New Holocron Commentary

Since quite a few of you seemed to like my Batman Begins commentary, I've decided to follow it up with my commentary to Captain America: First Avenger.

If you'd like to listen to it, check out this link: http://holocroncast.blogspot.com/2013/02/season-1-episode-7-captain-america.html

I hope you guys all enjoy it, and I'll be following it up with a commentary to The Avengers.  So excited for that!

I've already gotten requests for commentaries to a couple Star Wars movies (though I'll probably do commentaries to the whole saga) and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  If you have any requests for me, then totally let me know and I'll try my best to do them!

For now, there's Batman Begins and Captain America, but you can look forward to the Star Wars saga and The Hobbit coming soon.  I look forward to your comments and any requests you may have!




 - Edessa, signing off

New Holocron Episode

Y'know, I didn't know that homework was carnivorous but, apparently, it is. At least, that's the only way I can explain why my life was eaten up for the past two weeks.

Well, I'm gonna start scheduling a block of time each day to blog so my homework (hopefully) won't be able to eat my life again. I get the feeling that my planner is going to be one of my best friends this semester. =)

So while I wrestle with my planner, I thought I'd draw your attention to the newest Holocron episode. This  one is a little different than what I usually do, but I was so tired on Saturday that I just needed to watch a movie. That movie turned out to be Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, and I decided, "Hey, why don't I do something weird and do an audio commentary to this movie?"

And that's what I did. I watched Batman Begins on my laptop and simultaneously recorded me talking about, well, everything about it. This episode, like the last one about The Hobbit, is me completely unscripted and also in a more random/crazy mood than I was when I recorded the previous episode. So if you feel the need to watch a movie this weekend, maybe this will be your excuse to pull out Batman Begins? =)

http://holocroncast.blogspot.com/2013/01/season-1-episode-6-batman-begins.html

I had a lot of fun doing the commentary, and I'd like to know if you guys would like me to do more of this type of stuff. Don't worry, I won't be hurt if you want me to just stop while I'm ahead. But if you guys would like me to do commentaries to other movies, then I'm definitely up for it if you all are!

Well, that's all I've got right now. Concerning the latest news that J.J. Abrams will be directing the new Star Wars movie...I need to do more research into Mr. Abrams so I can accurately decide whether or not I think that's a good idea. For the record at the moment, I think it's a good idea, but I feel like I need to find out more about him before I start giving a solid, concrete opinion. So, yeah. I'll get back with you guys about that one.

Now if you'll excuse me, my planner and I need to conquer the world... or a pile of homework, at least. I hope you guys have a great rest of the week! God bless!




 - Edessa, signing off

LAST DAY TO JOIN!!

Just like the title of this post says, today is the last day to sign up for the Jedi vs. Sith Commentary and to send me your answers to the questions.

I'm still waiting on responses from two or three people, and if you're interested in joining you can still be part of it! Just send me an e-mail at edessacarrick@gmail.com saying that you're interested in joining the commentary, then I will respond back with a series of questions I'd like you to answer about your opinions of the Sith and the Jedi. Please have your answers to me by tonight (Thursday night), and I'll be posting the results tomorrow!

A lot of people have already entered and have awesome answers! =D

For those who have entered...... remember to check your e-mail and answers the questions I sent you by tonight!

For those who have yet to enter....... there's still time!

And for those who have entered and have responded...... thank you! And I can't wait to post all of your answers tomorrow!

Tomorrow we will see who the HNED followers prefer: Sith or Jedi. It's gonna be awesome! =D




 - Edessa, signing off

"Star Wars 1313" Commentary

With all of the buzz about the newest Star Wars video game - Star Wars 1313 - I've decided to talk about it today for this week's Commentary Friday. Even though the game is still in development, there's quite a bit of information about it floating around. So, without further ado, I present to you my current opinion about Star Wars 1313.


What do I think about....

An playable escape scene from "Star Wars 1313"

....The Title:
     Personally, I think that the title should be changed to just 1313. For me, anyway, I think that Star Wars 1313 sounds a bit strange, though even I'm not completely sure why. There's just something about it that's bothering me. But 1313 has a nice ring to it. I mean, it probably wouldn't affect sales to keep the name the same or changed it, so I guess it doesn't matter. Just my opinion.

....The Plot:
     Star Wars 1313 has players take control of a bounty hunter as he makes his way down to Coruscant's lower levels, specifically to level 1313. On the way, he has to take out his marks and uncover some kind of criminal conspiracy. Sounds like a winner to me. Besides, I've always wanted to be a bounty hunter ever since I first saw Boba Fett in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Sure, he didn't do much in the films, but he looks epic and he is epic. Fett makes bounty hunting look awesome, and Star Wars 1313 will give fans the opportunity to follow in his footsteps.

....The Graphics:

The graphics in "Star Wars 1313" are amazing!

     Oh, goodness, they're AMAZING! The people look extremely realistic (I could almost see the pores on one guy's face during a cinematic close-up), and the setting is so beautiful even though it's durasteel and ferrocrete structures. Even the fire and debris during various battle scenes was gorgeous, and I don't usually call debris "gorgeous."

....The Voiceovers:
     Each character in Star Wars 1313 - including the player's character - has his own voice and lines. I've only heard a few scenes, but the voiceover actors - from what I can tell from so little exposure - are pretty good. What's also awesome is that the cinematics are right in the gameplay, so there's no beat this level, blackout, cut to cinematic, blackout, cut to gameplay. It's all put together seamlessly with no cuts and no blackouts. In my opinion, that's pretty cool.

....The Rating:
     Lucasarts, the developer and publisher, said that they are specifically going for an M for Mature rating for Star Wars 1313. I find it interesting that they're targeting more mature adults with this game, especially since the new Star Wars live-action TV show - Underworld - is also being made more dark, adult, and gritty. Is Lucas trying to reach those adults who became disillusioned with SW after childhood? Or is he trying to reach those adults who never got into SW because they thought it was childish? I don't know, but I do know that I'm not really please with the targeted M rating. I've never been a fan of Mature games, but that's a really long, complicated argument that I'd rather not get into right now. Anyway, long story short, I don't like the rating at all and would prefer it if the game was rated T for Teen instead. But, hey, that's just me. *shrugs* I know quite a few people who play M games and really like them. Maybe Star Wars 1313 will be one of the games they would enjoy, too.


Final Tally:

Title: 9/10

Plot: 10/10

Graphics: 10/10

Voiceovers: 8/10 (if I heard more then I would be better able to rate this, but what I've heard has been pretty good)

Rating: 0/10


Total: 7/10


So those were just some of my thoughts concerning Star Wars 1313. What do you think about the game so far?




 - Edessa, signing off

Top 10 Sith

For this week's Commentary Friday, I've decided to post the Top 10 Sith in Star Wars.

NOTE: This list is my own personal opinion. It is not neccesarily according to which Sith are actually better. :)

#10. Darth Tyranus/Count Dooku
The instigator behind the creation of the Clone Army, a master lightsaber duelist, the face of the Separatist movement, and one of the Lost Twenty. Plus, he was played by the awesome Christopher Lee. If he hadn't gotten his head scissored off by Anakin Skywalker, he probably would've been higher on my list.

#9. Darth Maul
Darth Sidious's first apprentice who just came back to life, courtesy of The Clone Wars. His new backstory is very intriguing, I love Zabraks, and double-bladed lightsabers are seriously awesome. Plus, he was played by the very cool Ray Park. *nods*

#8. Darth Revan
His flip-flopping between the Light and Dark Sides are very intriguing and reminiscent of Darth Vader. In fact, with his helmet, armor, and cloak, he could easily be an Old Republic version of Vader. Of course, he did turn back to the Light Side so that's why I stuck him on the tail end of the list.

#7. Darth Talon
The Sith Lord who trained Cade Skywalker. Plus she's a Twi'lek, and her skin is red to boot. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

#6. Darth Zannah
Apprentice to Darth Bane and one of the first individuals to practice the Rule of Two.

#5. Darth Bane
The guy who survived the thought bomb at the Battle of Ruusaan, trained Darth Zannah, and instituted the Sith Rule of Two. Plus his yellow-ish helmet is pretty epic looking.

#4. Darth Sion
He can be cut down as many times as you please, and he still gets back up. Someone who can keep his body together with sheer hate is pretty cool (and kinda gross looking).

#3. Darth Nihilus
One of the Sith Triumverate (along with Darths Traya and Sion) who is called the Lord of Hunger because he has to feed on other people's energy (which kills them). His helmet is also very cool, and what isn't epic about someone called "the Lord of Hunger?"

#2. Darth Vader
The Rebellion-era Darth Revan. The Star Wars movies chronicle his life story, including his changes from Light Side to Dark Side and back again. His breathing and speech patterns are iconic, and his helmet is vaguely reminiscent of Nazi WWII helmets. Even the way he carries himself is just so awesome.

#1. Darth Sidious
The Sith who destroyed the Republic from the insider out, almost completely destroyed the Jedi Order, and brought terror and tyranny to the galaxy. Sidious is the ultimate, cunning, deceptive, power-hungry Sith Lord. Ever. Period. Exclamation point.


Who are your favorite Sith Lords? Is there a particular Sith you think should have been added to this list?




 - Edessa, signing off

"Star Wars" Quotes

One of the things I really like about Star Wars is how quoteable the series is. So, for this Commentary Friday, I have created a list of some of my favorite quotes from all seven Star Wars films. Enjoy! :D

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace –

Beed: I don’t care what universe you’re from, that’s got to hurt.

Obi-Wan: But Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future.

Qui-Gon: But not at the expense of the moment.

Shmi: No, be brave, and don’t look back. Don’t look back.

Padme: You’re a slave?

Anakin: I’m a person and my name is Anakin.

Shmi: You can’t stop change anymore than you can stop the suns from setting.

Darth Maul: At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.

Jar Jar: How wude!

Qui-Gon: Credits will do fine.

Watto: No, they won’t-a

Qui-Gon: Credits will do fine.

Watto: No, they won’t-a. What? You think you’re some kind of Jedi, waving your hand around like that?

Episode 2: Attack of the Clones –

Jar Jar: Dellow Felegates…

Jango: I’m just a simple man, trying to make my way in the universe.

Jango: Always a pleasure to meet a Jedi.

Elan: You wanna buy some death sticks?

Obi-Wan: You don’t want to sell me death sticks.

Elan: Ah, I don’t wanna sell you death sticks.

Obi-Wan: You want to go home and rethink your life.

Elan: I want to go home and rethink my life.

Obi-Wan: I was beginning to wonder if you’d got my message.

Anakin: I retransmitted it to Coruscant, just as you’d requested, Master. Then we decided to come and rescue you.

Obi-Wan: Good job.

Yoda: Mmm. Lost a planet, Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing. How embarrassing.

Yoda: Victory? Victory, you say? Master Obi-Wan, not victory. The shroud of the Dark Side has fallen. Begun the Clone War has.

Episode 2.5: The Clone Wars –

Captain Rex: “In my book, experience outranks everything.”

Ahsoka: Great. You woke the baby!

Ahsoka: Master, my Jedi training didn’t prepare me for this. What are we going to do?
Anakin: Well since you think that smelly larvae is cute, you’re gonna carry it.

Clone Pilot: Welcome to paradise, rock jumpers!

Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith –

The Emperor: In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society which I assure you will last for ten thousand years.

Padme: So this is how liberty dies…with thunderous applause.

Anakin: What was that all about?
Obi-Wan: Well, Artoo has been—
Anakin: No loose wire jokes.
Obi-Wan: Did I say anything?
Anakin: He’s trying.
Obi-Wan: I didn’t say anything.

Emperor: The time has come. Execute Order 66.

Obi-Wan: Another happy landing.

Grievous: Anakin Skywalker. I expected someone with your reputation to be a little…older.
Anakin: General Grievous…you’re shorter than I expected.

Padme: Obi-Wan…there…is good in him. I know there is…still…

Obi-Wan: You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them. You were to bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness.

Grievous: That wasn’t much of a rescue.
Battle Droid: You’re welcome.

Episode 4: A New Hope –

Tarkin: Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station.

Darth Vader: Don’t be too proud of this technological terror you have created. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.

 

Darth Vader: I find your lack of faith disturbing.

Han: Uh, everything’s under control. Situation normal.
Comm: What happened?
Han: Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but, uh…everything’s perfectly all right now. We’re fine. We’re all fine here now, thank you. How are you?
Comm: We’re sending a squad up.
Han: Uh, uh…negative, negative. We had a reactor leake here now. Give us a few minutes to lock it down. Large leak, very dangerous.
Comm: Who is this? What’s your operating number?
Han: Uh… [shoots intercom] Boring conversation, anyway.

Luke: It’s not impossible. I used to bull’s-eye womp rats in my T-16 back home.

Leia: Governor Tarkin. I should have expected to find you holding Vader’s leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board.

Leia: Will someone get this big walking carpet out of my way?!

Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back –

Leia: I am not a committee!

Han: And I thought they smelled bad on the outside!

Darth Vader: No, Luke. I am your father.
Luke: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Leia: Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking Nerf herder!
Han: Who’s scruffy looking?

Han: Never tell me the odds.

Han: Afraid I was gonna leave without giving you a goodbye kiss?
Leia: I’d just as soon kiss a Wookiee.
Han: I can arrange that.

Yoda: Wars not make one great.

Yoda: No. Try not. Do…or do not. There is no try.

Darth Vader: I am altering the deal. Pray I don’t alter it any further.

Boba Fett: He’s no good to me dead.

Episode 6: Return of the Jedi –

Admiral Ackbar: “It’s a trap!”

Luke: I’ll not leave you here. I’ve got to save you.
Anakin: You already have, Luke. You were right. You were right about me. Tell your sister…you were right.

Yoda: When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not.

Han: I think my eyes are getting better. Instead of a big dark blur, I see a big lright blur.
Luke: There’s nothing to see. I used to live here, you know.
Han: You’re gonna die here, you know. Convenient.

Jabba: This bounty hunter is my kind of scum: fearless and inventive.

Luke: Never. I’ll never turn to the Dark Side. You’ve failed, Your Highness. I am a Jedi, like my father before me.

C-3PO: His high exaltedness, the Great Jabba the Hutt, has decreed that you are to be terminated immediately.
Han: Good. I hate long waits.
C-3PO: You will therefore be taken to the Dune Sea, and cast into the Pit of Carkoon, the nesting place of the all-powerful Sarlaac.
Han: Doesn’t sound so bad.
C-3PO: In his belly you will find a new definition of pain and suffering as you are slowly digested over a thousand years.
Han: On second thought, let’s pass on that, huh?

Han: I don’t know. Fly casual.

Han: Who are you?
Leia: Someone who loves you.

C-3PO: Wonderful. We are now a part of the tribe.
Han: Just what I always wanted.

Luke: Your overconfidence is your weakness.
Emperor: Your faith in your friends is yours.





What are some of your favorite Star Wars quotes?




 - Edessa, signing off

"Republic Commando" Commentary

This week's commentary will be on the Republic Commando book series by Karen Traviss, and I can assure you that this commentary will not be as silly as our last one on "Who Shot First: Greedo or Han?"

For those of you who don't know, Republic Commando is a series of four books that follow the lives of two clone commando squads and their various non-clone friends and superiors through the three years of the Clone Wars. Karen Traviss, the author, was planning on continuing their stories with a series called Imperial Commando (which would take place during the Jedi Purge and the very begining of the Empire), but, unfortunately, the series was cancelled after the first book, 501st.

My sister, Ahsoka Tano, and I will be commenting on various aspects of the Rpeublic Commando series, which we hope you will find informative or at least enjoyable. Ahsoka's answers are in red, mine are in blue.

Which character(s) is/are your favorite, and why?

My favorite ones would have to be Fi and Corr [from Omega Squad].  They add a lot of comic relief, and they have a different personality than you would expect most clones to have.

The best character by far is RC-1207 – whose given name is Sev. He’s a member of Delta Squad, which is the main group of Republic Commandos after Omega Squad. Sev is very cool and arguably the best commando in the entire army, particularly when it comes to sniping. His morbid humor is very funny, especially when he’s exchanging quips with his brother and squadmate, Scorch.

What are your thoughts concerning the premise of Republic Commando?

Omega Squad, the main characters of "Republic Commando"

I think it was really interesting to see someone’s point of view on how clones were treated (which was not very well, apparently), because in other movies and books they show clones as being like, “Oh, yeah, this is great!” And they make it seem like the clones are just a type of living robot that can’t think for itself mostly. But in Karen Traviss’ books she makes them seem more human, and I like that as opposed to the mindless droids. Although, in some parts, she might have slightly overdone it. By that, I mean she focused more on the bad parts of their lives than some of the good things that could’ve come out of it. Especially when she delves into the character’s thoughts, where they’re thinking about all of the bad things that are happening to them. It can be rather depressing. But overall I thought it was very well thought out.

Like Ahsoka said, I really like that this series shows an alternate view of clones. We get to see the war through their eyes, rather than through a Jedi’s. I know from a few comments I’ve read on the Internet that some readers think that the clones don’t care about the outside world, that they wouldn’t dream of doing anything but work in the army. But I really don’t think that’s true because the clones are humans – extremely well trained and conditioned humans, yes, but humans nonetheless – so it’s nice to find a series that talks about the clones as though they’re real thinking, feeling human beings. Republic Commando actually opened my eyes quite a bit to what the clones were really like. It’s so easy to see them as almost machine-like when they stand in formation and wear identical, faceless armor. But Republic Commando introduces us to the men underneath the plastoid, and that is an experience that I will never forget.

Would you say that the series is re-readable, and why?

Yes, I think it is, mostly because when I read books the first time I tend to skim over long, important, boring parts. [laughs] But even if you don’t skip over parts when you’re reading, I think it still would be re-readable because you can never pick up all of the information the first time around – that’s ture for all books. So every time you re-read it, you can glean a little more information that makes you see what’s happening more clearly. And the funny parts are still funny every time.

Most definitely. With every reading I learn more and more about why a certain character said something, or why another character refused to do something else. Republic Commando isn’t like mystery stories (like The Westing Game) that you can’t ever read again because you know what happens, nor is it like some badly written books that you wish you hadn’t read in the first place. Whenever I start reading Republic Commando again I feel like I’ve been invited back into an awesome world. It’s such an inviting series that sometimes I imagine Omega Squad welcoming me back whenever I start re-reading the series. If you like Star Wars and war books, then Republic Commando will most definitely be one of those books that you want to re-read over and over again.

Give me three reasons why you like Republic Commando.

Well, the first on is it’s got everything I think a good book should have, which includes: humor, drama, action, suspense, um, oh drat I had something, just a touch of sadness, and a little mystery.

Second would be the plot and characters were all very well thought out. Even though none of the people and places exist, you feel you know everything about them.

And number three…my third one would have to be Karen Traviss is such a great author. There are not many people who can actually write a good story, but I think she does a really good job of it.

One, the characters are amazing!

Two, the whole series was developed extremely well with twists and turns around each corner.

Three, it’s Star Wars and clones! You can’t get much better than that!

Give me three things you don’t like about Republic Commando.

If there were one thing I could change, it would be to take out all of the Gurlanins [a shape-shifting, dog-like alien species]. They are so snotty, and querulous, and overall annoying.

Number two would be she does focus on all of the bad things rather than the good which – too be honest – they don’t have much good in their lives, but some good things do happen.

The main thing I don’t like is the fact that starting in the second book – Triple Zero – two of the characters have a relationship that I believe is not appropriate since it is not in a marriage context. Karen Traviss, the author, does not exactly talk about it – she mainly just alludes to it in a very roundabout sort of way without ever actually saying what those two are doing – but the readers will understand.

The second thing I don’t like is that one character I really like goes MIA and never comes back.

And, thirdly, I agree with Ahsoka: the Gurlanins need to go. They are the most annoying characters I have ever encountered. The whole species is just really annoying, snobbish, arrogant, and they all have superiority complexes. After the first book they aren’t in the series all that much, but they’re still there enough to be exhasperating.

Which book is your favorite, and why?

Probably the third [True Colors]. Mostly because it’s the funniest one.

My favorite book is Triple Zero, followed closely by True Colors. Those are both very funny, and Triple Zero also introduces Delta Squad (who, by the way, are better than Omega, in my opinion).

If someone asked you why he should read RC, what would you say?

Because it’s one of the few series of books that I find good enough to put time into reading it.

It’s Star Wars, clones, war, humor, drama, clones, and it’s just an amazingly well done series.

What do you think of Karen Traviss’ writing style?

She has a very easy to understand writing style, and can do both action and dialogue pretty well. Although sometimes when she goes into character’s thoughts, she can be a little overly wordy.

Delta Squad, with Fixer, Boss, Scorch, and Sev

I think that Ms. Traviss did a very good job in writing Republic Commando. She used to be in the British Army, so she knows how to write action scenes, how armies work, and how real soldiers act and talk, so the whole thing sounds very plausible. Her dialogue is witty, and her descriptions are concise and understandable. The only thing I think she could’ve worked on were the sections when some characters are in love. They just talk to each other like it’s business as usual, and their dialogue sometimes sounds strained in those instances. Other than that, I think Ms. Traviss did a really good job. She’s one of the best authors I’ve read so far.

How developed are Traviss’ characters, and why?

I think her characters are very well-rounded, and while I know they do not exist when I’m reading the books sometimes it feels like they really do.

Extremely well developed. At first it’s a little difficult to keep all of the commandos straight, but once you’ve got it then they just keep developing and progressing. Even the minor characters feel like real, tangible people. You emphasize and sympathize greatly with them, and you can even feel their pain, their joy, their fear, every emotion they feel. The characters are so well rounded and developed that it actually makes me sad because they feel so real but they’re really not.

What was your most favorite scene in any RC book?

One of my favorite parts was in True Colors, when Omega Squad were eating dinner with the native Gaftikari, the Marits – a lizard-like people. Basically, it is a funny part concerning what they were eating. You would have to read it to understand the humor. [smiles slyly]

My favorite scene would have to be from the second book, Triple Zero. Delta and Omega squad are hiding in various buildings, and Omega Squad’s demolitions expert, Darman, is complaining that he can’t wear his armor during this stakeout. His squadmate, Fi, quips, “But you get to wear face camo, instead. Makes you feel wild and dangerous?” Then Sev growls back, “I’m wild. And then I get dangerous. Shut up.”

That scene cracks me up every time.

What was your favorite line in any RC book?

There were too many good lines for me to just pick one.

I like a lot of lines, but one of my favorites is from True Colors. Scorch and Sev are both doing reconnaissance underwater, and Scorch exclaims: “Wow, this is amazing. Look at that!” Sev responds back, “It’s a fish, Scorch. You’ll get over it. So will the fish.”

Do you think that Imperial Commando, if it had continued, would have been just as good, better, or worse than RC?

It could be good or bad depending on where she went with it. Like she could kill off everyone in the end, and that would make it terrible. Or she could have them all back home and live happily ever after.

I really don’t know. I would hope so, but I guess we’ll never know…at least not until someone actually writes the sequel to 501^st – which isn’t likely. I don’t really think I could say if Imperial Commando would have been better or worse.

How many stars would you give the plot?

10/10

10/10

The characters?

10/10

10/10

The style?

9/10

8/10

The re-readability?

9/10

10/10

Overall?

9.5/10

9/10

Would you recommend RC, and which age group would you recommend it for, and why?

Yes, I would recommend it. As for the age group, I would say late middle school and up, so 13-ish. Because some concepts might be difficult for younger readers to understand, and there are made-up swear words.

Yes, I would recommend this book whole-heartedly, but I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone younger than 12 or 13. The main reason is because the books are war, deal with some concepts that younger kids wouldn’t understand, and because of the extra-marital relationship between two of the characters (which I mentioned earlier). There are no real swear words, but there are a few that were made up and don’t actually mean anything. Those don’t bother me so much because they don’t mean anything, but I usually replace them in my mind with something funny. It’s kinda funny to be reading a part like that and replacing the made-up bad word with something like, “Oh, pink sparkly unicorns!”

Final thoughts?

*Jedi Mind Trick* You will go read this book. Now.

My final thoughts are that these books are really good, and I really wish that Ms. Traviss had been allowed to continue the Imperial Commando series, but maybe she will someday. Even if she doesn’t, Republic Commando will still be my most favorite Star Wars books, hands down.

If you've read Republic Commando, what do you think of it?

And if you would ever like to be part of one of our commentaries (or you have a topic you'd like us to discuss), please send me an e-mail at this address: edessacarrick@gmail.​com

We'd love to hear your opinions, too! :D

 - Edessa, signing off

"Who Shot First?" Commentary

Commentary Friday is back! For this entry, one of my sisters will be helping me muddle through one of the most puzzling and debatable Star Wars issues of all time.... Who shot first: Han Solo or Greedo?

Note: This is one of our sillier commentaries. Feel free to laugh or shake your head and say, "Ooookay, these two are really....weird...." (and, trust us, we are! :D).

Note 2: And, yes, this is actually a real discussion we had about this issue last night. No, none of this was made up..... except for Ahsoka's arguments, that is...... XD

Edessa: Ok, so before we begin, what would you like me to call you?

Ahsoka Tano: Just call me “Ahsoka Tano.”

Edessa: Alrighty. So the question before us is one of galactic importance: who shot first, Han Solo or Greedo? Who do you think shot first?

A: Just because everyone says that Han shot first, I’m gonna say that Greedo did. Just to be different.

E: Then I’ll say that Han shot first. Ok, so give me one good reason why Greedo shot first?

A: Because…..because Han knew that Greedo was coming, so he hired a purple chicken with Force powers to knock any blaster bolts that came his way. So when Greedo shot, the purple chicken – which was on the opposite side of the bar, still in view – the chicken moved the bolt to the left side of Han, into the wall, instead of his head. So then Han whipped out his blaster and shot Greedo. So that’s why Greedo shot first. So what are your reasons why Han shot first?

E: Um, well, because it’s well-known that Greedo is not the best bounty hunter in the galaxy, but even he probably wouldn’t miss at point-blank. Han, who is way more experienced, shot first which caused Greedo to pull his trigger reflexively – and miss – when the first bolt hit him. Besides, watch a video of the very original cut and you’ll notice that Greedo doesn’t shoot at all. It’s elementary, my dear Ahsoka.

A: Well, Greedo had an orange cow working for him. After it was filmed, the orange cow went in and tampered with the footage so it would look like Han shot first and that Greedo was just an innocent guy trying to make a living.

E: But there’s no such thing as an orange cow or a purple chicken, not even in Star Wars.

A: If you dump paint on them, then they will appear to be the right colors.

E: But don’t you think we would have seen those creatures in the actual film?

A: They disguised themselves.

E: As what?

A: Who was all in there? [thinks for a minute] Ok, the orange cow was dressed as a Bith. The one playing the long thingie, whatever that thing is. And the purple chicken was the bar tender. So that way he could see everything that was going on.

E: A four-legged animal can dress up as a Bith?

A: Apparently so. I don’t make up these things. I just say them as I hear them.

E [sarcasm]: From the little voices in your head?

A: Exactly. And why would the little voices in my head ever lie to me?

E: Ooookay. So, if we follow your theory and say that Greedo really did shoot first, how in the world could he have missed? I mean, Han was at point—

A [interrupting]: I told you, the purple chicken Forced the bolt away from Han’s head so he wouldn’t be shot.

E: But it was point blank!

A: The force-using chicken did it! I don’t know everything about the Force, but I know it can move blaster bolts.

E: So, if we follow my theory and say that Han shot first, then why didn’t Greedo’s orange cow friend save his life?

A: Because he was busy playing his instrument and didn’t want to blow his cover. And besides, a cow in a Bith suit can’t run very fast.

E: I’ll take your word for that.

A: So you don’t believe me?

E [mock surprise]: No. Whoever said that?

A: So you’re saying your proof is irrefutable, and mine is just hogwash?

E: I didn’t say it like that—

A [interrupting]: So what makes your proof irrefutable?

E: Um, maybe because mine actually makes sense logically. Yours….is just crazy.

A: So it’s logical for there to be an entire other galaxy with a bunch of other planets that all can sustain life and all have different creatures on them, and they are more technologically advanced and can build lasers to shoot at each other? That’s logical?!

E: When you say it like that, it sounds stupid. But you and I both know that you’re just as big of a Star Wars geek as I am, so you shouldn’t diss it.

A: But that has nothing to do with it being logically correct. So, therefore, your proof is not irrefutable and mine is just as good as yours.

E: If that’s the case, then why are we even having this discussion to begin with?

A: Because the world needs to be educated about the purple chicken and the orange cow that were behind the scenes in this whole affair.

E: So we agree to disagree, then?

A: Yeah. Basically.

E: So there you have it readers: the argument for Han shooting first, and the argument (or lack thereof)—

A [exclaiming]: That is discrimination! You can’t do that!

E [continuing]: …or lack thereof for Greedo shooting first. We leave it up to you to decide which is the more logical.

A: Neither of them, but if you really have to go by logical then it’s definitely mine.

E: You keep telling yourself that.

A: Ok. I will. Mine’s more interesting.

E: More interesting, perhaps, but not accurate.

A: You keep telling yourself that.

E: I think I’m done here.

So who did shoot first? I don't think we'll ever really know. There will always be Han Solo advocates and there will always be Greedo advocates.

Who do you think shot first?


And, in other news, today is International Star Wars Day! So pull out your Star Wars LEGO sets, dust off your old Jedi costume, have a lightsaber battle in your backyard, make a mini Star Wars film, play a Star Wars game, and don't forget to show off your love for that amazing galaxy far, far away!

Have a happy, wonderful Star Wars Day! And May the Fourth Be With You!











 - Edessa, signing off

"Star Wars: Underworld" Commentary

Nope, I'm not talking about the website "Star Wars Underworld" (which is awesome, btw. If you haven't checked it out, you should :D).

I'm talking about the live-action TV series that Lucasfilm, Ltd., is currently working on.

No, that's not a typo. You read that right.

According to all of the articles I've read, George Lucas has been working on Star Wars: Underworld ever since at least 2005.

And I'm just hearing about it seven years later?!

Better late than never, I suppose. But it's good timing, though.

It will make a good topic for my first Commentary Friday post! :D


What Do I Think Of.....


.....The Title:
     Star Wars: Underworld sounds like a pretty epic title to me. It rolls off the tongue very nicely, the acronym is pronounceable - "swoo" - unlike The Clone Wars (how in the world do you pronounce TCW??), it's catchy, and it gives us a little synopsis into what the overall plotline of the show will be.

Underworld equals smugglers, crime lords, Black Sun, mercenaries, and my personal favorites...bounty hunters.

If that doesn't make a Star Wars geek's heart flutter then I don't know what does.

Sure, it's still a what production people call a "working title" (one that hasn't been officially okayed), but it's pretty epic for a working title.


.....The Plot:
     SWU will take place between 19 and 0 B.B.Y. (Before the Battle of Yavin), filling in the nice 19 year long gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope.

Sorry, Original Trilogy fans, but your main Jedi and Sith friends (Vader, Kenobi, Luke Skywalker) aren't gonna be in it. SWU is about what goes on in the underworld of Star Wars: bounty hunting, assassinating, smuggling, etc. No moisture farms in sight, just space ports.

Oh, and podracing. Quite a bit of podracing, apparently.

Maybe they'll include some limmie, too. Go Bylluran Athletic!!

The series has been described as "dramatic," "darker," and "adult".....whatever that means. I just hope that by "adult" they don't mean that this isn't going to be a family friendly show. I know that Star Wars sometimes has rough spots, but it's always been a place where families were welcome.

If it's got a lot of "adult material," I don't think I'm gonna be the only one who's not happy.

And how is Lucas gonna work around all of the Expanded Universe canon? I have no idea, and I am so glad that I'm not the one who has to figure that out. :D


.....The Characters/Cast:
     Technically no one's been hired yet because the show is still in the Concept phase (Pre-Production is when cast get hired), but there have been a few leaks.

Lucas wants Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones and The Clone Wars) to play teenage Boba Fett, who will (supposedly) be one of the main characters.

Guess who may be baaaaaaack?

Boba Fett?!

YESSSSS!!

After the clone troopers, Fett is probably my favorite character. Plus, he's an epic bounty hunter. And the rumor that he may be one of the main characters in SWU? Well, I think I like this show already!

Anthony Daniels wants to reprise his C-3PO role....which he better, 'cause I know I couldn't stand having C-3PO being played by anybody else! Will Kenny Baker come back as R2-D2? He'd better....

Ian McDiarmid (Chancellor Palpatine, the Emperor) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) both want to reprise their very famous roles in SWU.

Oh, and did I mention Sam Witwer wants to play his Force Unleashed character, Galen Marek/Starkiller, in SWU?

And that there might be cameo appearances by Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, and even - drum roll, please - Mara Jade?

If you are a Star Wars geek - like me - you are probably seriously geeking out right now.

I'll give you a minute to collect yourselves before I move on... :D


.....The Estimated Run-Time:
     Each episode will have a run-time of one hour.

One whole hour devoted to pure Star Wars awesomeness (plus the mandatory commercials, but I guess I wouldn't mind those too much).

Now if only they'd make The Clone Wars one hour long, too....


.....The Score:
     John Williams is in talks to score SWU, and the idea is for each episode to have its own unique score.

You may now geek out again. :D


.....The Release Date:
     2014.

That's right, people: SWU won't come out until at least 2014, but it'll probably be more like 2016.

It's a big letdown after such a hype, but I can understand it.

1. Money. Big issue. Terra Nova was canceled because it cost too much to make each episode, even though the fan-base was so big it could probably colonize its own world. And Star Wars will be very expensive to make just because of special affects alone, not to mention costuming, equipment, locations, crew, and cast among a gazillion other expenses. I'm not saying that Lucas doesn't have the money to make the show (he probably could pay for a whole season with his checking account alone), but networks are usually extremely wary of super expensive shows.

They canned Terra Nova, remember?

2. Technology. Apparently Lucas is waiting for the technology to get a bit better before he starts filming (they already have about 50 scripts ready to go). I'm not sure exactly what he's waiting for (better 3D technology? Better motion-capture?), but he is waiting for something, so that's why he won't move on to Pre-Production for quite a while yet.

And I guess I don't mind him waiting. After all, I want these episodes to be the very best they can be. I want Kaminoan quality, not Centax II speed.

Quality over quantity. I think most Star Wars fans would rather wait twenty years for a few good, quality, excellent episodes than one year for cookie-cutter, standard episodes.


.....The Reactions:
     This is how I think some groups of people will react:

The Hater: "Stop making Star Wars stuff already! Don't you have enough money, Lucas?!"

Star Trek vs. Star Wars

The Trekkie/Trekker: "You can make as much Star Wars stuff as you want, but it'll never be as good as Star Trek. Vulcans rule, and Sullustans drool!"

The Pessimist: "It won't be as good as the Original Trilogy. Nothing is as good as the Original Trilogy!"

The Casual Fan: "Could be interesting, but I probably won't watch it."

The Fan: "I'll try it. Might be fun."

The Fanatic: "Give. Me. The. Pilot. Episode. Right. NOW!!"

The Uninformed: "What are we talking about?"


Final Tally:

Title: 10/10

Plot: 10/10 (unless it turns out to be a very adult show, then I'll push it down to 5/10)

Characters/Cast: 10/10 (but only if Fett is a main character and many of the original actors return)

Run-Time: 100/10 (I know that fraction doesn't work, but one hour is just too epic!)

Score: Infinity/Infinity

Release Date: 9/10 (disappointed that it won't release sooner than 2014, but I understand why.)



Final Comments: BRING ON SWU!! :D



What do you think?




 - Edessa, signing off