Andor Season 2

Andor, Season 2 (Tony Gilroy, 2025)

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Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

I had high expectations for Season 2 of this amazing show. I knew what the ending would be (Rogue One) and anticipated a lot more tension and depressing moments. And I wasn't wrong. I was blown away and left ruminating about the series for days.

Tony Gilroy knows Star Wars and knows how to write suspense and tension. Andor brings the gritty realism and relevancy to the Star Wars universe that no other Star Wars movie or show has. At times, I felt like I was watching a true story. That happened yesterday. Here on Earth, not in a galaxy far far away. And I think that is the real success and power of Andor. This science "fiction" story feels real. The characters seem like people you know. The emotions are palpable. The urgency makes your heart pound and sets your thoughts whirling--How can I help? What can I do?

How everything from earlier Star Wars shows and movies ties together is very satisfying for a true Star Wars fan--for example, I immediately watched Rogue One after Andor Season 2 and so much changed. I cried in a different way. The viewing experience was entirely changed. But you also don't need to have any context or prior history to get something truly meaningful out of Andor. It stands alone and fits in the timeline. And this is because the writing is masterful. Andor is timeless and important. It tells a story we humans keep experiencing and keep allowing to happen again and again.

Click here to read my post about Season 1.

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Skeleton Crew

Skeleton Crew, Season 1 (Christopher Ford and Jon Watts, 2024)

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Rating: DSQ=10, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

Unlike the most recent Acolyte series, Skeleton Crew was a breath of fresh air. Yay, back to another good, well-written Star Wars show! Sure, this one is lighter and more family friendly, but it felt like pure escape and not heavily bogged down by Star Wars lore and rules, etc. It is still within the Star Wars universe and has tons of Easter eggs for fans, but it also holds its own and feels fresh. I loved the adventure, the character development of the kids as individuals and also as a team, trying to figure out the mystery along with them, and the great places and people they met along the way. Does it need more? No. Would I like more? Not necessarily. Maybe a related, separate story about Jod. But I'm satisfied with this lovely story. It is just right.

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The Acolyte

The Acolyte Season 1 (Leslye Headland, 2024)

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Season 1 Rating: DSQ=4, SP=2 / Worst of the Worst

Scale A=3, Scale B=0, Scale C=1, Scale D=1, Scale E=1

Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Oh how very, very sad. This was such a disappointing show. What I thought would be an interesting pre-Empire story with stimulating characters, settings, and themes, turned out to be an enormous FLOP. The Acolyte gives us the not-so-good Star Wars over-used troupes and gimmicks with little else. The acting is poor and the script is even worse. How did it get approved? None of the character motivations and decisions made make sense, to me, which just doesn't work. And overall, the show paints the Jedi in a pretty dark light. I get it, we are meant to question the so-called heroes, meant to see that everyone has dark and light in them...I guess? But we only one story from multiple angles. No other stories and no real depth. Honestly, the only characters I liked were killed. The main characters are annoying and confusing. Who wants to watch that? I gave the show a chance by continuing to watch, but each episode got worse. Sigh. Not worth it.

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Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3 (Jennifer Corbett and Dave Filoni, 2024)

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Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Season 1 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

I really enjoyed the darker, tenser tone of Season 3. Omega grows so much and we really see the undying loyalty that is the very essence and soul of a clone. The relationships between the clones and each other is also strengthened with the return and redemption of Crosshair. And the terrible experiments/trials of the Empire become somehow even more disturbing. I think Doctor Hemlock might be my least favorite character in Star Wars-- a truly awful villain. We also get more answers to many questions that kept arising in the previous seasons. Nothing completely explained, but that would never happen ;)

I loved The Bad Batch --in concept, each character, individual episodes in all seasons-- what a great part of the Star Wars universe.

Click here to see how I rated Season 1. And Season 2.

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Ahsoka Season 1

Ahsoka, Season 1 (Dave Filoni, 2023)

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Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

Wow. I had high expectations for Ahsoka, mostly because I am such a fan of Rebels and Clone Wars. I knew going in that this was probably going to be Rebels season 5, and that was perfectly OK with me. I was right and not disappointed in the least.

Ahsoka starts slow, but that pace works well for me. I like the reminder that Ahsoka is much older than when we last saw her (chronologically speaking) and much wiser. She is meditative and deliberative. While the show is named for her, Ahsoka is only one of many main characters in the show. In some ways, this a show about reunion: reunion of family, friends, master and Padawan. It's a reunion of ideals and shared purpose. And what a delightful reunion it is. Since I don't want to spoil anything, I'll just say that certain characters and moments of the show had me grinning from ear to ear. This is the show for Star Wars nerds, for sure.

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The Mandalorian, Season 3

The Mandalorian, Season 3 (John Favreau, 2023)

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Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

I was so excited for The Mandalorian Season 3. So much was packed into this season and it ended with probably my favorite battle sequence in all of Star Wars. Unlike season 1 and 2, this installment focused less on our beloved duo and more on the Mandalorian creed itself. We learn more about Mandalore, return to characters and scenes from earlier seasons, and see a lot of wrestling with what is truth vs. myth. Grogu is not the only one growing up (when is he going to speak?!)... While this season has a resolved ending, I'm not sure it's truly the end. I have a feeling that the Star Wars universe will keep overlapping and crisscrossing shows and characters so we'll be seeing more of everyone.

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Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2 (Jennifer Corbett and Dave Filoni, 2023)

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Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Season 1 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

I was expecting season 2 of The Bad Batch to launch right into where we left off from season 1, but instead we got some fun little side stories that explored the Bad Batch family. This was nice but I was worried that we wouldn't get answers or feel the same tension and suspense that season 1 had. By half way in, though, we returned to the main storyline and plenty of new information was revealed. I really enjoyed the new episodes and Omega's growth. While it was a little less engaging, season 2 still offers gorgeous animation and dramatic situations. And, of course, the finale left me wanting more. Why must we always have cliffhangers!

Click here to see how I rated Season 1.

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Andor Season 1

Andor, Season 1 (Tony Gilroy, 2022)

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Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

Such a dramatic and powerful show. I had spine-tingling moments and so much tension! I loved every episode. Andor is, in my opinion, the best Star Wars show yet. I might even like this more than any of the films. But Andor is a very different kind of experience--this is not about superheroes, fantasy, or escape. This show is realism and it is dark, scary, and disturbing. The universe of Andor is eerily reminiscent of the darkest points in human history and present--showing us what facism and dictatorship allow. It shows the Star Wars fans what the average person living in the Empire would have experienced. And it is frightening. 

All the actors, especially Diego Luna and Denise Gough and Andy Serkis, make this show absolutely riveting. Can't wait for the next series. So much more to know and see!

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

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Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Season 1 (Deborah Chow, 2022)

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Rating: DSQ=9, SP=6 / Average Snack

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

I had a great time watching the first season of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Many critics have been writing extensively about the problems with logic and plot, the annoying shaky cam, the lack of anything truly new to the Star Wars world. And while I agree with much of the criticism, I also think it doesn't matter. Here's another Star Wars show and I love the Star Wars universe. I loved to see Obi-Wan a decade into the Empire--aged and depressed and disillusioned. And it was fun to watch him become re-energized and find his Jedi soul again. The connection he makes with Leia is lovely and feels so right. And his encounters with Darth Vader/Anakin also feel right. These two men are like father and son...while they claim to want to "end it all" and finish each other off over an over again, those are just words. It makes sense they'll do everything except actually kill each other. Reva/Third Sister was an interesting new character that I do feel didn't have enough development. I hope they'll do something more with her and reveal more of what happened that day of Order 66.

Overall, I liked this show. It's not as good as some Star Wars content, it doesn't really stand alone, but it is fun to watch if you love the universe and like some dramatic fantasy.

P.S. Can I please have an enopie? :)

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The Book of Boba Fett Season 1

The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1 (Jon Favreau, 2021)

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Rating: DSQ=9, SP=8 / Sweet Treat

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

Well, the much anticipated Book of Boba Fett was a delight, for me. I can see how many Star Wars fans might take issue to (or be downright annoyed by) some of the story and choices that Favreau made in this show, but I liked almost everything. Boba Fett is so enigmatic and his entrance in The Mandalorian season 2 was just so epic and his now sustained relationship with Fennec and Din is really fun to watch. I also thoroughly enjoyed the episodes that focused on Boba's complex relationship with the Tusken tribe that later became his family. So many questions answered, so many new ones asked...I love this about Favreau!

Some viewers did not like certain episodes or felt that others weren't really about Boba, but I understand this decision--the bigger picture--and think there is a lot more to build on and explore in future seasons...of multiple shows. Favorite episodes would have to be: "The Tribes of Tatooine" and "The Return of the Mandalorian."

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Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 1

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 1 (Jennifer Corbett and Dave Filoni, 2021)

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Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

I was super excited when The Bad Batch was announced as I loved the introduction to this troop in Clone Wars. This new series did not disappoint. The animation is stellar, the storylines work, the characters are all interesting and each has their own quirks. While this isn't as good as Rebels or The Mandalorian, it is still really engaging. Introducing a child, Omega, was a fun twist and I can't wait to see how she fits into the bigger picture of the Star Wars universe.

The recent Star Wars shows have done a wonderful job at weaving together to make a cohesive universe. It's fun to be reminded of other storylines, events, and even see characters from other shows (Rebels, Clone Wars, The Mandalorian) show up in The Bad Batch.

Season 1 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

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Star Wars: Clone Wars Seasons 1-7

Star Wars: Clone Wars (George Lucas, Dave Filoni, and others 2008-2020)

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Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

After watching The Mandalorian my husband and I launched ourselves into all things Star Wars. We revisited many of the films and then watched all of Clone Wars in chronological order (which I recommend). The first few episodes didn't impress me right away--season 1 has some cheesy and goofy moments--but not longer after that the show gets really good and pulls you in. There is character development that never happens in any of the films, there is emotion and actual relationship building, and there are lots of droids and cool spaceships...pew pew! Clone Wars answers many questions that the films don't and provides so much more context to the Star Wars universe.

Season 1 Rating: DSQ=9, SP=5 / Average Snack

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=2, Scale E=3

Season 2 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Season 3 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Season 4 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=3, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Season 5 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

Season 6 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=8 / Decadence

Scale A=3, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

*My favorite storyline is episodes 1-4

Season 7 Rating: DSQ=12, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=3

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Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (J.J. Abrams, 2015)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Science Fantasy, Saga, Action

Well, episode 7 is certainly gorgeously designed, fast moving, and fun. Not much talking, still lots of questions unanswered, but it the film certainly feels like part of the earlier stories and it is fun to see all the legendary characters reunited. As with most action movies, there were cliche moments and tropes that made me sarcastically think, "Really? That's unexpected." I hope that the next episode explains why and how Kylo Ren became so horrible. And I'd like to know more about the events that caused the First Order's evilness. Fill us in!

It was refreshing to see a capable female lead, and one who doesn't succumb to love-sickness--in fact, she actually gets stronger through the film. And the cute robot. Seriously, I want one of those. I didn't jump into the theater right away but I'm glad I did eventually see it on the big screen.

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