Day 2,013, Quasi-Quarantine: Kino Loy Has The Words We're All Trying To Find

Thank the maker for "Andor," for lo so many reasons.

Locate your inner rebel.

Find your alliance.

Limerick Friday #634: Cassian & Crew Ripped From The Headlines -- Day 1,877

 

Story-telling you have to see

With "Bladerunner" vibes, to me

The pace of a hellion

Love in a rebellion

"Andor" is the best thing on TV

A legend in every way

Changed everything with "College Gameday"

"The Sunshine Scooter" was my fave

Every ounce he gave

Lee Corso, an institution we can't repay

Will the injuries calm down

Will the bats ever come to town

The pitching has been sublime

But it's high time

For the Mets stars to come around

A rapist, liar, and thief

Is the bitch in chief

Intentional crime is the point

How is he not in the joint?

His obituary would be a relief

Called NFL games in the nineties

Then moved on to ACC's

A legendary voice he had

Kinda like a friendly dad

Mike Patrick, all the RIPs

Last time ...

Day 1,874, Quasi-Quarantine: Location And Melancholy Fuel Appreciation Of Lego ARC-170 Starfighter Set

 

Our most recent trip to Disney World included the mandatory visit to the Lego Store at Disney Springs, where my building partner landed the iconic ARC-170 Starfigher (set #75402).

Featuring three opening cockpits and two spring-loaded shooters, this 497-piece set is most recognizable for its adjustable wings. The foils move easily and efficiently, the rear guns have cool flexibility, the midship cockpit is nicely detailed, the space for the astromech is clever, and the overall build is both sleek and durable.

For some reviewers, the overall size (smaller than the version from 2010), color mismatching, and the sheer number of stickers are dramatic misses from Lego. In particular, the cockpit stickers are unwieldy and colored much differently than the box representation, while the printed wing pieces feature the wrong maroon hue.

For me, the cockpit for the tail gunner feels incomplete, with no stickers or console, and the price point would seem to justify more printing and fewer stickers. I also find the minifigures (Oddball, Jag, a generic clone pilot, and the R4-P44 mech droid) somewhat uninspiring, though the helmets and face printing are certainly well conceived.

Despite the $70 tag for a set with fewer than 500 pieces, I didn't find this set dramatically overpriced (unlike some others recently). It's a unique build with a few miscalculations on the part of Lego -- your interpretation of how harshly to ding them for them may vary.

Seeing the ARC-170 in action at the recent 20th-anniversary viewing of "Return of the Sith" was incredibly cool, and seeing my building partner rediscover some of his waning Lego passion in Florida certainly gives the set a nostalgia boost in my mind.

Day 1,810, Quasi-Quarantine: A Second Season Of "Andor" Is The Resistance We All Need

The extent to which I miss "Andor" has not abated much in the past two and a half years.

As if the universe knew how much the world at large needs an inspirational (if fictional) story of rebel uprising against an evil empire, Disney provides.

The second season of "Andor" returns on April 22.

Let's fucking do this.

Limerick Friday #629: "Star Wars" Finds Balance In The Dramedy Force-- Day 1,767

"Skeleton Crew" was a delight

Livening up Tuesday night

It's "Goonies" in space

We all did embrace

I miss it already, all right

Sloppy and one-dimensional play

Crushing losses the order of the day

Injuries and missed shots every night

This is NC State's plight

The Final Four feels so far away

"Severance" back tonight

"Silo" is trying with might

It all seems must-see

Across Apple TV

Bringing great stories to light

A playoff fantasy team

Trying to hold together at the seam

Tricky to navigate

Difficult to speculate

Enter that Galfianakis math meme

Fantasies bordering the absurd

Thought you could quit with a word

But the curves didn't quit

A hold that doesn't diminish a bit

Powerless against the Jaybird

Last time ...

Limerick Friday #627: Weeks Of So, So Many Losses -- Day 1,697

Racism won

Plus love of the gun

We chose the criminal zoo

Time to look somewhere new

America had a solid run

Still not over the Mets

Almost as good as it gets

A season to remember

Even in November

Do it again next year, lets

So many now gones

Dikembe to James Earl Jones

Pete Rose bid adieu

Fernando Valenzuela, too

Childhood memories called home

6-3 is OK, I guess

Two L's by 10 points or less

The Scooters are back

For talent, we don't lack

Kinda missed fantasy, I confess

By the Final Four run, we're haunted

Not the football team we wanted

Early oil we did leak

But improving week by week

Let's finish strong and undaunted

Last time ...

Day 1,639, Quasi-Quarantine: May The Force Ghost Be With You, James Earl Jones

His Darth Vader shaped so many of our childhoods.

His Terrance Mann shaped how so many of us view the sport of baseball.

James Earl Jones passed away recently, but his voice will live on forever.

Godspeed, good sir.

Limerick Friday #624: Queens Reigns In Another Dominant Subway Series -- Day 1,592

The Bronx got a little cranky

Enough crying for their own hanky

Into which they did weep

As they thought about a season sweep

The Mets did own every Yankee

Naked inanity

And lack of humanity

The vibe of work

Is a goddam jerk

Default fucking insanity

Training camp is here

With every injury fear

Tua's holding in

Get out that ATM PIN

Almost time for that football beer

Some scenes were rad

Others definitely dragged

"The Acolyte" never coalesced

A case of more meaning less

This is one that Disney gagged

Life often deranges

With many emotional ranges

Never too old to express

The art you hold in your chest

And always make tiny changes

Last time ...

Limerick Friday #617: Clone Force 99 Fades Like A Shooting Star -- Day 1,508

They always had a plan to hatch

And special skills to match

An approach for every defense

A family in every sense

Boy, will I miss the "Bad Batch"

In the pocket he stood tall

Of defenders he took on each and all

Roman Gabriel led the Pack

And put the Rams on his back

It's past time to put him in the Hall

Most days are a blast

So many memories have passed

Loss and blessing

The love isn't lessening

15 years go so fast

The bats are still cold

The injuries continue to unfold

But they're treading water

And staying out of the gutter

This Mets team has a story to be told

"Will I know where to go?"

And every other travel woe

Planes, cabs, and trains

To go with foot pains

Remind me to go with the flow

Last time ...

Day 1,507, Quasi-Quarantine: Shed A Happy Tear For The Much-Deserved Retirement Of "The Bad Batch"

I knew the series finale of "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" was going to be super emotional, but I perhaps wasn't prepared for the 20-ish-year flashforward at the end.

Omega, Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, Crosshair, and Echo have been mainstays for us since the Covid days. Clone Force 99 has overcome losses (Tech's absence permeates the entire final season, though it a beautiful touch to show his goggles in the last moments), setbacks, and defeats -- all without sacrificing their commitment to no brother left behind.

We've learned more than a few things over the past three seasons, including:

• Definitions can be fluid.
• Families have no blueprint.
• Different can be better.
• Broken can defeat whole.

And perhaps most importantly:

• Outcasts can be cast as heroes.

All hail Dave Filoni. And all hail the Batch.

Day 1,491, Quasi-Quarantine: "The Acolyte" Hits In June

Bring me all your Star Wars universe programming.

I ask no questions.

Feed me.

Day 1,466, Quasi-Quarantine: A Goldface Enoch Steals The Show In "Ahsoka"

 

One of the most memorable characters in the all-too-brief run of "Ahsoka" was Captain Enoch.

Serving as Grand Admiral Thrawn's Captain of the Guard, Enoch has an ominous and distinctive look, highlighted by his gold face plating and metallic voice. He largely dominates the sixth episode of the show, despite the presence of Morgan Elsbeth, Sabine Wren, and Ezra Bridger on the planet Peridea.

When he departed with Thrawn on the Eye of Sion starship, headed (ostensibly) to Dathomir, I found myself wanting to know so much more. I'm hopeful that a second season of "Ahsoka" will reunite us with this incredible character.

Until then we settle for Funko! and Lego versions ...

Day 1,452, Quasi-Quarantine: Celebrating The Comerciales Cerveza Cristal Star Wars

I could not love how Chilean Star Wars approached product placement more. Once that can (or bottle) is opened, the possibilities are endless.

Also, Jar Jar Binks makes a lot more sense if you think of him as being perpetually hammered.

Cheers. May the Coors be with you ...

Day 1,446, Quasi-Quarantine: The Hidden Gem Of Hollywood Studios, "Star Tours" Has Staying Power

 

"Star Tours: The Adventures Continue" was unveiled at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2011, so our family was new to Disney just as the ride was. Over the years, it's become a favorite -- at least for us.

As Black Spire Outpost and Baatu emerged into reality, "Star Tours" was slowly relegated a bit to second-citizen status. Tucked away in a replica Endor forest village setting underneath an AT-AT Walker, scores of tourists either race by on their way elsewhere or never quite make it to that corner of the park.

The randomized variability of your experience on the Starspeeder 1000 -- you can end up on some combination of Kashyyyk, Hoth, Jakku, Kef Bir, Tattooine, Coruscant, Geonosis, Crait, Exegol, or Naboo -- has been one of our favorite elements of the ride. Unfortunately, on our most recent visit, we rode "Star Tours" twice and ended up on Naboo both times, but we look forward to checking out the new destinations that will be added this year (update: they're coming April 5!) in the future.

"Star Tours" will always hold a special place in my heart (both kids have been identified as Rebel spies at various times as part of the ride during our visits), and I maintain it is one of the more underrated and overlooked attractions at Disney.

And I desperately hope it stays that way.

Day 1,439, Quasi-Quarantine: The Start Of The Final Mission Of "The Bad Batch"

Clone Force 99 has captivated us since the early days of the pandemic, helping us to navigate some of the more challenging and emotional moments. So the idea that "Star Wars: The Bad Batch" is kicking off its final season today brings up a lot of feels.

We're gonna miss Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, Echo, Omega -- and, yes, even ol' Crosshair. In the meantime, we'll savor every last moment of their final hurrahs together.

"Good soldiers follow orders." So make sure you watch, y'all.

Day 1,415, Quasi-Quarantine: Returning To Work Is A Trap!

 

A lot has happened since Lieutenant Bek tried to warn me about what awaited back in the real world. 

"Rise of the Resistance" in Hollywood Studios certainly feels like a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ...

Day 1,393, Quasi-Quarantine: Wrapping Up The Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar For Another Year

 

As the days left in the runup to Christmas dwindled, the drama left in the Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar dissipated quickly. With so many spoilers on the calendar box and so few days left, the opportunities for surprise were few and far between.

While the first and second weeks honored "The Bad Batch," "Mandalorian," and "Clone Wars," the third and fourth weeks were Endor-intense -- and that didn't change in the fifth and final week.

Day 21: Emperor's throne

Day 22: Imperial Star Destroyer

Day 23: Ewok glider

Day 24: Holiday Ewok

The throne was pretty basic, but was a complementary piece to Day 20's minifigure. The star destroyer was a minimalist version that disappointed a number of fans, but it felt clever to me in the sense that it felt like Lego designers challenged themselves to use the least possible number of pieces they could to evoke the monolith destroyer. 

The glider was a cool accessory, and the predictable-but-phenomenal Ewok was a perfect way to wrap up this year's calendar.

Overall, this was another very strong effort by the Lego team this year. I do think the calendar should have included at least one more minifigure, and while I understood the anniversary-fueled focus on "Return of the Jedi," it did feel a little constraining. 

A fun inclusion like a Salacious B. Crumb with an elf hat or a Bib Fortuna with a candy-cane-striped tentacle could have still been tributes to "Return of the Jedi" while adding a bit of festive flair to the proceedings.

Something to think about in future years, maybe. May the Twenty-Force Be With You!

Day 1,377, Quasi-Quarantine: The Sith-Mas Spirit Has Real Staying Power On Endor

 

If you've been following (Are you kidding? Of course you have!), I've documented how the initial week of the Lego Star Wars advent calendar honored "Bad Batch" and "Mandalorian," the second week paid tribute to the "Clone Wars" and the prequel timeline, and the third week celebrated "Return of the Jedi" and Endor.

Well, little did I know just how strong the Endor would be with week four in a true advent calendar double-down.

Day 16: Endor bunker

Day 17: AT-ST

Day 18: Speeder bike

Day 19: Endor shield generator

Day 20: Ugly Christmas sweater Palpatine

While instantly recognizable, the Endor bunker was a bit meh, and the speeder bike was a bit flat, but I still dug it. The Endor shield generator was simplistic but spot on, but the AT-ST was a flat-out rad build. 

The finale of the five-day week was Emperor Palpatine, sporting a sweater with the death star and some laser bolts, plus a mug and actual laser bolts to carry -- a welcome addition considering the relative paucity of minifigures thus far.

Focusing the advent calendar so narrowly on a specific place is a new approach, and one that obviously limits what to expect. The upside is that a pretty stellar diorama of Endor is now possible with so many mini-builds.

I expect a slight move away from Endor in the final days of the calendar (breaking it up to allow for a Dagobah focus would have been cool), but overall, I've enjoyed this year's efforts. I can't wait to see what's left -- and no, I'm not someone who obsesses over or even looks at the clues and hints on the box cover.

Merry Sith-Mas to one and all!

Day 1,372, Quasi-Quarantine: The Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar Rolls On With A Deep Dive On Endor

 

After an initial week that honored spinoffs like "Bad Batch" and "Mandalorian" and a second week that paid tribute to the "Clone Wars" and the prequel timeline, the third week settled very specifically on Endor as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of "Return of the Jedi."

Day 11: Armoured Assault Tank (AAT)

Day 12: Reindeer Gonk droid

Day 13: Imperial Shuttle

Day 14: Leia Organa

Day 15: Ewok village

The AAT and the Imperial Shuttle were both phenomenally rendered builds, while the Ewok village was clever if a bit simplistic. The Princess Leia Organa minifigure is an exclusive, featuring her in Endor fatigues with her hair up, displaying alternate faces, and holding both a blaster and a Christmas cookie. 

But the highlight of the week for me was the adorable Gonk droid. Droid arms represent the antlers, and a button nose polishes off the holiday look. 

A return to Endor is always a welcome experience for me, and this year's advent calendar -- while somewhat light on minifigures thus far -- has been marked by winner after winner.

Day 1,365, Quasi-Quarantine: The Advent Calendar Goes Heavy On The Prequel Iconography

While the first week largely represented a tribute to recent spinoffs "Bad Batch" and "Mandalorian," the second week was dedicated to the "Clone Wars" and the prequel timeline, with a special emphasis on companion builds.

Day 6: 212th Clone trooper

Day 7: Clone Command Station

Day 8: Battle droid

Day 9: STAP Speeder

Day 10: Hailfire-Class Tank Droid

The clone trooper minifigure is rare, available only in an expensive set, and the next day's clone command station gave him somewhere to set up shop, though it could have used more features.

The "Roger" battle droid came with multiple sets of arms for flexibility, and the following day revealed a STAP (single-troop aerial platform) speeder for him to ride on. The hailfire-class tank droid was a really unique and clever build, rounding out the second week nicely.

Credit as always to Jay's Brick Blog for the building clarifications and identification assistance. This second week featured a nice blend of iconic throwbacks and playability, and I can't wait to see what the next week brings.