WIP: Obi-wan/Satine; post-Brotherhood

This took over my head after reading this but from Mike Chen’s Brotherhood.

It was hard to avoid her. The latest passionate exhortation to choose neutrality, and prevent the war from escalating was all over the HoloNet. It was in a report prepared for the Council. Not just the text, as was the usual custom, but an audio and video recording, as well. He could console himself in that Yoda chose to only display the speech’s text. He could picture her so clearly in his mind’s eye, though. The blonde hair that would escape whatever coiffure she’d twisted it into to fall in wisps around her face. The color of her eyes that shifted from the crystalline blue waters of Scarif to the rich shade of the lapis mined on Draboon. The tiny line between her brows that would deepen during their frequent bickering arguments. The small, private smile she had just for him. The one that warmed him from the tips of his ears to the soles of his boots. Would she wear a dress in blue, her favorite color? Or would she wear something in dark pink? Or purple? He’d once relented on his birthday to look up images of her at some school opening she’d attended earlier in the day. She had worn green, his favorite color. He entertained the idea that she’d done it for him, because it was a color she rarely wore on its own. Her subtle way of saying hello from across the stars.

The question still haunted him. What if he’d done what was good for his soul, and bent the Code? Perhaps then, he could function as though he didn’t share a single brain cell with Anakin. Like a ginger tooka or lothcat.

‘Master Obi-wan, insights you have on the Duchess?’ Yoda’s warble startled him from his uncharacteristic reverie.

Obi-wan took a moment to reposition himself in the chair, crossing his ankle over his opposite knee. ‘I’m afraid anything I might have to add is sadly outdated.’ He spread his hands apart in mute apology. ‘I haven’t seen or spoken to the Duchess in sixteen years.’

Sixteen years, eight months, and twenty-five days to be exact. But who was counting?

‘Know her best on the Council, you do,’ persisted Yoda.

Obi-wan resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. Yoda wouldn’t give up so easily. It was just good policy to keep a place as potentially volatile as Mandalore in the back of one’s mind. Unbidden, the memory of dozens of tiny, seemingly inconsequential intimacies arose. The scent of her perfume, faded after a long day, whispering in the hollow of her throat. The touch of her hand against his cheek. The way she twirled a lock of hair around her index finger while she read. Even how she bit her lip just before her head fell back as she… He twitched his robes to drape over his hips a little more securely, and tried with all his might to let it go. ‘She is a committed pacifist. Trying to persuade her to aid the side of the Republic would only waste our time and hers. It would be a futile endeavour.’

‘Even for the Great Negotiator?’ Kit Fisto grinned slyly.

‘Especially for the Great Negotiator,’ Obi-wan said firmly. Satine would see it as a personal challenge to find a hundred ways to call him a pompous ass in the most diplomatic language possible, if not the tone.

3. GLOVES

DINCEMBER 2022

DIN DJARIN X READER

Din longs for so much more, but he never thought you could see him as anything other than a friend.

genre: fluff, light angst

word count: 835

a/n: I guess this is going to play out like a series now, albeit one told in micro scenes rather than a fully flushed plot. I hope you all enjoy this part!

PREVIOUS || SERIES MASTERLIST

The leather of Din’s gloves pulls taught against his knuckles as his hands clench into fists by his sides. If he didn’t know how sturdy the gloves are, he would fear that the well worn material might tear apart at the seams. He’s not so sure he isn’t breaking apart just so himself. Surely you can see it, the way you pull at the loose threads of him until he is at risk of unraveling.

 Din is glad you aren’t looking at his hands. You’re practically glowing, excitement from your solo journey into town clear to see. Your eyes search for his, the dark T of his visor giving nothing away. It’s his only defense now.  

His beskar covers the spiraling emotions that he’s certain would be clear on his face for you to see. He hides everything about himself. His whole life is tucked away between steel walls and dark fabric, never revealing anything more than he has to. Hiding is just a part of survival. It always has been. From the moment he took his Creed, he accepted that there may never be another time when someone truly knows him. But somehow, you and the child have wormed your way beneath the beskar and made a home in the space beside his heart. 

He didn’t mean to fall so hard. 

When Din took you on as a member of his crew, with no set parameters to your job beyond helping to keep the ship flying and the kid safe, it had been a practical decision. As much as Din tried to care for Grogu to the best of his abilities, he was standing alone against the entire Galaxy, and when it comes to shooting down bounty hunters or playing with the child, he’s always forced to choose the latter. Having someone to help bear that weight was necessary in order to find some semblance of balance between the two. 

You were soft, breakable, nothing like the usual mercenaries and assassins that Din associates with. He nearly didn’t take you with him, too afraid of you becoming another burden rather than a much needed helping hand. But when a fight broke out and you held your own, albeit a little rough in your form, a scrappy but relentless fighter, he realized that you were exactly what he needed in his crew. He just didn’t know how much more than that you would become. 

Even with his growing affections, Din never suspected you might feel the same way. He’s your boss, technically. And while the two of you stand on equal footing when it comes to decisions made around the Crest, he always doubted you would ever see him as anything more. He wants nothing more than to pull you to him and hold you close. He’s terrified of pushing you away.   

“—think you would like it.” You smile, content to share with him the tales of your journey with Din.

He doesn’t hear everything you're saying, although he wishes he did. This is an important moment, after all. You’re happy, relaxed, and for the first time in a long time, he doesn’t feel the need to keep a close eye on his surroundings. There are no threats hiding in the trees or lurking in the town. 

Blood rushes to his ears and burns across his cheeks as you lean in a little closer as you tell your story. He feels like a teenager with a crush, a real one, not whatever he had with Xi’an when he first set out to make a name for himself. This is something deeper, long term, terrifying. 

You know more about Mandalorian customs than most seem to. His people were never just ghosts or characters in fairy tales to you, even if most of what you know pertains to the aruetiise who claimed to be New Mandalorians prior to the glassing of Mandalore. You accepted him for who he is, Creed and all, from the very beginning. Curiosity is inevitable, but you’ve never asked him to take off his helmet, to give up everything he is. 

Din never believed you could see him as more than a friend, not with so much standing between you. But you’re so close now, eyes alight. Maybe, just maybe, he was wrong. 

He hopes he was wrong.  

Din relaxes his hands, his fingers stiff as they uncurl from his palms. He reaches out, pulling the cloak from your shoulders before the snow can melt into the clothes beneath. He doesn’t want you getting sick. 

He can feel the heat of you even through the leather of his gloves. It’s not the first time he wishes he could take the gloves off, to reach out and feel the texture of your skin against bare fingertips. He wishes he didn’t have to hide. 

He sets the cloak aside and reaches out for you again, taking your hand in his. A fortress stands between your palms.   

“Next time we’ll go together,” he says. “I promise.”

NEXT PART

taglist: @dontletyourchildrenwatchthis

Star Wars Ahsoka: "The Jedi, The Witch, and the Warlord" - Review

Ahsoka closes out in a fun, frustrating, and occasionally beautiful finale.

With little time remaining before Grand Admiral Thrawn makes his jump back to the known galaxy, Ahsoka, Sabine, and Ezra race against time to stop the start of an apocalyptic war.

It becomes clear early on that "The Jedi, The Witch, and The Warlord" isn't going to provide Ahsoka viewers much in the way of closure. To some degree, this is expected. We know that there are plenty of stories to come in the Mandoverse, including a feature film written and directed by series showrunner Dave Filoni. It makes sense that there will be dangling plot threads and cliffhangers, but I don't think most viewers expected to be left hanging with so many questions left to carry.

Much of this comes down to the somewhat truncated focus of Ahsoka's finale. Despite our expansive ensemble of characters and competing motivations, "The Jedi, The Witch, and the Warlord" comes down to a fast paced mission of our three central Jedi attempting to stop Thrawn's escape. Emotionally or thematically, Filoni wants this to be a story about the master-apprentice relationship between Sabine and Ahsoka and it's here where the episode both triumphs and fumbles most dramatically.

After six long weeks of confusion and guessing, we finally get some answer regarding what happened between these two women. Huyang tells Ezra and us that Ahsoka abandoned Sabine after the destruction of Mandalore and her family, fearing that training her apprentice further would risk her falling to the Dark Side. There's some interesting symmetry here where you can read Ahsoka's decision as being motivated by the trauma of Anakin's fall, but this is, once again, mostly conjecture.

There's still a lot about Sabine's Jedi training and eventual status as a Jedi that feels cloudy. It appears as if Dave Filoni's script is trying to do away with any purely genetic requirements regarding Force Sensitivity and that is something that feels thematically welcome and does away with a lot of the icky talk about bloodlines that plagues this franchise so much. If this is the case however and Ahsoka is making the case that, with the right training, anyone can be a Jedi, it's not actually communicated clearly in the narrative itself. Much of this comes down to the circumstances and motivations behind Ahsoka's decision to train Sabine in the first place. It's a strange plot set up that the series wants us to take for granted, but never quite congealed in a way that allowed the viewer to understand this on either an emotional or narrative level. The persistent vagueness concerning Ahsoka's recent history is ultimately this season's original and cardinal sin and ends up tanking much of what this story tries to offer.

Speaking of Sabine, as nice as it is to see her begin to embrace her Jedi status and ultimately make a selfless decision to rescue her friend, the much foreshadowed confrontation between her and Ezra regarding the role she played in Thrawn's potential escape never materializes. It simply never comes up in conversation. Ezra just seems to accept that suddenly, at the same time that his surrogate sister and Ahsoka arrive on planet, Thrawn has also gained the ability to leave the galaxy he's been trapped in for a decade. It's a strange move made all the stranger given how much attention was paid to Sabine purposefully not telling Ezra in the two episodes prior.

That all being said, there is something inherently thrilling and exciting in seeing our three heroes ride into battle together against Thrawn's forces. And given the animosity and frustration that defined their relationship at the show's start, it is somewhat satisfying to watch the playfulness and serenity that takes over the two women at our story's center.

Also, there's just a lot of fun dumb spectacle. While the execution and choreography sometimes left something to be desired, I kind of loved that we finally get to see some zombie Stormtroopers. It's silly, pulpy fantasy fun and there's a fun creepiness to seeing the groaning corpses of Imperial troopers rise from the ground to fight once again. I'm particularly a fan of the zombified Deathtroopers (now true twice over) and how they actually snap and snarl like Walking Dead style infected.

Equally fun is Ahsoka's fast and flashy duel against Morgan Elsbeth. While Morgan never really felt like a character that came into her own, the lore nerd inside me really enjoyed getting to see her initiation into becoming a full Nightsister and having the Three Mothers bestow upon her the sword of Talzin (!!!). Also just having a sword glow with green flame is kind of badass and it makes for an flashy counter to Ahsoka's twin white blades. Here, the saber choreography finally matches up to the masterful work we saw back in "Fallen Jedi" and we are treated to a nasty and fast moving showdown between witch and Jedi. There's not much in the way of stakes or emotional weight here, but it sure as hell looks cool. I guess that kind of defines much of my thoughts about this finale in general? It's a damn fun time to watch, but I'm not sure if most of this will end up sticking in my mind.

The one exception to this is the extended denouement that takes up the closing minutes of this season (maybe the series?) of Ahsoka. Kevin Kiner and his talented family treat us to a haunting and quietly sad instrumental track that shows just where all of our many cast members are left. Thrawn and his new Nightsister allies arrive over the red skies of Dathomir, their vengeance in sight. A lost and dejected Shin wanders in a Howler to a camp of Peridea's bandits, announcing herself as an ally and new potential leader. Baylan Skoll (this series' most interesting character which makes the passing of Ray Stevenson all the more tragic) travels closer to his mysterious goal, gazing out at a fiery mountain in the distance while perched atop giant statues of the Mortis gods. (I guess there might be truth to those Abeloth theories after all?) Ezra is reunited with Hera in a moment that is emotional, but not quite as hard hitting as it could have been. And Sabine and Ahsoka settle into their new lives on a barren world, separated from everyone they knew, but resolved in their trust in one another and whatever future journey they face. The spirit of Anakin Skywalker watches them from afar, proud of how far his apprentice has come.

It's a moving ending even if a lot of it comes down to strong direction by Rick Famuyiwa and the Kiners' dependably great musical score. It leaves Ahsoka slightly better off than where it began, but still a frustrating series. While it undeniably showed more flashes of inspiration and promise than any Lucasfilm's live action shows with the exception of Andor, Ahsoka remains a fascinatingly clunky series. In a way, Dave Filoni has finally followed in the footsteps of his own master, creating an intriguing, often visually exciting, and sometimes beautiful space fantasy that's ultimately undone by its awkward plotting and stilted characterization. The mantle really has been passed on. For better and for worse, the apprentice has become the master.

Score: B-

you know, actually delving on youtube on videos of people talking about s3 of the mandalorian, i think i actually narrowed the problem for me? and like how people feel like din and grogu aren’t main characters anymore? because tbh, i’d say no character is actually the main character, just vehicules to the storyline, and that’s where it defeats the purpose of the story to begin with? it’s like how the plot drives the show, rather than the characters driving it. it’s the usual problem of writers wanting to put too much in a season. which happens to a lot of tv shows, and can be course-corrected right the next season, hopefully. because yes, you could argue that din djarin and grogu “took a backseat” this season, “they have no evolution” blah blah... but ignore din and grogu for one second. let’s say that yes, bo katan is the center of the season, the main character. what is her journey? what is emotionally her evolution? we see none of that. she’s taken here and there by the storyline, not even fighting it. like on episode 2 she challenges din on his belief system, still mocks the children of the watch, calling their beliefs “children’s stories”. but then at the end of episode 3 (where we barely see her because it’s the pershing episode), she actually joins the covert and is left like “???” at the end of the episode. yet on episode 4, nope, she doesn’t question it, she doesn’t challenge it, she’s just there, because actually the storyline needs her to blend into this group to actually understand their way of life and vision of the mandalorian culture. she loses her ancestral family home, and at no point does the show explore that, the emotional devastation it probably is for her, to lose what could be her last connection to her family that has been wiped out by the empire, the clone wars, etc. on the clone wars and rebels, bo katan is actually a complex character, being challenged by the storyline, struggling and evolving. on the mandalorian, she’s pretty stale because the storyline needs her to be. she’s passive in her own story, taking the darksaber even tho she has shown no prior sign of wanting it (on s3, i mean), getting back with the night owls even tho they supposedly betrayed her and abandoned her. like... no hard feelings about that? since when? and then you have the armorer. if we’re to believe emily swallow’s interviews from the star wars celebration, her accepting that bo katan walks both ways is actually a true evolution from the armorer. her challenging her views, changing her ways and accepting that mandalorians have different visions of their belief system. yet, on the book of boba fett, the armorer was still head-on saying that mandalore fell because so many mandalorians fell out of the way. so why not actually show this evolution through the season? well because the storyline needs to move forward, and they don’t have time to show it. same goes for din and grogu. we have so little emotional scenes of grogu and din, actually being reunited about what is supposed to be two years, grogu engaging on this path of becoming a mandalorian apprentice, and barely any emotional reward to these storylines. again, because the show doesn’t have time. and that’s what has been bothering me about, again, the two big monsters attacks on the mandalorians, we’ve got stuff being repeated, yet not enough time for rewarding, character-centric moments. again, action, plot, over characters. and that’s saying that, looking back at s3 structural intention. and i don’t know what plot-point i would deem uninteresting or not worthy of being on the show. i actually really loved that episode 6 took time to explore the separatists remnants and this whole political idea of the plazier-15 system, so i wouldn’t throw all the episode to the garbage, just like i loved how the nevarro storyline tied in with greef karga giving refuge to the mandalorians. just like i liked how “the foundling” explored this sense of family and belonging amongst the mandalorians as people, together, rebuilding and working together. just like idc, i loved the criticism of the new republic and the complexity of rebuilding after the damages of the empire, that were shown on episode 3. in universe, all these plot points are important to give depths to the background of the story, and what will ultimately be the setting of not only the mandalorian, but the ahsoka show, and the movie that will follow. i’d argue myself that it also tended to happen on the earlier seasons, but we felt it less because it was just din and grogu, with the occasional recurring characters visiting. but here where the stakes are higher, and the group of characters bigger, we feel it more. we have less din and grogu, because they’re part of an ensemble, but also we have no real character, so it’s like, kinda hard to understand why we don’t have as much din and grogu as before, yknow?? i do think the story wouldn’t have felt that way if the writing had been more challenging with the characters’ inner motivations, and not just din and grogu, but bo katan as well. she would have been a more compelling character to root for for “general audience” (who don’t know her from the clone wars and rebels) when she gets the darksaber at the end of episode 6. and yes, din finding a way to have grogu belong would have been more satisfying had he questioned his faith, their clan among the bigger clans and the future of mandalore etc. could the show still do it on s4? i believe so, but it could have been something for s3 as well. i guess then i’ll circle back to saying that either the episodes needed to be longer, or they needed one to two more episodes to this season, and i feel like it could have been a way better balanced storyline, giving to the characters and the plot real time to shine.

What was the whole point of proposing the promised section of land on Nevarro as an incentive for the Mandalorians to come to their aid if the Armorer is just going to turn right around and propose they go back to the garbage planet with arguably little viable agriculturally sustainable land. What exactly on a practical level are they hoping to rebuild?

As much as I would love to see a variety of Mandalorian architects, engineers, tradesmen, builders, and mechanics working together, they won’t be able to do anything for long without food or immediate shelter. It doesn’t matter how many (apparently vastly ideologically different) clans you bring together, civic centers aren’t built first. If they want a centralized industrial civilization like they’re implying, it starts with agriculture and sustainable communities that Mandalore as we’ve seen it can’t support. Going right back to the bombed out capital city or even other cities isn’t a rational next step because prior to this, the impression the show/universe has given us is that these clans are nomadic fighters by necessity since everyone and their mom hunts down and kills Mandalorians for their armor. Mandalorians’ primary skillsets are ones of fighting and defense, using these skills as freelance warriors for hire in order to obtain money or goods to bring back to the group— We haven’t even seen this specific covert do anything that demonstrates regular survival skills like hunting, fishing, gathering, building, etc. They haven’t even shown us a bed.

Mando isn’t the only character being written with little character consistency or intelligent storytelling. Neither Bo-Katan or the Armorer are being written well either, and any element of plot is given the “eh, take it or leave it” treatment. Not giving this season a solid foundation means everything that stems from it is going to be worse by default.

Hi!

I love all your work and I am very excited for the end of More Than Blood. Tol'ket is one of my favorites, so I was just wondering what little things about him that you know, but haven't made it into the SSTW'verse? If you want to share. Thank you! :)

Oh, Tol'ket, my man. I do love him. Funny how he has grown so fully into such a rich character when all he was meant to be was a human shaped wall for Obi-Wan to talk at (much like Cody in canon). That was all he was originally meant to be, but he grew a little, and then he had his fist interaction with Bo-Katan and his character development took off from there.

So, here's a few things from the deep Tol'ket lore that have either not been mentioned in the stories, or are only briefly touched upon (and a few out of universe facts):

In my head, he originally looked like a hybrid of Oscar Issac and Jason Momoa. His appearance was actually based on a character I played around with in an original story. But then @duchess-of-mandalore fancast him as Michael Ealy (this guy):

and the image stuck. This is Tol'ket.

If you wonder what he sounds like (apart from a deep voice), he has a slight British accent (what I call a "Sundari" accent). It isn't as pronounced as Satine's or Korkie's (Lily, too, actually, in my head), but it's not as American, like Bo-Katan's (aka, a "Concordian" accent).

I think he mentions all of his siblings somewhere along the line. He is one of six, the third born. He had three brothers and two sisters. And, yes, they all died in the civil war.

Again, it was definitely discussed in universe, but he was raised by his grandfather, who had been a Protector at some point prior to raising his small herd of baby Tol'kets. The baby Tol'kets mother died of illness shortly after the youngest was born, and their father (their grandfather's son) lost it and left (or that was his nature all along and he just needed the catalyst to do it). Ba'buir Tol'ket took his only son's grandkids and gave them a happy home. Their father ultimately ended up on the Death Watch side of the war.

Tol'ket was raised in a farming community. Our man is a farm boy! I have a little headcanon that there are "ag domes" on Mandalore. Essentially domes like Sundari, but they're mostly big raised garden beds instead of cities. His family had a small plot where they raised crops.

Tol'ket's grandfather, a true Mandalorian, heeded to call of his Mand'alor (Adonai Kryze) and went to war. He ultimately believed in the peace Adonai talked about, and was devastated at the death of Adonai's wife. So, he wanted to help. His grandchildren tried in vain to talk him out of it. Instead, they all went, leaving their family farm, and joining up. The youngest was 13. Tol'ket (who is two years older than Satine) was about 18.

Tol'ket spent time with the Kryzes (the whole family) as a small boy, though he doesn't remember meeting either of the girls (he DOES remember Adonai, who was imposing). He went to a ceremony and party honoring his grandfather and his dedication as a Protector, and met the duke there, along with the duke's children (Bo would have been an infant).

Tol'ket's election as prime minister was won handily. While he doubted his ability to sway the people, he didn't understand just how respected he really was. He also had a natural instinct for campaigning, knowing just how to kiss babies and make people want to have a beer with him. But he also had good ideas and, having not been raised as royalty, fighting in and SURVIVING the civil war, and seeing life, first hand, from a variety of places in Mandalorian culture, his understanding of the people he served is very deep and dynamic. He's a GOOD politician. He is in his second term in MTB, and has potential for a third.

Tol'ket loves trying new food. He's eaten some strange things from all over the galaxy. But his favorite will always be space noodles (aka, space ramen). As a Protector, he was on a first name basis with the owner of his favorite noodle shop in Sundari. He tried to go as often as he could, but they also delivered to him a lot, since he's a workaholic. They still deliver to him....now as the prime minister.

His caf addiction is a serious issue.

He tends to be a worrier, though he hides it well.

He likes houseplants. He also pins lots of container gardening ideas to his space Pinterest board. He just doesn't have the time to do that. That being said, he can sometimes be found helping the gardeners in the royal gardens. He also pushes a lot of ag friendly and reclamation projects as prime minister.

He truly had never intended to get married of have children. He was extremely committed to his job as head Protector, and was totally fulfilled with that. Then that certain red head came along and changed everything.

He was one of the first people to respond to the call for people to join the effort to rebuild the Protectors. Obi-Wan admired the man almost from the get go, and hand selected him to be head Protector within the first two years of Satine's reign.

I could probably go on and on and on, but these are a few things we just don't get to talk about much in the story, but I think about A LOT. If you have more questions, I'm always happy to talk about him! (Or Aled, or Greer! Or even Isabet!).

Here's a writing question for you!

I'm currently dabbling in a fanfic who's show has 80 episodes total; I know there's no way I can do them all (or want to do them all) without it taking up all my time for years. How did you decide which arcs and episodes you wanted to do for the Clone Wars chapters?

Well I knew Grim was going to be with Obi-Wan throughout the majority of the story so I eliminated most episodes that didn't have Obi-Wan in them or have Obi-Wan as a center focus. I also figured that if there was an episode where Anakin & Obi-Wan together that didn't have Ahsoka prior to her leaving the Order it was likely that Grim wouldn't be there either so I eliminated those episodes as well.

Umbara is a major exception because I wanted Grim to be able to change things for that arc. The Orders Arc is also an exception because again I wanted Grim to be able to change things.

(I'm putting the rest of my writing process breakdown under the cut because it goes through every episode chapter I wrote and why I chose that episode)

In the end I ended up writing these episodes and arcs based off the following criteria:

Dooku Captured: Was not a full episode rewrite I only did where Ahsoka was at the beginning and had it referenced as a background plot happening. (This was chapter 3)

The Blue Shadow Virus + Mystery Of A Thousand Moons: Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka were all in the same episodes so I decided that Grim could be with them. However I stuck her with Ahsoka rather than Obi-Wan as to have the Padawans stick together. (Chapter 4)

Innocents Of Ryloth: While this has multiple episodes in an arc I stuck with just this one episode as it was the only one that has Obi-Wan as a major plot. Although it focused more on Waxer & Boil. Which left room for adapting things to my own taste. I figured Grim could be with Obi-Wan as Ahsoka was with Anakin in the prior episode and this was still the same mission. (Chapter 5)

Holocron Heist Arc: Again Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka were altogether at the beginning of this arc and the major conflict in the first episode took place at the Jedi Temple itself. From there I just kept her with Obi-Wan. Although I did omit the second episode of this arc due to the lack of Obi-Wan. (Chapter 6)

Bounty Hunters: The Disaster Trio was together (Chapter 7)

Landing At Point Rain: The whole trio was there even though they were separated so I just stuck Grim with Obi-Wan. (Chapter 9)

Legacy Of Terror: Despite the fact that Ahsoka wasn't there that was due to her recovering with Barriss. Grim wasn't in the last episode as she was recovering with Obi-Wan. So basically I figured I could put Grim into this episode as she would be with Obi-Wan not Ahsoka. (Chapter 10)

The Mandalore Plot + Voyage Of Temptation: It was Obi-Wan centric so I figured I could put Grim into these episodes. Especially considering Obi-Wan's mission started as a diplomatic mission to simply investigate rumors. A great opportunity to teach his Padawan. I omitted the last episode of this arc as I felt Grim wouldn't involve herself with it as it was no longer a mission and mainly Obi-Wan helping Satine of his own accord. Plus it was more Satine focused rather than Obi-Wan focused. (Chapter 12)

The Mortis Arc: I had this planned since I created Grim + The Disaster Trio was altogether (Chapter 13)

The Citadel Arc: I thought Grim would sneak along with Ahsoka and would want to save Even Piell & Echo. (Chapter 15)

Umbara Arc: An exception to my usual criteria. My biggest one for this was I wanted Grim to change things relating to Krell. So I had her get permission to go on the mission with Obi-Wan and then sneak away to go with Anakin's side of the battle instead. (Chapter 16)

Zygerria Arc: The Disaster Trio was together. Although I stuck her with Obi-Wan for more whump :) (Chapter 18)

Deception Arc: How could I write an OC who is a Padawan of Obi-Wan Kenobi and not write this arc? I stuck her with Anakin & Ahsoka for the most part although she did get in trouble for going and doing things on her own. *cough* *cough* Fighting Sith Lords (Chapter 20)

Revenge: Obi-Wan was there. Although he did not give permission for Grim to go with him, I figured Grim would want to stop Obi-Wan from being tortured. This backfired horribly but still. (Chapter 22)

Onderon Rebellion Arc: Disaster Trio was altogether in the first episode and then for the rest of the episodes I figured Grim would want to stay with Ahsoka as they're girlfriends. Plus Grim wanted to save Steela. (Chapter 24)

Revival: I just wanted Grim to be with Obi-Wan. Plus she wanted to save Adi Gallia. (Chapter 25)

The Lawless: Obi-Wan centric + Grim wanted to save Satine (Chapter 26)

The Wrong Jedi Arc: Was I supposed to have an OC who is girlfriends with Ahsoka and not write this arc? For the most part this arc took place in the background as I wanted to focus on Grim who wasn't with Ahsoka because she was trying to prepare herself to let go of her. (Chapter 28)

Orders Arc: Originally planned and written as just the episode "Orders" to have Grim attempt to save Fives. Although for the rewrite I'm having Grim having followed Anakin to try to save Tiplar and then Fives to try and save Tup + expose Order 66 (Chapter 29)

Old Friends Not Forgotten: I only did the first half of the episode as Grim sticks with Anakin and Obi-Wan to Revenge Of The Sith. This was done under the criteria of Disaster Trio together & Grim wouldn't have been able to be in the beginning of Revenge Of The Sith if she wasn't in this episode. (Chapter 30)

So basically my major criteria for which episodes to use was: Is Obi-Wan there? (Their dynamic is central to the story and what it revolves around) Would Obi-Wan let his teenage Padawan follow him through x event(s)? (If he wouldn't then it wouldn't make sense for her to be there without having snuck along and Obi-Wan might be out of character.) Is there something Grim wants to change/prevent? (Her main goal and motivation throughout the entire story is wanting to change the ending and save as many lives as possible. She said herself that if there's a chance to save lives then she wouldn't pass it up. So she can't pass it up.)

You probably did not want a full breakdown of this process of TCWGANV but uh I hope it helps 😅

I think the most evil plotline I'll ever write is in Illicit Affairs, the arc in the clone wars when Obi-Wan fakes his death. He tries to give Rhea a heads up but the message doesn't quite come across. She doesn't feel him die when it happens, so she's effectively on her knees screaming that he's not dead with Anakin and Ahsoka both trying to pull her off as the council go to take the body.

Prior to this I'll have the season 2 arc with Mandalore, except Obi-Wan does everything in his power to keep his wife from finding out he's been assigned to see Satine since she knows enough to put together that it was her he was in love with and he doesn't want to cause an argument or upset her. It's a well intentioned but very bad mistake. Nothing happens between them but it's enough Anakin keys into the history along with Padmé.

So she's at Obi-Wan's funeral, having been literally sedated to get her there without a single care about what the council knows, and then Satine is there. It's going to be at her husbands funeral she finds out he'd lied to her and had seen Satine without her knowing. She shelves that considering he's dead, and her and Anakin decide to get revenge no matter the cost. To the point the council has to call Padmé in to intervene.

The council's lowkey always known about them, but at that point it's no longer a look the other way and pretend we don't kind of thing when she's that out of her mind. Eventually her and Anakin track down Obi-Wan when he's disguised as the bounty hunter and it's only when Rhea's about to murder him he slips up and escapes with her realising what he's done. At this point her and Anakin are partners in crime and are horrified and in complete disblief, trauma bonded to the max.

"I can't believe he never told you," Anakin says, that being the one thing I can't believe either. "I'm his padawan, he doesn't tell me anything. But you're his wife."

Hell she's even got Yoda apologising to her once he's realised he has the chosen one and count dooku's former apprentice about to commit murder together and drops the fact that he knew all along about her and Obi-Wan while Anakin keeps his mouth properly shut and his head down.

She's always had a bit of a vengeful streak in her, and she's just saw her husband die, thinks he might have cheated on her (he's innocent but still lied), and now he's suddenly alive and has lied to her to protect palpatine.

Knowing damn well Obi-Wan's in the room she walks into the warehouse on Naboo where Dooku's plotting and swears herself as his apprentice again (she doesn't even know if it's a lie or not at that point) just to hurt Obi-wan a fraction as much as he's hurt her. She is out for pure blood at that point. She's plotting Palpatine's assassination with Dooku and committing treason against the order and the republic right in front of Obi-Wan whose still in disguise and at that point the only thing stopped her from returning to dooku is the fact he tried to kill Padmé because she is just that done with the jedi by that point.

So when she tracks down Obi-Wan the next day when he's in that watch tower she lets all hell fly loose, but still keeps the Satine thing shelved for now (partly because she was that drugged up at the funeral she's still processing if that interaction was even real). And the fact that the whole plot was to protect palpatine, the person she hates more than anyone in the galaxy... she would trump anakin on his worst day, well except for his last one. She's torn between wanting to break down and cry with relief because he's alive and putting him back in that coffin herself. They'll eventually make it up enough to complete the mission, but when Obi-Wan confesses about Satina in the midst of Maul returning that will be the last straw.

He's going to accidentally both drag Padmé and Anakin into it with the "It was innocent, nothing but professional, Padmé even saw us in the senate you can ask her" and finding out Padmé and Anakin had also known and not told her... she's going to take off and they won't work things out for quite a long time.

I've written a lot of angst, but this arc is the worst of it. I'd written it a year and a half ago, then decided to rewrite the story so it was less insta-love and followed canon better. So... that will be a fun one to write again

“Got it,” he nods slowly, studying the space. “My best friend’s boyfriend was part of a plot to overthrow the Duchess.” He starts. “It went horribly wrong. They killed her, he took the throne… Mandalore perished for at least a year- the time sort of bleeds together, we were all so tense and scared. Mostly for our women. He was a cruel… cruel man,” he shakes his head.

“The time came and we knew what we had to do- my best friend was going to. He was the descendant of a prior King, with the last name to fit it. But when it came time to kill the man he’d seen so differently in his bed compared to the ruler he’d become… he couldn’t do it.” He shakes his head again, tracing the edge of one of his thigh plates.

“He nearly died, in that challenge with Drogr. He was going to die- and then something just took over me and I stepped in. I stopped the challenge, which in most cases would mean interference punishable by death. But Drogr, he’d had enough of me. Enough of Clan Fett. House Fett. So he decided to challenge me instead.”

“I barely walked away, but he did not take a single breath after that fight. And then I was king. All because, in my father’s scared and relieved words, I cared too much about a friend. I love what I do. I love my planet and my people. But my gods, what a weight it is on my shoulders at times.”

I list quietly, nodding at times to show I understand, before reaching out and clasping his shoulder, “you’re a good man, then. And a good ruler to match it. Not anyone could have built a home for their people so quickly.”

“The… galaxy works in mysterious ways. Whatever gods you believe I’m always have a way to right the wrongs and bring what’s best.”

Or someone utterly destroys everything to the point where the Force sings mournfully.

“Also don’t worry, Hunter heard that whole thing,” I nod, “wolf ears, I swear.”

So happy to see you posting again! As excited as I am for the upcoming chapter... I can't help but wonder, what thoughts and opinions Elara would have on the mandalorian culture? Not just obi wans past with satine, ya know? Would she ask obi wan? What kind of Conversation would that be? 

I think that Elara would be fascinated by the culture and their history. Because, surely, she heard of the Mandalorians while growing up on Tatooine. Heard age-old war stories in the cantina, probably had some tall tales that circulated amongst the children. She probably grew up hearing about the mighty Mandalorians; and she’d also have heard about their change to peaceful neutrality. Which, as a child/young adult was nothing more than a part of a story to her.

But now that she’s older, that she’s experienced the Galaxy, and experienced WAR—she’d be so interested in how they came to be such a notoriously neutral system. I think that Elara would find their dedication to peace admirable. And a lot of this is going to be discussed in upcoming chapters, but she does find the upholding of peace as a pristine, easy, problemless ideal a bit tricky. Because peace, very often, isn’t born of peace. It’s tricky. It often is born (especially in this universe) out of conflict; and you can’t ignore the problems that brings. Which is something that Elara is going to love picking the brain of a certain Mandalorian Duchess about.

It’s seemed to me that Obi-Wan doesn’t talk about his time spent on Mandalore. It’s made clear in The Clone Wars episodes that he didn’t tell Anakin about it till he had to. And if he didn’t tell Ani, he definitely did NOT tell Elara. It was such a big life moment for him, changing the way he looked at emotion and love and attachment, that I think it’s one of the things he keeps closest to his chest. So I think Elara would be doing a good chunk of research in her own prior to being drawn into this part of the plot. However, once she knows Obi-Wan had spent sizable time on Mandalore, there would definitely be questions… about the culture, the history… what it was like spending time there… 👀

But that’s all to come in the new chapters!!

In Defense of The Mandalorian Season Two

A look into how the writing of season two actually reflects the same writing as the original trilogy, most notably The Empire Strikes Back.

DISCLAIMER: This post is in no way trying to refute the opinions of others! I know that, to many, the writing of season two was a let down. I’m simply here to share my opinion on why I thought it was well done, but I’m very open to critiques and discussions (as long as they’re started with good intentions).

Below the cut, I’ll be discussing the similarities of the plot/story’s structure to that of The Empire Strikes Back, how season two acts as a bridge between seasons, and the “dropped” items that many have been concerned with.

SEASON TWO AND THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK: DEVELOPMENT AND SETUP

One of the biggest critiques I’ve seen about season two is that it set up a lot of major opportunities for the development of the story and Din and never went in depth on those. Some of these things include Din being told he’s in a cult called the Children of the Watch, the acquisition of the Darksaber, and the removal of his helmet. These are all things we caught glimpses and hints of, but we never saw any resolution for—not even any processing from Din. This left many feeling unsatisfied by the end of the season.

Much like how viewers must’ve felt at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, prior to the release of Return of the Jedi.

This sounds like a stretch, doesn’t it? But hear me out:

A BIG REVELATION: Din realizes that other Mandalorians can remove their helmets and that Mandalore may not be cursed after all. Similarly, Luke finds out he’s the son of Darth Vader. Neither one of these things is mentioned again in their respective season/movie.

A BIG QUESTION MARK: Din doesn’t know where Grogu’s being taken for training or how to contact Luke again and we also don’t know where he’s at in terms of his “helmet rule.” Similarly, Han Solo is sitting in enemy hands, captured and frozen in carbonite with an unknown fate by the time the movie ends.

IN MEDIA RES: Din’s just found out that he’s now the rightful heir to the throne of Mandalore as he wields the Darksaber and we know this is something he’ll have to acknowledge later. Similarly, Luke’s been training as a Jedi been abandoned his training to save his friends, leaving his status as a Jedi Knight unknown but hinted at being finished later down the line.

As you can see, both season two and TESB ended with huge things that were just... left there. We never get to see how they’re resolved or how exactly the characters will deal with all this information that’s been thrown at them. Instead, we’re left with the shadow of their consequences, feeling as if we’re being left on the edge of our seats.

Evidently, this plays out much differently in a show than it does in a movie because there’s a broader range of screen time/story time. That’s why some of these revelations have to come earlier in the season than they would in a movie. The timeline of season two is short as it is; truly, as far as we know, the whole thing takes place over just a few days. Naturally, then, it makes sense that Din wouldn’t have been processing events very quickly—especially with everything he has to do for Grogu at the forefront of his mind.

The idea with both these pieces is the long-run. We’re not looking at the story over just one season/movie anymore like we did with season one of The Mandalorian and A New Hope. This is going into something so much bigger and we’re truly only in the rising action of it all. We have to look past just this season and to the overall picture of Din’s story. If we got all the answers this season, there wouldn’t be much to work with in season three, especially in terms of Din’s character development. The foreshadowing with these season two events is setting up so much potential for Din’s character to be focused on as much as ever in season three, which—as a huge Din Djarin fan—is so exciting to me!

SEASON TWO AS A BRIDGE

Season three was confirmed by Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon) before season two even released. Thus, it’s obvious that in the minds of the crew, season two is a stepping stone to the future of the story. If season one was the setup of our smaller story, then season two is the beginning of the larger one. The Mandalorian universe is expanding and thus the time that the story takes must also grow with it.

We can expect that all the big ideas season two set up—Din questioning his Way, starting to remove his helmet in front of others, earning the Darksaber, etc.—will be explored in more depth in the coming seasons. While the main goal of season two was still to return Grogu to his people (which did happen!), it also started to give us hints as to what’s coming for Din’s character and story. After all, this show is called The Mandalorian. It’s about time we learn more about that character and not just his relationship with Grogu, as touching as that part of him is!

BUT WHAT ABOUT...?

THE SILVER BALL?

The silver ball has been a very touching symbol of Din and Grogu’s connection ever since season one. It’s made appearances in Chapter 3: The Sin, Chapter 6: The Prisoner, Chapter 13: The Jedi, and Chapter 14: The Tragedy. In Chapter 3, it was a symbol of how Din’s feelings towards Grogu changed during the episode, where he initially denied him access to the silver ball and then later offered it to him to play with. Yet again in season one we see Din give the ball to Grogu after his run-in with the gang. Then, we don’t see it again until Grogu takes it himself in Chapter 13 and it becomes the very thing that gets Grogu to willingly use the Force, especially with Din’s help.

While this all hints at the silver ball being a key symbol in their relationship, it’s not something that’s been absolutely imperative to their bond. It wasn’t brought up again in either season finale, much to many’s displeasure particularly in season two. I think the reason why Din ends up keeping it is because:

It gives him something to remember Grogu by.

Other than the beskar spear, it’s the only piece of the Crest Din has left.

My prediction is that, should Din buy another ship/a new model of the Crest, he may be able to put the ball in that ship—and then when he reunites with Grogu, his son will be very excited upon spotting it in Din’s new ship. Had Grogu taken it, Luke might’ve taken it away from him, too, because the little womp rat was obviously very distracted by it whenever he had it!

THE MYTHOSAUR NECKLACE?

Yet again, the Mythosaur necklace is a touching symbol of Din and Grogu’s bond. It only makes one appearance in the entire show, though—Chapter 8: Redemption. Not once is it even mentioned before or after. We only see it twice in that episode: first when Din’s dying and he hands it to Cara and second when Din realizes Grogu has it and is chewing on it.

I’m not sure the necklace was meant to have as much weight as we gave it. I believe it might’ve just been a symbol of the fact that Din’s finally accepted Grogu as his foundling, just as Din once was himself. I assume Grogu still has the necklace tucked under his robes and that’s why we don’t see it again in season two. But the fact that it only appeared very briefly in one episode means that it most likely was just a one-and-done idea, which is much different than something like the silver ball.

GROGU NOT WANTING TO LEAVE DIN AND VICE VERSA?

One of the biggest themes of this season was letting go. For Din, it was letting go of his fear over Grogu’s safety and the restrictions of his Way. For Grogu, it was letting go of his fear over using his powers and his deep attachment to Din. While obviously leaving each other was not ideal for either one of them, in the end, it’s what they had to do. Din had to do what was best for Grogu, which was to let him train so he can control his powers. Grogu had to train so Din wouldn’t be risking his life so much to protect him and so he could abandon his fear of leaving his father.

Evidently, by the time they’re saying goodbye, it’s bittersweet—because Din’s proud of Grogu and Grogu’s determined/excited to train, but they’re both obviously going to miss each other. But truly, this is where the season’s been leading us. We had hopes they might stay together, but ultimately, Grogu needs to be trained!

IN CONCLUSION

This season left a lot of unanswered questions—because it wanted to. These weren’t plot holes. These were moments of foreshadowing for later, when Din and Grogu began to have their development on their own rather than together. A big lesson we learned from season one is that every moment of screen time counts. The same goes for season two. We can expect every untied thread from season two to be tied off by the time the series ends—whether that be in season three or season four.

So, Star Wars buddies, y’all remember how I wrote that soulmate AU a couple years back...

Well, When You Pry it From My Cold, Dead Chest is finally getting a continuation. The new story will be posted in about a month as part of @kalluzebminibang‘s mini bang event, but the first chapter is available right now on my Patreon. So if you still remember my odd little story, if it touched your life in some way and you’ve maaaaaybe got a few spare dollars lying around for a rainy day, you can hop on over and be one of the first to see the start of the new fic.

But for now, if you haven’t got the spare change but are still excited for the new story, here’s a little sneak peek at the upcoming You Can Take My heart, You Can Take My Breath.

~*~

 Ever since returning from Mandalore, Kanan had been working with him to try and figure out a way to regain his soulmark. Nothing they'd tried had come anywhere close to succeeding. Zeb still possessed amber in his field of vision, and would occasionally report other flashes of color flickering in and out. So it seemed the problem lay not with him, but with Kallus himself.

 These last few days, he had gone out early in the morning to meet with the Jedi, before he had to be on shift and before Kanan would meet up with Ezra for their own regular training. But this was even earlier than he normally woke. He doubted Kanan would even be awake yet. Even so, he would head out, maybe take a little extra time to get into the necessary head space...

 "I know you're not goin' out at this un-Ashla hour," Zeb grumbled from the bunk just as he finished dressing. "Y'should come back to bed."

 Kallus gave a fond sigh as he crossed the few steps back to the bed, dropping to one knee beside it. "I will do no one any good lying here unable to sleep," he said, leaning down to press a kiss to his partner's lips. "Go back to sleep, my love. I'll return in an hour or so."

 "Mm, there's other things we can do if you can't sleep, y'know," Zeb mumbled, voice thick with sleep.

 "Be reasonable, Garazeb," he started with a small laugh. "We can't have sex every time I can't sleep."

 "We could. It's an option. You're just choosing not to."

 Again Alex laughed, placating his lover with one last kiss. "Maybe so, but you at least require sleep, and if you're a good boy and get enough rest, I promise you can kriff me up against the wall when I get back."

 "Promise?" the Lasat grumbled peevishly as he rolled away from him.

 "Promise."

 "Fine. But I'm holdin' you to that. I don't care how late we are for morning shift."

 "Fair enough," Kallus conceded as he got back to his feet.

 "L'ashkerrir an," Zeb mumbled, barely awake.

 Kallus stopped in the doorway at the sound of those words, feeling that same flutter of unbound joy in his heart as he had the very first time Zeb had spoken them. He hoped it never stopped.

 "And I you...my dearest Zeb," he said softly, adoringly, before allowing the door to slide closed behind him.

 Kallus took no weapons with him when he departed the Ghost, despite every instinct he had always begging him to. The very first time they'd gone out into the jungle, Kanan had insisted he wouldn't need any weapons.

 "Are you crazy?" he'd asked, certain the knight hadn't yet been informed about the local fauna. "Do you have any idea what's out there?"

 Kanan had simply given him a shit-eating grin and offered up cryptically, "Only what you take with you."

 Whatever that meant. Still, Kallus had obeyed, and he had not found cause to doubt Kanan yet. This particular morning was no different, if not a touch earlier than even he rose. The sky had barely begun to lighten as he moved through the dense jungle. He'd likely have had trouble finding his way if he didn't already know where he was going. However, much to his surprise, their usual clearing was not deserted when he arrived.

 "Couldn't sleep?" Kanan asked as Kallus stepped into the circle, clearly having been sitting in meditation for some time already. As had been the case on all the mornings prior, he was not wearing his typical mask.

 "I don't know that I've slept properly since Atollon," he admitted, tired of his own stoic front. He had learned quickly that the knight could read him like a holobook. "Though neither, it seems, could you."

 "Call it a hunch," the Jedi said, nodding to indicate he ought to sit down beside him. "Feel up to contemplating your innermost self this fine morning?"

 "As much as one ever is 'up' for such a task," he conceded as he came to sit beside the man he had previously hunted. "Though Zeb did try to argue that it isn't even properly morning yet."

 "And he was right. Unfortunately for those of us with normal biorhythms, the Force says 'jump' when and where it wants to, so we mortals must abide. Let me see your arm," he said, holding out his hand.

 "See, Kanan?" he joked half-heartedly as he rolled up the sleeve of his jacket, resting his forearm in the Jedi's outstretched hand.

 "I can see better than you can right now," Kanan returned in a similar tone, caught somewhere between joking and serious. Exhaling, he brought his other hand up to run his fingers over the skin where the soulmark had once been, and when he winced at whatever it was he was feeling, Kallus was once again grateful not to be able to feel it.

 "Close your eyes," the Jedi told him.

 Kallus did as he was bid, easily quieting the skeptical voice in his mind that had grown smaller and smaller since he'd watched the inquisitor burn away a piece of his soul.

 "Quiet your mind," Kanan coached him.

 Kallus knew the Jedi had not found it easy to convince him to let go of the tight patterns of control Imperial conditioning had worked him into. He still didn't find it easy to just...let go. To give up control of his mind and his thoughts and allow himself to just...be. The closest he came was his state of mind when engaged in a particularly fierce fight ― the sort where he had gone beyond gauging his opponent and plotting his own moves and had simply become lost in the rhythm of the moment...the dance of it. He couldn't say how much time had passed when he became aware of Kanan's voice again.

 "When you first realized Zeb was your soulmate...what did you feel?"

 "Relief," he answered without having to think about it. "Even though I had tried- to give it up...I had feared that my partner had died soon after Lasan. There was something...freeing...in finally hearing those words spoken aloud."

 "But...?"

 "That relief was immediately followed by anger."

 "Because he was your enemy?"

 "Because I was his."

 "What do you mean?"

 "I think I had always known...from the moment I was able to understand the words on my arm...that there would be enmity between my partner and I. The older I became, the more I was prepared to hate myself...for all of it. When the moment finally came...all I had left was anger...hatred...for him, myself...for the galaxy and everyone in it. I tried to tell myself I'd done the only thing I could do..."

 "But you knew different."

 "Deep down...I suppose...yes. I didn't begin to consider the implications of any of it until after Bahryn...and then everything was happening so quickly...and Zeb was forgiving me everything...even if he shouldn't have done. I loved him...so fiercely in those days. I clung to it when I was weak...in my darkest moments..."

 "And then you were captured."

 Kallus gasped, any response he might've had slipping away from him as the memories pierced his awareness, sharp and unforgiving.

 Thrawn's red eyes...his cruel sneer...

 The inquisitor's chilling voice...her molten, scorching touch as she-

 "NO!" he cries out in anguish, struggling to pull back, to turn away from the horror of it.

 "No. Don't run from this. Stand your ground, Fulcrum," the Jedi's voice comes to him again, firm but not unkind, guiding him in the darkness. "We're so close now."

 So Alex let the memory play out, trembling, but not looking away as he relived his worst moment.

 "It- broke me...when that bond was cut," he recounted, his voice unsteady. "I had bled for it...killed for it...in a way, I had died for it...and they took it from me. As easy as peeling off a glove...they stole a part of my heart from me...the part that was good...that was true and worth saving...the part that Zeb loved. They stole it from me," he hissed, feeling the sting of tears as they pushed their way through his closed eyelids.

 "Do you really believe that?" he heard Kanan asking him. "That the part of you that's worth saving is lost?"

 "Yes," he answered, voice still unsteady, but certain. "I don't- doubt his love...but why should someone as wonderful as Garazeb Orrelios...be bound to such a broken creature as this?" He had taken comfort in Zeb's promises...after Atollon...but did he believe himself worthy of them?

 No.

 "That's it, then."

 Inhaling sharply, Kallus suddenly found himself blinking his eyes open in the grey pre-dawn light to find Kanan now sitting in front of him, unseeing eyes gazing rather pointedly into his. Kallus had to resist the urge to pull back from him.

 "I...what?"

 "That's why you haven't been able to regain your soulmark. It's because you aren't certain you deserve to have it...that you don't want Zeb to be tied to you when, in your view, he has the chance to be free."

 "It- would seem so. Yes," he said quietly, achingly, as he let his gaze drop to the small patch of dirt that separated them.

 "Then there isn't anything I can do to help you," Kanan told him, reaching a hand up to grip his shoulder. "Until you know what it is that the two of you share, that bond won't return."

 Kallus inhaled slowly before giving a long sigh and looking up at the Jedi. "I understand. Thank you for everything you've done."

 "Don't give it up for lost yet, Kallus," Kanan scolded him mildly as he climbed to his feet. "Zeb's a stubborn one. He'll help you scrub out that Imperial mindset. You just need to give him a chance to prove himself. Go back to him. You two can probably get in a little extra time before the day gets going."

 "Right. I'll...catch up with you," he said, voice still little more than a whisper. Not watching Kanan go, the only indication he had that the younger man had done so was the quiet sound of his footfalls.

~*~

Interested yet? Wanna see some more? Come check out the full chapter over on Patreon.

My thoughts on the Mandalorian seasons 1 and 2

The Mandalorian was yet again another show which I was late to catch up on. I had been meaning to for a while but just kept forgetting. I will admit, I was a little skeptical whether I would like the show. While I enjoy all the movies on some level or another, I am not exactly a big Star Wars guy. My experience with Star Wars is predominantly with the Skywalker saga and the two standalone movies, Solo and Rogue One, which are pretty tied into stories and characters from the Skywalker saga. I have not read any of the books or watched Clone Wars or Rebels or any other animated material apart from maybe a random episode or two. So I really didn't know if this show would entertain me. After finishing both seasons, I will say I was wrong for the most part. The show is fun, but I will also say that its not a complete home run for me and I can imagine its a lot more appealing to those who are more deeply invested in Star Wars lore.

It took me a couple of episodes to really get into the show. Initially, it was a bit tough for me to get invested, which is doubly hard with a main character whose face we don't get to see. Chapter 3 is where I started to enjoy the show on an action/adventure spectacle level and you also start to get attached to the bond between the Mandalorian and baby Yoda or Grogu as we find out in season 2. There is no doubt that the strength of this show lies in parent/child relationship between the Mandalorian and Grogu. Grogu is almost impossibly cute and I have to give credit to whomever designed the puppet and its movements because that was done perfectly. Because he is so adorable, its easy for us to connect with the Mandalorian's protective instinct and therefore develop a connection with him. Also, the scale and scope of the show is impressive. We get different environments, big fight set pieces, and lots of different creatures, all movie quality or at least close to movie quality. The only wonky SFX moment is Luke's appearance at the end of season 2. Initially its impressive, but the blank expression on his face makes the CGI more noticeable especially given the scene pans between Pedro Pascal's face and Hamill's CGI face and there is distinct difference.

The show is pretty thin on plot. There is not much to it. Season 1 is the Mandalorian going from place to place to protect Grogu from hunters until he encounters Moss Gideon by season end, and season 2 is the Mandalorian going from place to place to find the Jedi so that he can return Grogu to them while he is pursued by Gideon. There's not really much else to the show so far. Its basically all about individual adventures he has each episode and the characters he meets with and interacts with. There is a bit of repetitiveness to it that does get a bit tiring. But mostly the show is able to give enough interesting characters and big action set pieces to feel fairly involved. Where the show gets into a bit of problem for me is in season 2 where it takes the audience's knowledge for granted. Season 1 feels like its own thing for the most part. It doesn't feel like you need to know anything or anyone else from the Star Wars universe other than what is introduced. Not completely the case with season 2. I accept that this is a "me" problem, but I was lost when they introduced Ahsoka Tano until I later read who she was. For an outsider, that episode reads like a pure spinoff setup because nothing happens in the episode from the perspective of the Mandalorian. I don't know who Thrax is so I have no idea what Ahsoka is hunting. Mando goes looking for a Jedi, and then he is pointed to yet another location where he might find a Jedi. Also, I felt lost regarding Bo-Katan, whose pursuit for Gideon and the dark saber is an important part, but unless you know who Bo-Katan is from prior source material, you do feel a bit lost as I was until I read up who she was. Nothing against Rosario Dawson and Katie Sackhoff. Both are excellent but the show clearly expects that the audience already knows and cares about these characters. Boba Fett I knew from the movies, although I admit I have always found that character's popularity rather funny since he's really not a particularly big part of the OT. How he survives being eaten alive is still a big mystery to me, but not one that bothers me too much.

The performances are all solid. Pedro Pascal only shows his face 3 times across 2 seasons, but he certainly nails the goodbye scene with Grogu. He does a lot of emoting through his voice even though he is supposed to be this badass warrior. You feel the softening of his voice when he is interacting with Grogu or a few of his friends. It was lovely to see carl Weathers again. He has always had a very likable presence. Gina Carano is pretty good as Cara Dune. Min-Na Wen is always welcome in her couple of appearances. Despite my disconnect with the characters, Rosario Dawson and Katie Sackhoff are excellent in their roles. Giancarlo Esposito is excellent as he always is as Moss Gideon. Timothy Olyphant shows up for an episode. Michael Biehn is also in an episode. Billy Burke shows up for a couple of episodes and does a nice job, particularly in the season 2 episode. Nobody here is winning any emmys but all the actors are doing a strong job.

In the end, the first 2 seasons are enjoyable but not necessary a show that I have loved. Good but not great seems appropriate. I'm sure more hardcore Star Wars fans would get a lot more out of it. What the show does have is heart and the central relationship between Mando and Grogu really works. Which also makes me wonder what the show will be moving forward. I think it was a bold, but correct move, to seemingly end the story of Grogu. There is only so long you can do Mando carrying around Grogu from place to place. But what is the Mandalorian going to do now. I assume this will connect with Bo-Katan and the fight to restore the planet of Mandalore and the complication that arises since Mando is the owner of the Dark Saber by defeating Gideon. I guess we will see when it comes out. Overall, the show is about a 7.5/10.

TCW Rewatch: 1.13 “Jedi Crash”

Wait, really, legobiwan? You’re coming back to this after how many months? (Why yes, I am. Somehow having my schedule overfill with real-life commitments has only emboldened my desire to create content. Blame it on the coffee and sleep deprivation.)

So anyway -

Aayla, Anakin, and Ahoksa (Triple A-Team! Obi-wan would have hated that name) are in the Quell System in the Outer Rim facing off against the droids and some plot machinations which really aren’t all that important. Anakin ends up defending the Gang with a maneuver that is...*puts finger to chin*...somehow familiar... 

I’m onto you, Filoni.

(It should go on the record that just prior to this, we rhyme in A form (as opposed to the above B form) as Anakin jumps from a ship to hang awkwardly off a droid in another act that is wholly reminiscent of someone we know and love quite well.)

No, he’s not sure. He didn’t even consider the question. 

And you have have the absolute gall to complain, Kenobi. Honestly.

Anyway, Anakin’s actions (and Obi-wan’s, by extension, because - let’s be honest, Yularen has already seen the Best Of YouTube channel of Obi-wan’s recklessness and later proclaims him to be more insane than Anakin in the Gambit/Siege series and he knows the space apple doesn’t fall all that far from the space tree). Unsurprisingly, Anakin’s foray into BASE Jumping without a wingsuit prompts Yularen to ask a question he likely knows the answer to already:

To which Aayla responds:

No wonder Yularen defected to the Empire.

So Anakin is more or less taken out Kanan roast-style, but manages to survive the encounter with what I assume is a nasty concussion. Ahsoka and Aayla drag his unconscious form along as the gang lands on some unnamed planet. 

And...they have to leave Anakin behind as they go to find help. This sets up the inevitable “I cannot leave my Master alone” conundrum but what I find interesting is that Rex and a few other clones are going to be there to guard and take care of Anakin. Meaning that Ahsoka 1) doesn’t wholly trust the clones yet (ah, how things will change come Season 7) and 2) that Aayla is actually using this as a teaching moment for Ahsoka as there is no real inherent risk. The clones can guard and look after Anakin just fine. But Aayla wants to convey the message that the Jedi can’t save one life over thousands of lives. (A theme that comes up again and again and is not as straightforward as Aayla puts it here, as it is this exact idea that the Jedi struggle with in terms of how far they can interfere on a galactic scale.)

This notion is also intriguing given the conversation that happens between the droids below. 

I honestly want to see that battle droid go rogue and on a killing spree of droids and sentient alike because of their experiences in the war. That would be...an intriguing story to write. 

I’VE READ THE EU, AAYLA, YOU TWO AREN’T FOOLING ANYONE.

Okay, but Ahsoka gets medical help from the small dude’s son, but not before family leader makes this interesting statement:

“If the protesters didn’t burn shit down/loot/create a disturbance/etc, then I would support them.” It’s not that easy. Nor that straightforward. And what I find interesting is the concept that TCW is overall told from Ahsoka’s point of view, which would explain the more black-and-white morality of the earlier episodes. This being said, it’s something she still struggles with up until the end, not being able to totally understand (or perhaps, more accurately, not willing) the political situation Mace and Obi-wan are in vis-à-vis the invasion of Mandalore and the Council’s actions. And I credit this with her being a student of Anakin, who is the original diametric thinker (you are with me or against me, you love me or you don’t, which makes sense in that as a child, he is either free or not-free - that definition is like being only a “little pregnant.”)

But large philosophical debates aside, can we appreciate the fact the animation team reused the Destroyer Droid rolly thing for our medic friend?

Anakin waking up in a somewhat Lilliputian scenario is hilarious.

And finally, have the random, amusing screengrab for free. Ha!

yea ik it’s been like 3 weeks since I finished the mandalorian but I finally wanna be cranky on main about chapter 15 

bc no one else seems to be talking about it

I just ??????? okay. 

For the most part, I enjoyed the episode. The fighting was cool, Bill Burr makes me laugh, and I think Mayfeld’s arc in the episode and the perspective put on the Empire and Imperial troopers was VERY cool. Like, to hear hero music for Imperial troopers because they’ve come to the rescue of our disguised heroes? That is some of the coolest shit I’ve seen come out of a property like Star Wars. 

...But I think the scene where Din takes his helmet off (and has to sit with it off for like, 5-7 minutes) is the laziest writing the entire series has had to offer. Which is SUCH a bummer. 

Let’s look at the scene: 

Mayfeld is supposed to go up to the...let’s say, “coordinate kiosk” because I’m too lazy to look up specifics atm. Only he can’t, because he’s afraid of being recognized by his former superior. Okay, so far so good. This looks like some expected conflict to me. Now, maybe it’s just my sci-fi trained brain, familiar with genre tropes where facial recognition tech is an issue for the infiltrating hero because they need the face or the finger print or the retina of someone on the inside to get the information they need. Because, at this point, I’m expecting the conflict of “Mayfeld can’t do it” to turn into an adventure of getting the coordinates some other way. 

But, when the kiosk remains their only option and Din elects to get the coordinates himself and the conflict then becomes: “oh, you can’t do it not because you don’t have imperial credentials, but because it’s against your creed to remove your helmet” the scene really starts to fall apart for me. 

Don’t get me wrong; I understand that every episode prior to this (and even Mayfeld’s conversation with Din earlier that same episode) has exposed Din to some alternative ideas and thinking about what it means to be a (good) Mandalorian. I actually think that is a VERY cool track to put his character on as he meets other Mandalorians and eventually becomes accidental king of Mandalore (however it is they choose to explore and continue that). So, I’m not mad about Din eventually taking his helmet off, on his own terms, and for Grogu’s sake. The series sets him up for that! It tracks! But, I’m having a really hard time buying that imperial, or ex-imperial, or whatever access is granted to anyone with a face. Like???

It’s 👏🏻 bad 👏🏻 writing !!! 👏🏻

Think of some OTHER reason he has to take his helmet off for Grogu (if you need two in a season THAT bad) !!!! 

To make matters even WORSE, Din has to take his helmet off because Mayfeld is so worried about being recognized by Valin Hess but then he waltzes in front of the man to cover Din’s ass anyway. 

For a character like Din, whose pretty defined by his dedication and loyalty to the way of the Mandalorian (as he knows it), and his insistence to covering his face (TO THE POINT OF LIKE, ACCEPTING DEATH OVER A FACE REVEAL C. S1 FINALE), this moment should have been handled with WAY more TLC. Season one finale? Where IG-11 says “I am no living thing” ????? Not a goddamn plot hole in sight. That shit was TIGHT. That was THE way to give us Din’s face after 8 episodes of buildup (not to mention resolve his established distrust with droids. GOOD! SHIT!). 

In order to make this a proper compliment sandwich, Mayfeld having to cover Din was funny. “Brown Eyes” is FUNNY. That dynamic of exposed, awkward, and uncomfortable Din saved by fast talking Mayfeld? GOOD CONTENT. I’d even argue to say it adds something to Din’s character and how out of his element he was standing there bare faced when we’ve seen him as such a skilled, smart, and intuitive fighter up to this point. I will even give Pedro Pascal the highest of praise with his performance there, really selling that discomfort and vulnerability because even though my disbelief was spent, my heart was racing because despite my disappointment, the moment was tense. 

But man ... that shit was whack. 

WISHLIST 

[ I can’t believe I forgot this. Feel free to message me if you want anything or if you have an idea I didn’t think of. No sudden threads without prior consultation, please! ]

Explore Obi-Wan post-Order 66. Comes with the full territory of trauma and severe angst.

Dark side verse, where he falls to the dark side. This can be set anytime.

Consort of Mandalore verse. Your muse does not have to be Satine. We can follow the vanilla TCW-verse with her death and how he’s struggling to grasp this new world without her. Or this can be set during The Mandalorian.

Rebel-verse / Bounty Hunter in general. This Kenobi may be more ferocious, depending on the story. The darkest timeline would be Darth Vader has kidnapped Luke Skywalker and he’s going to tear the universe apart to find him.

Time-travel has much chaotic potential I wish to explore whether it be with Mandalorian, Sequel or any Old / High Republic blogs.

N7 Obi-Wan N7 Obi-Wan. 

Supernatural hunter Kenobi ala Bloodborne.

Old Republic verse ( I just want Kreia to roast him ).

Modern verse Obi-Wan is alright with me. I personally like zombie apocalypse plots.

Fantasy-verse!

Role-reversal. Your muse is the master and Obi-Wan is the padawan.

Set after Anakin’s knighthood or even post-Order 66, Obi-Wan reluctantly picks up a new padawan to teach.

I’d personally love to explore more of his feelings towards the canon characters. Anakin, Qui-Gon, Satine, Luke, Bo-Katan, Ahsoka, etc etc… A lot of people. Of course, some love for my OCs too. Plop them down and let’s see where it goes. Challenge him, make him squirm, make him question his entire existence. :3

I mean, I’m not opposed to a very long and painful ship building too.