In this month's edition of Duel of the Ranks, the crew absolutely fawns over Rebels Season 2. For Amanda and Brian, it ranks amongst the best of all Star Wars content. Brody and Christian agree it may be their favorite single season of Star Wars television. But does the animation hold it back from scoring as highly as it does in our hearts? Join us as we debate the merits of the story, characters, lore, technical aspects and music. And don't forget to watch live on Saturday, October 26...

Duel of the Ranks is back with a new format! With Christian returning to host, the crew discusses the entirety of Star Wars Rebels season 1. Amanda and Brian have been looking forward to discussing their favorite series of the franchise for a long time. Despite the clunky animation, the characters are relatable and enjoyable. And even as a children's show, our hosts agree that the quality of storytelling will be appreciated by fans of any age. Listen along as we discuss our favorite and leas...

With The Acolyte coming to a close, our hosts debate the merits and pitfalls of the show. With nuanced characters, compelling action, and rich lore, it brings a lot to the discussion table. But is that enough to redeem it from pacing issues and muddled motivations? Brian, Brody, and Amanda are here to answer that. The finale delivered on many fronts and suffered in others. With many over-generalized arguments about the quality of writing and the state of Star Wars television as a whole float...

The Duel of the Ranks crew dives into episodes 6 and 7 of The Acolyte. Amanda finds episode 6 more engaging with its darker story elements, while Brian enjoys episode 7's exploration of Sol's perspective and the Jedi's role in their own troubles. Both agree the episodes tackle the Jedi's moral failings and develop a compelling villain. Brody admires the action sequences and the portrayal of the Wookie Jedi, but on the other hand, criticizes the show's illogical plot points and unbeliev...

Our hosts, Brian, Brandon, and Chaco, share their thoughts on the newest episode of The Acolyte: Night. Brian and Brandon are fans of the action-packed episode, praising the best choreography, music, and tension we've gotten in this season. Brian particularly likes how Sol's character is evolving, while Brandon questions whether the villain, Quimir, is a true Sith. Brody is less impressed. He finds the acting uneven and the plot predictable, although he acknowledges the show's impressi...

On this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, our hosts Luke, Alanis, and Choco debate the latest episode of The Acolyte. While some found the cliffhanger ending to be exciting, others were critical of the clunky dialogue, rushed character progression, and short run time. Speculation and intrigue for new characters such as Mae, Jecki, and Bassil are thriving despite recent outcry from segments of the fandom. Additionally, the episode explores long-running questions about the Jedi Order,...

Reviews for episode 3 of "The Acolyte" are all over the map. Brody finds the episode the weakest of all Star Wars content with a predictable plot, uninteresting characters, and being too focused on lore for die-hard fans. Luke and Choco offer a more positive take, enjoying the new information about the Force and the portrayal of the fallible Jedi. Brian agrees with the criticism of technical aspects of the show but finds the episode more rewarding on a second viewing. The discussion takes a ...

On this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, Brody, Amanda, and Luke review the first two episodes of the new Star Wars series "The Acolyte". While all enjoy the world building and additions to the lore, disagreement ensues on the overall "television" quality of the show. Brody enjoys the characters and action sequences but found the story predictable and the cinematography a bit off. Amanda liked that the story subverts expectations and the treatment of the Force, aliens, and droids a...

In this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, our hosts Alanis, Amanda, Brian, and Brody delve into speculative territory of the upcoming Star Wars series "The Acolyte." We expect the show to feature iconic characters like Yoda and potentially Darth Plagueis, while also venturing into uncharted territory with new Force abilities and shadowy Force cults. The Jedi Order being at the height of its power has the potential to add depth and contrast to the Skywalker Saga without being tied dow...

On this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, our hosts Brody, Brian, Luke, and Alanis rank every lightsaber duel from the Star Wars TV shows. From Din Djarin facing down Moff Gideon to Maul and Obi Wan's final confrontation, we analyze the music, stakes, and choreography to determine which is truly the greatest. Join us as we debate the merits of underappreciated scenes and the weaknesses of some affected by nostalgia bias. To stay up-to-date on all things Duel of the Ranks, be sure to...

On this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, our hosts Amanda, Brian, Luke, and Darth Choco rank every lightsaber duel from the nine Skywalker Saga films. From Obi Wan and Vader's confrontation on the Death Star to Rey and Kylo Ren battling through the force, we analyze the music, stakes, and choreography to determine which is truly the greatest. Join us as we debate the merits of underappreciated scenes and the weaknesses of some affected by nostalgia bias. To stay up-to-date on all t...

On this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, our hosts Amanda, Alanis, Luke, and Darth Choco analyze the best and weakest parts of "Tales of the Empire". The animation is praised, along with its focus on lesser-known corners of the Star Wars universe like the Nightsisters and the mountain clan. The exploration of Barriss Offee's story is also considered a strength. However, the episode titles are criticized for inconsistency, and the hosts debate whether the series could have been more narrat...

In this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, Brian, Amanda, Luke and Alanis tackle the finale of The Bad Batch. Some found enjoyment in the action and closure for the Bad Batch crew, while others felt the episode lacked weight in the grand Star Wars narrative. The discussion dives into unanswered questions about Cody and Ventress, the underutilized potential of elements such as Omega's crossbow, and the effectiveness of the episode's editing. Disagreement arises over the importance of the fin...

In this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, Brody, Darth Choco, Luke, and Alanis debate the merits and pitfalls of The Bad Batch season 3, episode 14, titled "Flash Strike." The crew expresses both disappointment and cautious optimism. While some find the episode underwhelming, others see potential for the season finale. Echo reuniting with other clones and Omega venturing on a risky mission are seen as highlights. The scoring and sound design receive their usual praise, but worry lingers th...

This episode of Duel of the Ranks delves into the latest episode of The Bad Batch Season 3, Episode 13: "Into the Breach." Amanda, Brian, Brody, and Luke explore everything from character development to narrative pacing, and express mixed sentiments about the direction of the show. The conversation oscillates between anticipation for the finale and disappointment in the series' trajectory, revealing a blend of excitement and skepticism among the hosts. With the final two episodes just ...

In this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, Brody, Brian and Amanda dive deep into The Bad Batch Season 3, Episode 12: "Juggernaut." The hosts are joined by returning guests Luke, Alanis and Darth Choco, adding dynamic perspectives to the conversation. Our guests express disappointment in the episode's perceived lack of progression and missed opportunities for character development, particularly in the dynamic between Hunter and Crosshair. Despite their criticism, they find merit in the por...

Brian and Amanda debate the merits of episodes 8 and 9 of The Bad Batch season 3. An important discussion on what constitutes “filler” helps rationalize “Bad Territory” and helps us appreciate the details of the episode, such as the atmosphere and character design, while acknowledging the roundabout plot development. As major Asajj Ventress fans, "The Harbinger" is decidedly more engaging. The return of the fan-favorite Clone Wars character is a highlight, though some listeners question the p...

On this week's episode of Duel of the Ranks, we discuss episodes 6 and 7 of Star Wars: The Bad Batch season 3. Brian, Amanda, and Brody share their initial thoughts on the episodes, dissecting references, animation style, returning characters, plot developments, and action sequences. They also analyze how these episodes fit into the larger Star Wars saga and express their overall enjoyment. Things get interesting with some bold hot takes. Amanda questions Hunter's ongoing value to the ...

Hosts Brody and Brody discuss the fifth episode of season 3 of "The Bad Batch" titled "The Return." Is it filler, or does the situation advance the characters forward in a meaningful way? With Omega and Crosshair back in the batch, the conflict revolves around unresolved tension between Hunter and his "prodigal brother." Brody argues that "The Bad Batch" is a far more compelling story than "The Mandalorian". While "The Mandalorian" relies on guest appearances rat...

Brian and Amanda discuss episodes 10 and 11 of The Bad Batch Season 3. Join us as we debate ranks and hot takes from "Identity Crisis" and "Point of No Return." To stay up-to-date on all things Duel of the Ranks, be sure to check out our links below! Website: www.dueloftheranks.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dueloftheranks/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DueloftheRanksTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dueloftheranks?lang=en Discord: https://discord.gg/3eZZbuXbr3To stay up-to-d...