Star Wars In Character Archives

One of my favorite podcasts but I have to know : what is the second sound drop in your intro ? Sounds like an Ewok. It makes me laugh every time - keep up the great work fellas!

I've already left a review on the main feed but I love it so much that I had to come here, to the backlog and leave another. This is hands down my favorite podcast ever. It's informative and absolutely hilarious. Exactly what I wanted, beyond beautiful. The hosts are down to Earth good people. I can't praise them or the show enough.

Glad you guys put this together so folks like me who are more recent faithful listeners can dig deep and have something to keep me from being productive at work.

Finis Valorum was born into the influential House Valorum[6] on Coruscant,[1] the capital of the Galactic Republic,[5] and was a descendant of the Republic's first Supreme Chancellor.[6] For his entire life, Valorum planned to ascend to the Office of the Chancellor.[4]He entered into political life and became a civil servant within the Galactic Republic, in which House Valorum held much prestige and influence.[6] At some point during his political career, he served as an administrator to Supreme Chancellor Skor Kalpana. Along with the Chancellor, Senator Sheev Palpatine of Naboo, and other dignitaries, Valorum attended the commencement and commissioning ceremonies at the Sullust Sector Spacefarers Academy, a piloting academy on Sullust. Later, Valorum himself was elected to the chancellery by the Galactic Senate.[6]During his administration, his political power became hampered by the massive bureaucracies of the government,[3] and he became mired in accusations of corrupt conduct.[5] Thirty-two years before the Battle of Yavin,[11] the Republic became involved in a disagreement over the taxation of trade routes to outlying star systems.[5]The Trade Federation, which held a monopoly over shipping in the Outer Rim,[6] blockaded the planet Naboo in an attempt to force the Senate into a resolution favorable to the Federation. The Naboo Crisis was secretly engineered by Senator Palpatine in order to end Valorum's chancellery,[5] and was partly hastened by the events of the trade summit on Eriadu.[6] With the blockade cutting off needed supplies to Naboo, this plunged the Republic's government into a political crisis that the Senate was unable to resolve. In an attempt to end the blockade, Valorum sent Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinnand his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to Naboo to negotiate with Nute Gunray, the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. The negotiations did not take place, however, as the Federation attempted to kill the two Jedi. Shortly thereafter, the Federation launched the Invasion of Naboo. Queen Padmé Amidala of Naboo was able to escape the planet with the help of the Jedi, and she traveled to Coruscant in order to seek the help of Chancellor Valorum and the Senate. Valorum was present when she arrived and called for a special session of the Senate so Amidala could plead her case. The Senate session, which Valorum presided over, proved unproductive for Amidala's cause. Senator Palpatine and Queen Amidala proclaimed that the Federation had invaded Naboo, a claim that Lott Dod, the Senator from the Trade Federation, disputed on the basis that no proof had been provided. Dod recommended to the Chancellor that the Senate appoint a commission to study the allegations, a recommendation that was seconded by the representatives of the planet Malastare. Valorum consulted with his advisors, including Vice ChairMas Amedda and ultimately asked Amidala whether she would accept a commission. Amidala refused and, at Palpatine's urging, called for a Vote of No Confidence in Valorum's leadership.[5]Unknown to Valorum was that Mas Amedda was secretly working for Palpatine, and he knew that Valorum's indecision would make him look weak.[4] Amidala's motion led to Valorum's removal from office. A new election was called to replace him, and led to the nominations of Senator Palpatine, Bail Antilles of Alderaan, and Ainlee Teem of Malastare. As Palpatine had predicted, the Invasion of Naboo created a sympathy vote in the Senate, and he was elected Supreme Chancellor in Valorum's place. Due to Valorum and the Senate's inability to act, Queen Amidala also returned to her planet and, with the help of the Jedi Valorum had first sent to Naboo, ended the invasion.