Skywalking Through Neverland: Keeping the Star Wars Magic Alive

Latest Episodes:

512: ANDOR S2, E1-3 "The Dinner Party from Hell" Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

We break down and review the first 3 ANDOR Season 2 episodes, with a special focus on the "Dinner Party from Hell!" with Dedra Meero, Syril Karn, and his mom the emotionally abusive Eedy. Actors Denise Gough (Dedra) and Kyle Soller (Syril) coined "Dinner Party from Hell" at Star Wars Celebration Japan, and there is no better description. This truly relatable "meet the in-laws" dinner speaks to the entire series, as ANDOR is full of relatable moments juxtaposed with galaxy-altering events. Mon Mothma consoles her daughter while Luthen Rael ruthlessly protects information vital to the upstart Rebels. B2 plays tag with kids while Cassian inadvertently finds a new base for the burgeoning Rebellion.

Episodes we break down:

E1: One Year Later
E2: Sagrona Teema
E3: Harvest

Today in Star Wars History 4/21/1980

The Empire Strikes Back Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by John Williams, was released. Before the film's release the album had already sold three million copies. The soundtrack spends eighteen weeks on Billboard's 200 list and peaks at #4 on the week of July 12th.

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Never Land on Alderaan!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: My Life as Darth Vader: Exclusive Stories from Kermit Bryce Eller. Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Bryce Eller, the man behind all the Darth Vader TV appearances and the official Vader meet and greets at local department stores, gives us exclusive stories of his time on many TV variety shows and live meet and greet engagements.

As a companion piece to my article, Star Wars x 1970's Variety TV, I talk with Bryce to fill in details you won't find anywhere else. Bryce appeared on Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack, Donny and Marie, The Wacko Saturday Preview and Other Good Stuff Special, and Kaptain Kool and the Kongs Present ABC All-Star Saturday!

We also go into voicing Darth Vader for these shows, perfecting the Vader walk, and the time he was hit on at a wrap party by a woman who wanted to turn Darth Vader to the deep dark side.

Bryce made his Skywalking debut on the two part episodes - 236 and 237.

But little did we know then, there were even more stories to tell.

511: ANDOR Season 2 Prep Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

ANDOR Season 2 is just around the corner! But where did we leave off with Cassian and friends in Season 1? After all, it was 3 years ago. What really happened between ISB agent Dedra Meero and Imperial wanna-be Syril Karn? How was Maarva Andor weaponized?

If you don't remember, we are here to remind and prepare you for this new season that premieres on Disney+ on April 22nd. There is lots to go over especially how ANDOR crosses over with STAR WARS REBELS. We also look back at our roundtable interviews with Production Designer Luke Hull and Costume Designer Michael Wilkinson to see how their creations will add to the storytelling of ANDOR Season 2.

Today in Star Wars History 4/15/1963

Happy 63rd Birthday to Tom Kane! Tom Kane voiced hundreds of animated characters in dozens of series. To Star Wars fans he is Yoda and Admiral Yularen in The Clone Wars and did the opening newsreel narration for each episode. He also voiced Admiral Ackbar in The Last Jedi and Star Tours.

Unfortunately Tom Kane had to retire from voice acting in 2020 after a stroke.

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510: Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics #53 "THE LAST GIFT FROM ALDERAAN" Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

What would Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics look like if it crashed into John Carter, Warlord of Mars? This comic is your answer. On this episode we break down Issue 53: THE LAST GIFT FROM ALDERAAN from August 1981. This issue inserts Princess Leia into repurposed Carmine Infantino artwork from the cancelled JOHN CARTER, WARLORD OF MARS series, and boy, can you tell! Not only does it have narration in first person, it also has some scenes intended only for an over-18 audience. Make sure those little ones are nowhere near this comic!

Today in Star Wars History - April 9, 1984

Return Of The Jedi wins a 'Special Achievement Award for Visual Effects' at the 56th Academy Awards. Cheech and Chong present awards to Richard Edlund, Phil Tippet, Ken Ralston, and Dennis Muren.

#53 "THE LAST GIFT FROM ALDERAAN"

Release Date: August 18, 1981 Writer: Chris Claremont Artwork: Walt Simonson, Walt Simonson Coloring: Glynis Wein Cover Art: Walt Simonson

Princess Leia Organa investigates Imperial activity in the Shiva system, but her ship is damaged by a space mine. Leia escapes in a shuttle which crashes on Shiva IV and is attacked by a savage raiding party. A group of natives led by Aron Peacebringer (The Star Wars-adapted John Carter) and Kéral Longknife thwart the raiders and rescue the princess. Leia returns to the capital city with Aron, and tries to warn him of the danger of the Galactic Empire, but the warlord is not convinced that such an Empire exists. During a gala, Aron then learns the hard way about this non-existing Empire.

We take our Facebook Group Comments on the cover into account as we analyze this issue. Become a part of our Facebook Group to contribute!

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509: Season of the Force 2025 Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

Season of the Force is upon us once again. NEW food, NEW merchandise, and most importantly - NEW Death Star popcorn buckets!! Join Richard and Sarah behind the scenes of opening day, where we interviewed an Imagineer, specialty chefs, the merchandise team, and Star Wars: The High Republic authors. We learned about the new nighttime projection show "Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Story" and saw Luke Skywalker walk amongst us muggles on Batuu. Most importantly, we shared the experience with all of our friends, which is what Disneyland is all about. Oh, and someone was the Rebel Spy. Can you guess who??

This episode contains interviews from the following:

Matt Martin from the Lucasfilm Story group and Michael Serna, Executive Creative Director with Disney Live Entertainment.
Chef Adolfo Salazar, Disneyland Resort Chef
Nataly Guzman, Season of the Force Merchandise Spokesperson
Megan Roth, Senior Manager - Event Production
Star Wars: The High Republic authors
- Claudia Gray
- Alyssa Wong
- Charles Soule
- Cavan Scott
- Zoraida Cordova,
- George Mann

Today in Star Wars History 4/1/1983

Let's wish a big happy birthday to Matt Lanter who was born on 4/1/1983 - 42 years ago. We all know Matt Lanter's work as the voice of Anakin Skywalker in The Clone Wars and Tales of the Jedi. He also cameoed as Republic officer, Lant Davan, in The Mandalorian episode "Chapter 6 - The Prisoner." A role we thought (and hoped) would be a recurring character.

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Never Land on Alderaan!

508: Forest Moon Festival 2025 Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Here's a little Ewok Talk to brighten your day! What fandom events are you looking forward to in the near future? There's that convention in Japan, and then there's the 3rd Annual Forest Moon Festival! This 3-day free event, held May 30th-June 1st, supports the community on the Redwood Coast of California - the Endor filming location for Return of the Jedi. Coordinators Cassandre Hesseltine, Anibal Polanco, and Tracy Boyd give us the highlights from past festivals and what to look forward to this year. Click here for more information on the Forest Moon Festival.

Today in Star Wars History 3/24/2005

Cartoon Network airs "Chapter 24" from Season Three of the Genndy Tartakovsky Star Wars: Clone Wars micro-series.

General Grievous has penetrated Chancellor Palpatine's private quarters in an attempt to kidnap him. Shaak Ti leads Jedi and clones to escort the Chancellor to safety. Meanwhile, on the planet Nelvaan, Anakin Skywalker continues to prepare for his final Jedi test. On a cave wall he witnesses moving images of the Nelvaans being attacked and an image of Darth Vader's helmet.

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Never Land on Alderaan!

507: WIG OUT with Maria Sandoval - Mando-verse Head Hair Designer Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

This week we have a discussion with Maria Sandoval - Head Hair Designer of the MandoVerse! She is an Emmy-nominated hair designer who worked on The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, AND Picard. She also worked on the upcoming live action Lilo and Stitch as well as The Mandalorian and Grogu feature film. How did the practicality of Fennec Shand's hair change her look? What color IS Luke's hair in Return of the Jedi, and how do you recreate that? So many questions answered. Maria gives us so many exclusive behind-the-scenes stories! Follow Maria on instagram.

Heading to Star Wars Celebration Japan? You can meet Maria Sandoval at the Not So Virtual Cantina: Special Edition on April 17th. Many thanks to Spencer Jawitz (Star Wars Celebration Japan Facebook Group) for facilitating this discussion, and the Japan event.

Today in Star Wars History 3/18/2017

Disney XD airs the episode "Twin Suns" from Star Wars Rebels Season Three.

Maul has tracked Obi-Wan's presence to the remote world of Tatooine where he searches the desert plains to finally exact his revenge. With a few quick strokes Kenobi defeats Maul who dies in the Jedi Master's arms. Kenobi then rides his dewback to check on the young boy who will someday save the galaxy with a new hope.

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Never Land on Alderaan!

506: Indiana Jones Adventure 30th Anniversary at Disneyland Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

https://youtu.be/1txZxDE2U7M

If Adventure has a name it would be this episode of Skywalking through Neverland! We celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Disneyland attraction INDIANA JONES ADVENTURE: Temple of the Forbidden Eye with Justin Smith, THE Indiana Jones aficionado. He rode the attraction with Sallah actor John Rhys-Davies, met up with Disneyland Imagineers, and had an amazing day. Then we go over the past, present, and future of each Indiana Jones attraction/show at Disney Parks across the globe, including the upcoming Temple of the Feathered Serpent at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Lots to talk about and celebrate!

Today in Star Wars History 3/11/1979

The daily Star Wars newspaper comic strip debuts. The series was written and drawn by Russ Manning. It was first distributed by the Los Angeles Times and debuted in 214 newspapers in the U.S. and Canada. We did breakdowns of several storyline which can be found here.

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505: DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Breakdown & Review Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

Who else LOVED the Netflix DAREDEVIL series?? We did, and we are so excited that DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN - Marvel Television's continuation of those first 3 seasons - is now airing on Disney+!! We've been waiting years for Disney to pick up where Netflix left off and now it's here. We'll give you some comic history of Daredevil and a brief summary of what you should know going in. We also break down the first two episodes and take a special look at imagery, sound design, and character journeys. Wilson Fisk/Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox) reprise their respective roles and we were both blown away. FYI, there will be spoilers.

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN begins several years after the events of Netflix's DAREDEVIL, and a year after Matt Murdock has stopped being the vigilante "Daredevil". Now, Murdock continues his fight for justice as a lawyer while former crime boss Wilson Fisk has been elected mayor of New York City, putting the pair on a collision course. This first season consists of 9 episodes total, and the first 2 premiered on March 4. Over the next 2 months the entire series will air, and we are here for it.

Today in Star Wars History 3/4/2002

Vanity Fair continues its Star Wars cover features with Attack Of The Clones. Who remembers this cover story? Do you still have your copy?

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504: Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics #52 "TO TAKE THE TARKIN" Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Classic Marvel Star Wars Comics is back! We break down Issue 52: TO TAKE THE TARKIN from July 1981 with our good friend Spencer Jawitz (Virtual Cantina Network). In this issue, our heroes infiltrate the Empire's new battle station, The Tarkin. Will history repeat itself where they destroy the massive station or will Darth Vader stop them this time - that is if he survives the plot from within the Empire's ranks to kill him? We share our thoughts on the storytelling, artwork, and when to "Hurl a Berl". But most of all, we learn some great new Star Wars expletives on the level of "Dank Farrik!" That's some Hockaleg, right there.

Today in Star Wars History -February 25, 1986

Return Of The Jedi was released on VHS and Betamax for $79.99. This is the first time a film is released worldwide on home video to help reduce piracy.

#52 "TO TAKE THE TARKIN"

Release Date: July 21, 1981 Writer: David Michelinie Artwork: Walt Simonson, Tom Palmer Coloring: Don Warfield Cover Art: Walt Simonson

Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, and the droids have infiltrated the Imperial superweapon known as the Tarkin. While they are carrying out their plan of destroying another superweapon, Darth Vader is arranging a confrontation with Luke while a group of Imperial officers are planning to destroy the Sith Lord.

We take our Facebook Group Comments on the cover into account as we analyze this issue. Become a part of our Facebook Group to contribute!

Instagram: http://instagram.com/skywalkingpod

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Join us every week on YouTube for a behind-the-scenes look at our show. We also bring you to Disneyland, Red Carpet Events and Theme Park Openings.

Send emails to share@skywalkingthroughneverland.com and follow us on Facebook.