No, really, who are you? Or: I'm starting to rethink Rey being a Skywalker...

So, over a year ago, I wrote up a nice, long post about how I was convinced Rey is a Skywalker. I still stand by most of what's in there (some of the more outside-the-box speculation hasn't held up as well after the Aftermath trilogy, but oh well), but lately I've been starting to lean away from the simple, straightforward, dare I say obvious answer that Rey has Skywalker lineage and more toward what started out as a joke:  the midi-chlorians. I know, I know, for many fans that's a four-letter-word, but they exist, there's no getting around it, so why not bring them back into the fold in an interesting way? And what interesting way is that, you ask, well, follow me down the rabbit hole and we'll see...

Introducing the Hyperspace PodBlast! (A Star Wars Podcast)

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, just like I teased in the New Year's Update, yours truly has his very own podcast! Well, it's not my very own, I guess, it's technically half mine and half @ShelBB8's...you know, joint custody...or something...anyway, it's been live for about a week, and we're getting some really positive feedback that's been very humbling since we honestly didn't expect anyone other than, well, each other to listen to it...now, I'm sure you're asking yourself, "self, why on earth did they put out yet another Star Wars podcast?" That's a valid question, to be sure, but, just like with Jello, there's always room for more Star Wars podcasts, and, to be frank, Star Wars anything! And what we're putting out, we think, has its own niche that could fit right in with the rest of your indulgences from the galaxy far, far away...

So, the general premise of the show is:  A Star Wars Podcast with @blivengo & @ShelBB8 delivering discussion, theories, and speculation in 30 minutes or less - the emphasis being on the 30 minutes or less portion. We're trying to be a shorter, weekly show that you can fit in during a regular commute, on a run, working out, sitting in the break room, or, you know, during your afternoon meeting...in other words, we know you're busy, but we know you love Star Wars, and Star Wars-related discourse, so our goal is to deliver said discourse without taking up too much of your precious time. That's how we came up with the idea of having "hyperspace" in the name, as well as coining (I'm pretty sure) the phrase "podblast" (because it's like a quick blast, get it?)...oh, and did I mention it's got a definite humorous tinge to it? If you're a regular reader, you probably already guessed that, seeing as I'm (in my head, anyway) a pretty funny guy, but if you're new to the site, first of all, welcome; second of all, take a look around and I imagine you'll get a feel for my sense of humor more or less instantaneously (it's pretty pervasive). Hopefully you'll enjoy what you read and come back for more, but if you're one of those "reading is so last century" kind of people (or any other kind of people), maybe the podcast will hit that sweet spot for you...I guess what I'm trying to say is, "please like me!" ...only kidding, I'm saying give the podcast a try, and don't be shy about the blog either...

You can find the podcast on all the main podcatchers (iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, etc.) by simply searching "Hyperspace PodBlast!," or you can just click the Hyperspace PodBlast! link right ---> here <--- or at the top of the page...so many options! By the time this post hits the interwebs, there will be six whole episodes available for you to check out, including our newest episode where we talk about romantic relationships in Star Wars as well as "shipping"...it's a pretty great episode if I do say so myself (which I do...and just did). All new episodes will go live on Mondays, so be sure to subscribe if you like what you hear so you don't miss out...and if you really like what you hear, maybe take a minute to write a review since they help "grow the brand" by making us more visible to others...so, yeah, I think that's about it...since you're done reading this, you should totally go listen to the podcast, and, while you do, may the Force be with you...

Follow the Yellow Brick Rogue, Or: How the Rogue One Crew Mirrors the Wizard of Oz

from The Wizard of Oz

Krennic, Death Troopers, and AT-ACTs, oh my! "So, it's been over two months since Rogue One debuted in theaters, Bryan, shouldn't you be talking about The Last Jedi?!?!" Fie on that, I say! Rogue One deserves more written commentary! Exclamation points! Okay, anyway, yes, I am writing about Rogue One again because I think it's a fantastic movie and, in thinking about it quite a bit for the last two months, I've come up with what I think is an interesting correlation between the characters that make up the "main" crew and those in The Wizard of Oz that go "off to see the Wizard." Have I gone completely mad? Probably, but you'll have to read on to be sure...

Wanna Play Star Wars - Force Arena?

I do! And I have been, pretty regularly, since the game launched just over a week ago. If you're already playing, you may or may not find this post interesting/useful, but if you're not playing hopefully this will be a resource for you if you feel like giving it a try...otherwise, I hope it's at least insightful and interesting on a purely academic level...or something...anyway, I've been describing Star Wars - Force Arena as a "tower defense moba (multiplayer online battle arena) card game," clear as mud, right? Basically, it goes like this:  you control a "main" character with one usable ability on a long cool down. Your goal is to destroy your rival's (Alliance vs. Empire) shield generator that's protected by three large laser turrets (in 1-player mode). To assist you in your goal, you get to create a deck of cards that, using a resource called "energy," you can activate during battle to summon minions (troopers, etc.) to help you win the day. The battles are timed so your opponent (or you) can't turtle ad nauseam; in fact, each game only last a couple, three minutes, so it's not a big time sink. Like most mobile games, you can pay to be a pro (sort of), but you don't have to (I haven't spent a dime and I win more matches than I lose). So, barebones, that's it. If none of that floats your boat, check out another post instead, but if you'd like to know more, click right down there and we'll get into more specifics...

Baze of Glory! Or: My Favorite Scene from Rogue One for Star Wars ComLINKS

So, if you've been keeping up with my musings on Rogue One (which you should...in my humble opinion, anyway), you know that I went into December thinking K-2SO would be my favorite Star Wars newcomer...well, I wasn't exactly wrong, per se, I think it's fair to say that, as of this moment, K-2SO is now my favorite droid in Star Wars, but he didn't end up being my favorite newcomer after all...that title goes to one Baze Malbus, the realistic, modern brawn to Chirrut Îmwe's more antiquated, spiritual brains (though Chirrut certainly brought a good bit of brawn to the party as well). Though not featured as prominently as, if you ask me, any of the other members of the main group, Baze makes his screen-time count by delivering some great lines and by flawlessly executing the best scene in the movie:  avenging Chirrut's death by decimating the Death Troopers before joining his dear friend in the Force...that's my favorite scene from Rogue One, and that's all I have to say about it, so, thanks for reading, hope you come back for more! No, I'm just kidding, I didn't leave you hanging, there's more, c'mon!