Star Wars: Mark of Balance Mark Iacobino

The second season of Lucasfilm Animation's series of shorts is here with Tales of the Empire, the follow up to Tales of the Jedi. The six shorts follow Morgan Elsbeth and Barriss Offee, an unlikely selection but one I was interested in. Unfortunately, while these episodes display stellar animation, music, and compelling themes, the 3-part structure of Tales and a lackluster end to Morgan's story hold this series back. Hear all my thoughts and analysis in this episode, Enjoy!

Follow on Instgram: @star_wars_markofbalance

The Bad Batch's story has finally come to close. It has been an inconsistent road but the Mark of Balance podcast has been their week-to-week ever since the premiere back on May 4th, 2021, only 4 months after this podcast begun. Does the finale have Bad Batch's typical weaknesses? Who survives? How does it set up the future of Star Wars animation? Hear all my thoughts, the good and the bad, from this overall satisfying finale. Enjoy!

Follow on Instagram: @star_wars_markofbalance

For me, Bad Batch has been on crusie control for Episodes 12-14 leading into the series finale this week, which has been disappointing. Hear my thoughts on these 3 episodes and why I feel they have not delivered as much as they should have at this point in the show, as well as my prediction on what new project this show could potentially be setting up. Enjoy!

Follow on Instagram: @star_wars_markofbalance

Disney remembered that are in fact releasing projects this year and decided to drop 2 new trailers this week for Star Wars Tales of the Empire, a shorts series, and Star Wars Outlaws, a third-person open world action adventure game. Both were great, especially the surprising reveal of who we will be following in Tales of the Empire in Morgan Elsbeth and Barris Offee. The animation also looked chefs kiss. Outlaws continues to promise a lot and this trailer really drove home how vast this game has potential to be, but will Ubisoft deliver? Hear all my thoughts, predictions and more, Enjoy!

Follow on Instagram: @star_wars_markofbalance

Bad Batch delivers another 2-pack of episodes in its final season with "Identity Crisis" and "Point of No Return". "Indentity Crisis" delivers one of the best episodes of the series with its grim tone and fantastic atmospheric storytelling. Emri's character has been a highlight of the season and I can't wait to see what she does next. "Point of No Return" sees us back on Pabu as the Empire closes in on Omega. This episode was solid but felt like it pulled its punch a bit when it came to stakes. Hear all my thoughts and analysis on these two episodes. Enjoy!

Follow on Instagram: @star_wars_markofbalance

Bad Batch has its first real miss of the season with "Harbinger". Asajj Ventress somehow returns and begins to test Omega to see if she is force sensitive. Ventress' return completely undercuts her arc that was completed in the book Dark Disciple. We will see what they have planned for her but I disagree with this decision to bring her back whole-heartedly. Aside from this, the episode feels oddly paced and the direction of the story towards Omega being force sensitive feels off. Hear all my thoughts on these topics and more. Enjoy!

Follow on Instagram: @star_wars_markofbalance