Television: Another Star Wars Series Comes to Disney+

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Ahsoka, the main character in Disney’s new series Ahsoka. (Disney+)

If you thought that Disney had run out of Star Wars series ideas, you are far from the mark. The past few series have pulled a variety of stories from the movies, be it The Mandalorian or The Book of Boba Fett. However, the new series Ahsoka comes from the animated The Clone Wars series rather than the films. Is this going too far for the original fans?

The trailer for Ahsoka, which premieres on August 23rd, is fast-paced and intriguing, as expected. Yet Disney’s description is pretty sparse:

Set after the fall of the Empire, Ahsoka” follows the former Jedi Knight Ahsoka Tano as she investigates an emerging threat to a vulnerable galaxy.

So what do we know about this Ahsoka? The Star Wars page share this:

…prior to The Clone Wars, no one had known that Anakin Skywalker taught an apprentice — no one, that is, except George Lucas. In creating the character of Ahsoka Tano, George Lucas offered a vital point of view for the audience, one that kids could directly relate to as they watched the galactic confrontation between the Jedi Knights and Darth Sidious unfold. Ahsoka’s experiences could be their experiences, and as she grew up, so did they. Arriving first in the Clone Wars film, her journey unfolded in the series and beyond.

The eight-part series will also include Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker, giving it a little more heft as was the case with Luke Skywalker appearing on The Mandalorian.

I plan to watch a few episodes to see what Disney has created, though at the outset I have some doubts. Are we looking another The Book of Boba Fett (which was pretty bad) or Andor (which surpasses expectations)? I am eager to know.

Television: Season Two of Foundation

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Poster for season two of Foundation. (Apple TV+)

If you are not watching Foundation on Apple TV+, I recommend you give it a try. Season two begins today.

We need it during a summer with very few if any films touching on space fantasies (without Marvel or DC Comics superheros). The season two trailer will show you what is in store this season, but you need to start from the beginning with season one. You do not want to miss a minute of this series.

The Foundation television series is a cross between Dune and Game of Thrones, with plenty of corrupt dynasties, rebel alliances, and moral dilemmas. However, you should not expect it to closely track Issac Asimov’s books. It deviates from and expands on the themes from the books, but this television story is its own creature. You should enjoy the book and television series separately.

Back in 2021, Belen Edwards wrote a good piece for Mashable called “How Apple TV’s ‘Foundation’ is different from the books.” You will not need it if you are new to the overall story or willing to trust Apple TV+ to give you a good show, but if you are curious about the variations on a theme then this will satisfy that itch.

I am just happy that we have a summer space blockbuster to keep us satisfied. And it is a welcome addition to the constant renewal of Star Trek and Star Wars series. Don’t get me wrong. I want all of it. But Asimov’s universe is another great place to travel if only to better understand the world back here.

Podcast/Book Review: Jesuits Find an Exoplanet to Explore

Posted on by onespaceman2000

If you are looking for a new podcast as well as a new book, the two come together via the podcast Alienating the Audience. Comedian Andrew Heaton and his buddies have plenty of fun poking various science fiction topics, including Star Wars and Star Trek.

One of the recent episodes discussed a new book, The Sparrow, by author Mary Doria Russell. The story is about a group of Jesuits exploring a new planet with all of the mayhem that follows.

Here is a quick summary from the book itself:

A visionary work that combines speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry, The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a scientific mission entrusted with a profound task: to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life. The mission begins in faith, hope, and beauty, but a series of small misunderstandings brings it to a catastrophic end.

You can listen for yourself to this episode here at Jesuits in Space. But be careful, because there are a number of spoilers. You can always start with the book first, which is part of a series.

Credit: Ballantine Books

Disney Drops Out of the Star Wars Hotel Business

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): Promotional photo for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. (Disney)

Earlier I wrote about the high cost of attending a new Star Wars-themed hotel at Disney World in Florida. Well, the experiment has run its course and the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience will officially end September 30, 2023. You still have time to blow a bundle of money on this should that be your thing.

Who knew that there was a limited number of American families willing to pay up to $6,000 for an immersive Star Wars experience? Of course, it seemed a little extreme from day one.

I remember attending the Star Trek experience in Las Vegas at the Hilton hotel many years ago. The show was less than an hour, but it was also an immersive experience that ended with dinner at Quark’s Bar. You could have fund without taking a second mortgage on the house.

Sometimes simple can be better.

Note: I would not be surprised to see a version of this Star Wars hotel opens in Saudi Arabia or Dubai in the near future. They seem like a more appropriate locations for an over-the-top hotel bill.