This is the Way Podcast

It's another very special episode of This is the Way Podcast. Make sure there's a tape in the recorder and you have the correct channel on the VCR.

Two years ago it was my dad. Last year, my oldest daughter. This year, my youngest. "May the Fourth be with you" this year as the "baby" of the family gets a chance to speak her mind about Star Wars.

Don't expect a marathon of an episode. The purpose isn't to exhaust the listeners with the host's own children, but to share how Star Wars is thought about in the home. Like the elder sister, death and dying aren't favorite parts, but surprise, surprise, royalty is where it's at for her. Oh, did we mention the Taylor Swift reference? Someone's teacher apparently likes to "shake it off" in the classroom and spread her fandom to the family.

As mentioned last year (5/4/23), there are no trick questions, but because we're using one microphone for two speakers, the editor did have to get creative with a few clips in order to hide as many of the sound level changes as possible.

The April 2024 Star Wars news update episode stars off with a "my bad" as a result of constructive listener feedback. That's not a joke or a set up for a punch line. I have become overtly negative in my criticism of The Acolyte. I'm not suggesting there's reasons for me to be positive, but the old adage about not saying anything at all if you can't say something nice does have merit here. Why turn off potential listeners who disagree by laughing and expressing my hope for failure?

Collectibles...Star Wars video game and board game news...the final episodes of The Bad Batch...the upcoming debut of The Acolyte...even news on the Skeleton Crew...lend an ear to the episode and let us know if you think we missed something.

March 2024's news update episode is available just before the end of the month, but it's Easter weekend, so it might be a slight gamble that something big doesn't come from Lucasfilm or Disney this weekend, but not as big a risk as The Acolyte action figures getting announced before anyone knows what kind of show it will be. Even the "Holocomm" collectibles seem a safer bet, but then again, it doesn't get much better than Darth Vader.

Wait a second...are we LEADING the notes with collectibles? Yes. Oh, we are well aware The Acolyte released a trailer, but anything by Leslye Headland is "wait and see" because of her unproven track record and factual statements voluntarily given about her past and Star Wars in general. We don't have high hopes for the next live action Star Wars show, but we reserve judgment until actually seeing it.

A reminder for Disney Parks news, a tidbit about a game company that kept plugging along after firings more than decimated a co-developer, the death of a casting agent, and a chance to see Star Wars in the theater, once again. Yeah, this definitely qualifies as a news update podcast.

This is the Way Podcast reached the 150 episode mark with the "Star Wars Podcast Day" episode earlier in February, but our news update for the month ticks in just before the close of the month on Leap Day.

Carl, Cara, Cassian...video games coming and video games cancelled...hot collectibles and not so hot off the presses park news. February is a short month, but somehow we spent more than three and one half minutes more on the news this month than in January.

The Bad Batch third and final season is releasing episodes now, but remember, This is the Way Podcast doesn't cover it episode by episode. We do first and second half recaps and those might not come until the summer, when The Acolyte is expected to start streaming.

It's that time once again!

#StarWarsPodcastDay2024 and This is the Way Podcast is observing it with a background episode on the host. This episode was commissioned for Star Wars Podcast Day 2024 which this year is being observed by a record number of podcasts (more than 100 for the second year in a row). It happens yearly on February 7th, which commemorates the first Star Wars centered podcast debut in 1999. That means this is the 25th year of podcasting about Star Wars even if it's only the fourth #SWPD. This is the Way Podcast has celebrated with an episode airing on the seventh of February every year, even if they haven't always been "special" episodes.

New Year, same great news coverage from This is the Way Podcast!

Disney Plus live action Star Wars shows aren't "coming soon" but January saw an official greenlight for a second season of Ahsoka and a new "The Mandalorian and Grogu" movie. Will there be a season four of The Mandalorian? That news would have to come in a future news update podcast.

The Bad Batch third and final season is coming next month (February 21st) and finishes up before this year's May the Fourth. Star Wars Podcast Day 2024 is quickly approaching and there is the usual gaming, collecting, and Disney Parks news inside the episode.

Disney Plus live action Star Wars shows have been on hiatus since Ahsoka wrapped and will be until 2024. Four shows await releases during the year. Andor's second season isn't one of them.

There is a little bit of gamer news and some collectors items going on sale. There is no year in review because your This is the Way Podcast host has had an awful final quarter of the year. Here's hoping we're brought some Death Star plans.

Help finish off the year with episode 148. It's not too long and we try to make even short ones worth your time.

Star Wars was dealing with two strikes, but there's a new count now that Dave Filoni is in creative control at Lucasfilm. No, Kathleen Kennedy didn't get fired, but it does seem like having one person in control will be better than the story group that has been making Star Wars awful. Will Filoni make it great again? We have to wait and watch.

Disney Plus Star Wars content is still on hiatus and news isn't great for gamers. Collectors are collecting thanks to the holiday season, which reminds us...do you have something you got and would like to share? Tag us in your pictures of gifts that you're giving or that you receive! We'd love to take a look at all the stuff we're not getting!

This is the Way Podcast finally finished with Ahsoka, the series, and it looks like nothing but news for the forseeable future, especially after cutting off Disney Plus.

If you're looking for a host that will put a positive spin on any criticism of Ahsoka and overlook the awful plotting, bad writing, and focus on only the highlights, then you may want to skip this episode of This is the Way Podcast.

Disney's purchase of LucasFilm has finally "broken" the host and as a day one Disney Plus subscriber, cancelling the service felt like defeat. Hey! Something in common with Sabine and Ahsoka in the show!

Thrawn is no military genius. That's not what we saw. Sabine shouldn't have finally accessed the part of her that can sense the Force because that's not what we've been shown. Ahsoka didn't suddenly figure out what being a master is all about because you cannot somehow believe that it's okay to support someone in everything they do. That's insane. Well, maybe the World Between Worlds broke her. I'm not even sure that's where she was when she saw Anakin anymore, although, hey, he's not concerned with Luke and his grandson because he's hanging out in another galaxy.

I swear, if Disney tries to tell us she starts a new faction of the Jedi and that's her "purpose" in this other galaxy...yikes. I better not hand them any ideas.

Ahsoka's finale is filled with moves that don't make sense and majick that does make sense, but doesn't get used enough. Thrawn fails upward and Ezra gets a Force push from Mary Subine. It's best to stop now before getting upset. Holding out hope until the last minute turned out to disappoint. It's still not Obi-Wan Kenobi series bad, but it's not The Mandalorian or Andor, either.

One strike is over, another might be coming to an end, but Disney Plus Star Wars content is going on hiatus no matter what. It will be months before The Acolyte or Skeleton Crew appears on the streaming service, so I hope you like video game and collectible news!

Yes, This is the Way Podcast STILL hasn't finished with Ahsoka, the series, but hey, do we need to rush? The host has a new outlook on life after a major surgery in the family. Prayers always appreciated.

What's your Star Wars costume of choice? We don't have one. Feel free to share yours!

Ahsoka has just one episode left after Dreams and Madness, Part VII. Remember the days when seasons were something like 20-25 episodes long? Back then, there were cliffhangers and you might have had to wait six months to see a thrilling conclusion. Six months? Now we wait years and get half finished plotlines instead of cliffhangers because the story teams haven't figured out how many years they can squeeze out of an idea.

I sound a little bitter, right? It's hard not to be when you keep telling yourself that it will get better because it has to get better. Half the season is gone. There are still three episodes left. The penultimate episode is going to set up a great finale. The finale...stinks?

Is Ahsoka heading for that valley of despair? The only answer figures to be a decisive victory for Thrawn, but what does that mean in a world we know Rey and Finn and Poe inherit? Are we supposed to keep asking for what's next when what they deliver is always a set up for the next thing and never commits to giving answers because there's something else they might want to mine commercially? Increasingly, it seems people who feared Disney would do what they're doing to Star Wars were right.

Ahsoka isn't all bad and neither is episode seven. Hera stood trial, but she got bailed out of trouble by a gold protocol droid with a note. Ahsoka and Huyang continued on and were in danger! And then they weren't. Baylan sent Shin off to kill the heroes! But she failed. Thrawn set up a master plan! It was to stall. Oh, and Sabine STILL HASN'T TOLD EZRA THEY MIGHT NOT GET HOME.

This is the Way Podcast is not going to stop covering Ahsoka an episode from the finish line, but potential can only carry you so far before you have to produce something special. This series has just one episode to pull out all the stops, but common sense says this is just set up for the next set up.

Is the strike over? Will we get new (Star Wars) series (on Disney Plus) soon? We may or may not, but Ahsoka is almost over and just last month we talked about how great the first couple episodes ended up being. With the advent of the 8 episode season that has pretty much become an industry standard, a lot needs to happen early or people won't even get past the first half.

Strike news, Ahsoka news, video games, collectibles, and even a note about Star Tours getting an update. Slow month, September. At least we're in fall mode around here!

Ahsoka is back from "The World Between Worlds" and now "far, far away" in a brand new galaxy....that looks a lot like the old one we know so well.

I don't think Lucasfilm and Disney were intending to start from scratch and introduce new concepts and yes, we've got new aliens and new planets, but as Baylan seems to say, Star Wars is a tale like our own history. It's going to repeat again, and again, and again...

Far, Far Away is either giving us a lot to think about or tricking us into thinking we're going to get a lot more in the last two episodes. Will we end up seeing the show as a set up to a movie or will there be exciting events in the penultimate and final episodes?

Nightsisters and Great Mothers...Night Troopers that might be zombies...bandits...Noti...THRAWN! EZRA! Oh, and poor Purrgil. They don't know what's awaiting them at the place they're going to die.

This is the Way Podcast is once again proud to bring you snippets of Rebels, The Mandalorian, and oh yes, the NBC version of The Office. That's what I said.

Ahsoka starts the second half of season one with a blast from the past we never got to see and Ahsoka doesn't even give Anakin a big hug. Seriously, if you got to not just remember, but re-experience the past with someone you miss, would you whine and complain about learning lessons right away? No wonder she got her nickname for being snippy.

The World Between Worlds operates completely differently each time someone seems to visit, as does the way in and the way out. Who needs consistency when you have flashes of Vader?

Star whales are at it again, taking long trips without ships...well, I guess one did, didn't it? Hera is in T-R-O-U-B-L-E with the New Republic Senate for no good reason. Huyang loves to stick it to Sabine every chance he gets when she's around, but when she's gone? Well, he sticks it to Jacen Syndulla, an ACTUAL Force sensitive Jedi candidate.

This is the Way Podcast is proud to bring you snippets of Rebels, The Clone Wars, and oh yes, the NBC version of The Office. That's what I said.

Ahsoka reaches the halfway point of the season by visiting the "World Between Worlds" introduced in the animated series, Rebels. If you had that on your bingo card, congratulations. It's not that odds weren't great that Dave Filoni would take his creation to another time and space...err, place, but animation doesn't always translate well to live action. I suppose we've already crossed that stream, haven't we?

Ahsoka wins one fight and loses another because she burns her hand with a power-filled map. Sabine fights to a stalemate then gives up because she's too attached to Ezra. Shin Hati gets petty. Morgan Elsbeth succeeds in her quest. Hera and Carson Teva survive an "eye of Sion" maneuver in an episode that cribs a big line (used in trailers) from The Lord of the Rings.

It turns out Hera didn't need a pirate. She does bring Jacen along for a dangerous journey and Chopper, well, he was made for that. Did Anakin "pull" an Ezra and pull Ahsoka to safety? Is he going to finish what he started on Malachor or does this manifestation even know about that yet.

This is the Way Podcast's coverage continues today with a discussion about "Fallen Jedi" and whether that title references singular or plural somewhat dimmed luminous beings.

Ahsoka doesn't have to be serious to be a good show. I mean, the character sure has been acting serious and crossing her arms a lot, but Star Wars fans don't need everything to make perfect sense to enjoy it. It sure would help if the writing of the show was top level.

What will be next for the show? That's hard to guess. Will Hera enlist a pirate or Maz Kanata since the Senate is so stingy? Will Ahsoka wipe out these "other" Jedi or will there be no finale to the fighting? Is discovering Thrawn the only endgame and where the last episode will leave us or is there a story brewing? Is all this a set up for Filoni's movie?

Baylan remains the most interesting man in the galaxy and that's with masked Marrok in the picture. Huyang seems to have copied all the Jedi knowledge into some external hard drives. Oh, watch out for the star whales!

This is the Way Podcast's coverage continues next week with Part IV, releasing again on a Tuesday night, but hey, first enjoy Part III, will ya?

Hurricane Idalia is out in the Gulf of Mexico, but the month ends this week, so it's news update time for us at This is the Way Podcast headquarters. There isn't much news, other than Ahsoka's first week, an Andor "easter egg" and Skeleton Crew operating with a skeleton crew in Hollywood.

There's video game news and collectors have a couple notes and a certain Disney Plus show is promoting itself with a character at Galaxy's Edge (in California only, so far). We'll watch the weather, you listen to our news update. Deal?

Ahsoka's first episode set a tone and the second continued the theme. She's looking for Thrawn...oh, and Ezra, too. Hera and Sabine couldn't care less about the bad guys. They just want their friend back. Huyang is trying to preserve his circuitry while Chopper cares very little for collateral damage on Corellia.

Baylan seems like the most interesting man in the galaxy and that's based on more than looks. Elsbeth dips her finger into witchcraft in the episode and Marrok shows off HIS lightsaber training. It certainly doesn't look anything like what he might have learned from Kanan. Maybe Thrawn? Then again, how would HE be able to get back, but Thrawn be in "exile" as Elsbeth puts it?

The real problem (so far) continues to be Filoni's decision to make Sabine force sensitive at all. There is a way to do it and the way he chose to do it makes no sense based on every single character development she went through in Rebels. He has six more episodes to make it make sense.

This is the Way Podcast's coverage continues with Part III, releasing Tuesday night, but a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico might make the podcast discussion a bit later than usual. We ask for your prayers for HQ's safety and for the This is the Way Podcast host's family.

Ahsoka feels like she's been around since the beginning even though her first appearance in Star Wars came this century and not a long time ago in a galaxy...oh you know. Since she became Anakin's padawan, she's been reviled and revisited as a Rebel and now, revered with a live action series of her own. It might be the most successful introduction to Star Wars canon since the prequels to the hearts of fans, at least of any character not named Grogu.

The series premiere certainly isn't fan service, but neither does it leave long time Star Wars content watchers without nostalgic moments. If you know where to look, you'll find something from The Clone Wars or Rebels past. That's what this podcast aims to help uncover.

This is the Way Podcast's coverage of the show won't be as wide reaching as it was for The Mandalorian, but the plan is to tackle each episode individually. That means Part II will be its own episode, even though it's already available to stream. If it's your first time here, please check out all our podcast episodes and like and subscribe to all available podcast outlets. It helps inspire the host to keep producing this content!

Episodes of Ahsoka will air Tuesday nights. Hopefully, This is the Way Podcast's second podcast episode (on episode two) will come before episode three is available to stream, but no promises, okay?

This is the Way Podcast was developed specifically for the very first Disney Plus Star Wars show, but my, how it has grown. Three seasons of The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, animated series, and monthly Star Wars news. Now, in August of 2023, we're getting another live action entry: Ahsoka.

Steve finished watching the second half of season two of The Bad Batch a long time ago, but in a galaxy not so far away. As an animated show, it has to stand up to Rebels and even The Clone Wars and sometimes, well, it doesn't match the quality. Whether it's the story or the writing is up for debate, but it must be a challenge to tie together different shows in a meaningful way and please most of your fans.

Season two's second half isn't all bad, but it's not mostly good, either. If a podcaster who loves Star Wars can't admit that, or can't hold and share that opinion without derision, well, then it's obvious which set of "fans" are the real problems. Star Wars fandom is divided, but there's still hope and The Bad Batch is coming back for a third and final season in the future to tie up loose ends, hopefully without stepping on hallowed ground that has already been tread (and if it was done in live action, it's even more difficult to live up to the expectations of some fans).

This is the Way Podcast did things differently during the first season two years back with regards to recaps and discussions of The Bad Batch and that's how it is going continue.

Episode 9 of season 2 (25 overall?) begins this episode of This is the Way Podcast and we wrap it up with the season finale, Plan 99. This is the Way we'd like to handle shows like The Bad Batch and we think it works.

Summer is in full sweat in the south, but San Diego Comic Con had most of the cool Star Wars news for the month. The guild strikes in Hollywood put a lot of coming content into question, but Ahsoka is close enough to the end of the production line to probably be safe for it's intended release.

Shooting schedules are paused and actors and writers are less likely to market for an industry they feel is leaving them in a lurch over streaming royalties. It's the perfect time to catch up with collectible and video game news, and the host reveals his first Star Wars purchase in years!

This is the Way we handle podcasts in the summer...sometimes.

The middle of the year last year was cooled off by the chilly reception some people gave Obi-Wan Kenobi (the series, not the character). This spring, The Mandalorian (again, series, not characters) didn't exactly heat things up...unless you were Moff Gideon I guess. That's why the Disney Gallery behind-the-scenes look at season three of The Mandalorian felt lukewarm at best. Well, there was no Luke, like there was for season two or even The Book of Boba Fett.

Ahsoka and Skeleton Crew might be the only hopes after last month's awful news on The Acolyte. There's some gaming news that might only be marketing, but we'll have to give a new developer time to develop an eleven year old MMORPG and give the benefit of the doubt to a game that might be "eclipsing" another that has been in development for a ridiculously long time. As usual there is some news for collector and we're choosing to believe that "Commander Appo" is not the same as "Sergeant Appo" from The Clone Wars, because it certainly seems like a retcon if he's actually the same guy on Daiyu that Obi-Wan sees pandhandling. Somehow, that would make the series even worse in this podcast's opinion.

Did we mention Galactic Starcruiser? No? Neither is Disney really, except to say, hey...we've got plans for that ol' hunk o' concrete.

"June" never know what This is the Way Podcast will be up to next...well, July, I suppose.

Return of the Jedi has been "a thing" for forty years now. FORTY. YEARS.

This is the Way Podcast endorses Episode VI as the height of original Star Wars. Yes, higher than Empire Strikes Back. Certainly not possible without the first movie and fourth episode, but it is unlikely that any movie will supplant "the one with the Sarlaac Pit, Ewoks, Yoda disappearing and Obi Wan on a log and the best finish ever with old Anakin force ghost and Yub nub on the forest moon. Deal with it.

As usual there is Disney Plus series updates, news for collectors, video gamers, and park news (Galactic Starcruiser hitting an asteroid?).

THIS IS THE MAY!

There are special episodes and then there are episodes that are special. This is both! Wait. We said that last year. It's true...all of it.

For "May the Fourth" in 2023, Steve interviews...his first daughter. Today was a short interview about what she thinks of Star Wars and how she doesn't enjoy the death and dying that--for better or worse--has been part of the Star Wars watching experience since the beginning. There is no right or wrong way to like Star Wars, after all.

There are no trick questions, but because we're using one microphone for two speakers, the editor did have to get creative with a few clips in order to hide as many of the sound level changes as possible.

The finale of the season could have served as a series finale, but The Mandalorian might be back to his bounty hunting ways if we do in fact get the season four that Jon Favreau says is written. Will it serve the function of the shelved Rangers of the New Republic? Many of those (scripts or at least ideas) may be turned into new Mando chapters.

Wait a minute, this is season four talk...how about season three's finale?

Bo-Katan decides going it alone won't work anymore. Axe Woves drives a ship on fire into a hidey-hole. The Mandalorian remnant are who they say they are. The Armorer is still mysterious. The mythosaur is still awake. Grogu gets a new name. Ragnar finishes foundling school and Grogu gets an equivalency. Din Djarin survives. Paz Vizsla is still dead. The Great Forge is burnin' and the Living Waters are flowin'. Mandalore is back in business, and ain't it grand?

Return of the Jedi is back in theaters and April is drawing to a close. Before we get to May the Fourth, we need to discuss Star Wars Celebration and Disney's dastardly deeds at Reedy Creek. The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch wrapped up seasons and Visions gets ready for another. Ahsoka is on the way, but so is Andor, Acolyte, and Skeleton Crew. Survivor is out to play and as usual, collectors have reasons to hooray.

Are you ready for May?

What do you say?

THIS IS THE WAY!

If you wanted a lot of action without a lot of answers, you got it. I don't dislike the season three finale of The Mandalorian, but I wanted to LOVE it. It's...okay.

After a week of theories on "The Spies" it turns out everyone was right and wrong. It didn't matter who was more suspect because in the end, they were all Mandalorian and "The Return" to the planet is complete. There will still be challenges ahead, but finally, THE FORGE AWAKENS.

Why did Grogu take Din when that's not the naming convention of the people of Mandalore? I guess the Children of the Watch do things differently, but that wouldn't explain Paz Vizsla. Why did the Darksaber have to be destroyed? Was that a message to the fans or to take that piece out of the equation for the rulers of the planet moving forward? We didn't get a new force ability, just a reused one from season one (and yes, Rebels, too, but people seem to have forgotten all about the flamethrower in the cantina/school). Oh, and did you catch Trapper Wolf speaking Plo Koon's name? Check out the Adelphi cantina scene when Grogu hops up on the barstool...

Theory talk is thriving on the internet this week as podcasters and fans try to sort through who are the spies to which "The Spies" refers...plural. Is The Armorer talking about the Way while secretly advancing the aims of the Empire? Is Axe Woves going for help or getting out of harm's way? Is Captain Bombardier so concerned with pleasure that Plazir-15 is now really just a waystation for Imperial trade? Are the survivors really surviving or did they trade their loyalty to the planet for peace? Is R5-D4 a double agent? Are Bo-Katan and Din Djarin really "spies" of a different kind? Is the Shadow Council a bunch of spies...on each other? The only one we know for sure is a spy is Elia Kane.

The case is made for the allegiances of several different characters and Moff Gideon's mustache is discussed. There's much more, of course, but we hope you'll listen and discover for yourself!

No.

Yes.

No.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes...

Lucasfilm and Disney really cannot give up Grogu. They should not. They probably WILL NOT. What could have come off as a horrible parody ended up being cute and funny. It could still end up being terrible, but for now, we must admit, we like Independent Grogu-12.

Who are the titular spies? Elia Kane is certainly one. Does Brindol Hux count because his son famously declares himself as one many years later? What about any and all of the Imperial remnant? The pirates? Is it the Mandalorian survivors? It can't be The Armorer. Well, it SHOULDN'T be based on her story. You don't bother building up people just to destroy them later if you can just manufacture the destruction at any time. It's not like she couldn't have done it safely. She also didn't hesitate to crack skulls in the Nevarro sewers, bust up the pirates, or abandon the group.

It would have been hard not to improve on last week's episode, but the penultimate one for season three moved us toward what promises to be an amazing finale. We'll have to see Chapter 24 before we know, but we have the best thing in the galaxy on our side: hope.

There were way too many people making excuses for this episode for me and I just couldn't ignore that, nor could I get past the casting surprises in Guns for Hire. Christopher Lloyd has been announced for the season so when we saw Commissioner Helgait, we had been looking forward to seeing the legendary actor on screen. I like Jack Black and I don't hate Lizzo. Those were...less than welcome surprises, even if they fit our criteria of "fans casted" for roles in a galaxy, far, far away.

The less written here, the better. It's probably the least favorite for This is the Way Podcast, but that doesn't mean it was quite as bad as some of the Obi-Wan Kenobi episodes. The writing there was nothing short of consistently awful. Here...well, we'll choose to give Favreau a pass and Bryce Dallas Howard may have done what she could, but if results matter she dropped the ball on this one. It's...not good. In this podcast, some of the major offending plot issues are brought up. Some of them you may have noticed and some of them haven't been seen or heard elsewhere, but everyone should be talking about it.

The best thing to do it get through this one and look forward to "spying" next week's episode when it becomes available to everyone who WASN'T at the Star Wars Celebration in London.

This episode is a bit of a mess.

Oh, the podcast, too.

The tone was odd from the opening scene and ended awkwardly with a faction of Mandalorians that recently left Bo-Katan because she was an ineffectual leader and lacked the Darksaber. Now, they seem to be back onboard after a promise that she really does deserve it. Ya gotta trust him.

The less I say about the episode in the show notes, the better. I ramble through "stream of consciousness" style and I haven't resorted to this few notes in a long time. You might like the ad lib but the result is a little bit of backtracking and I don't like feeling like I'm wasting anyone's time.

Christopher Lloyd, Jack Black, and...(sigh) Lizzo guest star and there might be more. Listen, Lizzo treated Grogu like a pet in this episode. Maybe that is supposed to fit the character, but I don't know why this gets a pass when so much else does not.

This is a "clip heavy" episode. If I felt the disturbance in the Force, I went with it.

The Pirate finally reveals where Moff Gideon ISN'T, which is what we all figured. The Armorer still doesn't have a name, but she elevates Bo-Katan and House Kryze to the heights of Mandalore...if she has that authority, but I mean, who is she, really? Zeb is back. Well, he was back for a couple of lines and we might not see him again anytime soon, but HEY! Live action Lasat!

We are all out of trailer footage. Fresh out folks. We are officially flyin' blind for the last three episodes. The good news? Bryce Dallas Howard is up next. Peter Ramsey...nice job with Chapter 21, but we have GOT to talk with Joseph Shirley and the sound mixers about too much noise. I want to hear the dialogue better. Just me? Nobody else feels that way?

We started the season with Din Djarin on a quest. Now it looks like we're wrapping up the last half of the season by giving Bo-Katan one of her own. Hey...This is the Way!

Still updating on Star Wars news, but for the first time, it's also on YouTube!

The creator of the podcast and host discusses The Mandalorian and streaming numbers. He touches on the Bad Batch and This is the Way Podcast's upcoming season two second half recap. Next in episode 121 of the podcast is news on Ahsoka and The Acolyte. As usual there's gab for gamers, a collection of stories for collectors, and some tidbits that touch on comic conventions and Disney Parks. "This is the Way" we cover news when we're more than halfway through a season of The Mandalorian!

Just last week Ahmed Best took Kelleran Beq from internet game show to Star Wars canon. This week, Garazeb Orellios went from animated in an animated series to...well, okay, computer generated and animated in live action. It was still great to see a Rebels character come to life! Okay, we saw Ahsoka do that last season. Hey, you get my point!

Did you ever think we'd see the Armorer tell someone to take it off? The helmet I mean. I mean, this isn't the way, is it? I guess it is now, since she's hear the true tale of the Mythosaur on Mandalore. Ooh, that's a good title.

There's blaster battles, dogfights in ships, Rodians running interference, SNL cast members annoyed with droids, and the Armorer handing off hammers and smacking them in alien faces. Good stuff! Mandalorians get a piece of the promised land in the lava flats of Nevarro and that's great timing since R5-D4 can't keep secrets. Sorry, Capitan Azul, you gots ta go.

Here's hoping Carson Teva gets an action figure soon. We haven't bought one in a while, but if I was a cosplayer, I might have found my wheelhouse.

This was a short episode.

Oh, of the podcast? Sure, but wow this one would have needed to be stacked with commercials to fit an hour slot. In these streaming days, well, no such trouble.

Yes, I know last week's description seems similar and that's purposeful when you consider the difference between the lengths. This episode was the shortest of the series!

I went this far before bringing up Ahmed Best. Are you proud of me? I don't think I'll ever warm to Jar Jar Binks, but the man suffered a great deal for doing the job he was hired to do. He's also a lover of Star Wars and that's always alright in my book.

If I was a betting man, I'd say we're going to see most of the remaining scenes from the season three trailer in the 5th episode of the season. If there is anything left, it might be the Carson Teva stuff. We left off on the planet with the covert, so the remaining scenes of the Mandalorians there and on Nevarro probably are next. Will we check back in with Dr. Pershing and Elia Kane? Will we get a through thread bridging seasons three and four? Will we get more nurture and admonition in the Mandalorian culture or has everyone "leveled up" enough this season? So many questions, but this kind of storytelling is why we fell in love with the show in the first place.

We have reached the halfway point of the third season and it's not all downhill from here!

It was a challenge keeping emotions under control when we saw a certain character pop up to save the day at the Jedi Temple. Ahmed Best suffered greatly from a small but hateful group of Jar Jar haters who for some reason saw fit to punish the actor for the sins of the prequel creator. It must have been easier to blame the performer, even though the performance was exactly the direction desired by the producers.

Make no mistake, we're not Jar Jar Binks fans (or at least Steve isn't), but This is the Way Podcast didn't partake in any campaign against Best. Seeing him live out many Star Wars fans dreams and not only wield a lightsaber, but two...and save the most beloved Star Wars character since the OT certainly doesn't wipe away the past, but it allows for a much happier future.

There is a lot of biblical stuff in Star Wars lately and there will be time to talk more about it, but for now, let's revel in the glorious goodness Carl Weathers directed, Favs and Filoni wrote, and the actors acted out for us. Saved foundlings, miracles revealed, hearts lifted. What a time to be a Star Wars fan!

This was a long episode.

Oh, of the podcast? Sure, but wow this one would have had to have been cut down in the days of broadcast television watching. In these streaming days, well, no such trouble.

How do the helmets of the Children of the Watch relate to the numbers given to officers under the amnesty of the New Republic? Well, we don't want to talk faces and names because then we have individualism and these groups are more into the "collective" style. What's with the yellow travel biscuits? Is there some old magic in that living water because it sure does look shimmery and glimmery when it hits the forging vats.

Rodian and Mon Cala sightings? Check. Darksaber ignition? Well, no, but it is on the belt. Space battles? Yep! Leaps of faith? You betcha. Mindflaying? Nah, bruv...this here is a 602 Mitigator. I can see how you'd make that mistake, though. Is that U-mah-tay or U-mait? Ah, well, it has to be Benduday somewhere, am I right? Maybe I should check to make sure the rotations are the same on this here star chart to secret coverts of the galaxy...

This is the third reaction and discussion podcast for This is the Way Podcast this season and next week we're talking about what it means to be a foundling. Seriously! Carl Weathers can't keep a secret!

Just when I thought we were done in the mines, we got pulled back in. Din Djarin had to refill the ol' canteen and boy would those magic waters pay off in the end. Bo-Katan lost her home and found a new one, of sorts. Doctor Pershing gets rehabilitated and then his brain recombobulated. A certain Comms Officer feels upwardly mobile, doesn't she? Is that with her new friends or with her old. We're betting she's still got some of that "Imp" in her. Must be the biscuits.

"How long is this quest gonna take?"

"Oh, maybe like, an hour...hour fifteen?"

Din Djarin has been seeking redemption since finding out he made a boo boo when he took his helmet off for Grogu. I mean, that's according to his den mother, affectionately known as "The Armorer" but she rules the roost with a beskar hammer and tongs.

Look, I'm not SAYING Bo Katan has a thing for Din, but those looks she was giving? She is giving herself over--not to him and not to The Way, but to the purity of his cause and commitment. She also probably appreciates the respect he's been giving her since day one because that's something she's not accustomed to having lately. All I'm saying is...look, she likes him, alright? I don't know if that's "like like" or what, but that's a point of discussion in this week's episode. Also this week...how much time to exsanguinate a Mandalorian in his shiny shell? Apparently, the spider crab can't work that fast, which is a good thing for the show, unless Pedro Pascal asks for too much money on the next negotiations and then, well, see ya later Daddy Din!

More Star Wars news, more often.

Now that's a slogan I haven't heard in a long time. A LONG time. That's from a West Texas television station the host once worked at and was number one until he left. This is the Way Podcast doesn't bear any resemblance to that workplace.

Steve Loscalzo discusses The Bad Batch, The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Acolyte and more in episode 110. There are a couple of news items for gamers, some for collectors, and of course, a check in with Disney Parks news. This is the Way we cover news while waiting for the new season of The Mandalorian!

Steve has been watching season two of The Bad Batch weekly on Disney Plus, but you may have noticed there aren't any recap and discussion episodes of the podcast. That's how This is the Way Podcast did things during the first season two years back and that's how it is going to be here in 2023. As an animated show, it's still entertaining and no less interesting as far as lore and canon is concerned, but with The Mandalorian season three approaching and coming off the fantastic set of episodes of Andor, well, The Bad Batch cannot compare.

With a 16 episode season, one big episode might be too much to cram into one episode and the creators kind of built in a spot to split the season with a two episode mid-season finale consisting of episodes 7 and 8. Episode 9 will start the second half on the 15th of February and this episode of This is the Way Podcast is designed to catch you up and evaluate what are the most important stories from the first half of season two. This is the Way we'd like to handle shows like The Bad Batch and we think it works.

New year, same news update format. That may either delight or frustrate you, but we started these news updates as a way to keep our podcast (and the name This is the Way Podcast) current between seasons of The Mandalorian. That's right, even this news update has roots in the "original" Star Wars Disney Plus show. Andor might have perfected the craft of storytelling Star Wars on streaming services, but Din Djarin and Grogu are still our favorites and while news of the show is sparse, we do have the trailer release earlier this week and some notes related to it. Sure, there's a whole other podcast episode (no. 106) that goes through it and The Bad Batch is out and has yet to receive coverage, but 2023 is going to start slow and finish with lots of content in the Star Wars universe.

If you think you want to join host Steve Loscalzo to discuss The Mandalorian episodes and want to try your hand at podcasting, send in some details. This is the Way Podcast will go solo if we have to (Solo has never been a bad thing for Star Wars) and we're not looking for a "force dyad" but maybe it's more like...a rule of two, or padawan and master or...I don't know, make up your own Star Wars metaphor! Just understand up front that we operate at a loss and this is a volunteer position we're looking to add, not filling a spot that is empty.

Do you love The Mandalorian? Do you think you'd be a great co-host if you were just given a chance? Do you think you can commit to weekly show recaps and discussions with host and creator Steve? Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night?

Wait, wrong IP.

The Mandalorian's third season starts streaming on Disney Plus on March 1st which means This is the Way Podcast is gearing up for coverage. There's still two months of news updates and a first half recap of season two of The Bad Batch, but the "flagship" show of This is the Way Podcast is the show from which we took our name.

This is the way. Not a way. THE way. No, that's not the focus of our reaction podcast, but let's just say that as a Tampa area native, the real excitement during the Monday night playoff game wasn't the action on the field (sorry, Buccaneers).

There are observations made in this podcast (and on our Twitter account) that Steve hasn't seen anywhere else. Is that because he alone noticed them or is it because people aren't going as in depth with their looks at the trailer? One thing This is the Way Podcast feels safe in predicting: there's nothing in this trailer past episode 6 of this season. That's Favreau and Filoni's style.

Did Grogu even get rescued? Is Captain Teva holding high level meetings with General Organa? Is Christopher Lloyd playing a geneticist meeting with Pershing? Where is Moff Gideon? Are those TIE/IN really Imperial remnants? Is Aldhani getting visit...or Wayland? Are Kowakian monkey lizards more than just dumb pets? Why did Din Djarin retrofit the astromech pod on his Naboo Starfighter and why pick R5 to sit in that port? Do we have answers to any of these questions?

Actually...

No.

The year is coming to a close and our last news update of 2022 isn't a long one. Instead of reviews like many other content creators, This is the Way Podcast will avoid rehashing the good and bad and stick to the simple stuff. All fans need to know is "what's next?" and that's The Bad Batch second season and a third season of The Mandalorian less than 60 days away.

Video game news, notes collectors might want to know, and your usual round up of Disney Plus show updates are inside, but just like The Ringer's pop culture podcast "The Watch" did recently, we reference the toddler show, Bluey. Why? You'll have to listen.

I mean, I need the listener counts. If you wanted to read, you'd head to a news aggregator instead, right?

Good bye to 2022 and hello 2023! May the Force be with us all!