Disney is following Tales of the Jedi with Tales of the Empire, opening up new opportunities for Tales anthologies focused on other corners of the galaxy. Given the recent focus on the dark side, we decided to pitch our best ideas for anthologies about our favorite overlooked villains. But what starts as an episode about a future Tales anthology qu…

With the upcoming Star Wars TV show The Acolyte in the news recently, Eric and Grace sit down to discuss their hopes and expectations for the franchise’s first mystery thriller. We talk about the storytelling potential of a wide-open time period, the challenges of humanizing villains without glorifying them, and whether and how Disney will use the …

For as long as the stars have been warring, they’ve also been loving. So why has the Disney era of Star Wars had noticeably fewer romances, including multiple frustrating missed opportunities in the sequel trilogy? To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’re diving into the topic of romance in Star Wars. We explore the challenges of writing romantic relati…

You can tell a lot about a person’s Star Wars fandom by what they put on a top-five list. In this episode, Eric, Grace, and Haley share, explain, and defend their five favorite examples of various Star Wars themes, debating the best criteria to use and the most controversial omissions from each other’s lists. As we discuss the reasons for certain i…

We’re wrapping up our discussion of Ahsoka’s first season with a look at the secondary characters and B-plots that tied the show together. Did Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati break new ground as villains? How much did Hera even matter to the story? And did the series do a good job of exploring the nuances of New Republic galactic security debates, in wh…

The Disney+ series Ahsoka debuted to high expectations, but did it do justice to the fan-favorite Star Wars characters that it revisited? For Eric, Grace, and Haley, the answer — at least when it comes to three of the show’s most important characters — is no. Join us as we dig into what worked and what didn’t with Ahsoka’s portrayals of Ahsoka Tano…

There are hot takes, and then there are truly hoth takes. In this episode, Wired security reporter Lily Hay Newman returns to Hoth Takes to defend one of the most controversial Star Wars claims we’ve ever heard: that The Book of Boba Fett was a good TV show. Lily loved how the show played with different forms of storytelling, and she came away from…

How do you tell a story of change without alienating fans who like things the way they are? Disney has faced this dilemma multiple times since buying Star Wars, and the results haven’t always been impressive. From Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi to Ahsoka Tano in her new Disney+ series, storytellers have struggled to depict characters growing and c…

We’re just about a month away from the premiere of Ahsoka, the live-action series that will continue the story of Star Wars Rebels, give Grand Admiral Thrawn his long-awaited live-action debut, and set up a cinematic Mando-Verse crossover in a battle for the fate of the New Republic. But here at Hoth Takes, we might be more nervous than excited abo…

Disney is closing the Galactic Starcruiser, its immersive Star Wars hotel in Orlando, Florida, and here at the Hoth Takes podcast, we have some great ideas for what should replace it. But as you’ll hear, only one of us focused on practical suggestions. The others…well, their ideas have to be heard to be believed. In this episode, we’re talking Resi…

Now that The Mandalorian season 3 is over, let’s look back at its story arcs, character choices, and major themes and consider how successful it was. For Eric and Grace, the short answer is: not very successful. In this episode, they discuss Din and Grogu’s bond, Bo-Katan’s path to victory, New Republic and Imperial Remnant world-building, Moff Gid…

Disney made some big announcements about the future of Star Wars at the recent Celebration convention in London. This time on Hoth Takes, we share our hopes, fears, predictions, and questions about each of the upcoming projects. How will fans react to Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order? Can Dave Filoni save his Mando-Verse crossover movie from Marvel-li…

How should the New Republic rebuild after the events of the sequel trilogy? In this episode, we debate issues like galactic representation, collective security, and planetary rights as we try to design the ideal structure for the new government. Does the New Republic need a big military? Should it go back to rotating its capital planet? How should …

The success of Andor has created a new benchmark for quality Star Wars storytelling. But what lessons can Disney actually learn from Andor? What does its popularity tell us about the kinds of Star Wars stories that can succeed? And what does its success imply about the strengths and weaknesses of Disney’s existing Star Wars strategy? In this episod…

Recent Star Wars projects like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor have shown us the strengths and weaknesses of the Imperial surveillance state. But how effective are the Empire’s cameras, databases, and scanners, and how well do storytellers justify the failure of this technology to snare our heroes and stamp out the Rebellion? In this episode, Wired securi…

Andor won critical acclaim for its gritty and nuanced portrayal of rebellion in Star Wars, but what makes its depiction of insurgency so special? In this episode, The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer joins Eric, Grace, and Haley to discuss how faith and revenge motivate rebellion throughout Star Wars, how Luthen’s approach to insurrection sets him apart, how…

Andor season 1 ended with a triumphant run of episodes, and we’re here to break down all the greatness, from the cutthroat political maneuvering to the epic brawls, riots, and space battles to whatever’s going on with Dedra Meero and Syril Karn. Eric fanboys over Mon Mothma, Grace talks about familial love putting Cassian over the edge, and Haley d…

Eight episodes into Andor, we keep finding more things to love. Join us as we discuss the Disney+ series’ surprisingly stark treatment of the surveillance state, police brutality, and the prison-industrial complex, tackling issues that Star Wars has either ignored or relegated to the background. We also cover Diego Luna’s extraordinarily expressive…

We’re one-third of the way through Andor’s first season, and so far, things are looking incredibly good. In this episode, Eric and Grace break down how Andor is hitting all the right notes, from its grounded setting and its darker tone to its nuanced portrayals of heroes, villains, and everyday people. We talk about Mon Mothma’s unexpected vulnerab…

Podracing: to paraphrase Qui-Gon, it’s very fast, very dangerous, and very possibly the best sequence in The Phantom Menace. In this episode, Daily Beast congressional reporter Sam Brodey joins us to discuss the podrace sequence’s uniquely excellent world-building, the racers’ bizarre backstories, and the high-octane competition’s best sound effect…

How will the new Disney+ series Andor balance its ambition to be a political thriller about insurgency and migration with its imperative to serve a mass audience and respect Star Wars’ kid-friendly roots? In this episode, Eric, Grace, and Haley discuss their hopes and expectations for Andor, including a spotlight on Mon Mothma, an exploration of Im…

We’re mixing things up in this episode of Hoth Takes and turning the reins over to a special guest: Washington Post health-care reporter Dan Diamond. Dan, a self-admitted Star Wars novice, asks us a series of pressing questions about the galaxy far, far away, from how people get their news to why stormtroopers can’t hit anything. We also discuss th…

Now that we’ve had plenty of time to digest the second half of Obi-Wan Kenobi, we’re diving into how everything went down and whether the series lived up to its potential. From Obi-Wan and Anakin flashbacks to Reva’s secret agenda, find out what we thought worked and what disappointed us. Plus, Haley gives us a new way to think about the finale’s S…

Who’s your favorite Jedi? In this episode, Eric and Haley make their cases for two very different characters — one young and irreverent, one experienced and solemn. What can Ezra Bridger teach us about the Jedi quest for selflessness amid the temptations of family, home, and power? And how much was Mace Windu to blame for the success of Darth Sidio…

He’s one of the most popular characters in all of Star Wars, immortalized in countless action figures and endless fan art. But what makes Darth Vader so cool and interesting? Why can’t fans ever get enough stories about him? With Vader back in the spotlight thanks to the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, Eric and Grace explore Anakin Skywalker’s journ…

We’re halfway through the new Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, and here at the Hoth Takes podcast, Young Leia is giving us life. But while there’s a lot to love in these first three episodes — Ewan McGregor’s performance, the depiction of Darth Vader, and everything Leia — we still have some questions. Haley is surprised that Obi-Wan hasn’t gotten up…

Star Wars meets politics in this episode as Eric and Haley discuss how the Republic government should be rebuilt after the sequel trilogy. How much control should it have over planetary affairs? Should it have an active military? How should law enforcement be handled? What should the government’s relationship with the Jedi be? And speaking of the J…

The sequel trilogy may be over, but we could still see Rey and the gang in future stories. In this episode, Eric and Grace chat about what they want to see next from Rey, Finn, Poe, and their allies. Plus, Grace pitches her plan for bringing Ben Solo to justice, and we imagine R2-D2 and C-3PO’s married life in their Coruscant condo.…

When Grace and Haley learned that Eric had stayed at Disney’s new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser immersive hotel thing, they knew they had to ask him all about it. Join us for a discussion about interactive storytelling, space food, and the moral dilemma of Disney’s premium experiences. Eric shares stories about bantering with the Starcruiser’s to…

Dive down a rabbit hole or two with us as we explore the zaniest Star Wars fan theories of the past few years. Obviously wesa gonna talk about the big bombad theory yousa probably already familiar with — but some of the others might surprise you. We have strong feelings about these theories, so what happens when we disagree? Plus, Grace reveals why…

If you thought we disliked the first half of The Book of Boba Fett, wait until you hear what we have to say about the second half. From Boba and Fennec’s wasted potential to the pointless time-sucking flashbacks to the Mandalorian takeover, we’re as merciless as the Pyke Syndicate. Grace is furious about the show’s missed opportunities, Eric is ann…

Let’s talk Sith. In this episode, Haley’s Dispatch colleague David French joins us to discuss the 2006 Star Wars novel Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, the effectiveness of the Rule of Two, and how different stories depict the dark side’s inherently corrupting nature. We explore the cautionary tale of Bane’s descent into evil, consider whether the …

We’re three chapters into The Book of Boba Fett, and we still know almost nothing about what’s going on. In this episode, we discuss the show’s pacing, tone, and narrative, including a plotline that’s lasted too long, a crime lord who isn’t violent enough, a city that’s too empty, and speeder bikes that are too shiny. We also vent about virtual set…

Let’s face it — the Galactic Senate doesn’t make much sense. For one thing, how do they have enough pods for every senator? And what’s with corporations getting seats? In this episode, we explore why the Senate is so weird and how that weirdness affects the Star Wars galaxy. We look at the strange role of junior representatives, the divide between …

What do Loki and That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana have in common? Every big franchise has cameos and tie-ins, but only the best franchises balance these bits of connectivity with storytelling that can stand on its own. In this episode, Haley returns from her well-deserved maternity leave to join Eric and Grace for a look back at Star Wars: Vi…

Hayden Christensen isn’t just returning to Star Wars in Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series. According to a recent report, he’ll also appear in the Ahsoka Tano series. Hayden’s return is super exciting, but we do have some questions. In this episode, Eric and Grace discuss the best ways for these two series to expand on Anakin Skywalker’s relationships…

Droids: They’re everywhere in Star Wars, quietly helping to make the galaxy run, but we rarely think about their needs and wants — or their rights. In this episode, Eric and Grace discuss thorny issues of droid sentience, explore the moral questions posed by restraining bolts, and review how our heroes treat their robotic friends throughout the sag…

Should Jedi have been allowed to marry? What dangers did romantic relationships really pose to the stability of the Order and the success of its mission? Could the Jedi of the prequel trilogy have learned a thing or two from their counterparts two hundred years prior? In this episode, Eric and Grace discuss the nuances of the Jedi’s prohibition aga…

How did the Jedi Order go astray? At what point did its fatal flaws develop, and how did Darth Sidious’ machinations accelerate that corruption? In this episode, Eric and Grace explore the Jedi’s tragic decline and fall, from their restrictive dogmas to their sudden militarization during the Clone Wars. We discuss the effects of the Jedi being so c…

We’re wrapping up our series on the original trilogy with an episode about the delightful but imperfect Return of the Jedi. Does the movie wrap things up too perfectly? Is it more akin to A New Hope or The Empire Strikes Back? Did Darth Vader deserve redemption? Eric and Grace explore all of these questions. Plus, we compare Luke and Anakin’s respo…

It’s all about family in this episode as we try to discuss The Empire Strikes Back without repeating what everyone has said for the past 40 years. With Haley out on maternity leave, Eric and Grace discuss the underappreciated nuances of Darth Vader’s iconic paternity reveal and Luke’s seemingly hereditary impulsiveness and insecurity. Plus, Grace e…

Is it even possible to put aside 44 years of nostalgia and analyze A New Hope the way moviegoers might have seen it in 1977? In this episode, Eric and Grace explore why the first Star Wars movie worked so well, how it fares as an introduction to the universe, and how it differs tonally from later films. Plus, Eric shares a truly stunning statistic …

As The Bad Batch gets underway, we look at the ups and downs of the first three episodes. The Empire gets recruits, Kanan’s backstory gets retconned, and Clone Force 99 gets a Grogu. Did we think this was a “bad batch” of initial stories? Tune in to find out what issues and themes are in our “crosshairs.” Plus, find out which one of us identifies w…

Somehow, our podcast has returned. In our breakdown (or perhaps we should say teardown) of The Rise of Skywalker, we discuss Rey’s nonsensical lineage, deuteragonist Kylo’s unsatisfying fate, and Palpatine cycling through grand plans faster than you can say “The dead speak!” Plus, Grace has a controversial opinion about Leia’s presence in the movie…

There’s so much to say about The Last Jedi that we’re devoting a second episode to it, but this time, we have a special guest: New York Times opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie, who ranks The Last Jedi behind only the original two Star Wars movies on his list. We discuss Jamelle’s view that The Last Jedi is the only sequel film with something profound…

The Last Jedi’s character development was pretty uneven. It added new layers to Rey’s loneliness, Kylo’s inner turmoil, Poe’s impulsiveness, and Finn’s search for purpose, but it suffered from a compressed time frame, and many of its choices were controversial. In this episode, we talk about Rey Rando, Disgruntled Luke, and the rest of our merry ba…

Was The Force Awakens a carbon copy of A New Hope? And how much does that matter? In this episode, we review the first Star Wars sequel film with the benefit of hindsight and discuss what worked (space bread), what didn’t (Rathtars), and what seemed like a good setup but never got the payoff it deserved (where to even begin?). Eric has thoughts abo…

Attack of the Clones is one of the most widely criticized Star Wars films, but there’s actually a lot to love about it. From Anakin and Obi-Wan’s friendship and Palpatine’s political machinations to C-3PO’s puns and Padme’s dresses, the red-headed stepchild of the Skywalker saga doesn’t get enough praise. In this episode, we share our favorite thin…

We’re kicking off our podcast with one of Star Wars’ eternal questions: What is the best story arc of the animated series The Clone Wars? Our picks span the show’s latter seasons and reveal the thoughtful, dramatic world-building and character development that made the series such a hit with fans. (An important caveat: we deliberately excluded Seas…

In our introductory episode, we briefly discuss how we each got into Star Wars fandom and explain why we decided to start this podcast. You could say we took different hyperspace routes to get to this point in our fandom. But now we've teamed up to embark on this journey together, and we hope you'll join us.…