Star Wars Sim Forum: Roleplay, Simming and Fan Fiction
COMMUNITY => OOC Cantina => Topic started by: gallpizi on April 23, 2025, 11:20:03 AM
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Alright. Who is caught up?
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here.
love this real world take on the galaxy Gilroy is dishing, one gripe, let's get some aliens on the screen even if background. The Maya Pei Brigade would have been an easy obvious place to insert a few. There might have been ONE at the wedding finale in the crowd but thats even more awkward.
The peak and shaping of Chandrilan culture has been pretty sweet.
The whole Dedra Syril situation could not have been handled any more awesome than its going.
Mothma's sis giving Luthen's cohort the up and down look at the wedding first day was hilarious.
Cannot wait to watch Rogue One immediately after the last episode of this season.
The jungle planet being Yavin 4 probably coolest egg so far.
All the background shit has been just plain excellent. The look of all the scenes, the behavior of all the extra and supportings, the TIE Avenger interior, wow. Who comes up with this shit? Very cool designs.
Total immersion. Besides no aliens ;p
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Processing this.
The cost of rebellion and parallels to our history are not lost. Will Andor lose them all before we meet him again in Rogue One? I like that there are so many sides to Star Wars. Some that are sillier, some more adventurous, and others gritty and serious. All of them have value in their own way, even if one story doesn't resonate, there is another that will. I enjoy exploring the nuances and perspectives of these different filmmakers.
Dedra and Syril are laying down those dom/sub vibes. No kink shaming, but def goes to show one never knows what someone else is into. Dedra involvement with Krennic's plan fills me with dread - I know what is coming, how this ends, but handled well, as I feel Gilroy will, it will be impactful.
Very cool to see Chandrila in live action, especially since I've envisioned it in many different ways over the years through the now-legends stories.
I want that disco party droid thing immediately!
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Chapter 2 done. Whoa baby.
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Whooooo! Spoilers - so you've been warned. I actually watched these three Wed, Thurs, Fri to give myself some time to reflect.
Elite fashion house insurgency? Check. Rebel saphic love? Check. Gay ISB agent knocking back drinks like the queen he is? Check. Lavish party with gorgeous outfits? Check. Dom using sub as a makeshift spy? Check. Illicit drug use and sweet revenge? Check.
Here for it. However, the kill the gays trope is an oft-used and tired cliche. I've done it myself (RIP St. Claire/Rydan) to serve the plot, so I am just as guilty. Still sad though. Vel's lashing in that transport as they escaped was biting - and necessary. They are inexperienced and failed to listen. It does drive home the point that rebellion is messy and requires far more organization to fight back than many of the scattered groups of resistance have shown.
Some thoughts:
That scene with Kleya had me nearly chewing through my own fist. Our girl pulled it out, though, whew! Also, capes should be more of a thing.
Dedra using Syril in this way is just so delicious. After all the times the Empire has shit on him, Syril loves it, can't help himself, having the best damn time of his life. That boy lives to be tied up and told what to do.
People were apparently up in arms over the Bail Organa recasting - it happens - and should be a lesson moving forward. Many of what we would consider legacy characters are missing from periods in which they should be quite prominent, because of all the hand-wringing over recasting. A hell of a lot better than those creepy CGI monstrosities they cooked up for Tarkin, Luke, and Leia. The uncanny valley is not where one wants to be when experiencing this. The casting teams have worked magic across all properties, so I have no doubt they could do it here.
Saw is legit insane, and delightfully so. For my whole life, it was always "the rebels are the good guys," and, yes, they are fighting against the tyranny of the Empire, but not all of them are good. Or just. Or right. Nor is everyone within the Empire all bad. The shades of grey and nuance Gilroy takes with the characters and arcs are impressive and very effective.
Motha's exchange with Krennic was masterful - all with tight expressions and perfectly crafted barbs.
More than anything, I am enjoying experiencing the galaxy far, far away in these ways.
Thoughts?
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I didn’t think it could get better. It has. And I must say. I don’t know how the last three episodes can top this. Just. Wow.
“I believe we are in crisis. The distance between what is said and what is known to be true has become an abyss…. Of all the things at risk, the loss of an objective reality is perhaps the most dangerous. The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil."
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I'll say I cannot stand the three episodes, and then jump.
Each 3 episode period of time could be expanded to be a full season. The little snippets I'm finding frustrating.
I'd rather see a narrative that is continuous. There's so much to do with it.
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Interesting. I actually feel like it works really well.
Like we all know so much would happen over a year. By doing the skips we get to see snapshots into their lives and the greater galaxy. And see the change more clearly than if we were slowly immersed in it.
Kinda like the frog in warm water slowly being heated to boil instead of throwing the frog in boiling water.
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The three-episode chunk time jump both thrills and frustrates me. I'm thrilled because I like the idea of touching base with them along the way, but I'm frustrated because I want to spend more time immersed in their stories and lives. Sometimes inference can be powerful, leaving the audience to fill in the gaps based on their behaviors and interactions. It's gone by so quickly, built so meticulously, that I will be crushed when it's over.
But these three episodes...wow.
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Just rewatched the three episodes with my wife yesterday. The force healer mentioned he was a messenger and the last line he spoke in rogue one was “they got the message”. Hot. Damn.
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The Dedra Syril arc. Wow. I was not expecting it to become so integral nor go so wrong for Syril. What a C. Forget Palpatine, Death to Dedra.
But very awesome series. The world building has been just incredible.
Overall the whole workings of Luthen/Kleya network and disparate groups in rebellion, the behavior of the Empire, the false flag build up. It's pretty interesting. Both sides are giving each other exactly what they want.
The time jumps caught me by surprise at first but provide some necessary unwritten depth to the evolution of everyone. Also leave plenty of room to imagination and probably eventual licensed material for the inbewteens.
I had also expected Mon and Cas' senate exit to require a little more than fast walking, three or four blaster shots and a coat change. Since the intent was already to deprive Cas the glory and give it to Gold Squadron delivering Mon to Yavin, they could have gone through some trash compactor type nonsense and she gets to clean up before her stately arrival. Ultimately though, the incompetence of Imperial action to prevent the whole thing can also be chalked up to Palpatine's devious scheming. It better serves the agenda of total power through dissolution of the senate. Going back to everyone giving each other what they want.
That's a cool note on the Messenger designation and final R1 quote Gal!
Kleya seems at times more capable than Luthen lately and def more than any sort of subordinate, an equal co conspirator.
Whats Left?
Hope we see the Declaration of Rebellion by Mothma in final 3 episodes. Also some kind of more development or closure on Bixs disappearance and her and Cas' relationship. I hope/think we prob got one more time jump between Episode 11 and 12, that will put Cas more on direct lead in to R1.
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Kleya seems at times more capable than Luthen lately and def more than any sort of subordinate, an equal co conspirator.
The actor who plays Luthen, Stellan Skarsgard is an amazing actor, but we know he had a health issue "a few years" ago. He had a stroke at some point, that he's said made it harder for him to memorize lines.
He was interviewed on the Colbert show earlier this week, and I noticed that Colbert carried the interview, with Skarsgard actually saying very little.
I wonder if they elevated Kleya and reduced Luthen's lines and presence in Season 2 to help cover for that difficulty?
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That is an interesting tid bit Med. (We tend to watch Fallon if up that late)
I just read a very cool article about a query I had but forgot, the blaster Vel picks up from table at Yavin and the guy who claims it, it was Cassians blaster he took from Syril early on. After escaping from Narkina 5 they go back to Niamos where Cassian gives Ruescott Melshi the blaster and they split up for better chance to survive. Melshi apparently made it to Yavin. Vel recgonized the blaster from the Aldhani heist where Cassian is using it and is asked about it. One guy notes its corpo gear, Cas says he didn't get a name. Later as he and Syril are tussling at Ghorman Massacre, he asks him.. "Who are you?"
The blaster recognition scene is meant as breadcrumb, or more of a flare I guess, to lead you back. Very good writing. Quality egg.
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Just did Episode 10. Putting off final 2 for at least tomorrow, savoring it.
We got hit with the time jump right away, But WHOA (a la Black Rob). Best yet. It's really coming together.
So glad we got Kleya and Luthen's backstory and the finish.. I was in denial it was coming up until she hit the window shades but once she got to the floor I remembered 'the room is only thing keeping him alive' and thought "Naaaaah...."
Also Luthen did in Lonni??? man, the wife and kids reference didn't even save him.
Then Luthen's seppuku move? dude. He's teaching us something about dedication to a cause, puts an asterisk next to ruthless in his legacy description. It seemed something obviously was going to happen with the bleeder but crazy.
I hope Kleya survives the next two episodes. She'd make a sweet lead in any medium of story.
I know Gilroy said he gave a lot of years to his Star Wars work (I just got privy to fact he was heavily involved in R1) and was gonna do other stuff but really hope they rope him in for something more.
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Just finished it all. Man. I...I honestly don't know where to begin. I have so many thoughts and a bit of tears shed....damn.
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Same - I only watched ep 10 yesterday and will space the others out this week before settling in with a R1 rewatch to cap it off.
See, this is where I think the truncated seasons hurts the show - what we got here with Luthen and Kleya's relationship building toward the inevitable ending/action she would need to perform in service to the cause would have been far more beautifully spun over the course of a season, weaving their history in and out, which would then make the outcome hit much harder. Not that it didn't - it absolutely did.
Kleya is a badass - never underestimate what a gal can do with just an outfit change. Once I saw her in those heeled ankle boots gathering herself in the empty safehouse for what must be done, I was like, yeah, girl. Yeah. You got this. You can do this.
I very much enjoyed the banter between Dedra and Luthen, she almost came off as likeable for a moment, but we all know better.
Previously, I was a bit disappointed with how they handled Bix, so I'm hoping they may tie something up with the last two episodes. I thought it was kind of cheap to have her just bounce, without even a pregnancy reveal or something equally dramatic. We never got to see her heal or be swallowed by the trauma - but it did look like she pulled herself out of it, made a chill life with our boy despite the rising rebellion, but ultimately knew his focus would be split if she stayed. It didn't ring as much of agency as I would have liked, but sad boy Andor is a dangerous Andor.
Excited to see how they end this!
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Same - I only watched ep 10 yesterday and will space the others out this week before settling in with a R1 rewatch to cap it off.
See, this is where I think the truncated seasons hurts the show - what we got here with Luthen and Kleya's relationship building toward the inevitable ending/action she would need to perform in service to the cause would have been far more beautifully spun over the course of a season, weaving their history in and out, which would then make the outcome hit much harder. Not that it didn't - it absolutely did.
Kleya is a badass - never underestimate what a gal can do with just an outfit change. Once I saw her in those heeled ankle boots gathering herself in the empty safehouse for what must be done, I was like, yeah, girl. Yeah. You got this. You can do this.
I very much enjoyed the banter between Dedra and Luthen, she almost came off as likeable for a moment, but we all know better.
Previously, I was a bit disappointed with how they handled Bix, so I'm hoping they may tie something up with the last two episodes. I thought it was kind of cheap to have her just bounce, without even a pregnancy reveal or something equally dramatic. We never got to see her heal or be swallowed by the trauma - but it did look like she pulled herself out of it, made a chill life with our boy despite the rising rebellion, but ultimately knew his focus would be split if she stayed. It didn't ring as much of agency as I would have liked, but sad boy Andor is a dangerous Andor.
Excited to see how they end this!
Since you haven't see it all, I will do my best to avoid spoilers.
I will say this: I liked the last three arcs, and I really enjoyed those episodes.
I did not like episodes 1, 2, 3, - that Andor went on a mission is cool, but didn't add to the story. If there was a whole season of micro-missions, it might have made sense, but for a whole arc on stealing a fighter (which by the way, didn't show up in later episodes, so it didn't move the story forward), seemed like a waste, especially since that is the only thing we saw him do that entire year. That Mon Mothma married off her daughter was yes, a continuation from season 1, but again, that was it.
If year 1 had been a full season, we'd have seen when her close childhood friend mysteriously died in a tragic accident, and Mon Mothma grieving over it, and feeling conflicted for the role she had in his death. Nope, just skip ahead.
Bix - Bix got her revenge (episode 6, I think). But in 4 years, that was the only affirmative thing she did. In 1-3, she was waiting for Andor, in 4-6, she was, in the safehouse, largely, waiting for Andor, in 7-9, she was on Yavin, yup, waiting for Andor. We know she was dealing with PTSD. But that doesn't cover half of what she did. We assume she had recovered enough that between 6 and 7, she was out on missions, helping set up Yavin, something. But no narrative follow up there. Just the next bounce to a year later
The same is true of the remaining arcs. There was so much reaction we didn't get to see; follow up after the Ghorman massacre (or even lead up to the Ghorman massacre).
The last three episodes - again, no spoilers - were satisfying because we know there is a continuation, we know exactly what happens next (Rogue 1, ANH, etc.).
And I liked how they resolved certain characters, and also resolved some characters without killing them off. The rebellion is far and wide and many players, etc. etc.
But I would have invested in five years of watching five seasons, and wanted to see more.
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I get what you are saying Med and when I was halfway through Ep 2 I was feeling the same way. And then the storytelling choice grew heavily on me. I enjoy that we don't know. It leaves them room to expand in print media. It leaves it up to our imagination. I don't need to see it all. I've been around PTSD enough that I don't need to see Bix between 3-4 all fucked up in the head. I don't need to see Mon do more than get drunk and dance and forget she allowed her childhood friend to be killed and her daughter married off.
I like that we can imagine it as we want.
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Wait, is Kleya...? Nooo, whaaa
My darling ISB mo, a human shield. Pouring one out for your sassy ass, babes.
Respect to the officer for giving Partagaz a moment.
They done Dedra diiirty.
Bix! Goddamn, I'm good. It's almost like I've been writing a highly dramatic Holo drama for more than a decade.
Mothma roughing it - I do like that they bridged where she was prior and where she is in R1, tonally speaking. I was always mystified as to why she wasn't more assertive in R1, but even the rebellion has skeptical bureaucrats.
Still digesting, but yeah, this was solid. Prestige TV Star Wars.
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Done.
Amazing tale. Best SW series format material by far.
Bix and the baby- it'll be a Forcie. Has to be. Maybe NJO appearance if they actually are doing it. Great explanation for her departure, it all fits awesome.
Dedra at Narkina????? And then she shows emotion?! Every body has a breaking point.
Partagaz scene and end. Pure gold.
When Cassian is with the Rebel Command at Yavin, it seemed inferred with his tone to everyone when he mentioned he got Mothma out the senate, but I woulda liked a bit more blatant statement to Bail about if everyone had gone with his plan, Mon would be with the ISB.
I woulda also liked to see a more aggressive speech from Mothma from Yavin cast to HoloNet, bordering on or actually being the Delcaration of Rebellion.
K2 is great. It's gotta be hard to do a Droid and measure up to Threepio and Artoo but he does. His reminisce of the parade with 200 KX units and the Emperor was nice touch, it sounded almost like a fond recollection, showing an interesting twist in his new and old programming.
Filoni was at top of my list. Gilroy has usurped him. Really hope they get more SW out of that guy or at least his work inspires more of this 'mature' story telling angle.
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Just rewatched final 3 instead of my usual work post beer-lunch desk-nap- my favorite final take aways..
Luthen to Dedra
"There's a whole galaxy out there waiting to disgust you."
Is something I've picked up on whole series but now finally realizing what makes her such a draw is the uncomfortable/adjustment facial expressions when in scenario after scenario she lays down what she believes to be her trump card but still gets a defiant reaction. In this sense she is a bit of an automaton in being a slave to her preference for perfect order, which she and Syril shared in common, though Syril still drew distinction between his desire for order and his own humanity. The final Narkina scene with her when she breaks is an incredibly fucked up kind of rebirth. Her desire for order, her service to the new order, her final plight. She is broken now but her mind has awoken.
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Finished my Rogue One rewatch and goddamn that is a solid story—an epic piece of the larger fight to come. It hangs together so well.
Knowing that on Yavin, Kleya, Vel, Wilmon, and Dreena were out there, although unseen, was strangely comforting to me. Leia too, given that Threepio and R2 were there and they all launched for Scarif aboard the Tantive IV. It gave additional context to all the things I had wondered about as a child when I first watched A New Hope. Where was Leia coming from? How did she get those plans? How did they get to that point? Jumping into the story so suddenly and without a frame of reference drove me insane over the years, but I am grateful, despite my general distaste for the corporate cash-grabs along the way, that we finally got this to see and understand what it took to rebel against the Galactic Empire.
My only thing that made me go hmmm is when, on Jedha, while they were in the cell, Cassian tells the others it's a first for him, which we know isn't true because he was imprisoned on Narkina 5. Now, he may have just been covering, considering he did not know whether he could trust them yet, but it still bugged me a little. A quibble, although a minor one. I suppose holistically Star Wars canon has been shot to shit and means nothing, aside from what it means to us.
Reminiscing a bit, when Vel told Cassian not to wait too long to reconnect with Bix it is because she waited too long to do so with Cinta, and she doesn't want him to waste that time, even though we all know he would be dead soon. I think Kleya was more of a leader than Luthen - by his own admission, he had been cut off for too long - and she kept him focused, grounded. There were times he teetered on being erratic, doubtful even, and she calmly, ruthlessly set him back on the path. I thought for a moment Kleya might be Andor's sister, but that has been debunked by Gilroy. It wouldn't make sense anyway when I really think about it. Leaving that unresolved, whether that be to constraints of the rushed final structure or a deliberate choice, resonates as something, someone Cassian could not save. It haunted him even in those final days.
I agree with you, Eid, that Dedra and Syril shared a belief in order, but Syril's belief was still tied to a humanity Dedra had suppressed for power. It ended their relationship, and it ended her career. She got order alright - the tidy, restrictive order of an authoritarian system she perpetuated.
I think there was confirmation that the planet Luthan and young Kleya were on was, in fact, Naboo, which was quite a cool throwback.
Gonna have to sit with this a while, but ultimately, I am entirely satisfied with this entry in the series. Really hoping Gilroy or others decide to tell other tales with such reverence for the characters and story.
Cheers!
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Saw some interesting discourse re: was there romantic chemistry between Cassian and Jyn in R1?
Based on what we now know, his heart was still with Bix, but it had been over a year, so imagine our boy was quite frisky. So, maybe? There were what could be interpreted as suggestive looks throughout, but ultimately I think he respected her for going all in to get those goddamn plans. And, you know, pewpew!
It does make that final shot of Bix looking out across the fields, wondering if one day Cassian's ship will appear there, far more tragic.
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The chemistry was positively there between them but like real estate love is all timing and it seems like he kept that boundary. The most passionate moment between them really was the end as the blast wave loomed with haste.
There is the question of what/if he knew of Bixs internal motivation for leaving and then that swaddling bundle of rebel spawn. Vel makes allusions near close it seems like but very vague and more like hope than hints of Bix having made right choice and no inkling of l'enfant.
But for Cas in Jyn, he probably has not looked at a woman the same way since Bix. Granted we don't get to see two seasons of her life, but Jyn is portrayed as even a stronger fighter and stronger spirited than Bix (granted give some leeway due to the torture of wailing alien babies she endured). Also while Bix looked to the bigger picture in structure and organization of Yavin while Cas was willing to leave it all behind, Jyn also was not big on the Rebel Command and structure, a lot or all of which probably came from her time with Saw.