The best dissertation that I have ever heard on SW. It’s clear the host is a fan, but he reaches past his fandom to present a clinical analysis of all the good and bad of our favorite galaxy. These podcasts made me look at the movies differently.

Interesting commentary but apparently this guy is a monstrous DB. Don’t look for him to finish the sequel trilogy, I think he is laying low to avoid the consequences of a life spent poorly. His ex claims he plagiarized his ideas, but who cares. It’s Star Wars, not a dissertation on the plays of Christopher Marlowe. He gives a pretty good analysis of the films.

I don’t remember how many times I brought this podcast up during Star Wars discussions, but if you love a literary approach of breaking down the films into 3 acts and discussing each part for tempo and plot, this is your podcast. The host is an English Professor and Star Wars fanboy — like almost to a fault — which is great because when he talks about the films, he is honest and objectively reviewing both the good and bad. You know he wants to just love ever bit of it, but hes stepping away from his fanboy love to give a legitimate literary review. He completed all the films up to Rise of Skywalker, but fell off at that point. I really wish he would come back and finish, and even address the shows for future content. I would be willing to support the podcast if he did, but unfortunately I jumped on the wagon late and don’t want to throw money at a dead cast

I was charmed and taken in by his persona, but evidently the man behind “Alastair Stephens” is a sociopath and abusive husband. His ex, Lani Diane Rich, a successful author, lays it all out in a blog post which you can search for and read. I believe her. Jesus, what a creep.

This guy is very interesting to listen to and he is well informed. It just feels like he bashes Star Wars in every episode yes he has positives about it but I feel it’s one big bashing podcast.

He has nothing right

I wish he still did these I’m so sad

was the only one who shot.

Articulate and insightful. Love it.

New things came to light on his “scholarly” work which made me reconsider. Don’t waste your time. Ideas are stolen and behaviors have come to light.

Alastair is poised, brilliant, articulate, and funny. And he really knows his stuff. At the same time, after I learned more about him (google him) I couldn’t listen any more.

Best Star Wars podcast. Most thoughtful,and intelegent break down of Star Wras content. Other podcasters seem like lesser next to Alastair. Keep up the good work!

I didn’t know what to expect when I started listening. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the Star Wars cinematic universe discussed in a straight up academic perspective. As Alastair refers to them, these podcasts are “lectures.” I think of them as a seminar course in the immense (and continually unfolding) storyline that is Star Wars. As a SW lover since...birth, I guess, I was thrilled to hear perspectives that had never crossed my mind. Additionally, Alastair finds a way of articulating the apparent reasons for my questioning of certain story choices. I always knew that some story elements felt “off” or just “out of place,” but Alastair explains why by delving into the academic side of storytelling, or “storytelling theory,” if you will. I’ve listened to the entire series (to-date) and look forward to hearing Alastair’s thoughts on the films yet to come.

I’ve listened to this series over and over and continue to pick up new things every time I watch one of the films. Alister takes a very unique perspective on the series as a whole and sticks purely to what the text communicates rather than what the cultural impact has been. Don’t agree with all his opinions but they are clear, concise and most importantly interesting

Love intellectual looks at this kind of pop culture

A fantastic thematic/structural breakdown of Star Wars, and one of the very few cis het white guys (save the ones directly involved in the series) I genuinely love hearing talk about my very favourite franchise of all time! Still hoping those Clone Wars episodes are on the table - or at the very least an episode on Our Lady of Perpetual Survival, Ahsoka Tano!

So glad I listened to this. Obviously the OG trilogy is the best (+Rogue One), but I never thought I'd ever find anything really redeeming in the prequels besides nostalgia. As a kid I loved them, but I didn't think I'd be able to enjoy them as an adult. Anyways, the podcast episodes on the prequels are honest, and do address the many flaws of the movies, but also highlight the story-telling victories that occasionally occur. Thanks Alistair. Side note: I didn't agree with his analysis of Rogue One and Jynn Erso, but that's alright.

Pedestrian take on the saga is bad enough. But he is an abusive con-man. Female fans, watch out.

Love you Alistair.

Allistar's voice is so powerful and his words are so smooth. Easy to listen to and enjoy. Very knowledgeable and insightful. I wish he had a partner for this podcast though.

A poignant and fantastic breakdown of the Star Wars movies that cannot be overstated. Whether you love Star Wars, story, or are looking for insights into why people love what they love then this is a must-listen.

I recently found this podcast and started listening to it. I love it! Alastair does a wonderful break of the series in an insightful, intelligent manner and makes me think of the series a new way. I love these lectures - highly recommend for Star Wars fans and anyone who loves stories in general! Great podcast!

Looking forward to the next podcast on Episode XIII.

Aren't you?

Does a great job at doing exactly what he says he's doing. Going through the movies and explaining exactly what happens in the movies with very little outside influence from other sources! Also his soothing voice is just awesome. Reminds me of Levar Burton! Radio worthy!

The force is with him!!

My commute flies by listening to this podcast, and all of Alastair's other Point North productions. Hope to someday make a live session, but highly recommend the podcast. Digesting my favorite stories from a different perspective adds new life and excitement to old and familiar tales.

Fantastic, in depth review and analysis of Star Wars. If you're looking for a podcast that goes deeper into the mechanics of story telling this is the one for you. In depth and on point, I highly recommend it.

Rogue One? Waiting ...

This podcast is great because it engages directly with the text and doesn't engage in a lot of speculation. I don't enjoy a lot of Star Wars podcasts even though I'm a huge SW fan, but I really like this one. I have one complaint though - the host always refers to the Falcon storyline in ESB & Endor storyline in ROTJ as the "Han" storyline. Small point but it irked me as a Leia fan. Those storylines are as much Leia's IMHO as Han's. Otherwise I really like this podcast and recommend it.

When it comes to analyzing storycraft, Alastair Stephens is the best in the business - brilliant, deliberate, and enthusiastic. All seven Star Wars films to date - the Original Trilogy, the Prequel Trilogy, and The Force Awakens have received his thorough and incisive analysis (with his eagerly-anticipated lecture on Rogue One coming any day now). As someone who loves every film in the Saga, it's wonderful to see them celebrated and appreciated for their storycraft - and also criticized in a substantive and thoughtful manner (as opposed to the tired, snarky dismissals that too much of the Internet traffics in). With a new Star Wars film currently slated to arrive every year for the foreseeable future, I look forward to this seminar continuing for a long time, and to revisiting Alastair's existing lectures as we await those new stories in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

R2-D2

A very enjoyable intellectual/academic romp through the story itself, analysis, links to greater mythology and what the story tellers did right. Good stuff.

Thank you for deepening my affection for that tale told long ago an a galaxy far, far away!

Excellent job. Can't wait for Rogue One, Episode 8, and beyond.

R2 or BB8? Doesn't matter, Chopper 4eva Hope to see you do Rogue One, Clone Wars, and/or Rebels!

And R2 wins vs. BB-8. Wonderful insights to a favorite series of films.

I love his breakdown of the structure. I'm writing down the quesions he poses for my own book to better hone the emotinal journey.

Would love one for HIMYM!

Show is thoroughly engaging, great topics, easy to listen to.

R2-D2

This is a fabulous podcast that examine Star Wars as text, takes the story seriously, and teases out connections and deeper meanings. For casual fans or serious geeks, anyone will learn more about Star Wars and story creation from this series.

Love this podcast! Can't wait for your thoughts on Rogue One.

I love this podcast. It's perfect for both Star Wars fans and those that appreciate how a story is constructed. The stories are deconstructed and analyzed to show what works, what doesn't work and my favorite part what could have worked. Great stuff.

Hope the lectures continue

I love this podcast so far. I'm a huge fan of star wars and a huge fan of studying literature for certain themes or insights. This podcast combines both in an awesome way. #maytheforcebewithyou

I cannot recommend this podcast highly enough to fans of Star Wars films. It features well-thought out criticism that is dished out with a fair hand, as well as terrific insite into how the STORY of these films is structured. Well done! Download it now!!

You need this in your life if you are a Star Wars fan.

thank you. please keep making them! cheers

This seminar series brings such great insight the such a familiar story. We are all so familiar with Star Wars yet this series shines new light on the amazing Story of Star Wars