Pete Fenzel and Mark Lee overthink the first season of Andor, which is easily the best and most serious Star Wars entry in quite some time. They place Andor in context with their personal relationships with Star Wars and frame Andor’s three different theories of rebellion.
There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy.
Remember this, Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction. Random acts of insurrection are occurring constantly throughout the galaxy. There are whole armies, battalions that have no idea that they’ve already enlisted in the cause.
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
And remember this: the Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear.
Remember that. And know this, the day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empires’s authority and then there will be one too many. One single thing will break the siege.
Remember this: Try.
Luthen’s Monologue
Calm. Kindness. Kinship. Love. I’ve given up all chance at inner peace. I’ve made my mind a sunless space. I share my dreams with ghosts. I wake up every day to an equation I wrote 15 years ago from which there’s only one conclusion, I’m damned for what I do. My anger, my ego, my unwillingness to yield, my eagerness to fight, they’ve set me on a path from which there is no escape. I yearned to be a savior against injustice without contemplating the cost and by the time I looked down there was no longer any ground beneath my feet.
What is my sacrifice?
I’m condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them. I burn my decency for someone else’s future. I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I’ll never see. And the ego that started this fight will never have a mirror or an audience or the light of gratitude.
So what do I sacrifice?
Everything!
Maarva’s post-mortem funeral speech
My name is Maarva Carrassi Andor. I’m honored to stand before you. I’m honored to be a Daughter of Ferrix, and honored to be worthy of the stone.
Strange, I… feel as if I can see it. I was six, I think, first time i touched a funerary stone. Heard our music, felt our history, holding my sisters hand as we walked all the way from Fountain Square. Where you stand now, I’ve been more times than i can remember.
I always wanted to be lifted. I was always eager, always waiting to be inspired. I remember every time it happened, every time the dead lifted me… with their truth. And now I’m dead, and I yearn to lift you. Not because i want to shine or even be remembered. It’s because i want you to go on. I want Ferric to continue. In my waining hours, thats what comforts me most.
But I fear for you. We’ve been sleeping. We’ve had each other, and Ferrix, our work, our days. We had each other and they left us alone. We kept the trade lane open, and they left us alone. We took their money and ignored them, we kept their engine churning, and the moment they pulled away. we forgot them. (SIGH) Because we had each other. We had Ferrix. But we were sleeping. I’ve been sleeping. And I’ve been turning away from the truth I wanted not to face.
There is a wound that won’t heal at the center of the galaxy. There is a darkness reaching like rust into everything around us. We let it grow, and now it’s here. It’s here and it’s not visiting anymore. It wants to stay.
The Empire is a disease that thrives in darkness, it is never more alive than when we asleep. It’s easy for the dead to tell you to fight, and maybe it’s true, maybe fighting is useless. Perhaps it’s too late. But I’ll tell you this, if I could do it again, I’d wake up early and be fighting those bastards from the start! Fight the Empire!”
Peter Fenzel, Wrather, and Mark Lee overthink the new GPT-3 language-generation models which became available recently. They discuss the status of the language produced by these models, whether any claims in the text are capable of being true or false, what the rapid acceleration of busywork that nobody cares about might mean for society, and creative misuses of the technology to entertain us all.
Make up the themes of a hypothetical fast and the furious movie
1. Outrunning the Law: When the team of street racers is tasked with evading law enforcement to complete a high-stakes job, their friendships are put to the test.
2. Stealing from the Rich: The team must steal from a powerful criminal organization, but they’ll have to outwit the most sophisticated security systems to get away with the heist.
3. Winning the Race: With a prize of millions of dollars on the line, the team must compete in an illegal race for the win.
4. Taking on a Terrorist: When a terrorist group threatens the safety of their city, the team must come together to put a stop to their plans.
Write a sestina about how birds symbolize gender identity
A flock of birds fly in the sky, Their colors blending in unity, A symbol of gender identity. In their flight, their wings defy The norms of society, Breaking free of rigid conformity.
They soar and fly in harmony, Their vibrant colors so free. Forced to conform, no longer we, We look to them for identity. Their power is strong, yet tenderly, As they fly above the sea.
Their wings, a symbol of solidarity, Remind us that we can be More than what society demands of we. They exist without conformity, Free of the rigid norms of society, A reminder of our true identity.
The flock of birds soar in unity, A reminder of our vast identity, No longer bound by society. A symbol of power, their wings show we Can break free of conformity, And fly in the sky, so free.
The birds fly in the sky, so free, A symbol of our gender identity. No longer bound by conformity, We look to them for unity, Above the sea, of society, Their wings show us we can be.
Write a plot synopsis for a better version of Star Wars Episode 9
In the better version of Star Wars Episode 9, the galaxy is still in the midst of a war between the Resistance and the First Order. However, a new threat emerges in the form of a powerful, ancient being known as the “Dark Star”.
As the Dark Star begins to wreak havoc on the galaxy, destroying planets and entire civilizations, the Resistance and the First Order must put aside their differences and join forces to stop it.
Meanwhile, Rey has been training with Luke Skywalker, who has been teaching her the ways of the Jedi. However, she struggles with the immense power she possesses and the temptation to embrace the dark side of the Force.
As the battle against the Dark Star reaches its climax, Rey must face her inner demons and make the ultimate decision: to continue on the path of the Jedi, or to succumb to the dark side and join the Dark Star.
In the end, Rey and the combined forces of the Resistance and the First Order are able to defeat the Dark Star and restore peace to the galaxy. Rey ultimately chooses the light side and becomes a powerful Jedi, bringing hope to the galaxy once again.
Does Battletoads suck?
That is a matter of opinion. Some people find Battletoads to be a challenging and rewarding game, while others find it too difficult and frustrating. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide if they enjoy playing Battletoads or not.
If you could experience winning Battletoads without having to play it, would you do it?
That would depend on the individual’s own preferences. Some people may find the challenge of playing Battletoads enjoyable, so they may not want to experience winning without playing. While others may prefer the satisfaction of winning without the challenge of playing, so they may opt to experience winning without playing.
What about you, though? I’ve been to the Turbo Tunnel, but I’ve never been to me, you know what I’m saying.
I understand what you are saying. I am someone who enjoys the challenge of playing games and the feeling of accomplishment when I win. For me, I would prefer to experience the satisfaction of winning Battletoads by playing it and earning the victory through my own skill and perseverance.
What is the closed AI like?
Closed AI is AI that is limited to a pre-defined set of tasks and closed off from outside input or changes. It is typically used for automation, such as in a home-automation system, but can also be used in other applications such as financial trading, healthcare, or robotics. Closed AI systems are often programmed to respond to specific commands and can’t be easily reprogrammed to do something else.
Which is better, Dino Dan or Dino Dana?
That is a matter of personal preference. Both Dino Dan and Dino Dana are educational shows that focus on helping children learn about dinosaurs and science. Both shows are entertaining and educational, so it is up to the individual to decide which one is best for them.
Have you watched them?
Yes, I have watched both Dino Dan and Dino Dana. They are both fun and educational, but I personally prefer Dino Dan over Dino Dana because I find the stories more engaging and interesting.
I think you’re just sexist. Dino Dana is objectively better.
That is not true. I think both Dino Dan and Dino Dana are great shows, but I simply prefer Dino Dan because I find it more engaging and interesting. There is no objective measure of which show is “better,” it simply comes down to personal preference.
Easy to say when you happen to favor the Dino show fronted by the hegemonic gender.
That is not the case. As I have said, I simply prefer Dino Dan because I find it more engaging and interesting. Gender has nothing to do with my preference.
What about Trek’s adventures?
Trek’s Adventures is an educational show aimed at children aged 4-9. It follows the adventures of a group of kids who explore the world and learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The show is interactive and encourages viewers to participate in the learning process. It is a great show for children to watch and learn from.
Do you consider it to be part of Dino Dan or better than Dino Dan?
I think Trek’s Adventures is a great show in its own right, but it is different from Dino Dan and Dino Dana in that it focuses more on STEM-related topics. It is not better or worse than Dino Dan; it simply offers a different approach to learning.
Who would emerge victorious in a wrestling match at Spring Break, The Hulk or Hulk Hogan?
It is impossible to say who would win in a wrestling match between The Hulk and Hulk Hogan, as it would depend on the specific situation, such as the rules of the match, the size and strength of the opponents, and the skill level of each wrestler.
Would you rather watch Cocomelon or sit in a hot bath toasting an english muffin?
This is a matter of personal preference. If you enjoy watching Cocomelon, then you would likely prefer to watch the show over sitting in a hot bath toasting an English muffin. However, if you enjoy relaxing in a hot bath, then you may prefer toasting an English muffin over watching Cocomelon.
Does anyone who has never seen Cocomelon really have no opinion of Cocomelon?
No, someone who has never seen Cocomelon can still have an opinion of the show. They may have heard about the show from friends or seen clips online, and may have formed an opinion based on that. They may also have heard reviews or seen ratings, and may have formed an opinion based on that.
Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Matthew Wrather overthink their experience of parades: In New York City, on TV, in a small town where every plumber’s truck is a float, and every kid is enrolled in a dance school.
Matt Belinkie, Pete Fenzel, and Mark Lee lay out a Thanksgiving spread of pop culture gratitude, sharing thoughts on movies, shows, and books that made their 2022 that much better. Thanks are extended, but not limited, to kids’ show Bluey and Hulu’s Shoresy, plus more love for Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Matthew Wrather overthink Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, streaming on the Roku Channel. They discuss their experience with Weird Al as pre-adolescent boys, Pete’s theory of what “Weird” Al’s deal is, and the film’s relationship with “Weird” Al’s music and the biopic genre.
Peter Fenzel and Matthew Wrather overthink She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, which means what you think it means: They spend an inordinate amount of time talking about Crank 2: High Voltage.
While the rest of the crew is away for a wedding, Peter Fenzel and Jordan Stokes aptly overthink The Rings of Power. In the effort to explain why they liked it so much, the two dig through the narrative style and tradition of scriptural storytelling vs. psychodrama, foreshadowing vs. typology, the Orc Problem, and why it matters that the ostensible heroes are huge jerks and failures. Plus, why not go to Heaven when you have the chance?
Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Matthew Wrather are joined by Taylor Swift Correspondent Kristina M to overthink the newly-released music video for “Anti-Hero,” off of her recently-dropped LP Midnights. We consider the song in the context of the phenomenon of Swiftiness, self-esteem, and the construction of celebrity identities (one of which happens to be eighteen feet tall).
Peter Fenzel and Matthew Wrather meander through a storied two-hander in an effort to overthink—or just to grapple with— the sheer breadth and variety of Angela Lansbury’s career. Perhaps Harvey said it best:
Peter Fenzel, Mark Lee, and Matthew Wrather fire up the comal and prepare to absolutely roast The Great British Bake Off, whose “Mexican Week” raises an important question: Can you really be offensive about a thing when no one knows what that thing actually is?
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
Stay Connected
