Aggressive Negotiations: A Star Wars Podcast

The Outpost.

TheBad Batch has always been committed to showing the toll of war, duty, and point of view on its core characters as the galaxy changes around them. Join Matt + John as they revisit “The Outpost” for their Season 2 rewatch and discuss the depth of art, storytelling, and meaning discovered there.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Metamorphosis.

John and Matt jump into the jump scares with The Bad Batch Season 2 episode “Metamorphosis” as Star Wars resurrects a Clone Wars beastie with a horror-action movie and a bold, new villain enters the scene to set the stage for an arc that will take us through to Season 3.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Crossing & Retrieval.

John and Matt discuss how the Star Wars galaxy has changed in the aftermath of #TheCloneWars as they look at #TheBadBatch Season 2 arc “The Crossing/Retrieval” — Syd’s abandonment, processing grief, and the burden of carrying on are all examined against a backdrop of beautiful animation and subtle references in this gripping duology.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Clone Conspiracy & Truth and Consequences.

Join Matt and John as they delve into Darth Sidious’ devilish plans-within-plans as he snatches villainous victory from righteous defeat in the two part #StarWars #TheBadBatch Season 2 arc “The Clone Conspiracy/Truth and Consequences.” What does the arc reveal about Omega’s true nature, and what does it say about the mundane ways evil can win? All this and more…

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Tribe.

Journey back to Kashyyyk with John and Matt during their StarWars: The Bad Batch Season 2 rewatch with a discussion about “Tribe,” an episode where the squad assists the Wookiee Jedi Gungi get back to his people’s home now that the Jedi have fallen. Warning: Creepy Kashyykian wildlife and Trandoshan slavers await. Only the bravest should apply.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Entombed.

Discover lost treasure with John and Matt during their Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 rewatch with a discussion about “Entombed,” an episode that highlights Wanda Sykes’ character “Phee Genoa,” and layers on references to other classic films from Studio Ghibli to Indiana Jones and The Lord of the Rings.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Faster.

Racing comes to the forefront once more as Matt and John continue their Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 rewatch with a discussion about “Faster,” the infamous episode centered on a wild “riot racing” circuit. Is this a one-and-done episode, or an important character step that leads to later payoff?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Solitary Clone.

Join Matt and John as they discuss the stunning 3rd episode of Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2: “The Solitary Clone,,” an examination of the spiritual malaise of Clone Force 99’s defector Crosshair as he teams with Clone Commander Cody to put down an insurrection on an independent planet.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Ruins of War.

Join John and Matt as they continue their rewatch and discussion of Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 with “Ruins of War,” with Clone Force 99’s escape from Serenno with a new perspective on the destruction of the Clone Wars and the evils of the Galactic Empire.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Spoils of War.

Join Matt and John as they begin their rewatch and discussion on Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 with “The Spoils of War,” featuring Clone Force 99’s attempt to heist of Count Dock’s riches on Serenno from under the nose of the Galactic Empire.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Star Wars Potpurri.

Sometimes there’s just too much fun to be had diving down a Dagobah rabbit hole. Join John and Matt for a dish of Star Wars potpourri - an intoxicating melange of spicy discussion about a galaxy far, far away!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Threat Within.

The Jedi Masters’ first show of 2024 is a robust discussion of Jude Watson’s “The Threat Within,” the last regular book in the Jedi Apprentice series for Star Wars.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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A Jedi Carol.

Scrooge got a visit from 3 spirits…why not 3 Force Ghosts for Luke Skywalker? A visit to Rey from those that went before to set her on the right path? Are Force Ghosts naturally a part of that fine Dickens tradition? John and Matt explore the possibilities with, “A Jedi Carol."

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Imperial Broadcast System.

The Dead Speak! …but how did they hear it? John and Matt discuss what possible mechanisms could have existed for people to hear Palatine’s mysterious message between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Star Wars Holiday Special 2.

John and Matt debate whether the Star Wars Holiday Special deserves a big-budget streaming reboot, or if the time has passed on holiday specials overall, and it’s time to accept that there’s no place for it in Star Wars - or any franchise - anymore.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Star Wars Celebrations.

Did the Empire allow holiday celebrations, or was everything turned toward the greater glory of the Emperor and Lord Vader? John and Matt explore this question, along with the deeper implications of a society without joy and how it might have led to the Galactic Empire’s quick demise.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Thanksgungan 2023.

The season of thanks has arrived as John Mills and Matthew Rushing celebrate all the things in Star Wars we are thankful for this year! We'd be honored if you would join us.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Urgent Incoming Transmission.

It is the time of the season when we talk about what we are thankful for over the last year in Star Wars! Tell us what you are thankful for as we get ready for another Thanksgungan!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Weird Star Wars.

Has the Ahsoka series given live action Star Wars the license to get weird again? The themes, story devices and world building elements have kicked open the door for larger audiences to experience Star Wars the way the animated series have for years now: Wild and unrestrained by science fiction’s obsession with rationalization. Matt and John discuss why this is a good thing overall.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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What Makes a Master?

Anakin Skywalker never attained the rank of Jedi Master. John and Matt discuss what the full criteria might have been, beyond being named to the Jedi Council. How many pathways were open to a Jedi seeking advancement, and how was it determined? They look at every angle and source, from old EU to current canon.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Maul Principle.

Sometimes in Star Wars storytelling, the Force is a fickle mistress when it comes to deciding who lives and dies, and it’s led to some controversy in recent years with characters surviving a specific type of wound that killed the venerable Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Matt and John ask, though, if there was a bigger precedent there all along set by a certain handsome villain…

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Don’t Give in to Hate!

Is Star Wars trapped in a doom loop of trying to appeal equally to fans, non-fans, and Internet trolls who just can’t let it go? John and Matt grab the third rail and ask themselves, why do some people keep watching if they just hate it all? John and Matt try to figure it out.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Force of Physical Media.

Disney announced that streaming-only series are now getting 4K releases on physical media - what does this mean for Star Wars fans, Star Wars as a brand, and the future of collecting? John and Matt dive into it all!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Baby Yoda Effect.

Has Star Wars become trapped by the fans’ desire for a big, showy surprise to kick off each show? John and Matt discuss this big question.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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More Galaxies, Farther Away.

The new Star Wars series Ahsoka spurs a new question: how expansive is the Star Wars universe after all? Is it a tale of a Galaxy Far, Far Away or is it a tale of multiple galaxies and endless new possibilities? John and Matt discuss what opening that door might do for the future of Star Wars.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Animation Domination.

15 years after the debut of the animated movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ahsoka Tano is getting her own live-action series. Matt and John take a deep-dive look at the Star Wars animation’s lasting impact as it continued and expanded the storytelling tradition of a Galaxy Far, Far Away….

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John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Dooku Dilemma.

Lucasfilm Animation’s Tales of the Jedi, like any great Star Wars storytelling, spurs as many questions as it answers. From one arc springs a question - would Count Dooku have remained a Jedi if he’d been on the Jedi Council?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Too Much Star Wars?

Are we in a Golden Age of Star Wars Content, or is there such a thing as “too much Star Wars”? Bob Iger seems to think we’re getting too much content and has stated he plans to reign in the storytelling and spending in a Galaxy Far, Far Away. John and Matt ask, though: is he right? Or is he off the mark in some important way?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part VI.

John and Matt wrap up their retrospective series on the Disney Plus series, how it closes out all the storylines and if it lived up to the hype in the end.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part V.

Matt and John offer a commentary-track discussion on the fifth episode of the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney Plus series as they reach the penultimate episode of the series on their anniversary rewatch one year after its airing. Do they continue to find something to love, or discover some more missteps that echo the start of the series?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part IV.

John and Matt discuss the fourth episode of the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney Plus series as they continue their exploration of the series one year after its initial release. They discuss the momentum from the third episode, the expectations going into the fourth, and where the episode succeeds (or doesn’t) in its forwarding of the mythology.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part III.

Matt and John continue their one-year rewatch of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series with a live commentary episode about the third chapter in the Obi-Wan series where his quest to get Leia Organa to safety is interrupted by a confrontation with his greatest fear: the mistakes of the past as embodied in his unexpectedly alive “former pupil”…Darth Vader.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part II.

Matt and John continue their one-year rewatch of the Obi-Wan Kenobi series with a chat about the second chapter in the saga that joins Obi-Wan on his quest to locate, and escape with, Leia Organa from a seedy port planet to reunite her with her adoptive parents and keep her true heritage a secret.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part I.

Inspired by a recent discussion and the the first anniversary of the show, John Mills and Matthew Rushing embark on a retrospective series about the Obi-Wan series to see how it holds up a year later.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Eavesdropping Empire.

John and Matt look at the im/practicality of monitoring the transmissions of a Galaxy Far Far Away to vet all those myriad transmissions for truth, justice, and narrative consistency when trying to quell independent thought and subversive ideas.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Obi-Wan Wonderings.

Matt and John discuss a key moment from the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, in the wake of the massively successful limited theatrical re-release of Return of the Jedi for its 40th anniversary. Does a certain scene play differently? Does the echo of the series now change the meaning of key moments?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Cooking With Midichlorians.

John and Matt discuss the implications of what was revealed in Moff Gideon’s plans during the third season of The Mandalorian. They chat about what it means for the future, what it implies about the past, and how it might tie in to Palpatine’s long-range goals.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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REY-Turn of the Jedi.

John and Matt engage in a delightful discussion about the announced plans to bring back Rey “Skywalker” to the Star Wars franchise with a new movie focused on her exploits 15 years (!) after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. What does the future hold? They try to peer into the midichlorian-filled Magic 8 Ball for a glimpse of what’s to come, based on their readings of what came before.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Inheritance of The Clone Wars.

Matt and John discuss the Bad Batch’s second season and how it reflects the theme of the inheritance of The Clone Wars and what it means for Clone Force 99’s place in the galaxy.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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Star Wars Drinking Laws.

John & Matt discuss what might thrill ya, and what might kill ya, when walking into a bar in a galaxy far, far away. From the Mos Eisley Cantina to the most well-stocked lounge on Coruscant, what did drinking laws look like during the Republic, and during the Empire? Strap in for a fun discussion that just might have figured out what Hyperspace Skipping really is.

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John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: Kamino Lost.

John & Matt complete their Bad Batch Season 1 commentary series with a track for the 16th and final episode in its first season, the stunning “Kamino Lost,” an episode filled with emotional weight, thrilling action, terrific dialogue and a revelation at the end that changes the face of the Star Wars saga onscreen forever after.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: Return to Kamino.

Matt & John record a commentary track for the Bad Batch’s 15th episode in its first season, the penultimate “Return to Kamino.” The Batch uncover an uncomfortable truth about their brother Crosshair against the backdrop of Rampart’s horrific acts to seal the Empire’s final betrayal of the creators of the clone army.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: War Mantle.

John & Matt share a commentary track for the Bad Batch’s 14th episode in its first season, “War Mantle.” The Batch begin to unravel the next insidious phase of the Empire’s accelerating plans as they travel to rescue a brother trooper who’s been imprisoned for what he’s chosen not to do.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: Infested.

John & Matt share a commentary track for the Bad Batch’s 13th episode in its first season, “Infested.” The Underworld's impact grows and Cid's connections to it - as well as her loyalties - are further exposed as the Batch is forced to pull off a double-cross heist that puts Omega in a strange & new emotional situation.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: Rescue on Ryloth.

John & Matt share a commentary track for episode 12 of The Bad Batch’s first season, “Rescue on Ryloth.” We get to see Crosshair’s vanity manipulated, the depth of Rampart’s political savvy, and the stakes increase as Ryloth once again serves as a flashpoint for an awakening.

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John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: Devil's Deal.

Matt & John return to Ryloth with a commentary track for episode 11 of The Bad Batch’s first season, “Devil’s Deal.” The episode examines the methodology of Imperial dominion, and its efforts to take advantage of the exhaustion of war to become the new boss...and what it’s willing to do to lock its power in place.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: Common Ground.

John & Matt revisit episode 10 of The Bad Batch’s first season, the episode “Common Ground.” The Batch is dispatched to assist people they were trained to hate, leading to a city-based tank battle that cements itself as an all-time Star Wars classic battle sequence and questions about who and what we choose to hate or help.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: Bounty Lost.

Matt & John revisit The Bad Batch’s encounter with Cad Bane in episode nine from the first season, “Bounty Lost.” More question arise from the shadows as the Batch pursues Bane to a lost city in the clouds where a showdown with another familiar bounty hunter is unfolding.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: Reunion.

John & Matt share a commentary track for The Bad Batch’s eighth episode from the first season, “Reunion.” Given the history of the Bad Batch, the word carries specific foreboding and intrigue as we hit the halfway point of the season and the characters start their journey toward bigger events on the horizon.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Bad Batch Commentary: Battle Scars.

Matt & John share a commentary track for The Bad Batch’s seventh episode from the first season, “Battle Scars.” A beloved old character is reintroduced, the Batch learns what Order 66 really was, and questions of soldiers’ PTSD and its impact on family are explored.

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John Mills and Matthew Rushing
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The Bad Batch Commentary: Decommissioned.

John and Matt give their commentary for The Bad Batch’s sixth episode from season 1, “Decommissioned.” Questions of their place in the galaxy hide behind a straightforward mission to retrieve a tactical droid’s head from the scrap heap, and possible hints about Omega’s potential come to light.

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John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Bad Batch Commentary: Rampage.

Matt and John give their commentary for The Bad Batch’s fifth episode from season 1, “Rampage.” A retrieval mission ties in - possibly - to the original films, and the team learns what it means to have Omega with them on adventures.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Bad Batch Commentary: Cornered.

Matt and John give their commentary for The Bad Batch’s fourth episode from season 1, “Cornered.” A supply run leads to parental stress, a kid on the run, and the chronological introduction of the fan-favorite bounty hunter Fennec Shand!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Thanksgungan 2022.

Once more the crisp nights and bright days turn our gaze toward all the things for which we’re thankful, with a special focus on our Star Wars fandom. Join Matt and John as they carve through their special recipe for thankfulness as Star Wars fans in 2022 from current shows to future productions to the special bond that brings all fans together.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Bad Batch Commentary: Replacements.

Matt and John give their commentary for The Bad Batch’s third episode from season 1, “Replacements.” Duty, Honor, Trust and the Incremental Erosion of Freedom all come into play as the themes gain even more clarity.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Bad Batch Commentary: Cut and Run.

John and Matt give their commentary for The Bad Batch’s second episode from season 1, “Cut and Run".

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Bad Batch Commentary: Aftermath.

Matt and John celebrate 300 episodes as well as Star Wars: The Bad Batch winning the Saturn Award for best animated series by starting their commentary collection with the first episode, Aftermath!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Rebellious Morality.

John and Matt discuss the question of the morality shown by the rebellion in the Andor series, and whether it’s a necessary reflection of our conflicted natures or too much a divergence from the clearer lessons of Lucas’ films.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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More Star Wars Stories.

SPECIAL HURRICANE EDITION

Inspired by the highly-anticipated debut of “Andor,” Matt and John discuss other characters whose arcs would be interesting to explore, and the opportunities they carry for world building with them to open the Star Wars galaxy to new viewers.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Are the Jedi Evil?

Inspired by a topic on the roster from this year’s DragonCon, John and Matt wrestle with the question, “Are the Jedi Evil?” Their debate looks at all aspects of the question, but most especially what clear indicators the story might show in one direction or the other.

And they issue a challenge to listeners late in the show!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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If Obi-Wan Negotiated.

John and Matt ponder an interesting possibility from the “What If?” library of Star Wars possibilities and look at what might have happened if Obi-Wan Kenobi decided to “stand down” like Dooku demanded in Episode II during the duel in the hangar on Geonosis.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Book Club: The Only Witness.

Matt and John return to Jude Watson’s prequel era books focused on Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan with the penultimate book in the series’ regular run, “The Only Witness.“ They explore Watson’s continued ability to craft recognizable and believable characters on the page, and the place that the lessons have in the larger mythos of Star Wars.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Star Wars Labor Laws.

Matt and John tackle the question of Labor Laws in the Galaxy Far Far Away and the implications for the bureaucratic apparatus and political machines of the Old Republic, the Empire, and the New Republic. Then they dive deep into how the labor laws were used to keep the galaxy off-balance for Palpatine’s goals.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Jedi Artifact Markets.

Matt and John examine the Jedi Artifact trade in the Galaxy Far Far Away and discuss its potentialities and implications for the Jedi, the Sith, and the rest of the citizens of the Republic, Empire and other eras.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Hyperspace Vampires.

John and Matt explore an unexpected topic spurred by the approaching Fall season: Can vampires become Force Sensitive by draining Jedi? And what are the larger implications of the answer?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Stranger Wars.

John and Matt look at a streaming and cultural landscape dominated by the Netflix phenomenon, Stranger Things, and ask what might be preventing Star Wars from reclaiming that part of the zeitgeist.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Star Wars Hospital.

John and Matt look at the evolution of health care in the Star Wars saga, from limb replacement to bacta tanks, social implications to cloning, as well as the reasons and ramifications of access difficulties.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Obi-Wan Awakens.

A listener sent in an interesting question about Obi-Wan’s struggle with faith and purpose in the hit streaming show on Disney+, and so Matt and John discuss where they see the character, what motivates him, and what it says about where he’s going.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Force Mind Meld.

Force Powers have fluctuated through the course of the Star Wars saga, with fans introduced to unknown powers every few years. In this episode, Matt and John discuss one of the most intriguing: the ability to pull information from people’s minds.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Importance of Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is the Jedi Master on everyone’s minds right now, so Matt and John revisit his decisive turning points, starting with Attack of the Clones and how the character’s reaction to tragedy both defined and broadened our understanding of him.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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We'll Always Have Batuu.

Recently Matt got a chance to go to Galaxy’s Edge for the first time, and here on Aggressive Negotiations is your exclusive opportunity to hear all about it! Did he love Dok Ondar’s? Was Oga’s Cantina all it was cracked up to be? Did he eat his fill of Ronto Wraps? Did anyone notice Vi Moradi? Find out the answers to all this...and more!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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By Any Other Name.

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.” - William Shakespeare

John and Matt explore the titles of the Star Wars movies to date, and discuss their ideas for titles that might work instead.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Matt and John discuss the first season of The Book of Boba Fett, and some of the issues they’ve considered that may have prevented it from hitting the same mark that The Mandalorian did.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Book Club: Shadows of the Empire.

It’s been 26 years (!) since Shadows of the Empire debuted to Star Wars fans and the world at large, so Matt and John convened a special session of their Jedi Book Club to revisit and re-evaluate the book as a work.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Animation Comes Alive.

John and Matt debate the merits and pitfalls of animated characters crossing over into the new Star Wars live action series, and how they’ve chosen to approach stylistic differences. Also, they discuss the incredibly awesome and wonderful helicopter lightsabers, and how often we should see them in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Obi-Wan Kenobi Reaction Show.

Matt and John, both big Obi-Wan Kenobi fans (who isn’t, even if Matt takes it a little far) give their EXCLUSIVE FIRST REACTIONS to that Obi-Wan Kenobi trailer!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Sarlacc Mystery Snack.

John and Matt peel another Star Wars story onion as they ponder what the implications are of the stormtrooper that was in the Sarlacc next to Boba Fett. Where did he come from, and how did he get there, and what story possibilities does that open?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Grogu's Choice.

John and Matt are joined by special guest Yancy Evans to discuss one of the most polarizing plot points in recent Star Wars history: Luke Skywalker’s choice to Grogu to pursue the Jedi path or the Mandalorian way. Yancy discusses his thoughts on the reflection of choice and selflessness, and joins us to explore how it mirrors Anakin’s choice and pressures as well.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Courtship of Princess Leia.

John and Matt revisit one of the original Expanded Universe novels, now relegated to “Legends” status, The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Mod People.

Matt and John explore the deeper implications of body modification as a cultural movement and choice as presented in The Book of Boba Fett.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Star Wars Super People.

John and Matt ask a burning question: In a galaxy full of cloning, and genetic engineering, where are our Khan Noonien Singh figures? Do the Jedi fill that role, and so they don’t need them? They ponder all this and more!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Nic Anastassiou Archive: The Clone Wars: Final Season.

It’s a very special week, so we’re releasing a very special episode! We journey into the archives of the Jedi Order to share a never before heard interview with Nic Anastassiou, story editor on Clone Wars and Bad Batch, to share his insights on the special labor of love that was creating the final season of Clone Wars and especially The Phantom Apprentice.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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An Extra Serving of Sequel.

Kathleen Kennedy recently shared that some sequel trilogy characters could be returning in other projects, and so Matt & John discuss what types of projects they’d like to see in order to extend and enhance what we got with the characters of Episodes VII, VIII & IX.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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More Solo Stories.

Solo: A Star Wars Story has been embraced in its home video run and become a respected part of the “canon” of Star Wars. Matt & John share their ideas of where the story should/could go....from a certain point of view.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Thanksgungan 2021.

It’s that time of year again! The crisp nights and bright days turn our gaze toward those things we hold dear and for which we’re thankful. Join John and Matt as they share all those things that they find best about being a Star Wars fan in 2021 from new productions to treasured characters to the love shown from fans.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Grievous, Did You Know?

General Grievous’ role at the opening of Revenge of the Sith was pivotal in a number of ways, and one decision could have undone any other. John and Matt discuss the repercussions of his actions, how much he knew about Sidious’ real machinations, and how much an obstacle he would have been to an ascendant Anakin.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Defending Ahsoka's Walkabout.

When Ahsoka Tano’s first arc hit the screens for the final season of The Clone Wars, fan reaction was surprisingly mixed, and remains so. Matt and John offer some thoughts on why that might be, and their own reactions to the arc with the benefit of time and perspective.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Currency and Trade.

John and Matt explore a unique question about the Galaxy Far Far Away...how exactly did the Republic and the Empire set monetary policy, and how did they maintain a valuation system when so many sectors had their own coin of the realm?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Maul Wins!

In their continuing exploration of the density and complexity of story in the Star Wars saga, John and Matt discuss if one domino had NOT fallen at the end of The Phantom Menace: How differently would things go if Maul had won?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Visionary Wars.

Matt and John discuss Star Wars Visions, whether it’s “true Star Wars,” the place of art in fandom, the silly arguments that people make on social media about timelines and “canon,” and the future of dance lessons at the Jedi Temple.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Ahsoka the Dark?

John and Matt ponder one of the most sensitive questions they have in awhile: Could Ahsoka Tano ever have turned to the Dark Side and/or become a Sith?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Book Club: Call to Vengeance.

Matt and John return to the Jedi Apprentice series reviews with Jude Watson’s A Call to Vengeance, wherein Qui-Gon teeters to the edge of the Dark Side, Obi-Wan progresses a little more to the man we would come to know, and a surprising insight into Mace Windu is found. Also they ask, would there be a law or rule for Jedi who strayed since they were officials of the Republic? All this and more!

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Dirty Jobs.

John and Matt have a fun - but occasionally deep - discussion about the professions they’d least want to pursue and jobs they wouldn’t want in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Battlefronts!

Matt and John discuss their favorite battles from the Star Wars saga, whether they’re space based, land based, or simply iconic. They also discuss the battles that left a little to be desired, but mainly it’s about what made those wars in a galaxy far, far away so memorable.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Lightsaber Lost?

Luke Skywalker, whether through luck or The Force, managed to keep his lightsaber while dueling Darth Vader on Cloud City. The Jedi Masters discuss the ramifications if it had fallen away instead of landing on the gantry.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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J.W. Rinzler Appreciation Episode.

JW Rinzler’s incredible contribution to Star Wars fandom is the skillful telling of fascinating behind-the-scenes info in a compelling way. In this episode the “Jedi Masters” express their appreciation and gratitude for everything he’s contributed, as well as his other works.

He’s currently been given a prognosis that we wish he weren’t a GoFundMe has been established to assist with his medical expenses. All donations beyond the goal will be given to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://www.gofundme.com/f/h2qw7z-jonathans-medical-expenses?member=12531375

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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Unseen Clone Wars.

Matt and John return to debate an interesting question: Would it be worthwhile to return to The Clone Wars with never-before-seen stories, or has that era passed forever?

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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The Morals of Westerns.

This week Matt and John field a question from a listener about what they see as the moral and film tradition of the American Western and how successful George Lucas was in taking on and carrying forward its place in cinema.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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What if Palpatine Died?

What if Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine had died at the beginning of Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith? This is the question that the Jedi Masters ponder this week, trying to figure what story permutations would happen and if the eventual march to Empire was inevitable under Moff Windu, and what role Citizen Ahsoka Tano or Maul might play.

Host
John Mills and Matthew Rushing

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