The Incomparable

Discussed in these episodes

• 
  Not Playing with Lex and Dan June 1, 2017 “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace”

  3.1 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

  Lex Friedman and Dan Moren

  You’re not seeing things! We’re back with a very special season three of Not Playing with Lex and Dan. Right on schedule, as we promised. Go about your business. Move along.

  Regular listeners of the show know that among the most egregious holes in Lex’s movie-watching history are most of the Star Wars saga, so in season three, we’re out to correct that oversight. Join Jedi Master Dan Moren as he takes padawan Lex under his wing and shepherds him through the entire eight (soon to be nine) movie saga.

  Hot topics for this debut episode, which covers the 1999 travesty installment, The Phantom Menace, include what to do about really uncomfortable portrayals of aliens, why some droids can’t speak English, whether or not Queen Amidala is currently Natalie Portman, and what the hell planet we’re on now.

  Programming Note: In addition to this capsule episode, which contains our discussion before and after the film, members can watch along with Lex and Dan in a full-length commentary track, available in the members-only First Class feed. If you’re not already a member, why not sign up? And if you are, now’s a great time to update your membership allocations and maybe throw a little support in the direction of Not Playing. Thanks!

• 
  Defocused November 29, 2015 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

  73 Quantify His "Forciness"

  Joe Rosensteel and Dan Sturm

  It didn’t have to be this way, George.

• 
  Unjustly Maligned May 4, 2015 “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace”

  10 "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace" with Erika Ensign

  Antony Johnston with Erika Ensign

  Podcaster and handwavium aficionado Erika Ensign joins Antony to explain why “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace” is unjustly maligned, that audiences should judge a movie in what it’s trying to be rather than what it’s trying to live up to, and how George Lucas never grew up.

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  The Incomparable Mothership April 28, 2013 “Star Wars: Episode I” (part 2 of 2)

  137 Go Wash a Droid

  Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Greg Knauss, John Siracusa, Serenity Caldwell, Steve Lutz and Monty Ashley

  We conclude our discussion of “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.” We discuss the merits of podracing, debate who the Jedi’s version of Fonzie is, and grapple with tricky euphemisms. Plus, is the final lightsaber duel cool or just over-choreographed? And why is there a hall full of forcefields, next to a room with no guard rails? Party on, Darth! (Part 2 of 2.)

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  The Incomparable Mothership April 20, 2013 “Star Wars: Episode 1” (part 1 of 2)

  136 We Waited 16 Years For This?

  Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Greg Knauss, John Siracusa, Monty Ashley, Serenity Caldwell and Steve Lutz

  They said it couldn’t be done! They said it shouldn’t be done! But here we are, talking about “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.” Why are the Jedi such jerks? A little Jedi goes a long way. Also, the biggest letdown of John Siracusa’s life to date, stupid droids, good actors being boring, text versus subtext, the merits of prequels in general, and why this is a movie that makes us dream… of a better movie. Exqueeze me? (Part 1 of 2.)