There’s one last Lost Mission to watch as the Clone Wars and the Hondo Caravan draw to a close today. We won’t keep you waiting though so let’s get right to Yoda’s adventure!
Report: Disney Prohibits EU Characters from Star Wars Weekend Motorcade
A fan dressed as Baron Fel marches in the 2013 Star Wars Weekends motorcade.
Update: It appears it’s the 501st acting on their own rather than Disney calling for this. Brian has written an open letter to the 501st in response.
One of the most popular events at Disney’s Star Wars Weekends is the Celebrity Motorcade that travels down Hollywood Boulevard to the stage hear the Sorcerer’s Hat. Fans line the streets to watch Disney characters, celebrity guests, and costumed fans from the 501st and the Rebel Legion. One of my favorite things about the motorcade is picking out all the Expanded Universe characters and yelling out their names to give them love. Popular EU appearances have been Mara Jade, Baron Fel, Starkiller (both versions), Revan, Darth Nihilus, Juno Eclipse…the list goes on.
According to a post on the Disboards, Disney is getting more strict this year when it comes to fan costumes, and is outright prohibiting certain Expanded Universe characters, including Mara Jade, from participating in the motorcade.
Darth Nihilus intimidates spectators.
This isn’t surprising, considering Disney has already retired the Hyperspace Hoopla, a popular dance-off type event with Star Wars characters, some speculate in order to “be more serious” about their characters in anticipation of new films being released. Why allow characters like Mara Jade to participate in the motorcade if they’re rendered non-canon by the Sequel Trilogy? It makes sense.
But it’s still incredibly disappointing, both to fans who made the costumes and fans like me who really enjoy seeing EU characters represented and get some love. In previous parades, I’ve heard the hosts call out Mara Jade and explain that she was the Emperor’s Hand and later Luke Skywalker’s wife. I’ve also heard them do this with characters like Revan and Starkiller. (One of my favorite moments was seeing a young boy freak out and yell, “There’s no way that was Darth Revan!”)
I’ve always been realistic when it comes to the future of the EU and the characters I love, but I didn’t expect Disney to kick ’em out of the parade. I guess I’ll have to get my fill of EU characters at conventions.
Edit: I’ve learned from 501st members that while certain EU characters like Revan and Starkiller are still allowed to march in the parade, the majority have been prohibited, including post-RotJ characters. And standards for Jawas (must be under 5 feet) and Jedi robes (must be standard colors) have been clamped down.
Even Admiral Daala was represented in the motorcade.
This is Madness: Wes Janson wants you to vote #TeamWedge
I’m Wes Janson, and I want you to vote Wedge Antilles.
As official spokesperson of #TeamWedge, it’s my solemn duty to campaign for the stalwart commanding officer of Rogue Squadron. Now, Wedge is a pretty humble guy. He’d never campaign for himself (unlike some other folks) and would rather let his actions speak for themself.
I, however, have no qualms about bragging on Wedge’s behalf.
Look at this soldier.
He’s the picture of calm. When everyone’s freaking out over Endor, Wedge is sitting back in his X-Wing and says “Yeah, I got this.”
Did I mention that was the second Death Star that Wedge went up against? That’s right, Vote Wedge Antilles, because Death Stars are no match for him.
Need to sack Coruscant? Vote Wedge Antilles. Need to hunt down an Imperial warlord while disguised as a pirate (That’s right, Wedge is both a Rebel hero AND a pirate)? Vote Wedge Antilles. Need Corellia’s most eligible bachelor three years running? Vote Wedge Antilles.
Now, we’ve got nothing against Hondo, but there’s no getting around his choices are suspect. Vote for a protocol droid instead of gazillion time combat ace Wedge Antilles? That’s just crazy talk.
Vote Wedge Antilles, because he makes Death Stars go supernova. But if you don’t believe me, maybe you’ll listen to this guy…
The Star Wars Character Tournament (MUST vote for WEDGE now!) http://t.co/KlldcWQnGY
— Michael A Stackpole (@MikeStackpole) March 12, 2014
As for the rest of your play-in votes…
You’re going to want to go Ahsoka Tano over the other Jedi. She stood up to the entire Jedi Council and resigned to do what was right. Wedge Antilles has done that a time or two. Besides, I heard that Mace Windu guy was kind of a jerk.
In the Imperial play-in round, there’s really no good choices because who wants to vote for those bucketheads? But if you have to, go with Admiral Piett, because nothing says Imperial leadership like assuming command by default.
Finally in the bounty hunter play-in, go with Dengar, because headgear is cool.
Hondo Caravan: Time For Teamwork
We’re back with the Hondo Caravan for another arc of the Lost Missions. This time, we’re focusing on Padmé as she goes to negotiate with the Banking Clan and encounters an old acquaintance along the way and then heading off to a strange planet with a very unlikely duo.
Review: The Star Wars #6
The Star Wars #6 by J.W. Rinzler and Mike Mayhew hits comic stores everywhere today. We’re nearing the end of The Star Wars and our first draft heroes aren’t any closer to saving the galaxy.
They made it to space but that’s not enough to get free from the Empire’s grasp just yet whose ships are hot in pursuit. Fast flying and good shooting aren’t enough to save our heroes though. Instead, they make a crash landing on Yavin, the planet of the wookiees! And not everyone lands together…
Hondo Caravan: Don’t Execute Order 66
The Lost Missions have been found and Season Six has finally arrived! Gosh, it feels like just last week that I finished watching Season Five. Up first, we’ve got the Clone Trooper arc. In the interest of saving those of you who didn’t marathon the episodes this weekend from spoilers, we’ll have the entire post beneath a cut.
The Doctor Is In
We interrupt our usual programming for a shameless bit of bragging.
Congratulations are in order for staff writer Emily, who just passed dissertation defense this morning and now holds a Ph.D in English. Tosche Station now as a doctor on staff.
Well done, Emily!
Hondo Caravan: The Wrong Jedi Indeed
The Lost Missions aka Season Six of the Clone Wars is out on Netflix today so it’s only fitting that I wrap up planned version of the Hondo Caravan today. And yes, I watched the entirety of Season Five in one week. But let’s be honest: this is not the craziest thing I’ve done for the blog.
Shades of Reason (DC)
On the surface, Maul’s plan to cause pockets of chaos throughout Mandalore and then have Deathwatch come in and arrest the criminals seems like a good one but I have to agree with Bo Katan: you can’t trust Maul. Actually, in a situation like this, no one should be trusting anyone. And honestly, doesn’t this plan run the risk of the criminal class squealing about how they’re all working together once they figure out they’ve been deemed the sacrificial lambs?
On a completely different note, Satine’s new outfit is pretty fabulous looking. It says serious and regal all at the same time.
I wouldn’t say that the Mandalorians were ever necessarily known for being the brightest crayons in the box but they (as a planet) seem to be kind of stupid right now. Did they really fall for Maul’s plan this easily? And we wonder why no one saw through Palpatine’s façade…
And now Vizsla is Prime Minister. That is a title that a) never sat well with me for a Mandalorian and b) sounds even more wrong on the shoulders of a member of Death Watch. First of all, he’s not even close to being subtle enough to be a leader. Immediately betraying Maul was probably not in his best interest.
I love the look on Bo Katan’s face as she tosses Maul his lightsaber. That’s the look of a woman who knows it’s going to be Prizsla’s funeral. And then the ladies can rule once they kill each other. Oh look. It is his funeral or rather his beheading. Actually, I’m seriously surprised that they showed this on a kids’ show.
Okay, I’m just going to come out and say it. Forget this Fett tradition, forget Satine, forget the black market Prime Minister, forget Maul. Bo Katan for Mandalore. Accept no substitute.
Tosche Station Radio: In Memory of Aaron Allston
Brian, Nanci, and Bria sit down for a roundtable special episode of Tosche Station Radio in memory of Expanded Universe author and superior wit Aaron Allston. We discuss our memories of reading his books, interactions at conventions, and the impact he had on our lives.
“I have come to a conclusion that is important to me. I no longer believe that the momentum of a life headed in a worthwhile direction ends when that life does.” -Wedge Antilles, Wraith Squadron
Yub Yub, Aaron.
Hondo Caravan: Why Did It Have To Be Droids?
It’s a bit of a mixed bag on today’s edition of the Hondo Caravan. We’ve got one more episode in the Youngling arc, an arc that makes me want to take a nap, and then the return of the Brothers Sith. Buckle in, kids. It’s going to be a gif filled ride.
A Necessary Bond
Turns out there’s more bad news, folks. Ahsoka and the Younglings didn’t escape quite yet. Apparently they haven’t even made it back to the ship yet. It gets worse. You’d think that getting to the ship would be the hard part. Instead, merely getting on the ship is tricky especially when it appears to be crashing and burning.
In the previous episode, Obi-Wan was off fighting Separatist forces led by General Grievous. At the time, it felt like a superfluous plot line to just have Obi-Wan in an episode again. In this episode though, the Separatists invade Hondo’s planet and take possession of it. Apparently Dooku did not take too kindly to Hondo taking him prisoner a few seasons ago. Ooo. Grievous just tossed Hondo across the room to the floor. I can hear Jawa James shouting ‘Nooooooooo!’ from the past all the way across the country. As expected, some of Hondo’s pirate underlings have seen the light and have agreed to work together with the Jedi to get out of this sticky situation.
“I may be a pirate but I do not like taking children into battle.” I’m just going to leave that quote from Hondo there with no extra commentary. I bet you can figure out the quiet and pent up rant there all on your own.
I must admit, these kids are pretty good for never having used these lightsabers before. Obviously, this means something will happen to one of them. I also really appreciate the strange sort of friendship that seems to have sprung up between Hondo and Katooni. I’ve got head canon: Hondo’s going to somehow save her from Order 66 and she’ll become a pirate. She’s too cute to die, okay?
I’m fairly sure it wasn’t the intention but every time Grievous does the four/six legged crab scuttle, I laugh hysterically. You know what else makes me laugh hysterically? Hondo verbally tallying up his bill for saving the Jedi Younglings to Obi-Wan.