Sluggish Reaction: Obi-Wan Kenobi trailer 2

With the arrival of May the Fourth came a new trailer for Obi-Wan Kenobi and I got caught up in the whirlwind of the spectacle that’s going to come latder this month. I really liked the trailer it didn’t reveal any major story details that we don’t know already but added a few new hints about the world of the story. Let’s dive in!

This ship at the beginning looks cool. It kinda has a hero ship vibe to it and I’m hoping it’s Obi-Wan’s ship for when he travels away from Tatooine

I like this new shot of the Inquisitors on Tatooine. Also I’m getting over the redesign of the Grand Inquisitor and I’m just ready for some Star Wars fun and action.

Seeing the twirly-whirly Inquisitor sabers up close in live action is awesome!

Seeing this interaction between Obi-Wan and Owen was heartbreaking and intriguing. Joel Edgerton is great as Owen and it looks like we’re going to see the beginning of the rift between them. It’s interesting to see that Obi-Wan was fully expecting to take Luke on as a Padawan but it looks like Owen dissuades him.

It seems the Inquisitors are surprised at being tasked with hunting Obi-Wan. Maybe they’ve tried before and failed to find him. Also I don’t recognise the Mirialan-looking Inquisitor on the left but I’m not that clued up on Rebels etc.

When I saw these in the first trailer I thought they were escape pods but it looks like these are probe droids sent out to hunt for Jedi. On second viewing I caught the probe droid sound in the background.

WANTED
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Offenses: High Treason
Bounty upon capture#ObiWan pic.twitter.com/QhnmzcE4zi

— Blogga the Hutt (@BloggatheHutt) May 4, 2022

I did a quick translation of the Aurebesh on Oni-Wan’s wanted poster and posted it on my Twitter.

This looks like the return of 4-LOM from The Empire Strikes Back which is a nice piece of continuity!

Seeing him get into a street brawl with some thigs felt very Clone Wars, where we see Obi-Wan is not too shabby in a fistfight.

Just noticed there’s some Purge Troopers from Jedi: Fallen Order in this series too – that’s really cool!

We get a brief look at NED in action – I’m really looking forward to getting to know this character!!

This very much looks to be a Jedi on the run. My guess is he’ll be killed off early on to show the threat of the Inquisitors. I’m gonna go so far as to predict that the series will open with him being hunted and killed before moving to Obi-Wan

This little gizmo might actually be the next Star Wars cutie according to a report by Star Wars New Net which you can read HERE

I really like the ugly, boxy design of this ship here – it’s so Star Wars! Also I think there’s a GR-75 in the next shot.

And we get to see Vader! We’ve known about this since the series was announced but it was still really cool to see. I’m glad they’re not revealing too much yet but I’m sure this is going to be epic!!

22 Days to go!!!

Species of the week: Neimoidian

Designation: Sentient

Homeworld: Neimodia

Notable members: Nute Gunray, Rune Haako

Fandom: Star Wars

Appearances: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, The Clone Wars

Neimoidians are a humanoid race known for their calculating minds and greedy nature. This nature stemmed from the fact that as larval infants they were forced to compete with their brood for food and survival, meaning only those who acted in their self-interest made it to maturity. They are humanoid with red eyes and commonly have green skin. They bear a passing resemblence to the Duros, with whom they share a common anscestry. They are commonly associated with the Trade Federation, which had immense influence in the Republic Senate and was run by Neimoidians.

I’m doing a Prequel rewatch ready for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series this month and it seemed the perfect time to post about the first species seen on screen in this movie.

Guardian’s Log: The Shrine of Oryx (Destiny gameplay recap)

[Ok so I goofed and missed out a mission in my recap so this is out of order but anyway…]

Another call to the Moon to take down a wretched icon of the Hive. I wonder what it will take to finally rid us of these beasts.

Log

A legendary Warlock named Osiris warned of the Shrines of Oryx, a location he claimed must be destroyed if our doom is to be delayed, never mind prevented. Our recent exploration of the Hellmouth meant that we were ready to launch a strike at last.

Inside the Hive fortress I was surprised to see Fallen engaged in battle with the Hive. The Exiles normally keep to the surface but something must have happened to drive them below. At first I was content to let our enemies shoot it out with each other but I knew I had a job to do so I plunged into the fight.

This incursion gifted us a rare opportunity – a Fallen Baron had left the safety of his Skiff to lead their efforts, giving me the chance to take out a high profile target.

I’ve become more familiar with the Hellmouth than I’d ever want to be, but I still find something new when I visit. These pods seem to be used to ferry material to and from the depths of the Hive catacombs.

As I journeyed deeper, the tunnels changed – becoming more technological and less… creepy in nature.

The centre of the shrine was a vast spherical machine. My Ghost analysed it and detected a connection to a dark power beyond the solar system

We worked to sever the connection but the shrine was heavily defended by an army led by a monster. In the end we prevailed and the shrine was destroyed.

I don’t know what this mysterious power is, but I fear we will find our soon enough.

Grimoire

Frigoris, Exile Baron

The highest ranking member of the House of Exile observed. Given the rag tag nature of this House, he may have been their leader

Sardok, Eye of Oryx

Like a Knight in form but massive in stature, Sardok guards the Shrine of Oryx. Covered in pulsing green energy that blinds his opponents, he is a fearsome enemy.

---

Opinion

This was a fun one. I like seeing other factions fight each other! Sardok was a really cool boss too.

Species of the week: Torfan

Designation: Sentient

Homeworld: Torfa

Fandom: Marvel [MCU]

Appearances: Captain Marvel

The Torfan are a humanoid race with bony protrusions from their heads who live on the rocky planet Torfa. An impoverished race, they lived on the far borders of the Kree interstellar empire. When the Skrulls used their planet as a hiding place the planet was bombed by Kree Accusers and invaded by Starforce who were ambushed by Kree posing as Torfans.

I watched Captain Marvel again the other day and I love me a good background species. I was almost going to go with Flerken, but I have a feeling Goose will show up again at some point so I’ll post about them then!

So… I watched Star Wars: Visions

I’ve gradually watched my way through the Stat Wars Animé anthology on Disney+. While my preference would always be more canon content, I really enjoyed getting a different flavour of my favourite Sci-Fi.

The Duel

The Duel was a great beginning to this anthology with plenty of familiar elements but the black and white samurai film style marking it as something unique.

I thought the character of Ronin was really cool and the reveal that he was a Sith hunting down other Sith. The umbrella-saber was delightfully over the top and just a perfect example of what can be done when you don’t need to worry about in-universe logic. I would love to see more of this story and will have to read the tie-in novel at some point.

Tatooine Rhapsody

The one I was least interested in has ended up being my favourite!!! It was pure fun and, as far as I’m concerned, is canon until proven otherwise!!

The Padawan who found a way to move past Order 66 and still make a difference through music was such a sweet and simple story and I loved it!! The characters were fun and the song is really catchy!!

The Twins

This one was ok. I liked the  over-the-top visuals and the insane X-Wing riding action sequences. The story of the Twins was interesting but I found the narration and the dialogue a bit boring

The Village Bride

This one was good. I liked the story and the action and found the characters engaging in a short space of time. I liked the slow build up as the different groups disagreed on how to save their people but it all built up to a really satisfying battle as the Jedi let loose on her enemies. Definitely one I’ll watch again.

The Ninth Jedi

While Tatooine Rhapsody was my favourite, I would definitely say this one was the best. Set in a future where the Jedi are hunted the daughter of a lightsaber-smith makes a delivery to a convocation of Jedi and discovers her destiny.

I loved everything about this – the setting, the animation and the characters. There was some fun lore about lightsabers that really played into the story. I’ve heard rumours of a sequel… I really hope they’re true as I’d love this story to continue

T0-B1

This one was a bit weird but fun. The story of a droid who dreams of being a Jedi was sweet and I guess aimed at a younger audience than most of the other shorts. There were some interesting reveals, good action and more… I can’t fault anything in it – it just wasn’t for me.

The Elder

This one was really good. A simple story of two Jedi tracking down a dark force but with plenty of tension and twists and turns. Not much to say other than it was great!!

Lop and Ochō

This one was…ok. I liked the main character and the adoption theme. I guess everything overall with the Empire splitting the family was ok, it just didn’t grab me the way I’d hoped it would. I think maybe it was a bit similar to the Twins and betrayal felt like a recurring theme so it felt a bit predictable

Akakiri

I’d honestly forgotten about this one. I felt it was very slow and again another betrayal theme. Maybe I’m too indoctrinated into Western tropes and I want a happy ending but yeah, I didn’t enjoy this one

Ok so Star Wars: Visions is a fun project. I liked some episodes more than others but with such a variety it would be weird if I didn’t! I loved exploring Star Wars in new ways without needing to worry about canon and where literally anything could happen was great – I’d be up for a season 2!

Species of the Week: Dazreme

Designation: Sentient

Homeworld: Reme

Fandom: Halo

Appearances: Halo Encyclopedia

The Dazreme hail from Reme, an aquatic planet rich in Forerunner treasures. While humanoid on stature their physiology is piscine, featuring fins and gills. They are a part of the Covenant Fringe, though they are rarely seen even by high ranking members

I was really excited to read about this new species revealed in the Halo Encyclopedia!

Species of the week: Chistori

Designation: Sentient

Notable members: Desann, Cydon Prax

Fandom: Star Wars [Legends]

Appearances: Jedi Outcast, Dark Times

Chistori are a reptilian species that are a mystery to most of the galaxy due to the remoteness of their homeworld. Aggressive by nature when they did venture out into the galaxy they were frequently seen working as bounty hunters or assassins.

Their culture had no reference to the force so force-sensitive individuals were shunned by their society. One such individual named Desann, joined the Imperial Remnant and led a reborn order of Dark Jedi until he was stopped by Luke Skywalker and Kyle Katarn.

It was recently the anniversary of Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast so I thought it fitting to post about the awesome species of the main villain

Pilot Debriefing: Form the Vanguard (Star Wars: Squadrons gameplay recap)

Pilot Reporting: Caled Ors

Callsign: Vanguard Five

After years of war and lost friends I thought getting a cushy posting to Chandrilla was a dream come true. It was important work, guarding the New Republic capital, but there was even less action than back home on Artorias. I was glad of the rest but amid all the celebration and formality a thought bugged me – the war is finished, but the Empire isn’t. So when I got a call to rejoin the fleet and get back in the action I was almost relieved. There is still work to be done.

Pilot Debriefing

After arriving on the Temperance I made for the hangar. I was briefly introduced to other member and my squadron and the chief mechanic, who knows her stuff – she even had my R2 unit brought over from Chandrilla!!

In the briefing room I was greeted by an old friend and a legend. Lindon Javes, the Imperial defector now a New Republic officer, was the one who’d invited me to join Vanguard. Wedge Antilles, leader of Rogue Squadron, was taking point on the operation.

Our mission was to support Project Starhawk – something I’d only heard whispers of before now. Our scout ships had gone missing and command suspected the Imperials were responsible for blocking communications in the Brentaal system.

We found our targets – Imperial jamming ships as suspected. We strafed then until they were scrap metal.

With the interference gone we found the root cause of the problems in the sector – an Imperial light cruiser flanked by two more jammers. We were up against it but with the jammers gone we had reinforcements from the fleet and the cruiser and the threat to the system was gone.

Data Files

Kierah “Gunny” Koovah

The Mimbanese leader of Vanguard Squadron has seen a lifetime of war. She fought during the Clone Wars where she lost her arm and had a cybernetic replacement. When the Republic became the Empire her planet was hit hard early on and she fought for her home before the Rebellion was formed. She now flies as Vanguard Leader, piloting a U-Wing and works in a support as well as leadership role.

Gracalia Vatara Sienar

Known to her fellow pilots as Grace, she comes from the Sienar family, who made their fortune building TIE Fighters and other arms for the Empire. Rejecting her wealth and family, she joined the Rebellion and has more than proved her willingness to blow up the fighters her family finances. She is second-in-command and led my part of the mission from her X-Wing.

Fesers “Frisk” Tssat

Frisk boasts that he joined the Rebellion because they are the only ones who haven’t put a death mark on him! A smuggler who fell foul of Grand Admiral Thrawn by unknowingly delivering a counterfeit painting. A bit of a maverick, he nonetheless fits right in and flies as bomber from his Y-Wing.

Brentaal system

Located in the Bormea Sector of the Core Worlds, this system is where the Empire concentrated it’s jamming efforts to disrupt New Republic operations. It consists of a gas giant and a number of smaller planets and moons

[In Legends Brentaal-IV was the site of a key battle between Rogue Squadron and the 181st fighter wing in the early years of the New Republic]

Cavas

Cavas is a gas giant in the Brentaal sector. The Empire stationed it’s command cruiser for the jamming operation in high orbit above Cavas.

IGV-55 Surveilance Vessel

These jamming vessels are based on the hull of a Gozanti-cruiser with sensor and communications dishes mounted on top. These ships can be used for long range communications or espionage or they can be used to jam communications in a large region of space.

Species of the Week: Kaerkyn

Designation: Non-sentient

Homeworld: Eos

Fandom: Mass Effect

Appearances: Andromeda

Kaerkyn are insectoids native to the Andromeda galaxy. Large chitinous insects they have two large grasping pedipalps which they use for attack and foraging. They typically are seen in groups and make nests in underground burrows and in caves. To an armed settler they are not much of a threat individually but in large numbers they can pose a significant hazard.

I’m loving exploring Eos at the moment and getting swarmed by these critters really brought home the sense of adventure and anything could happen!

Sluggish Reaction: Picard S2 episodes 1 and 2

Well, the long awaited second season of Picard has arrived and I’ve caught the first two episodes so far. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve watched, so far I’d sya I enjoyed the first season more but I think that was just for the pure joy of having Jean-Luc on our screens again and now it is something more familiar. That said the first two episodes were solid and really contibue to dig deep into the character and his companions.

The important question

The series seems to be digging into the question of why Picard has never pursued love. The moment between him and Laris felt really genuine and I’m continually impressed by how they convey these deep menaingful connections between Picard and characters who’ve only shared a small amount of screen time with him.

Getting the band back together

The bulk of the first episode seemed to be about getting the cast into the positions they needed to be. It was a little predictable, but fine. I liked seeing Jean-Luc, Rios and Raffi back in good graces with Starfleet and seeing Elnor accepted as a Romulan in the Federation was great as they have all made positive moves forward with their lives before getting thrown back together for the inevitable chaos!!

That’s a lot of spaceships!!

We got a good look at a more diverse Federation fleet at the end of the opening episode, surrounding the new vessel the Stargazer as well as some other cool new designs and some of my favourites like the Akira-class. The attention to detail was amazing and you can check out amazing concept art for every ship in the fleet compiled by the amazing Spaceshipper on Twitter

[Thread] Star Trek Picard (S2, 2022): All the #PicardBTS ship threads in one place. pic.twitter.com/4UBe79xUvW

— The Spaceshipper 🚀 (@TheSpaceshipper) March 7, 2022

We want peace – resistance is futile!

The whole concept of the Bord seeking peace is so fascinating and, while it could all just be a trap, I’m inclined to think there’s something more going on and the call may be genuine and will be resolved in the end once Q’s detour is done with. The armoured design of the Queen was awesome and I loved the colossal Borg ship.

Let’s grow old together

It did make me laugh seeing two immortal characters give explanations for why they had aged in line with their human actor counterparts!! It was cool seeing Guinan again and I hope they get to finish their conversation. Q was great and seeing him act unhinged was genuinely scary. He’s always been a malevolent figure playing with Picard but it seems like he needs him to pass this test and that makes the stakes all the higher.

The road not taken

Seeing all the characters adjust to their new surroundings was fun. I liked how each was smart enough to not give anything away even as they were reeling from the shock. It tells of a crew with experience of the unknown and each is a pro in their own right.

I was a bit skeptical of the alternate setting, as we’d had similar stories in Discovery until they revealed that it wasn’t an alternate reality but rather a re-written one. That set the stakes high for a time-travel adventure as they frantically set up an escape plan with none other than the Borg Queen!!

I hope things settle down for the next couple of episodes as we’ve gone from big fleet battle to alternate world to time travel in a short time. It’s a fun ride but it doesn’t quite have the focus of season 1 yet, but I’m here for what comes and I’m loiving every minute!