Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | Part 1
Podcast Episode
Episode 1 | June 1, 2022
Host
Van, Brian
About
Star Wars became a cultural phenomenon in the late 1970s and remained so even after Return of the Jedi seemingly ended the series of films in 1983. It was under the pressure of this popularity that George Lucas finally returned to the galaxy of household names like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Dengar with 1999’s The Phantom Menace.
Van and Brian explore the long road to making The Phantom Menace, critical and public response, and their own experiences watching the movie as ugly teenagers. Brian does his George Lucas voice, while Van details Episode I‘s expansive and talented cast.
The Phantom Menace begins with a familiar friend (it’s Obi-Wan!) and his mentor (it’s Liam, er, Qui-Gon!) desperately trying to avert a crisis by appeasing racist frog people, but it doesn’t go according to plan. With the help of a clumsy aquatic friend, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon meet up with a highly stylized young queen as war looms. Van and Brian end the episode explaining why Qui-Gon wants to gamble in favor of an annoying little boy winning a race against a horde of monsters.
Highlights
-An advertisement for Watto’s Junk Shop
-Thirsty? Choke down a cool can of Sebulba’s new energy drink, Sabotage!
-Learn about the Cosmic Force and Living Force, unlike in school
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace | Part 2
Podcast Episode
Episode 2 | June 22, 2022
Host
Van, Brian
About
Brian and Van are back to menace the remainder of the phantoms, and boy are they worn out. They’ve already dealt with Jar Jar Binks and witnessed more seated trade disputes than the original Star Wars trilogy had in it combined. Then there’s this Lord Sidious guy who seems like he might not be entirely above board with his intentions.
The guys picks back up after little Anakin claimed his first podracing championship and with it his freedom from a flying slug slaver named Watto. Qui-Gon believes Anakin will grow up to be special, definitely not the most evil guy in the world, and wants to train him in the ways of the Force. When the Jedi try to leave the desert with Anakin, a horned devil man attacks, and it’s clear the Sith are back in the game for the fate of the galaxy.
Meanwhile, the underwater queen joins forces with digitized Brian Blessed in a goofy war against Nute Gunray and his frog folk. Obi-Wan loses a pal and gains a loud, rat-tailed responsibility. There are all manner of robots and aliens; what more could you want?
Highlights
-Political ads for such luminaries as Chancellor Valorum, self-made cow politician Ainlee Teem, and down-to-earth everyman Sheev Palpatine
-Anakin is C3PO’s god
-Lightsaber forms and sponge dinosaur capsules