Hyperspace Theories

After its first three episodes launching Cassian’s character journey, Andor quickly propels him into a plotline drawn from his ultimate fate in Rogue One: a risky heist from a secure Imperial facility that plays a crucial role in the fate of the Rebellion against the Empire. In this episode of Hyperspace Theories, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester examine the fourth through seventh episodes of Andor and break down what the heist storyline means for all of the key characters in the series. For Cassian, his interactions with the other six members of the heist team teach him important lessons about himself, the possibilities for his future, and the personal and galactic nature of rebellion. As we had speculated, he ends the heist still unwilling to commit to the Rebel cause – but his return to Ferrix and his tourism to Niamos quickly show him that Nemik was correct: the pace of the Empire’s oppression has outpaced his ability to comprehend it. In the Imperial subplot, the success of the Aldhani heist changes the opp

On September 21, Star Wars: Andor launched on Disney+ with a three-episode premiere. On Hyperspace Theories, we analyzed how those episodes set in motion the character journey for Cassian Andor from his life on Ferrix, and the preceding years in flashbacks, to become the Rebel operative and hero we see in Rogue One. The fourth episode of Andor, released on September 28, greatly expands the scope of the series and broadens the character arcs and plotlines far beyond the personal path of the titular character. On today’s episode of Hyperspace Theories, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester revisit the roots of the podcast in Star Wars speculation. We analyze the first four episodes of Andor, the scenes in the official trailers that did not occur in those episodes, the publicly available list of writers and directors for all twelve episodes, and Tony Gilroy’s prior Star Wars storytelling in Rogue One. Examining these sources, we consider what they suggest about the story structure, themes, and character arcs in the rema

The newly premiered Andor is the biggest and most ambitious Star Wars Disney+ streaming series yet. Created by showrunner Tony Gilroy, who oversaw the rewrites and reshoots that salvaged the theatrical release of Rogue One, Andor is a prequel to a prequel: beginning five years before that film, it will bring its principal characters to the events of Rogue One, which itself leads directly into A New Hope and the Original Trilogy. The first season of Andor includes 12 episodes, with 12 more planned for a second (and final) season that enters production later this year. From the trailers, interviews, press conference, and other promotion, it seems clear that Andor is intended to mark the entry of the Star Wars franchise into the “prestige television” space alongside series such as The Crown, Game of Thrones, or The Expanse. For its premiere on September 21, 2022, however, Andor released a trio of episodes focused almost entirely on the titular character, Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), and the immediate desperate af

Disney+’s Ms. Marvel is earning rave reviews and allowing a whole new segment of Marvel fandom to see their stories represented. Siya Patel has shared her passion for Marvel stories here at FANgirl Blog. When she asked about learning about podcasting, Ms. Marvel seemed to be the perfect opportunity. Hence, the Night Light podcast was born. On the third episode, Tricia Barr and Siya Patel discuss the final two episodes of Ms. Marvel. The themes of identity and community bonds shine as the season draws to a close. Night Light cover art by Siya Patel. Related: Night Light Podcast Episode 2 Siya Patel’s article on Ms. Marvel Siya Patel’s SDCC Marvel Panel Recap Hyperspace Theories; The Myth and History of Ms. Marvel

The latest episode of Hyperspace Theories discusses the full story unfurled in the newest six-episode Disney+ series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): Ms. Marvel, featuring the origin story of teenage heroine Kamala Khan. Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester are joined by longtime FANgirl Blog contributor Priya Chhaya, an historian and advocate for representation in storytelling and nonfiction alike. First introduced in the comics, Kamala Khan stands out as Marvel’s first Pakistani-American and Muslim superhero. Like the comics, the Ms. Marvel series showcases Kamala’s family, friends, faith, and community as integral aspects of her personal identity both before and after she acquires her superpowers. At the same time, her story includes universal themes than resonate with audience members who do not share her heritage or religion, such as overprotective parents, sibling resentment, and a multi-generational immigrant experience in the United States. In addition, Ms. Marvel is prominently a story about mothers

Disney+’s Ms. Marvel is earning rave reviews and allowing a whole new segment of Marvel fandom to see their stories represented. Siya Patel has shared her passion for Marvel stories here at FANgirl Blog. When she asked about learning about podcasting, Ms. Marvel seemed to be the perfect opportunity. Hence, the Night Light podcast was born. On the second episode, Tricia Barr and Siya Patel discuss Aamir's wedding and Kamala Khan’s journey to Pakistan. Siya Patel shares insights into the South Asian culture that are revealed in the episodes "Destined" (Episode 3) and "Seeing Red" (Episode 4). The themes of self discovery, family dynamics and generational trauma cut across boundaries, making Ms. Marvel a universal coming-of-age story that is relatable to many. Cover art by Siya Patel.

This episode of Hyperspace Theories offers the third discussion in our three-part analysis of Obi-Wan Kenobi, following our previous commentary on the first two and middle three components of the Disney+ series. Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester first break down the trio of major character arcs resolved in Part VI: the content and consequences of the second showdown in Obi-Wan Kenobi between Obi-Wan and Vader, and how Reva’s parallel subplot further illuminates their choices while defining her own. We also examine how Part VI contains deliberate ambiguity regarding Reva’s exact motivations in seeking to kill Luke on Tatooine, before her change of heart and merciful compassion from Obi-Wan. We then return to the Hero’s Journey aspects of the series. On its own terms, Obi-Wan Kenobi concludes a full progression through Christopher Vogler’s cinematic model of the journey. Viewed through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, by contrast, Obi-Wan Kenobi contains the Departure and Initiation phases of the hero’s tran

FANgirl Blog's Tricia Barr and Siya Patel discuss the Marvelous origin story of Kamala Khan.

In our newest episode, Hyperspace Theories continues our analysis of Obi-Wan Kenobi with a discussion of Parts III, IV, and V of the Disney+ limited series. Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester examine how, after Parts I and II launched Obi-Wan on his mythic adventure, the next three episodes propel him through an extended progression of trials and tribulations that return the broken man into the Jedi General he used to be and push him toward the serene Jedi Master he ultimately becomes. Elements of both Joseph Campbell’s monomyth and Christopher Vogler’s cinematic hero’s journey illustrate the mythic structure of Obi-Wan’s personal challenges. Importantly, Obi-Wan Kenobi advances its protagonist’s character arc through the influence of three significant female characters: Leia, Tala, and Reva. Each plays a different role in shaping Obi-Wan’s rediscovery of himself and reconnection with the Force through the events on Daiyu, Mapuzo, Nur, and Jabiim. In a twist on Campbell, it is Roken and Vader, not a woman, who pre

After the world premiere of Obi-Wan Kenobi at Star Wars Celebration, Tricia Barr and BJ Priester sit down to explore the storytelling structure as it expands the Campbellian monomyth.

Hyperspace Theories podcast returns to the realm of Star Wars storytelling with this month’s episode, in which Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester discuss The Book of Boba Fett. In addition to its seven chapter, we also consider insights from the Disney Gallery episode exploring the development and production of the Disney+ series.   We begin with the titular character. The first four episodes of The Book of Boba Fett portray two sets of events in his life: his experiences from his escape from the Sarlaac Pit until his appearance in “The Tragedy” chapter of The Mandalorian season two to reclaim his father’s armor, and his return to Tatooine to establish himself as “daimyo” upon the throne previously occupied by Jabba the Hutt and Bib Fortuna. Each of these storylines contains some interesting ideas for Fett’s character development, but both fail to meet the potential of those ideas. In addition, the series at times relies heavily on homages to famous cinema (like Lawrence of Arabia or The Godfather) and references

This month’s episode of Hyperspace Theories rings in the new year with the storytelling of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester discuss the six episodes of the Christmas-themed Disney+ series Hawkeye. Though the show may have one character name in its title, like the other MCU series to date it also is very much an ensemble story. Clint Barton has been the MCU’s Hawkeye through four Avengers films and several others. In Endgame, we learn that Clint responded to the Snap taking away his family by becoming the ruthless and vengeful assassin Ronin, murdering crime lords and other “deserving” foes until Natasha Romanoff managed to restore his hope, changing his heart just as he had once given her the chance to change hers. In Hawkeye, everything spirals outward from these events: Clint’s grief for Natasha, his commitment to honoring the sacrifice she made to give him a life with his family, and his responsibility for his actions as Ronin. But while Clint creates the circumstances in which 

Hyperspace Theories concludes our three-part analysis of Season Two of The Mandalorian with a discussion of the character arc for the titular hero, Din Djarin, over the span of the sixteen chapters in the series to date. Although much of Season Two involves Din’s interactions with a progression of allies and adversaries, old and new, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester examine how each of those episodes reveals more about Din and shapes his ultimate choices in the series. Most prominently, Season Two constantly tests Din’s understanding of what it means to be a Mandalorian. In Season One, Din centered his identity on the Armorer’s covert and the Bounty Hunter Guild. In Season Two, Din learns that the Mandalorian identity isn’t as straightforward as he thought, particularly in his encounters with Bo-Katan Kryze and Boba Fett. His sense of honor is tested by Cobb Vanth, the Passenger, and Ahsoka Tano as well as Kryze and Fett. To fulfill his quest to deliver Grogu to the Jedi, Din works with trusted allies like Greef

Hyperspace Theories returns with another discussion of Season Two of The Mandalorian. In this episode, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester analyze how The Mandalorian series advances the story of the Mandalorians: a people, a culture, and a feared faction in galactic war and peace. We also speculate about how the information revealed in Season Two may provide clues to what else we’ll learn about Mandalorians in The Book of Boba Fett at the end of the year and Season Three of The Mandalorian later in 2022. Before looking to future stories, though, we start with how the Mandalorians were introduced in the franchise’s past. Revealed in fiction and nonfiction paratexts, the lore surrounding Boba Fett’s armor and its mysterious connection to the equally mysterious Mandalorian super-commandos predates even the conclusion of the Original Trilogy in Return of the Jedi. In the era of Star Wars Expanded Universe (now Legends) tales, the Mandalorians appeared in a wide variety of popular story formats, including novels, comic

For this variant episode of Hyperspace Theories, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester turn once again to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to discuss the storytelling, characterization, and creative twists on the monomyth in Loki, the six-episode Disney+ series which recently concluded. In addition to discussing the character arcs of the core cast – Loki, Sylvie, Mobius, and Renslayer – we delve into the weighty themes and significant philosophical ideas underlying the series. We offer high praise for the successful collaboration of director Kate Herron and head writer Michael Waldron, who is poised to write the screenplay for the previously announced Star Wars movie being produced by MCU guru Kevin Feige. Loki certainly benefits from a second watch, which makes even more apparent the clever writing and honed storytelling in the series. Related Links: Loki: Michael Waldron Unpacks S1 Finale Twists, Teases Doctor Strange 2 (CBR) Creator Michael Waldron Answers All Our Questions about Loki and Heels (ScreenCrush) Micha

Hosts Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester breakdown The Mandalorian Season 2 in three episodes. The first episode explores the importance of the Jedi to the story of Din Djarin over the course of Season 2.

Tricia Barr and BJ Priester from FANgirl Blog share their initial reactions to the WandaVision series finale.

Season One of The Mandalorian concluded with a two-part story arc consisting of “Chapter 7: The Reckoning” and “Chapter 8: Redemption.” In this episode of Hyperspace Theories, Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester analyze how the finale episodes pay off the storytelling and characterization set up during the course of the season. We also look ahead to how the threads left open at the end of Season One may lay the groundwork for the stories to come in Season Two. The finale episodes of Season One provide compelling character development for the titular Mandalorian (whose real name, we learn, is Din Djarin), as well as further evolving Baby Yoda’s understanding of the Force, a change of heart by Greef Carga, and the fateful sacrifices of Kuill and IG-11 to save the Child from Imperial captivity. We also discuss the humorous sequence at the opening of Chapter 8, involving the two biker scouts with Baby Yoda, and examine the storytelling impact and thematic purpose of humor in conveying a moral message to the audience.

With Season Two of The Mandalorian premiering at the end of the month, our latest episode of Hyperspace Theories revisits the stories told in Season One. Between the three-episode opening arc and the two-episode conclusion falls a trio of distinct episodes that build and develop a number of important character dynamics. Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester discuss Chapter Four: Sanctuary, Chapter Five: The Gunslinger, and Chapter Six: The Prisoner and what they contribute to The Mandalorian’s story progression. Many of those developments involve the show’s central and titular character. Like the middle of a Campbellian journey, Mando faces tests and trials while encountering allies and enemies. These episodes, for example, reinforce Mando’s distaste for droids and his sworn commitment to never remove his helmet around other people. They also show his worldly experience, his tactical combat prowess and creativity, and the code of honor that plays a role in determining which adversaries he defeats but leaves alive – a

Teresa Delgado (Fangirls Going Rogue, Star Wars Bookworms) joins Tricia Barr and B.J. Priester of FANgirl Blog to discuss the concluding arc of The Clone Wars.