sleep deprivation, we decided to talk at length about John Williams's "Obi-Wan" which he composed for the new Disney+ series, "Obi-Wan Kenobi". Sound analysis or incoherent ramblings? You be the judge. But regardless, this new piece is a gift from JDubs. It's beautiful. It's heartbreaking. It's complex. It's a masterwork. We also discuss some of our fave & least fave moments from Star Wars Celebration 2022. AND PLEASE ENJOY THE NEWLY MASTERED INTRO OF "FIRE ON THE BASE", THE UNKNOWN REGIONS PODCAST THEME composed by Collin Wittlich himself!

Once again, we apologize for the long hiatus ,but WE ARE BACK! And just in time to review the panel schedule for Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022! It's been 3 very long years since SWC Chicago in 2019, and Collin and I cannot wait to hopefully meet some of you at SWCA. In preparation for that, we go through the panel schedule, day-by-day, to determine what are our must-sees. However, along with that always comes tough decisions and manifesting good luck to hopefully make our way into some of the big ticket panels. We hope to see some of you there!

That's a wrap on "The Book of Boba Fett"! We finally sit down in the Unknown Regions to discuss the very eventful (series?) finale. How did it all come together? How did we possibly survive the Boba & Mando team-up? Or basically how did we survive ANY of the cuckoo bananas stuff happening in this episode? Join us as we discuss 50 minutes of pure Star Wars joy.

(Apologies! Apologies! I accidentally published my solo recording instead of this, the edited final copy. Let's just delete that one, mmkay? Mmkay!) EPISODE 50! Thanks to everyone who has hung in there with us through our erratic schedule & super long episodes! WE LOVE YOU! So here we are at the penultimate episode of "The Book of Boba Fett"! A devisive episode to be sure, but what does URP think? Is there a method to the madness of DigitaLuke? Has "the stranger" ever been more terrifying? Is there any worse group than the Pykes in all of Star Wars? (That's a rhetorical question because the answer is NO!) 

We, for two, welcome Bryce Dallas Howard as our new Star Wars overlady. OHHHH KAYYYY. This episode. What can we say? Outstanding? Yes. Slightly controversial? Also yes. Join us in examining one of the most enjoyable 50 minutes of Star Wars we've ever seen. It is nostalgia gone RIGHT as well as insight into the Mandoverse the likes of which we've never seen in live action. 

Already at the halfway point in the series & we are fully healed! Join us as we discuss "THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT Chapter 4: The Gathering Storm". We get more details regarding Fennec Shand & her relationship with Boba Fett, where Boba's ship has been all this time, & if you've ever wondered what a sonic detonator would do to a sarlaac, it's your lucky week! 

Come along with us as we leisurely stroll through The Streets of Mos Espa! There were things we loved, things we liked, and things we...hmmmblergh. But this episode was not short on new faces, killer cameos, and Wookiee smackdowns. 

Welp, settle in I guess for a classic ridiculously long episode of URP because "The Book of Boba Fett Chapter 2: The Tribes of Tatooine" deserves to be discussed. Some of the best Star Wars in years? The direction. Layer on layer on layer of metaphor. The acting. The story. The action. The WEIRRRRRRD. Another new throne room?! It's all in there. Please join us for the love fest.

Apologies! Apologies! After an unexpected & unannounced 4 month hiatus UNKNOWN REGIONS PODCAST is back because "The Book of Boba Fett" is here! Please join us as we marvel at this series for which I have personally waited 38 years. What did we think of the premiere episode? How is it possible that Star Wars is giving us 2 main characters over the age of 40 that are so insanely attractive? What did Collin think of this new original score by this new (to SW) composer? What metaphorical goodness made me squeal with delight? And in this week's PSA, how do you know when you REALLY should see your dentists asap? Now that we're back, come spend some quality time in the Unknown Regions once again!

We made it. The season finale of "The Bad Batch" has been seen...and we have a lot of thoughts and feelings on this new Star Wars show with which we have been gifted. It made quite an impression on us as well as our special guest star this week, our husband/dad, Jeff. So join us for a final season 1 discussion on the compelling characters, the emotional story, the metaphor, the symbolism, etc of what we feel is some great Star Wars.

(TW/ Holocaust) Oooookayyyy here we are at the two-part season finale of "The Bad Batch". How are we feeling? Emotionally compromised? Because you are NOT alone. Join us in this deeeeep dive on "Return to Kamino" and find out how we responded to this epic episode, and what we think the deeper metaphor for this entire season could be. 

Join us once again for a double dose of "THE BAD BATCH" as we discuss Episode 13 "Infested" and Episode 14 "War-Mantle". As season one nears its end, we got both a stand-alone type story with a metaFORCEical theme and a STRESSFUL larger story arc episode. Things are getting really real for the Kaminoans, Clone Force 99 and Omega as we seem to be barreling towards an emotionally gripping season 1 finale.  TW/ Holocaust

We are back to discuss "The Bad Batch", and its first multiple episode story arc! In this mashup of "The Clone Wars", "Rebels" and "The Bad Batch", we look into the backstory of some old friends, once again wonder about the efficacy of the clones' inhibitor chips, and have a good feeling about Omega meeting a new bff. And we'd be remiss if we didn't discuss new Star Wars heartthrob...HOT HOWZER. 

We have arrived at Episode 40! Thank you all for listening! This week in Current Events we discuss the "Star Wars: Visions" anime project and the details that were unveiled at the Anime Expo Lite panel including release date, studios included, and titles & details of each short. I mean, A DROID IN A HAT, YA'LL! We of course also discuss Episode 10 of "The Bad Batch: Common Ground". We delve into how this episode recalled The Clone Wars, focused on a more political theme yet also gave us additional insight into Omega's skill set & her relationship with her Tough Love Mom, Cid, and we see how hard I will go to defend new droid GS-8. Lastly, please be warned that I rant about a topic that made me a little grumpy this week.

We're are back to discuss Episode 9 of THE BAD BATCH! This episode finds our young heroine in the clutches of Cad Bane & his pesky droid, Todo, but as the title flat out tells us lol, that doesn't last too long. But there are definitely a couple of record scratch moments that left us with more questions than answers. Plus the return of not 1 but 2 of Omega's "Moms"! So come on in, and hear us out on what we think it all could possibly mean. 

We have hit the halfway mark of season 1 of THE BAD BATCH, and it took no prisoners (har har). Crosshair is back on our screens, and he is on an Imperial mission to, ummmm, "take care" of his former squad. Tensions run HIGH this episode, PLUS we have a big deal guest star that made Collin fist pump. (Oh yeah, and he also yells about Rhen Var AGAIN.)

This week URP examines "THE BAD BATCH" Episode 7 entitled "Battle Scars". We have arrived at the midway point of season one, and it sure got tense as Wrecker's inhibitor chip finally becomes a very big problem for him and his friends. We also get a very exciting guest star in this episode, and we discuss a metaphorical moment which of course makes us happy. Plus, we perhaps uncover a subtle theme that evokes possible spirituality. Join us and let us know what you think! 

Apologies that Collin has been lost in the Unknown Regions of final school projects for a few weeks, but we are back for a Death Star sized episode! We delve into episodes 4, 5 and 6 of "THE BAD BATCH", discuss how we think this show is hitting on almost all cylinders, explore the feminism of a show we had assumed would be all tough dude clones all the time, and attempt to keep to a time schedule...and fail.

Welp, "The Bad Batch" is really pulling no punches in Episode 3: Replacements, and we are basically loving it. We had a lot to say about Crosshair, his character arc, speculative redemption. We also discuss more on Omega, her new creature friend, her possible mysterious purpose, what we think her actions in this episode could mean to the larger story. And as always, Wrecker...please marry me.

WE HAVE A NEW STAR WARS ANIMATED SERIES!!! "The Bad Batch" premiered on Disney Plus, and Collin and I welcome Clashing Sabers Network's BRANDON BOYLAN (my space son) joins us to excitedly discuss the 100 new minutes of animated splendor in both episodes we got this week! Who are our TBB biases? What do we think about Omega? (PS We have lots of thoughts about her.) Why are we SO EXCITED about Lama Su, Prime Minister of Kamino? When will Wrecker and I be wed? Join us!

Continuing our Star Wars/LOST comparison series, we're focusing on another major theme of both stories....REDEMPTION. SPOILER WARNING, please be aware we will be spoiling many, many aspects of LOST during this series!!!! As a returning special guest and LOST connoisseur, we are joined by my other offspring, DELANEY, who was eager to explore this theme! Who do we think are the major redemption arcs of both stories? How do the characters' redemption arcs mirror each other? How are they different? Which does it better, in our opinions? This was one of our favorite discussions, so we hope you enjoy!

WE ARE BACK and on an island far, far away! Apologies for the unplanned hiatus, but we are now here to make good on our threats of a series of episodes comparing Star Wars and LOST, the television series. We have long held that LOST and Star Wars are cut from the same cloth, so in Part 1 of this series we begin with a huge theme of both stories...THE BINARY, the Light and Dark, and the struggle to find the balance between them. WARNING! THERE WILL BE SPOILERS GALORE IN THIS SERIES, so we advise that you watch LOST before you join us for this comparison series. Otherwise...now boarding Flight 815 to the Unknown Regions!

It's URP's 1st Anniversary! And it's New Year's Eve! And I'm armed with one glass of champagne! We are celebrating by reviewing our favorite Star Wars things that have happened since our debut. What are our favorites? What are our least favorites? And what is the State of the Force after the past year's content?  What kind of mood is the Force in at the end of 2020? Ring in 2021 in the Unknown Regions! 

Happy Holidays! URP's Clan of 2 is here one last time in a super-sized episode to examine the finale of season 2, "The Mandalorian: The Rescue"! This chapter is action-packed, top to bottom with space battles, Mando flame thrower vs Mando flame thrower, infiltrations, lady squad badassery, a legion of killer droids, a major character cameo, emotional upheaval, AND a huge epilogue announcement! Whew, I'm exhausted just typing this. So join us while we break down what we think it all means.

URP's Clan of 2 here to dig into the penultimate episode of season 2, "The Mandalorian Chapter 15: The Believer"! Opinions on this episode are a little all over the place but that usually makes for the best discussions. Who IS the believer and what is it they are believing? Why do we need Mayfeld back (because honestly I really didn't think I did lol), and how amazing are his monologues? (Answer: VERY) What part of the episode made me grrrrr. What moment of PURE fan service made us cheer at 3:00 am? What does a Salvador Dali painting have to do with the Chop Fields? Will I ever stop seeing Greek letters symbolism in this show? What do we think will go down in the finale? Jump into our Juggernaut (but don't drive too fast) & find out!

SURPRISE BONUS EPISODE! Like a virtual version of a super-sized Hall H Saturday panel (minus the horrible con pizza and hot dogs), Disney pummeled us today with an Investor Day extravaganza. Ten Star Wars Disney+ series and 2 films were announced/updated today, and we managed to survive to report our thoughts and feelings about each one.