Continuity and Perspective in the Expanded Universe

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I just don’t care about continuity like I used to.

The fiery passion I had for it years ago isn’t there anymore. I used to scour over Wookieepedia to try and see how things pieced together. How did this book tie in with that comic, or how did that obscure background character from that film work in this book? There’s a part of me that still really enjoys seeing the minutia of the universe fit together, but over the last few years I’ve noticed that my insistence that everything mesh perfectly together has more or less vanished.

I got worn out fuming over how The Clone Wars was treading on the Expanded Universe. I got tired arguing about how the prequel films trounced on the ethics and philosophy of post-Return of the Jedi  novels. At some point, I realized that the only thing that mattered to me anymore was that I was reading a compelling narrative. For a long time I had been prioritizing continuity over the story and it had gotten in the way of my enjoyment of the Expanded Universe.

While I may not be a continuity die-hard anymore, I know it matters to many fans. It still matters to me to a certain degree. That’s the great thing about fandom, because there are countless ways one can be a fan of something. We all weigh certain things differently.

However, because it’s very important for a lot of people and still matters to me somewhat, we need to sit down and have a discussion. Continuity fans, there’s some behavior and expectations that need to change.

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Cosplay Monday: Ursula

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Cosplay Monday returns with this cool photograph by darkainmx of brethlessaire as Ursula from The Little Mermaid that I found via Tumblr!  Her costume isn’t just gorgeous but is also incredibly detailed and undoubtedly took a lot of work.  It’s also probably one of the most impressive looking versions of a “humanized” Disney villain/character that I’ve ever seen.

Fanwork Friday: Beside the Dying Fire

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In Nanci’s world, Sunday is really Friday. (Or she lost track of the days and is a failure at this column.) 

It’s no secret that I dislike the Legacy of the Force series. It’s no secret that I hate that Mara died. However, I do like fanfics that use Mara’s death as a basis for wonderful character exploration and missing scenes. This story, by salanderjade, does exactly that. It is an extension of the scene at the end of Revelation, in which Ben overhears his father talking to his mother’s Force ghost. I understand why Karen Traviss wrote the scene from Ben’s POV, but I would have loved to know exactly what Mara said to Luke. I’m glad that writers like salanderjade attempt to answer that very tough question.

Beside the Dying Fire

‘Revan’ Now Available in Paperback

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The Old Republic: Revan by Drew Karpyshyn went on sale today in paperback form for those of you that are looking for the book in a trimmer form factor. You can get your copy for $7.99 from your local bookstore online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Hero, traitor, conqueror, villain, savior—the man called Revan has been all of these. He left Coruscant a Jedi, on a mission to defeat the Mandalorians. He returned a Sith disciple, bent on destroying the Republic. The Jedi Council gave Revan his life back, but the price of redemption was the loss of his memories. All that’s left are nightmares—and deep, abiding fear. What happened beyond the Outer Rim that Revan can’t quite remember or entirely forget? One thing he’s certain of: Something dark is plotting to destroy the very existence of the Republic. With no idea how to identify the threat, let alone stop it, Revan may be doomed to fail. For he’s never faced a more powerful and diabolic enemy. But only death can stop him from trying.

Tosche Station Radio #32: Tears for Fears

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On this episode of Tosche Station Radio, Nanci and Brian take a look at their favorite tear-jerker moments from Star Wars and the Expanded Universe!

Kicking the show off, Nanci highlights what’s new on the blog this week. Fanwork Friday featured Marcin’ On, a Harry Potter fan music video. Bria highlighted an incredible Lin Bei Fong costume in Cosplay Monday. In honor of The Avengers releasing on DVD and Blue Ray, This week’s Trope Tuesday investigated the Avengers Assemble trope. Brian reviewed War of the Seasons: The Human by Janine Spendlove.

In Fixer’s Flash, Nanci finished off her final edits of her original novel Robber Barons. Of course, that means she also started work on the sequel! She also watched a couple more episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender, much to the joy of the rest of the Tosche Station staff. Brian finished reading War of the Seasons: The Human and dove into the second novel.

Deak’s Dirt starts out with news of a female Expendables and the hosts offer up their suggestion for who should be in it. Mark Hamill celebrated a birthday this week and in other Star Wars news, the latest LEGO Star Wars special aired on Wednesday. Be sure to check out James’ interview with Michael Price over at Club Jade! Timothy Zahn is on his way to New York Comic Con. Meanwhile, Jen Heddle of Lucasfilm answered questions regarding fan diversity and reiterated that the Big Three will be fading into the background post-Crucible. Finally The Hunger Games: Catching Fire just began filming!

This week’s Camie’s Concerns will require some tissue on hand. Brian and Nanci discuss their notable and favorite tear-jerker scenes in the films and Expanded Universe.

Tosche Station Radio is the official podcast of Tosche-Station.net and a part of the Solo Sound network. If you like what you hear, please leave a review on the iTunes Music Store or the Zune Marketplace. We can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Nanci and Brian are the co-founders and writers of Tosche-Station.net. You can find Nanci on Twitter with the handle @Nancipants and you can find Brian with @LaneWinree.

Timothy Zahn Discusses his Favorite Reading Moments on the Star Wars Blog

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Expanded Universe author Timothy Zahn is the latest contributor to the all-new Star Wars  blog. Keeping in spirit with the upcoming Star Wars Reads day, Zahn recounts some of his favorite reading moments in his first blog post:

When I was growing up, the library in Lombard, Illinois, was located inside a mansion donated by the original residents, Colonel and Helen Plum. Instead of the long stacks of modern libraries, this one literally had separate rooms—of all different sizes—as well as unexpected nooks and cubbies along the way where the books were shelved. Hunting down fresh reading material was as much a physical exploration as it was a literary one.

To read the rest, head over to the Official Blog.

Reminder: New LEGO Star Wars Special Airs Tonight

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Just a reminder, but the newest LEGO Star Wars special entitled ‘The Empire Strikes Out’ premiers tonight on Cartoon Network at 8PM!

In LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out, premiering Wednesday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT), a new Imperial threat has been detected and the good guys have to act fast. But Jedi-in-training Luke discovers that instant fame as a “Death-Star-Blower-Upper” can be a double-edged lightsaber, as his secret mission to Naboo is thwarted by those most unstoppable of foes — crazed fans! (It’s hard being the galaxy’s New Hope.) Meanwhile, Darth Vader sees his day go from bad to worse when his relationship with the Emperor is imperiled by the unexpected arrival of Darth Maul. Luke and Vader’s quests to prove themselves lead them on a collision course with each other (literally) and their destiny.

Trope Tuesday: Avengers Assemble

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Welcome back to another edition of Trope Tuesday, where I attempt to destroy your life by luring you into TVTropes.org. Each week we dive in and take a look at a literary element, theme, or device that makes our favorite fiction work. To celebrate the release of the Avengers today, we’ve selected “Avengers Assemble” as our trope!

A Dream Team is needed for The Con or The Caper. Each teammember is contacted in a short scene revealing their specialty. This sequence culminates with all the members being in the same room together. c.f. Ocean’s Eleven, Mission: Impossible.

Compare A-Team Montage, Intro Dump, Lock and Load Montage, Putting the Band Back Together, Everyone Meets Everyone.

I can think of one instance of this happening in the Expanded Universe. Need a bunch of war heroes to play diplomats? Well that’s no problem! Tab Wedge Antilles as the leader and watch him bring along notable Rogue Squadron veterans Derek “Hobbie” Klivian, Wes Janson, and Tycho Celchu. What could possibly go wrong? When you pull together a Dream Team of Big Damn Heroes, expect shennanigans to ensue.

Now I want to re-read Starfighters of Adumar.

Out on DVD: The Avengers

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Rejoice, Avengers fans! YOu can finally own the summer’s biggest blockbuster on Blu Ray and DVD. The four-disc Blu Ray set features deleted scenes, a one-shot short film, a digital album, and the obligatory gag reel. You can pick it up at Amazon for $24.99.

I know I’ve got my plans for the evening now. Shawarma and director commentary ahoy!