WSTR Galactic Public Access - A Star Wars Podcast

Todd Hoffman, Aaron Houillon, Heather Alred
  • 5.0 (27)
  • TV & Film
  • Updated Monthly

WSTR is a podcast where three good friends and guests come together to discuss all things Star Wars. Whether you are new to Star Wars or a seasoned veteran, every Wednesday brings the latest in Star Wars news and fresh insights, critique, and appreciation for that galaxy far, far, away. For all your Star Wars news and talk needs, this is the podcast you've been looking for! Business and Fan Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com Voicemail - be featured on the show! (630) 557-9787

  1. 4d ago

    "Legends Lore: The Craziest Star Wars That's Actually True" - Episode 448

    Todd Hoffman takes a solo trip through Star Wars Legends, spotlighting the wild, weird, and surprisingly real ideas that existed before Disney reset the canon. It's a Halloween-adjacent rundown of outrageous concepts, from cosmic force entities to zombie troopers, with Todd explaining why Legends often felt freer, darker, and more imaginative than modern canon. He also includes a brief news update on the rising cost of Star Wars Starfighter and shares a few personal life notes, including his son's wedding, Bears football, Halloween fun, and the recent Street Fighter movie. Key topics Todd frames Legends as the post Return of the Jedi material from the old Lucasfilm era, mostly books and comics, and explains why it often took bigger storytelling risks. He compares Legends to current canon, arguing that books made the fantastic easier to visualize and gave familiar characters room to do stranger things. He highlights Flow walking, where characters like Luke and Jason Solo can experience moments from the past through the Force. He revisits classic Legends oddities like the Sun Crusher, a tiny ship capable of destroying stars, and the Palpatine clone storyline. He calls out the World Devastators, giant Imperial machines that consume planetary resources, and the Katana fleet, a lost fleet of dreadnoughts whose crew went insane. He breaks down Luuke, the clone of Luke Skywalker made from the hand lost in Cloud City, and explains why the name remains one of the funniest Legends details. He explores darker or more cosmic concepts like Abeloth, Four Storms, and the Ssi-ruuk, all of which push Star Wars toward horror and metaphysical sci-fi. He strongly champions the Yuuzhan Vong as one of the best Legends creations, praising their biological tech, hive-mind ships, and invisibility to the Force. He shares other standout examples like Waru, the Crystal Star, the Glove of Darth Vader, Darth Maul surviving being cut in half, and the Crying Mountain. He makes clear that his top Legends picks for canon adaptation would be the Yuuzhan Vong, Dark Empire, and Mara Jade. Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome to episode 448 and today's Legends Lore focus 00:51 - Why this episode is the Halloween-style "crazy lore that is actually true" 02:17 - What Legends means and how it differs from modern canon 04:18 - Why Legends could take bigger storytelling swings 05:51 - First major example: Flow walking and Force time perception 06:20 - The Sun Crusher and why it feels absurdly overpowered 07:18 - Palpatine clones and how Legends handled Emperor resurrection 08:32 - World Devastators and planet-consuming Imperial machines 09:31 - The Katana fleet and the ghost ship premise 10:27 - Luuke, the clone of Luke Skywalker's hand 12:48 - Abeloth and the appeal of cosmic Force horror 13:47 - Why the Yuuzhan Vong are such a standout villain civilization 15:11 - Flow walking, time perception, and Jason Solo 15:40 - Four Storms and Force power at "space wizard god" level 17:34 - The Ssi-ruuk and life-energy powered technology 18:02 - The Crystal Star and its strange reputation 18:52 - The Glove of Darth Vader and ancient artifact storytelling 19:44 - Waru, a giant Force-sensitive creature that eats Jedi 20:39 - The original Darksaber concept and homework for listeners 21:36 - Darth Maul surviving being cut in half 22:11 - Legends Hall of Fame and the Crying Mountain 23:25 - Why Mara Jade should return to canon 24:24 - Why the Yuuzhan Vong should be adapted almost exactly 25:13 - The Legends concepts Todd would never bring back 26:25 - The Dark Empire series and why it remains a favorite 27:12 - More bizarre Legends deep cuts, including bug-based storylines 28:51 - Why Legends feels like the Wild West of Star Wars 29:18 - Death Troopers, zombie stormtroopers, and horror in Star Wars 30:40 - Lightning round favorites and the ultimate Legends picks 32:48 - Wrap-up of the Legends discussion 33:14 - News of the week: Star Wars Starfighter budget details 37:01 - Next week tease: Galactic Racers and Biddy Blaze Scribdoon 38:00 - Cantina chat: podcast contest, Bears, Halloween, family, and Street Fighter 41:46 - Listener feedback, back catalog, merch, and closing Notable quotes "I just love the idea of something bigger." "Legends is kind of like the Wild West." "The only way to end this show is you need to know. Now, this is podcasting." Mentioned links and handles: Socials: @wstrmedia Podcast archive: podcast.wstrmedia.com Merch store: store.wstrmedia.com Live stream: livestream.wstrmedia.com Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com

  2. Oct 2

    "Fuzzy Jowls" - Episode 447

    WSTR Galactic Public Access - A Star Wars Podcast

  3. Sep 25

    "Plo Koon: the underrated Jedi Master who deserved more" - Episode 446

    Plo Koon: the underrated Jedi Master who deserved more Todd Hoffman takes a deep dive into Plo Koon, breaking down why the Jedi Master stands out as one of the most memorable background characters in Star Wars. He also connects Plo Koon's Clone Wars appearances to his larger legacy, especially his bond with Ahsoka Tano and his role on the Jedi Council. In this episode, Todd also covers four Star Wars news items, including Embo's return in Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, Ahsoka season 2 and the Mortis gods, the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and George Lucas defending the Special Edition changes. Key topics: Todd introduces the Imperial Inspection series and argues that Plo Koon is a Jedi who "deserved more." Plo Koon's core canon background: from Dorin, member of the Jedi High Council, and respected Clone Wars general. His connection to Ahsoka Tano, including discovering her early and maintaining a meaningful bond with her. Why The Clone Wars elevated Plo Koon beyond what the films alone could do. What makes Plo Koon visually distinctive: his Kel Dor design, breathing mask, and orange skin. Why Todd sees Plo Koon as calm, wise, compassionate, and closer to Qui-Gon Jinn than to Mace Windu. His strengths as a Force user, pilot, and lightsaber combatant, plus his empathetic leadership of clone troopers. The tragedy of his death during Order 66 and why that sequence hits so hard. A hypothetical look at what Plo Koon might have done if he had survived Order 66. Why Todd considers Plo Koon underrated, underexplored, and especially rewarding for The Clone Wars fans. Timestamps: 00:00 — Opening the show and setting up Imperial Inspection 02:13 — Why Plo Koon is a Jedi who deserved more 03:10 — Plo Koon's Clone Wars and Republic history 04:39 — His bond with Ahsoka Tano 06:31 — Appearance, species, and Jedi temperament 07:29 — Powers, combat ability, and signature mask 08:25 — Behind-the-scenes casting and voice work 09:50 — Dave Filoni's affection for Plo Koon and his Luke stand-in role 11:14 — Why Plo Koon is so visually recognizable 12:03 — His role on the Jedi Council 13:31 — How The Clone Wars elevated him 16:18 — Compassion and Living Force alignment 19:31 — Hypothetical one-on-one matchups with other Jedi 20:32 — The emotional impact of Plo Koon's death in Order 66 22:18 — What he might have thought when the clones turned on him 23:38 — How Plo Koon could have survived and fought the Empire 24:25 — What era would work best for a Plo Koon series or novel 26:48 — Plo Koon versus Kit Fisto, Mace Windu, and Obi-Wan 27:47 — What Star Wars still has not explored about him 28:44 — Why Plo Koon is underrated 29:43 — Final take on whether he is a background Jedi or one of the most interesting Masters 31:45 — News: Embo returns in Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes 33:40 — News: Ahsoka season 2 and the Mortis gods 36:29 — News: The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opening 41:07 — News: George Lucas defends the Special Edition changes 45:14 — Cantina Chat: family updates, football, birthdays, Hobbit Day, and Resident Evil 51:02 — Closing thoughts and mailbag reminder Notable quotes: "I think he's definitely a Jedi who deserved more." "He falls more in the Qui-Gon Jinn realm." Share your thoughts on Plo Koon, what you thought of Resident Evil or George's new museum or all of them! Mentioned links and handles: Socials: @wstrmedia Podcast archive: podcast.wstrmedia.com Merch store: store.wstrmedia.com Live stream: livestream.wstrmedia.com Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com

  4. Sep 11

    "Star Wars Fandom vs Disney Creative" - Episode 445

    WSTR Galactic Public Access 445: Star Wars fandom, Disney, and what needs to change Todd Hoffman spends this solo episode unpacking a provocative article about Star Wars losing audience share and what that might mean for Lucasfilm's strategy. He uses the conversation to examine fandom, theatrical turnout, streaming habits, sequel trilogy mistakes, and how Star Wars can regain event-level excitement. This episode is mostly Todd's perspective, with no guest or co-host in the studio. The main focus is on whether Star Wars has lost the audience or whether the audience has simply changed, and what Lucasfilm should do next. Key topics: Todd opens by reacting to an article claiming Star Wars has lost 85% of its theatrical audience and more than 70% of Disney Plus viewership. He argues the comparison between The Force Awakens and The Mandalorian and Grogu is not apples to apples because the 2015 film had a decade-long gap and original cast nostalgia behind it. He says moviegoing habits changed after COVID and streaming became the default wait-and-see option for many viewers. Todd believes fans have become more selective and frugal, not necessarily anti-Star Wars. He says Star Wars still needs to feel like a major event rather than something people can "wait for Disney Plus." He identifies the biggest Lucasfilm mistake as the lack of a consistent long-term plan for the sequel trilogy. He is especially critical of the divisiveness of The Last Jedi and the lack of plotting across the trilogy. Todd argues Star Wars has become too safe and needs more emotional stakes, tension, and "teeth." He says targeting younger viewers is smart, but only if the stories are big, strong, and accessible to adults too. He wants Lucasfilm to create new characters and new stories while still preserving enough legacy to bridge generations. He suggests the franchise should lean more into standalone storytelling, multimedia coordination, and clearer communication with fans. Todd thinks Star Wars should not try to appeal to everybody at once, but instead focus on making a genuinely good movie or show. He praises Andor for feeling like a strong story that happens to be in the Star Wars universe. He sees 2027 as a major opportunity because of the 50th anniversary and hopes momentum can carry into Starfighter and beyond. In the closing stretch, he talks about current Star Wars news, including the Lucas museum, IMAX plans for Starfighter, and his excitement for the future despite the franchise's rough edges. Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode intro and setting up the fandom discussion 00:56 - Solo episode for Todd's birthday and why this topic matters now 01:23 - Breaking down the article claiming Star Wars lost 85% of its audience 02:18 - Why the Force Awakens comparison makes the decline look dramatic 03:17 - Disney Plus viewership decline and whether the numbers tell the full story 04:14 - Why Force Awakens versus Mandalorian and Grogu is not a fair comparison 05:12 - How post-COVID streaming changed moviegoing habits 06:09 - Are fans walking away or just spending more selectively? 07:02 - Why Star Wars no longer feels like an automatic opening-night event 07:31 - The biggest Lucasfilm mistake: no consistent long-term sequel plan 08:29 - Why Todd thinks the sequel trilogy missteps still define the conversation 08:58 - Star Wars as brand versus story and why Todd wants more "teeth" 09:58 - Has the franchise become too safe to demand instant theater turnout? 10:29 - Should Lucasfilm target younger fans, and how should it do that? 11:26 - Why big stakes matter if Star Wars is going to win over kids and adults 12:46 - Why legacy matters, but new characters and new stories matter more 13:15 - Star Wars should stay in its lane and focus on being a good movie first 13:44 - Todd's first move if he had creative control: a clear strategy for film and streaming 14:46 - How books, games, and movies should connect without becoming mandatory homework 16:13 - Taking more time between Star Wars movies to rebuild anticipation 17:21 - Todd's idea for a stealthy, story-first approach that slowly reveals Star Wars ties 18:14 - Why Andor works by prioritizing story over franchise branding 19:12 - Is Star Wars in trouble, or just heading into a new chapter? 20:08 - What Todd would tell George Lucas if he walked in right now 21:23 - Closing thoughts on strategy, avoiding checkbox storytelling, and trusting good content 22:51 - News of the week: Lucas museum updates, IMAX plans, and Starfighter buzz 24:34 - Cantina chat, birthday talk, and seasonal life updates 25:48 - Listener call to action, email, socials, and next episode timing 27:14 - Final thoughts on staying positive, being authentic, and the future of Star Wars Share your thoughts on what Disney needs to change! Mentioned links and handles: Socials: @wstrmedia Podcast archive: podcast.wstrmedia.com Merch store: store.wstrmedia.com Live stream: livestream.wstrmedia.com Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com

  5. Sep 4

    "Ahsoka Creatures Explained: Every Major Creature in the Series and Why They Matter" - Episode 444

    WSTR Galactic Public Access Episode 444 - Ahsoka Creature Feature Todd Hoffman returns with a Creature Feature look at the creatures and creature-adjacent beings that show up in Ahsoka, plus a stacked Star Wars news roundup. This episode matters if you want a quick refresher on the weird, wonderful lifeforms tied to Ahsoka's story and the larger mythology around Ezra, Sabine, and the Force. Todd also covers a few current Star Wars headlines and closes with his usual cantina chat. Key topics: In this episode, Todd revisits the Creature Feature format and explains that it focuses on non-sentient beings in Star Wars, with one playful exception for a sentient creature he could not skip. Todd breaks down the Purrgil, the hyperspace-traveling space whales whose role in Rebels and Ahsoka is central to Ezra Bridger's disappearance and the Chimera's jump to the unknown regions. He discusses the Howlers, the shaggy, wolf-like mounts from Peridea that Sabine and Ezra encounter, noting their importance as both creatures and transportation. Todd covers the Noti, the extra-galactic crustacean people of Peridea, describing their shell-like bodies, practical clothing, and role across multiple Ahsoka episodes. He highlights the Loth-cats, especially Sabine's companion Murley, along with the tease that Loth-kittens may appear in Ahsoka season two. He talks through the Loth-wolves, their Force connection, their ties to Rebels and Sabine's artwork, and why Dave Filoni uses wolves as guide figures in the Star Wars mythos. Todd finishes the creature rundown with Morai, the mystical convor linked to Ahsoka, the Daughter, and the Mortis storyline, calling it one of the most important visual symbols in the series. In the news segment, he notes that The Mandalorian and Grogu is heading to Disney Plus after its theatrical run and comments on its box office performance and reception. He covers the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and George Lucas's appearance at a media preview, focusing on the museum's broader mission to elevate comics, illustration, and popular art. Todd closes with reporting that Star Wars: Zero Company reportedly furloughed much of its team before launch, despite the game being one of the best reviewed Star Wars titles in years. Timestamps: 00:00 - Todd opens episode 444 and sets up a positivity-first Star Wars podcast 02:22 - Why Ahsoka fits the Creature Feature format 03:45 - Purrgil and the hyperspace whale connection to Ezra 06:32 - Howlers as Peridea's shaggy mounts 09:22 - The Noti and their crustacean-like design 12:13 - Loth-cats, Murley, and the tease of Loth-kittens 14:39 - Loth-wolves and their Force-guided role on Lothal 18:00 - Morai, Ahsoka's mystical convor, and Mortis ties 23:18 - The Mandalorian and Grogu moves to Disney Plus 25:25 - George Lucas, the Lucas Museum, and elevating narrative art 31:10 - Star Wars: Zero Company studio furlough news 34:18 - Cantina chat, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and personal updates 37:36 - Listener outreach, swag, and the episode wrap-up Share your favorite creature in Ahsoka or favorite Star Wars creature! Mentioned links and handles: Socials: @wstrmedia Podcast archive: podcast.wstrmedia.com Merch store: store.wstrmedia.com Live stream: livestream.wstrmedia.com Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com

  6. Aug 28

    "The Worst Vacation Spots in Star Wars" - Episode 443

    Worst Vacation Spots in Star Wars Todd Hoffman and Carla Giacalone/Coffey kick back for a fun, nerdy Cantina Chat about the absolute worst places to spend a vacation in the Star Wars galaxy. It starts with a personal update from Carla on her recent wedding and upcoming Lord of the Rings honeymoon, then shifts into a playful planet-by-planet debate over which worlds are too hot, too wet, too buggy, or too dangerous to ever book. Key topics In this episode: Carla shares wedding highlights, including the Camp Sacagoia venue in New Jersey, R2-D2 at the reception, and walking down the aisle to Princess Leia's theme. Todd and Carla talk about Carla's delayed honeymoon to New Zealand, where she'll take a Lord of the Rings tour through filming locations. The conversation turns to Star Wars vacation planning, with Mustafar and Exegol quickly emerging as top-tier nightmare destinations. Hoth gets compared to extreme winter travel, with discussion of blizzards, emergency Wampa insurance, and the appeal of cold versus heat. Tatooine comes up as the rare planet with enough civilization to survive a trip, despite the sand, the sun, and the constant danger. Dagobah is treated as a hard no for its swamp conditions, bugs, and general "Florida but worse" vibe. Geonosis, Kessel, Felucia, and Exegol are each framed as terrible choices for different reasons, from language barriers to poison mushrooms to Sith cult energy. The hosts compare how bad a long trip would be next to villains like Darth Vader, General Grievous, or Jabba the Hutt. They close the vacation debate by choosing the "least bad" nightmare trip and agreeing that Tatooine is probably the safest bad option. Carla also gives an honorable mention to Wobani from Rogue One as a place nobody would want on a vacation itinerary. Timestamps: 00:00 - Todd opens the show and tees up the "worst vacation spots in Star Wars" idea 02:21 - Carla's wedding recap and why the venue felt like it belonged in a fantasy world 04:41 - R2-D2 joins the wedding celebration with champagne and dancing 05:30 - Walking down the aisle to Princess Leia's theme 06:33 - Why Carla and Brian delayed the honeymoon until New Zealand 07:04 - A Lord of the Rings tour through filming locations and why it may be emotionally overwhelming 09:39 - Carla's married name and the "decaf" joke that keeps following her 11:56 - Todd's family updates, school starting, and football season returning 14:07 - Carla teases the news items before the main topic 15:03 - Why the hosts think Star Wars has great vacation potential and terrible vacation potential 16:00 - Mustafar versus Exegol as instant refusal destinations 18:22 - How they would rate a Star Wars destination using danger, weather, food, and accommodations 20:37 - Why Mustafar sounds like a place with no good tourism infrastructure 22:25 - Hoth as the extreme cold-weather option and why Norway inspired it 24:15 - Wampa insurance, and the debate over freezing versus melting 25:38 - Why Tatooine is still strangely livable compared with the other nightmare planets 28:42 - Dagobah as swamp hell, bug central, and possible poison-water disaster 32:36 - Geonosis as a language-barrier and execution-risk vacation spot 34:01 - Kessel and the worst possible souvenir from the mines 35:18 - Felucia's mushroom-covered scenery and the danger of touching anything 36:55 - Exegol as an unusable honeymoon location with constant lightning and cult energy 38:00 - Which planet would have the worst hotel and worst spaceport 39:08 - Which planet would have the most dishonest vacation brochure 40:57 - The worst villain to sit next to on a hyperspace flight 43:44 - The difference between dangerous, gross, and truly unlivable family vacation spots 45:45 - Exegol and Camino as terrible honeymoon or relaxing-trip options 48:52 - Choosing the least awful free seven-day vacation: Tatooine 53:23 - Carla's honorable mention: Wobani from Rogue One 55:07 - News item 1: The Saga Begins and Weird Al's Star Wars legacy 58:25 - News item 2: A Star Wars Starfighter leak and a strange new creature 61:27 - News item 3: Star Wars Galactic Racer and the return of pod-racing nostalgia 71:07 - Outro, socials, email, and a call for listener feedback Notable quotes: "I walked down the aisle to Princess Leia's theme." "Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi." "Come for the suns, stay for the sarlaccs." Action items: Send in your own pick for the worst Star Wars vacation spot. Share your favorite Star Wars pod racer. Tell the show which planet you'd actually choose if the trip were free. Mentioned links and handles: Socials: @wstrmedia Podcast archive: podcast.wstrmedia.com Merch store: store.wstrmedia.com Live stream: livestream.wstrmedia.com Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com

  7. Aug 21

    "Brief Naboo Cameo Matters More Than You Think" - Episode 442

    WSTR Galactic Public Access: Queen Jamilla, Star Wars News, and Convention Rants This episode starts with a deep look at Queen Jamilla, a brief but meaningful Naboo leader in Attack of the Clones, and uses her to explore Naboo politics, democracy, and how Star Wars makes even tiny characters feel important. Todd also covers a few Star Wars news items, then wraps with personal updates on Fortnite, Fan Expo Chicago, and the challenges of crowded convention venues. Key topics Todd explains who Queen Jamilla is A Naboo monarch with less than two minutes of screen time, but enough presence to spark a long character discussion. He walks through her role as Queen Amidala's successor and her place in the prequel-era timeline. Why Queen Jamilla matters despite limited screen time Todd argues that even minor political figures help Star Wars feel like a lived-in galaxy. He connects Jamilla's short appearance to the larger sense of Naboo continuity and political realism. Naboo politics and democratic idealism Jamilla's line about keeping faith in the Republic becomes the core theme of the segment. Todd contrasts her trust in institutions with Amidala's more experienced, harder-earned political perspective. Jamilla's relationship to Padmé Amidala Todd reads Jamilla as someone seeking advice and guidance from a respected predecessor. Their interaction is framed as mutual trust, with Padmé representing experience and Jamilla representing idealism. The threat of war in the background The discussion touches on the growing separatist crisis and the early signs of the Clone Wars. Todd views Jamilla as somewhat sheltered from the galaxy's larger collapse, which shapes her optimism. Naboo's social structure and leadership Todd questions the age and selection of Naboo's queens, noting the youth of both Padmé and Jamilla. He suggests Naboo could have benefited from more integration, especially between humans and Gungans. Why Star Wars includes brief political characters Todd says these characters show that life continues outside the main heroes. He connects this to how the franchise builds scale, realism, and background texture. News of the week: Star Wars: Starfighter Todd covers reporting that the new film was inspired by The Outsiders. He highlights the gritty, loyalty-driven tone and the pairing of a rugged older lead with a younger companion. News of the week: canceled Mandalorian versus Jedi game He reacts to the leaked gameplay and fan disappointment over another canceled Star Wars title. Todd compares it to other scrapped projects and laments how often promising games never release. News of the week: Ewan McGregor wants back in Todd discusses McGregor pitching ideas for more Obi-Wan content while on the set of Ahsoka. He suggests flashback storytelling could be a smart way to bring Obi-Wan into future projects. Cantina Chat: Fortnite and Fan Expo Chicago Todd talks about collecting 118 sprites in Fortnite and enjoying the new season called Override. He also shares a strong opinion that the Rosemont Convention Center is overcrowded and not as good as C2E2. Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome to episode 442 and the show's mission of positivity and Star Wars 02:03 - Who Queen Jamilla is and why a brief character still matters 04:23 - Jamilla's connection to Padmé Amidala and the Naboo political transition 06:49 - What Naboo's leadership system says about age, authority, and democracy 08:16 - Why Queen Jamilla is important even with limited screen time 09:15 - Jamilla's reaction to the separatist threat and her faith in the Republic 11:11 - Is Jamilla seeking advice, mentorship, or both from Padmé? 13:02 - Jamilla's trust in the system versus Padmé's hard-earned political realism 14:29 - Naboo's peace contrasted with the wider chaos of the galaxy 15:27 - Why Star Wars uses brief political leaders to make the galaxy feel larger 17:26 - Why Padmé is the stronger leader in Todd's view 18:26 - What Jamilla might realistically do against Palpatine's rise 19:51 - Why even small characters like Jamilla deepen the worldbuilding 20:48 - What Todd would change about Naboo leadership and Gungan representation 22:46 - Closing thoughts on spending 20 minutes on two minutes of screen time 23:12 - Star Wars: Starfighter and its inspiration from The Outsiders 25:06 - Fan reaction to the canceled Mandalorian versus Jedi game 27:30 - Ewan McGregor pitching more Obi-Wan stories to Dave Filoni 31:17 - Personal updates, including Carla's wedding and Heather's cat mom life 31:45 - Collecting 118 Fortnite sprites and getting into the new season 33:00 - Fan Expo Chicago, crowded halls, and why Rosemont is not Todd's favorite venue 35:55 - Listener callouts, social channels, and how to send feedback 36:51 - Possible future episode topics, including Transformers 37:20 - Sign-off and closing Notable quotes "We must keep our faith in the Republic." "We spent twenty something minutes on two minutes of screen time. That's Star Wars, man." "There's gotta be something, brother." Mentioned links and handles: Socials: @wstrmedia Podcast archive: podcast.wstrmedia.com Merch store: store.wstrmedia.com Live stream: livestream.wstrmedia.com Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com

  8. Aug 14

    "40 Year Retrospective on Flight of the Navigator" - Episode 441

    Flight of the Navigator at 40: why this 1986 sci-fi charm still works Todd Hoffman flies solo in this episode of WSTR Galactic Public Access to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Flight of the Navigator. He breaks down the movie's plot, its 80s atmosphere, and why its mix of family drama, time travel, and alien weirdness still makes it a standout. "Flight of the Navigator may be about aliens, time travel, and flying saucers, but at the heart, it's about a kid trying to find his way home." Key topics Todd frames Flight of the Navigator as quintessential 1986 sci-fi: kid-led, practical, charming, and just spooky enough. He walks through the plot: David Freeman disappears in 1978, wakes up eight years later unchanged, and gets pulled into a government and alien mystery. He highlights the film's emotional core, especially the grief and consequences his family faces during David's absence. He talks about Max as the real star of the movie, including the ship's shape-shifting design and the robotic personality voiced by Paul Reubens. He praises the movie's practical effects, puppets, and early CGI for giving the film a tactile, memorable feel. He compares the movie's child wonder and pacing to other 80s favorites like E.T., The Goonies, and The Last Starfighter. He argues that kids' sci-fi movies worked so well in the 80s because they trusted slower buildup, imaginative premises, and relatable young protagonists. He says the film's biggest strength is that it is ultimately about a kid trying to find his way home. In News of the Week, Todd covers Star Wars Zero Company, a Marvel and Star Wars crossover comic, and rumors around Star Wars: Starfighter. In Cantina chat, he shares personal updates about storms in Illinois, Carla's upcoming wedding, a family trip to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood, and plans for Fan Expo Chicago. Timestamps (00:00) Welcome to the show and why Flight of the Navigator is the main topic (02:00) Quick Wikipedia-style refresher on the movie's release, budget, and production (04:26) Plot setup: David disappears in 1978 and wakes up eight years later (06:22) Max, the alien ship, and the time-dilation twist (07:50) David and Carolyn, plus NASA's growing interest in the mystery (08:48) How the movie ends and why the final image sticks (10:16) Why the movie still feels fun, goofy, and kid-friendly (12:00) David's emotional reaction to everyone aging around him (13:46) Family consequences and the grief behind the adventure (15:34) Why Max's ship design is so memorable (17:00) Paul Reubens as Max and the Pee-wee Herman energy (18:37) Why the 1980s produced so many great kid-focused sci-fi films (20:35) What modern movies miss about patience and build-up (22:21) Practical effects, puppets, and why the film feels less manufactured (23:22) David's brain download and whether it is genius sci-fi or 80s logic (24:46) Why the aliens chose David and what happened during the missing years (25:32) The scarier side of the movie for kids (27:24) Whether a modern Disney remake would work (28:47) Sequel ideas, prequel ideas, and what Todd would do instead (30:38) E.T. versus Flight of the Navigator and which 80s sci-fi stands above the rest (31:46) The little alien pet and Todd's favorite thing to steal from the story (34:39) News: EA's Star Wars Zero Company and its turn-based tactics approach (37:31) News: Marvel and Star Wars crossover concerns about timeline complexity (39:21) News: rumors around Star Wars: Starfighter and possible trailer timing (42:58) Cantina chat: storms, weddings, vacation plans, bears, and Fan Expo Chicago (47:17) Outro, listener reminders, and what's coming next week Mentioned links and handles: Socials: @wstrmedia Podcast archive: podcast.wstrmedia.com Merch store: store.wstrmedia.com Live stream: livestream.wstrmedia.com Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com

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About

WSTR is a podcast where three good friends and guests come together to discuss all things Star Wars. Whether you are new to Star Wars or a seasoned veteran, every Wednesday brings the latest in Star Wars news and fresh insights, critique, and appreciation for that galaxy far, far, away. For all your Star Wars news and talk needs, this is the podcast you've been looking for! Business and Fan Email: mailbox@wstrmedia.com Voicemail - be featured on the show! (630) 557-9787

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