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https://nerdist.com/article/secret-fourth-star-wars-trilogy/
Warning: This article contains plot points of Rogue One, Solo, and Star Wars Rebels
When Disney first took over Lucasfilm and the promise of more Star Wars films filled the air, the announcement of standalone non-Saga films gave many fans a sense of both anticipation and anxiety. Some fans, like myself, had found almost as much joy from the Knights of the Old Republic video game series as we had the Original Trilogy. For us, the promise of a new series of films that would explore heretofore unseen aspects of the Star Wars universe in cinematic form was highly, highly enticing.
Yet when the initial “standalone” projects were announced, I raised my eyebrows. A semi-prequel about the Death Star and the Young Han Solo Adventures? They seemed to tie in too close to the Original Trilogy to really fulfill this idea of expanding the universe. Though I ended up loving both movies, I never fully shook that feeling about what I saw was the wasted potential of the idea of non-Saga Star Wars movies.
LucasFilm/Disney
It wasn’t until I got Disney+ that a few lingering feelings about both movies fell into place. Finally, after years of not having the cable package for it, I was able to binge-watch the Star Wars Rebels animated series. Rebels serves as something of a sister series to Clone Wars, featuring characters and resolving plots from that show. But it’s the way that it also ties into both A Star Wars Story films, especially Rogue One, that made me feel like the two films and the series function as an almost unofficial fourth Star Wars trilogy.
This trilogy doesn’t tell the story of one specific set of characters. Instead, it tells a visual and thematic one. One that gives a previously unseen glimpse into the age in between Republic and Rebellion. A trilogy about the age of imperial dominance and the build-up to the Galactic Civil War.
In the original Star Wars film, we know the Empire is bad, sure. Vader and his crew capturing and torturing the princess, of the Stormtroopers’ murder of Luke’s family and the Jawas, and of course the utter destruction of Alderaan. But we never see Alderaan. Its loss is only felt through Leia and Obi-Wan. Troopers poke around Tatooine. Vader and company arrive at Bespin for the first time. We never see life on an occupied world. Our awareness of the presence of the Empire is almost always through the lens of military engagements.
With Rebels, Rogue One, and Solo, we instead witness the imposing presence of the Empire over the lives of its civilian residents. These works show us what it actually felt like to live under the reign of Palpatine. While The Last Jedi lets go of the past, these works give the past life.
LucasFilm/Disney
The city of Jedha lives in the literal shadow of a Star Destroyer hanging over it. The citizens of Lothal are forced to work in the Empire’s labor facilities building TIE Fighters. The streets of Corellia are locked down, controlled by criminal organizations with only a privileged few being able to barter their way through the Empire’s checkpoints.
Each of these stories features characters for whom these worlds are home. From Ezra Bridger to Chirrut and Baze, and young Han Solo himself. We feel the presence of the Empire in a visceral way. And Solo takes us even further, following Han into an invasion of yet another world, the boots on the ground assault of Mimban. The combination of this, the “Zero Hour” arc of Rebels, and the epic Battle of Scariff in Rogue account for some of the finest examples of what a “star war” looks like in the entire Star Wars canon.
The real throughline of these stories is their combined depiction of how a loose assortment of insurgents grew into an alliance of rebels that could legitimately challenge a galactic empire. Though told entirely out of sequence via their individual releases, the story is clear to follow. Solo shows us Enfys Nest and her Cloud-Riders. This swoop bike pirate crew and erstwhile rebels push back against Crimson Dawn and their ties to the Empire.
With Rebels, set about five years later, we see how the crew of the Ghost, a similar rebel cell. The Ghost slowly starts to link up with other cells. Covert operators like Ahsoka Tano’s Fulcrum network, connect them into a more organized Rebel Alliance. And with Rogue One, we finally see those disparate bands of rebels come together and declare open war on the Empire at the Battle of Scariff. Which, of course, ties directly into the beginning of the Saga as we know it.
LucasFilm/Disney
Solo’s novelization defines this throughline even more. It reveals that Enfys Nest delivers the Kessel Run coaxium to Saw Gerrera and young Jyn Erso. This ties not only Solo and Rogue One directly together but Rebels too. Saw, originally a Clone Wars character perfectly drops back into the Rebels series including an arc that ties directly into the plot of Rogue One. The film, in turn, features easter egg references to Rebels, including the Ghost itself being present at the Battle of Scariff.
So while the legacy of the Story anthology films may not be one of showing us a whole new era of the Star Wars universe, it does something else equally impressive. It takes an era that utterly defines the world that the characters in the original trilogy are escaping. They expand it into something that feels incredibly real, and lived-in, complimenting those films and bridging the gap between Episodes III and IV. And with the upcoming pair of Cassian Andor and Obi-Wan Kenobi-based shows for Disney+, it’s an era we’re only going to get to explore further.
Feature Image: LucasFilm/Disney
The post The Secret Fourth STAR WARS Trilogy appeared first on Nerdist.
Warning: This article contains plot points of Rogue One, Solo, and Star Wars Rebels
When Disney first took over Lucasfilm and the promise of more Star Wars films filled the air, the announcement of standalone non-Saga films gave many fans a sense of both anticipation and anxiety. Some fans, like myself, had found almost as much joy from the Knights of the Old Republic video game series as we had the Original Trilogy. For us, the promise of a new series of films that would explore heretofore unseen aspects of the Star Wars universe in cinematic form was highly, highly enticing.
Yet when the initial “standalone” projects were announced, I raised my eyebrows. A semi-prequel about the Death Star and the Young Han Solo Adventures? They seemed to tie in too close to the Original Trilogy to really fulfill this idea of expanding the universe. Though I ended up loving both movies, I never fully shook that feeling about what I saw was the wasted potential of the idea of non-Saga Star Wars movies.
LucasFilm/Disney
It wasn’t until I got Disney+ that a few lingering feelings about both movies fell into place. Finally, after years of not having the cable package for it, I was able to binge-watch the Star Wars Rebels animated series. Rebels serves as something of a sister series to Clone Wars, featuring characters and resolving plots from that show. But it’s the way that it also ties into both A Star Wars Story films, especially Rogue One, that made me feel like the two films and the series function as an almost unofficial fourth Star Wars trilogy.
This trilogy doesn’t tell the story of one specific set of characters. Instead, it tells a visual and thematic one. One that gives a previously unseen glimpse into the age in between Republic and Rebellion. A trilogy about the age of imperial dominance and the build-up to the Galactic Civil War.
In the original Star Wars film, we know the Empire is bad, sure. Vader and his crew capturing and torturing the princess, of the Stormtroopers’ murder of Luke’s family and the Jawas, and of course the utter destruction of Alderaan. But we never see Alderaan. Its loss is only felt through Leia and Obi-Wan. Troopers poke around Tatooine. Vader and company arrive at Bespin for the first time. We never see life on an occupied world. Our awareness of the presence of the Empire is almost always through the lens of military engagements.
With Rebels, Rogue One, and Solo, we instead witness the imposing presence of the Empire over the lives of its civilian residents. These works show us what it actually felt like to live under the reign of Palpatine. While The Last Jedi lets go of the past, these works give the past life.
LucasFilm/Disney
The city of Jedha lives in the literal shadow of a Star Destroyer hanging over it. The citizens of Lothal are forced to work in the Empire’s labor facilities building TIE Fighters. The streets of Corellia are locked down, controlled by criminal organizations with only a privileged few being able to barter their way through the Empire’s checkpoints.
Each of these stories features characters for whom these worlds are home. From Ezra Bridger to Chirrut and Baze, and young Han Solo himself. We feel the presence of the Empire in a visceral way. And Solo takes us even further, following Han into an invasion of yet another world, the boots on the ground assault of Mimban. The combination of this, the “Zero Hour” arc of Rebels, and the epic Battle of Scariff in Rogue account for some of the finest examples of what a “star war” looks like in the entire Star Wars canon.
The real throughline of these stories is their combined depiction of how a loose assortment of insurgents grew into an alliance of rebels that could legitimately challenge a galactic empire. Though told entirely out of sequence via their individual releases, the story is clear to follow. Solo shows us Enfys Nest and her Cloud-Riders. This swoop bike pirate crew and erstwhile rebels push back against Crimson Dawn and their ties to the Empire.
With Rebels, set about five years later, we see how the crew of the Ghost, a similar rebel cell. The Ghost slowly starts to link up with other cells. Covert operators like Ahsoka Tano’s Fulcrum network, connect them into a more organized Rebel Alliance. And with Rogue One, we finally see those disparate bands of rebels come together and declare open war on the Empire at the Battle of Scariff. Which, of course, ties directly into the beginning of the Saga as we know it.
LucasFilm/Disney
Solo’s novelization defines this throughline even more. It reveals that Enfys Nest delivers the Kessel Run coaxium to Saw Gerrera and young Jyn Erso. This ties not only Solo and Rogue One directly together but Rebels too. Saw, originally a Clone Wars character perfectly drops back into the Rebels series including an arc that ties directly into the plot of Rogue One. The film, in turn, features easter egg references to Rebels, including the Ghost itself being present at the Battle of Scariff.
So while the legacy of the Story anthology films may not be one of showing us a whole new era of the Star Wars universe, it does something else equally impressive. It takes an era that utterly defines the world that the characters in the original trilogy are escaping. They expand it into something that feels incredibly real, and lived-in, complimenting those films and bridging the gap between Episodes III and IV. And with the upcoming pair of Cassian Andor and Obi-Wan Kenobi-based shows for Disney+, it’s an era we’re only going to get to explore further.
Feature Image: LucasFilm/Disney
The post The Secret Fourth STAR WARS Trilogy appeared first on Nerdist.
Robyn Rihanna Fenty is just a machine that doesn’t seem to stop! The Barbadian singer, songwriter, fashion designer, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman has the type of work ethic that anyone who claims to like working would be envious of her efforts. She appeared on the scene with her debut album Music of the Sun (2005) and followed up with her second offering, A Girl like Me (2006), but her career really took off with the release of her third release, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). The third album is where she abandoned her more Caribbean sound and trended into a more dance, pop, R & B album where her smashing single, “Umbrella” took on a life of its own. Good Girl Gone Bad received seven Grammy Award nominations and won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Umbrella” in 2008. This started the successful runaway train that we know of today.
The Wealthiest Female Musician is what this singing beauty is according to Forbes. As the first black woman in charge of a major luxury fashion house, she has made most of her fortune outside of her music. “Most of that comes not from music but from her partnership with LVMH, the French luxury goods giant run by billionaire Bernard Arnault. Rihanna and LVMH co-own the makeup brand Fenty Beauty. It launched in September 2017 at Sephora, another LVMH brand, and online at FentyBeauty.com, quickly becoming a viral success. Fenty Beauty racked up a reported $100 million in sales in its first few weeks, propelled by Rihanna’s fame and 71 million Instagram followers.” And that’s only a part of the story!
Most of her wealth comes from strategic partnerships, campaigns, and endorsement deals. She’s had deals with the likes of Puma, CoverGirl, Gucci, Clinique and most recently reported Amazon, which has shelled out $25 million for the rights to a documentary that features her.
In 2012, the superstar founded her own charity organization, the Clara Lionel Foundation, which supports health and education efforts in impoverished communities around the world. This young woman may become a billionaire sooner than we think!
Rihanna’s Net Worth: $600M
Winter is finally here, which means it’s time to grab some hot chocolate, curl up on the couch, and watch some Christmas TV episodes. Whether you’re on “Santa patrol,” or taking a much-needed breather from gift shopping, there are so many shows that will get you in the holiday spirit.
From Arrested Development to Neo Yokio, popular TV shows take Christmas up a notch. While you’re vegging out and taking shelter from the cold, there are awkward family dinners, gingerbread house competitions, and magical surprises worthy of your binge-watching lineup. Here are the best Christmas TV episodes on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix that you can stream right now.
“Ludachristmas,” 30 Rock (Season 2)
“Ludachristmas” (Photo Credit: NBC)
TGS’ cast and writers are preparing for their annual holiday party, but not everyone’s cool with it. In 30 Rock’s episode, “Ludachristmas,” TGS workers explore the true meaning of Christmas, discover that everyone’s been a bit “naughty,” and almost take down a huge Christmas tree outside their office.
“Pink Christmas,” Neo Yokio
“Pink Christmas” (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Christmas finally hits Neo Yokio, a luxurious and bustling city. In Neo Yokio: Pink Christmas, Kaz struggles with demons, Secret Santa, and what the holidays might have in store for him.
“Christmas Waltz,” Mad Men (Season 5)
“Christmas Waltz” (Photo Credit: AMC)
Your favorite group of advertisers is back in the Mad Men episode, “Christmas Waltz.” Each character confronts different materialism conflicts during the holiday season: Paul Kinsey leaves his career and Lane Pryce is caught up in a tax dilemma that could send him to jail.
“Last Gingerbread House on the Left,” Bob’s Burgers (Season 7)
“Last Gingerbread House on the Left” (Photo Credit: FOX)
The Belcher gang takes on Christmas festivities in the Bob’s Burgers episode, “Last Gingerbread House on the Left.” Mr. Fischoeder and Bob Belcher have the ultimate gingerbread house competition, while Linda, Tina, Gene, and Louise attempt to belt out some carols.
“A Christmas Carol,” Doctor Who (Season 6)
“A Christmas Carol” (Photo Credit: BBC)
Amy and Rory get trapped on a troubled space liner, and the Doctor has to save the soul of a grumpy old man to prevent a fatal accident in the Doctor Who episode, “A Christmas Carol.” Oh, and did we mention that Christmas Eve weather could be a bit creepy?
“Afternoon Delight,” Arrested Development (Season 2)
“Afternoon Delight” (Photo Credit: FOX)
Gob decides to fire his entire staff after getting mocked at a holiday party, leaving Michael to creatively come up with a strategy to rehire employees following the ill-fated Christmas celebration. Arrested Development’s episode, “Afternoon Delight,” will leave you feeling nostalgic about the ’00s again.
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