Star Wars Generations Podcast • Beyond the Screen

Superhero Ethics
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A millennial, Gen Z'er, and Gen X'er walk into a cantina... Each of us came into Star Wars in our own way, at our own time, and there is so much we can learn from each other when those differences fuel conversation, not conflict. Join Erin, Matthew, and Alex as we share our love for the galaxy far, far away on the Star Wars Generations Podcast! We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you! Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you! Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM PodcastEmail: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com𝕏: SWGenerationsFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: SWGenerationsPodTikTok: TheEthicalPandaVisit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams! You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55. Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

  1. Clone Wars S4 • Obi-Wan Undercover: Eps 15-18

    23H AGO

    Clone Wars S4 • Obi-Wan Undercover: Eps 15-18

    Clone Wars S4 • Obi-Wan Undercover: Eps 15-18When Obi-Wan fakes his death to infiltrate a bounty hunter plot against Palpatine, the mission succeeds—but the Jedi Council's deception shatters Anakin's trust and pushes him closer to the dark side. Matthew and Erin explore how this arc becomes a rehearsal for Revenge of the Sith, revealing Palpatine's long-game manipulation and the cracks forming in both the Jedi Order and Anakin's loyalty.Episodes CoveredSeason 4, Episode 15—"Deception"Season 4, Episode 16—"Friends and Enemies"Season 4, Episode 17—"The Box"Season 4, Episode 18—"Crisis on Naboo"Key DiscussionsWhy hiding Obi-Wan's survival from Anakin was the Council's biggest tactical mistakeHow Palpatine uses this kidnapping plot as a dry run for Revenge of the SithClone trooper corruption in Republic prisons—what does it reveal about the war?Cad Bane's refusal to ditch his iconic hat despite being the galaxy's most wantedThe "Star Wars Squid Game" death trap of The BoxAnakin's chilling threat: "You should have quit while you were still alive"From Anakin's explosive grief to Palpatine's calculated smirk when Anakin nearly kills Dooku, this arc captures the tragedy of a hero's fall—one justified lie at a time.Related EpisodesThe Clone Wars S4 E11-14The Clone Wars S4 E19-22Revenge of the SithLearn MoreDeception arc on Wookieepedia **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, an Ethical Panda podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check out our website to find out more about this show and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! Keep up with our latest news and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.TikTok · Twitter/X · Instagram · Facebook · EmailTo learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay: Instagram · TikTokJoin the conversation in the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.Want even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes — and you can even give membership as a gift. Sign up here.You can also support us through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers, run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master Alan.Use Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one-year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

    29 min
  2. Clone Wars S3 • Heroes on Both Sides + Ahsoka Hunted for Sport

    FEB 12

    Clone Wars S3 • Heroes on Both Sides + Ahsoka Hunted for Sport

    Erin’s Season 3 Favorites—Heroes on Both Sides and Ahsoka Hunted for SportWhat happens when you mix separatist political intrigue, a classic mob betrayal, and one of the darkest survival stories in Star Wars animation? Matthew and Erin dive into four standout episodes from The Clone Wars Season 3—Episodes 9 – 10 and 21 – 22—spanning Senate-era moral complexity, underworld drama, and Ahsoka’s most brutal test yet. From Sy Snootles’ mob-wife energy in “Hunt for Zero,” to the political nuance of “Heroes on Both Sides” (and Ahsoka’s iconic new outfit debut), to the terrifying Trandoshan hunt arc, these episodes show just how wide—and how dark—The Clone Wars can get.Episodes CoveredSeason 3, Episode 9—“Hunt for Zero”Season 3, Episode 10—“Heroes on Both Sides” (Ahsoka’s new look debut)Season 3, Episodes 21 – 22—The Trandoshan Hunting Arc“Padawan Lost”“Wookiee Hunt”Questions We DiscussedWould Anakin have turned to the dark side if Quinlan Vos had been his master instead of Obi-Wan?Does “Heroes on Both Sides” actually succeed in showing heroism among the Separatists?Why is the Trandoshan hunting arc one of the darkest storylines Star Wars has ever told?How does Ahsoka’s relationship with Anakin evolve when she operates independently?What makes Sy Snootles the perfect mob wife character in Star Wars?How does meeting Lux Bonteri influence Ahsoka’s understanding of the war’s complexities? **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates. Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift! You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

    42 min
  3. Maul: Shadow Lord • Trailer Breakdown + Clone Wars Return

    FEB 5

    Maul: Shadow Lord • Trailer Breakdown + Clone Wars Return

    Maul Returns: Breaking Down the Shadow Lord Trailer and His Clone Wars SurvivalThe Star Wars timeline between Revenge of the Sith and Rebels remains one of the franchise’s most intriguing periods, and the upcoming Maul: Shadow Lord series drops us right into the early Imperial era. With the trailer now public, we’re revisiting how Maul survived being bisected in The Phantom Menace and examining the Clone Wars episodes that revealed his shocking return, along with the trailer itself. From spider-legged madness to criminal syndicate mastermind, Maul’s journey through the underworld of the galaxy takes center stage as he faces Inquisitors, builds his empire, and potentially trains a new apprentice in Darth Talon.In this episode, we discuss:When does Maul: Shadow Lord take place in the Star Wars timeline, and how does it connect to The Bad Batch and Solo?What are Maul’s motivations during the early Imperial era, and why is he building a criminal empire?How does the character of Savage Opress differ from Maul in his approach to brutality and the dark side?Why does Maul constantly seek apprentices, and what does this reveal about his psychological state after being abandoned by Palpatine?What makes the Clone Wars episodes revealing Maul’s survival so important for understanding his character arc?How does Maul’s obsession with both destroying and mimicking the Sith master-servant dynamic define his actions? **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates. Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift! You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

    48 min
  4. Clone Wars S3 • Clone Cadets: Ep 1

    JAN 29

    Clone Wars S3 • Clone Cadets: Ep 1

    Clone Cadets: Where Domino Squad Learned to Stop FailingBefore Fives uncovered Order 66 and Echo became a cyborg, they were just cadets who couldn't pass basic training. This Season 3 premiere of Clone Wars takes us to Kamino's training facilities where Domino Squad—Echo, Fives, Hevy, Droidbait, and Cutup—face decommissioning if they can't learn to work as a team. With Shaak Ti advocating for compassion, Bric sabotaging their test, and 99 offering unexpected wisdom, these misfits must prove that clone troopers are more than their numbers.Matthew, Erin, and youngest fan Aurelia (age 11) explore why this training episode hits differently when you know where these characters end up, and how Dee Bradley Baker manages to voice an entire squad talking to themselves.Questions We Discussed:Why does leaving a man behind result in automatic failure, and how does that theme echo throughout Clone Wars?How does Shaak Ti's motherly compassion toward the clones contrast with her minimal role in the prequel films?What makes 99 such a compelling character despite his brief appearances in the series?Why do clone naming conventions matter so much to characters like Fives and Echo?What makes Dee Bradley Baker's voice work in clone-heavy scenes so impressive when each character remains instantly identifiable?How does knowing Fives' and Echo's eventual fates change the way we watch their origin story? **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates. Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift! You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

    28 min
  5. Book Club • Why We Love Star Wars Novels

    JAN 15

    Book Club • Why We Love Star Wars Novels

    Why We Love Star Wars Novels: Behind the Scenes of Star Wars Generations Book ClubThe Star Wars Generations hosts pull back the curtain on their popular book club series, explaining what makes the written word such a powerful medium for galaxy far, far away storytelling. Erin, Alex, and Matthew share their personal journeys with Star Wars literature and preview upcoming selections.What makes Star Wars books worth reading when the franchise is so visual? While Star Wars is known for spectacular lightsaber duels and space battles, novels provide something films cannot: direct access to characters' internal thoughts and emotional struggles. This inside-the-head perspective reveals motivations, moral conflicts, and character development that external observation alone cannot capture, making quieter characters and complex political situations come alive.How did Karen Traviss's Republic Commando series revolutionize clone representation? Traviss transformed clones from the faceless soldiers seen in Attack of the Clones into fully realized individuals. By exploring what it means to be a 10-year-old mind in a warrior's body—someone with combat training but limited life experience—the series gave clones emotional depth and raised profound questions about creating sentient beings designed for war.Why do some fans prefer Senate politics to lightsaber battles? Books allow for detailed exploration of governmental intrigue and bureaucratic maneuvering that would never sustain a film or TV show. Whether it's Claudia Gray's Bloodline following Princess Leia through New Republic politics or imagining literal Senate meeting minutes from the late Republic era, novels serve readers who find the talking more compelling than the fighting.How do novels keep the Star Wars universe alive between screen content? For fans who grew up with limited films and shows, books opened doors to unexplored corners of the galaxy and filled gaps that visual media cannot cover. From the original Timothy Zahn Thrawn trilogy to modern canon novels, books answer lingering questions, develop side characters, and create the connective tissue between major events—including crucial story elements like Vader discovering Padmé's grave that many fans miss in comics.Other Topics Covered:How the Darth Plagueis novel makes the prequel trilogy more meaningfulThe value of reading movie novelizations for additional character insightHow Thrawn's journey from Legends books to Rebels to Ahsoka demonstrates the book-to-screen pipelineThe challenge of reading established film characters on page versus original literary creationsDoctor Aphra's successful transition from comics to audio dramatizationThe hosts' different relationships with comics versus proseImportant canon revelations happening in comics that fans might missHow books serve readers at different ages and knowledge levelsThe hosts invite listeners to read along and share their own Star Wars reading recommendations, with advance notice of upcoming topics for group discussion. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates. Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift! You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

    42 min
  6. Star Wars 2025 in Review

    JAN 1

    Star Wars 2025 in Review

    As 2025 draws to a close, the Star Wars landscape looks radically different than it did a year ago. The Acolyte's cancellation sent shockwaves through the fandom, Skeleton Crew emerged as an unexpected gem, and Andor Season 2 proved why some stories are worth the wait. Matthew, Erin, and Alex reunite to reflect on a tumultuous year that saw creative risks, behind-the-scenes drama, and a franchise at a crossroads.Questions We ExploredHow did Skeleton Crew defy expectations to become one of the year's standout shows? From Jod Na Nawood's complex villainy to the show's Amblin-inspired heart, we discuss what made this series work when skepticism ran high.Did Andor Season 2 deliver on its promise as prestige Star Wars television? We break down why this season elevated political drama in the franchise and why the three-episode arcs proved so effective.What does the Mandoverse's future look like after The Mandalorian and Grogu film announcement? We explore Dave Filoni's expanding role and whether interconnected storytelling helps or hinders individual shows.How has Star Wars animation evolved with Tales of the Empire and The Bad Batch's conclusion? We discuss Morgan Elsbeth's origin story, Barriss Offee's redemption, and whether animated content is carrying the franchise's creative torch.What role did fandom toxicity play in shaping this year's Star Wars conversation? From review bombing to the Acolyte controversy, we examine how online discourse impacts creative decisions and cast members.Where should Star Wars go next to recapture its creative momentum? We offer our perspectives on what stories the franchise should tell, which risks are worth taking, and how to balance nostalgia with innovation. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates. Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift! You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

    39 min
  7. Star Wars: Visions Volume 3

    12/18/2025

    Star Wars: Visions Volume 3

    With a new season of Star Wars: Visions out, we’re talking about the stories we love, the ones that made us think, and the ones that made us scratch our heads. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates. Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift! You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

    46 min
  8. Clone Wars S3 • The Nightsisters Arc: Eps 12-14

    12/04/2025

    Clone Wars S3 • The Nightsisters Arc: Eps 12-14

    When Count Dooku betrays Asajj Ventress on Palpatine's orders, she returns to her origins on Dathomir—and the revenge plot that unfolds introduces one of the most tragic characters in Star Wars. This three-episode arc of Clone Wars explores the dark magic of the Nightsisters, Mother Talzin's machinations, and ends with a shocking revelation: Darth Maul is alive. Matthew, Erin, and Alex break down Ventress' survivor mentality, the brutal Sith training methods on display, and why Savage Opress' story hits harder than you might expect.Questions we discussed:Does the infamous "kiss of death" scene represent peak Star Wars femme fatale energy or peak cringe?Why does Palpatine really order Dooku to eliminate Ventress—is it about power or loyalty?How does Mother Talzin's magic compare to traditional Force abilities in the Star Wars universe?What makes Savage Opress one of the most tragic characters in the Clone Wars series?How does Dooku's abusive training of Savage contrast with his compassionate mentorship of Qui-Gon Jinn?Why doesn't Obi-Wan immediately recognize that the Zabrak warrior isn't actually Darth Maul? **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Star Wars Generations, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Superhero Ethics.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.To learn more about co-host Erin and her incredible cosplay check out her Instagram, LadyTanoCreates. Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast’s main page you can even give membership as a gift! You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

    51 min
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4.6
out of 5
158 Ratings

About

A millennial, Gen Z'er, and Gen X'er walk into a cantina... Each of us came into Star Wars in our own way, at our own time, and there is so much we can learn from each other when those differences fuel conversation, not conflict. Join Erin, Matthew, and Alex as we share our love for the galaxy far, far away on the Star Wars Generations Podcast! We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you! Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you! Discord: Join in the conversation about this podcast, my other podcast Superhero Ethics, as well as the rest of the TruStory.FM PodcastEmail: ✉️ swg@theethicalpanda.com𝕏: SWGenerationsFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: SWGenerationsPodTikTok: TheEthicalPandaVisit Star Wars Generations on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!You can find more about Alex Kormann’s work on Instagram or on his website.To see more of Erin McGowan’s cosplay adventures and fandom thoughts, check out her Instagram or Tiktok.Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast, and we’ll be adding more benefits soon, including access to live streams! You can subscribe for $5 a month, or get a discount with an annual membership for $55. Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more.

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