Expounded Universe - podcast cover

Expounded Universe

Jef Aldrich and Jon Taylorsystemmasterypodcast.com
Jef and Jon review Star Wars expanded universe novels. Every week they discuss a few chapters at a time making their way through some of the strangest and most insufferable entries in the Star Wars canon.
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Episodes

Expounded Universe 127 – Lament My Wookie

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/expounded-universe-127-lament-my-wookie.mp3 Our lovable smuggler team (and their droid named after balls) find their way to the mighty agriplanet to continue the mission! We get to meet Rekkon, the coolest dude we’ve seen in a while, Torm, the obvious traitor, Atuarre and Pakka (cats that don’t really get lines, don’t worry about it). Also Chewie is about as cool here as he’ll ever be. All in all, good times! Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Apr 24, 20201 hr 6 min

Expounded Universe 126 – What’s Up, Doc

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/expounded-universe-126-whats-up-doc-1.mp3 Han and Chewie must effect a sneaky escape from Etti IV and find an old friend, but we have a lot of questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Apr 15, 202058 min

Expounded Universe 125 – Forest Balls

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/expounded-universe-125-forest-balls.mp3 Finally the 70s kick up something interesting! It’s Han Solo at Star’s End, a book that predates Empire Strikes Back! We’re gonna be reading all about the wild adventures of pre-Rebellion Han and Chewie, and literally no one else you’ve ever heard of. So exciting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Apr 10, 202057 min

Expounded Universe 124 – More of a Crucible

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/expounded-universe-124-more-of-a-crucible.mp3 As is tradition, we wrap up. We discuss what we liked and didn’t like, if we’d recommend the book in general, and so on. Eventually when we run out of that stuff we answer listener questions for a while and then announce the next book. WHICH WE DO! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 30, 20201 hr 3 min

Expounded Universe 123 – Hot Golden Showers… of Force

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/expounded-universe-123-hot-golden-showers-of-force-1.mp3 Okay, let’s bring her home. The entire EU that is, because this is the end. The last of it. Will Luke, Leia and Han die in the monolith? Do the Qrephs somehow win despite being the dumbest morons since Hethrir? I think you know these answers already, but hey, listen on! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 27, 20201 hr 12 min

Expounded Universe 122 – Powerbodies by Jake

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/expounded-universe-122-powerbodies-by-jake.mp3 As boilerplate as the Qrephs have turned out to be, Vestara Khai is a straight up delight. She’s very genre savvy and knows to be completely terrified of Luke and Leia and their terrifying “Light Side” progeny. Who are earning that fear this episode as we spend most of it in the perspective of a villain just watching the old Star Wars heroes rip through defenses like butter. Learn more about your ad ...

Mar 17, 202054 min

Expounded Universe 121 – Mad About Goo

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/expounded-u-niverse-121-mad-about-goo.mp3 Luke and Leia engage in some recreational muggle-dumping before looking for any excuse at all to murder Mandalorians (that’s how the light side works) while Han runs around behind Barduun/Jhonus Raam and his whole bag of crazy situation. Wackiness ensues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 13, 20201 hr 2 min

Expounded Universe 120 – And it turned into a Barduun Blitz

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/expounded-universe-120-and-it-turned-into-a-barduun-blitz.mp3 Finally, they stop playing sabacc! After, you know, a whole chapter of them playing sabacc again. Meanwhile the smartest brothers in the universe continue their extremely convincing impression of being horny bumbling dumbfucks. So believable, these smart dudes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Mar 03, 202058 min

Expounded Universe 119 – To The Pain

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/expounded-universe-119-to-the-pain.mp3 Well, this certainly got way bigger after the last episode? Remember how last time it was Han playing cards with the Qrephs? Well now there’s more people at the table! Remember how last time Ben and Lando spent a bunch of time looking at a floating D8 in space? Well now there’s more people there! Hooray! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Feb 28, 202057 min

Expounded Universe 118 – Pinnace Envy

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/expounded-universe-118-pinnace-envy.mp3 A classic tradition of Star Wars EU books return, as Benny Skywalker spends a whole-ass chapter talkin to Lando about a big D8 they found a picture of. Meanwhile, Luke and Leia escape the Ormni under cover of broad daylight in the largest pinnace in town! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Feb 20, 202050 min

Expounded Universe 117 – The Beast with Two Sabaccs

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/expounded-universe-117-the-beast-with-two-sabaccs.mp3 Whoa, halfway point already? Feels like we’re just getting started! Anyhow, Han is tied to a chair so he can play more sabacc. It’s not all bad though, because he’s playing with the dumbest geniuses in the galaxy, the Qreph brothers! Meanwhiler Luke and Leia sneak around a mining ship and dodge a sith with a mysterious new name! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Feb 15, 20201 hr

Expounded Universe 116 – Stake Out

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/expounded-universe-116-stake-out.mp3 I’m sure the plan here was intentional, that two chapters in a row of Skywalkers sitting in spaceships watching things happening “rhymed” or something. Really, the thing that’s fascinating is this new Tahiri character. Who the heck is this lady with a Majin W on her face? Well, let’s find out. And also let’s finally meet Ben Skywalker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Feb 05, 202055 min

Expounded Universe 115 – Big Money Blastas

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/expounded-universe-115-big-money-blastas.mp3 If you were thinking “boy oh boy I sure hope we get to see some classic Expanded Universe sabacc games today” then I have great news for you. If, however, you were hoping to finally revisit our brainy blue bad guys, well sadly, I also have great news for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Feb 01, 202056 min

Expounded Universe 114 – Bacta Streets Back, All Right

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/expounded-universe-114-bacta-streets-back-all-right.mp3 r Into every Star Wars book review a little rain must fall, and here it comes. At least we learn some surprising Dena Yus secrets, but boy do they come at the cost of wheels a-spinnin. Han has a plan, my friends. Stay fresh, cheese bags. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jan 22, 202053 min

Expounded Universe 113 – Crash Into Me

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/expounded-universe-113-crash-into-me.mp3 This book continues to baffle our wary expectations, as a chapter begins with a wordy explanation of how one of Lando’s dumb mining operations works and then ends about SOMETHING ELSE! All that and Luke shows up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jan 17, 202056 min

Expounded Universe 112 – Puny Jaw Power Body

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/expounded-universe-112-puny-jaw-power-body.mp3 We meet the villains! There’s two of these floaty dorks and boy oh boy do we have a big reveal about them. They’re gonna threaten Lando for a bit, and then Luke will meet a Sullustan and talk about Sullustan sullustuff for a while. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Jan 07, 202057 min

Expounded Universe 111 – You Know, Forest Poles

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/expounded-universe-111-you-know-forest-poles.mp3 So in this book, Jaina Solo is 36 years old. In case you were curious how far along in the timeline we’re dealing with, this one is set around roughly 45 ABY (I’m not using that new one and you can’t make me). Crucible is the last book published as an Expanded Universe title before the Legends swap took place, and so far it feels like that was well understood as the book took shape. Learn more abou...

Jan 03, 20201 hr 5 min

X-pounded Universe 110 – Plant X-Plained

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/expounded-universe-110-planet-x-plained.mp3 The wrap-up, listener questions, and the announcement of the next book. Thankfully our mission was not continuing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Dec 20, 20191 hr 10 min

X-pounded Universe 109 – Quatu the Watcher

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/expounded-universe-109-quatu-the-watcher.mp3 As we expected, the final chapters of this book break down pretty simply. A satisfying if somewhat short conclusion, along with a little more Worferine (which is our preferred ship name for the Worf/Wolverine bromance abrewin’). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Dec 10, 201952 min

X-pounded Universe 108 – There Are FOUR CLAWS

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/expounded-universe-108-there-are-four-claws.mp3 Wait, seriously? Are we this close to done? It seems like the part where anything cool happens didn’t happen. Oh well, we’re in wrap up mode, and if you were Patton Oswalt or something, all wanting to finally see the moment where Xavier and Picard virtually meet, well that’s in here, at least. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Dec 06, 20191 hr 6 min

X-pounded Universe 107 – A Colossus Lapse in Judgement

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/expounded-universe-107-a-colossus-lapse-in-judgement.mp3 At this point I’m starting to long for the extreme action of a mid-season TNG episode or one of those really wordy Bendis X-Men issues. Sure, there’s stuff going on, but the pace! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Nov 27, 20191 hr 4 min

X-pounded Universe 106 – Sovar, So Good

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/expounded-universe-106-sovar-so-good.mp3 Shadowcat enters and promptly leaves the fray! Data turns out to be some sort of alarming mechano-man! And Crusher has a dumb holodeck plan! It’s all going beautifully here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Nov 22, 20191 hr

X-pounded Universe 105 – I Sure Hope Troi’s Okay

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/expounded-universe-105-i-sure-hope-trois-okay.mp3 The fight rages on! So much transporting and phaser fighting and descriptions of the super cool powers of two of the definitely coolest X-Men, Banshee and… uhhh well Archangel. In a series of hallways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Nov 13, 20191 hr 6 min

X-pounded Universe 104 – Don’t Be Sad, Jo

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/expounded-universe-104-dont-be-sad-jo.mp3 Holy cow the villains! We have villains! They’re improbably stereotypical (gross monsters called the Draa’kon that kill each other for failure? Come the fuck on), but we sure did finally get to see them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Nov 08, 20191 hr 3 min

X-pounded Universe 103 – Shadowcatastrophe

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/expounded-universe-103-shadowcatastrophe.mp3 Mysterious aliens arrive and start messing with our transformed friends on Xhaldia! Meanwhile Shadowcat is apparently just wandering through the walls of the Enterprise because X-Men, like wizards, have no sense of right and wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Oct 30, 20191 hr 1 min

X-pounded Universe 102 – Just call me Archangel of the Morning, Baby

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/expounded-universe-102-just-call-me-archangel-of-the-morning-baby.mp3 The pride and craftsmanship our author takes in the simple act of a “Wolverine drinks some prune juice” gag is more obvious and satisfactory than any sense of accomplishment either of us has ever felt. And we also wrote a book! Full of gags! Anyway, this time a whole lot of nothing happens! Hope you like nothing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Oct 25, 201956 min

X-pounded Universe 101 – Geordi THE Forge

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/expounded-universe-101-its-geordi-the-forge.mp3 The X-Trek revolution commences! Erid and his erstwhile mutant family take to the hills and then take over a slum, while … well Dr. Crusher is taking cursory looks at whatever’s up with Archangel. Also Worf and Wolverine fight Turricans and Axelays in the holodeck (just kidding, those are video games). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Oct 11, 20191 hr 6 min

X-pounded Universe 100 – BoneStorm

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/expounded-universe-100-bonestorm.mp3 Well last week Picard met the X-Men while Erid met his collection of weird new mutant Xhaldian friends. This week Picard meets Storm specifically while Erid meets the more revolution-inclined among the Xhaldians. Also Geordi and Nightcrawler, just pallin’ around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Oct 02, 201956 min

X-pounded Universe 99 – A Thorough Accounting of Powers

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/expounded-universe-99-a-thorough-accounting-of-powers.mp3 Picard meets the X-Men who are all acting like they just got their powers today, while Erid is shipped to a private facility and starts assembling the Planet X-Men. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Sep 27, 20191 hr

X-pounded Universe 98 – Very Tidy Seconds

https://systemmastery.files.wordpress.com/2019/09/expounded-universe-98-very-tidy-seconds.mp3 Oh goddammit who let Jon pick the book? It was me? Shoot, complaint withdrawn. YES! It’s time to see what the X-Men and the TNG crew (and Worf if he’s into it) can do together! This is going to be ridiculous. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Sep 17, 20191 hr 4 min
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