Explore every episode of the podcast Lore Genius

In which we answer the question "What Are Midichlorians?"

Media covered in this episode

• Wallace, Daniel, and Ian Fullwood. "Unique Crystalline/Electronic Ambulatory Symbiont". Guide Entry. In The New Essential Guide to Droids, 199. Del Rey Books, 2006.
• Lewis, Ann Margaret and Helen Keier. "Midi-Chlorian". Guide Entry. In The New Essential Guide to Alien Species, 201. Del Rey Books, 2006.
• Plagius, Darth. Daniel Wallace, Editor. “The Science of Creating Life.” Essay. In Book of Sith - Secrets from the Dark Side [Vault Edition], 129–44. becker&mayer!, 2014.
• Reaves, Michael, and Steve Perry. Medstar II: Jedi Healer: A Clone Wars Novel. Del Rey Books, 2004.
• "Destiny" & "Sacrifice." Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Season 6, episodes 12-13, Lucasfilm Animation, 2014.

Links

Medstar II Summary and Force Notes

In this episode:

• Intro (00:00)
• Medstar II: Jedi Healer (02:40)
• Summary of Medstar II (07:04)
• Lore Genius After Dark (13:05)
• What makes an alien? (15:00)
• Clone Wars Factions (23:12)
• Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster (30:31)
• Bota, the amazing space drug (33:22)
• Theorizing the role of midichlorians: from Bariss to Plagius (50:38)
• Does Yoda's spirit journey in the birthplace of midichlorians support Darth Plagius's tripartite model of The Force? An Investigation (57:58)
• Whose clones are those? (1:07:02)
• Yoda's guilt & Qui-Gon Jinn the perfect Jedi (1:16:03)
• Darth Bane's legacy and the Jedi Order (1:28:51)
• Midichlorian Microbiome (1:42:05)
• Abstinence-Only Darkside Education (1:44:30)
• We finally talk about droids! (1:50:43)
• A short digression about Luke Skywalker as an emblem of Yoda's limitations (1:57:40)
• What the Shard imply about midichlorians and the Force(2:00:45)
• Lore Genius After Dark Episode 2 (2:01:35)
• I-Five (2:02:40)
• Answering the question: what are midichlorians? (2:08:25)
• Our next research question: can someone be cut off from the Force? (2:10:13)
• Housekeeping Notes (2:18:19)
• Jedi Academy Outro (2:22:03)

Next Time on Lore Genius—
Can Someone Be Cut Off From the Force? Part 1: Non-Canon

• Anderson, Kevin J, Dario Carrasco, Jr., and Jordi Ensign. Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi—The Sith War #1-6. Dark Horse Comics, 1995.
• Luceno, James. Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force. Del Rey Books, 2003. Chapters 15, 23, 26, 29, 31-33, 39-43
• Denning, Troy. Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Inferno. Del Rey Books, 2007.
• STAR WARS Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords with Restored Content Modification (TSLRCM). Obsidian Entertainment / LucasArts, 2005. Paragus, Telos, Onderon/Dxun, Nar Shaddaa.

In which we answer the question "How does Darth Maul die?"

Media covered in this episode

• Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
• Star Wars Rebels S03E20: “Twin Suns”

Saturn's Letterboxd Fanfic:

Unfurling, consciousness sparkling online, dozens of B1 battle droids came online on the surface of the planet known galatically as Naboo.
The vessel carrying this particular troop ached with foreknowledge. 
The banter between the droids already had begun, both one and all - a refracting way of being understood by few flesh sentients.
The B1 leader chirped to the vessel's navigation module, comments and jokes about the terrain, about the atmosphere composition.
Every ounce of aliveness from droid to grasp able to be terminated at the whims of empire or the follies of combat. Jar Jar Binks tearing them apart.

Links:

A More Civilized Age Episode 1; AMCA Episode 105; "The Dialectic of Fantasy Displacement and Uncanny Allegory in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy"; Fanlore entry on The Phantom Menace; Darth Maul fan vid; "Is Star Wars Cultural Appropriation?"; "A Look Into Star Wars: Padme's Dresses"; "The Missing Dialogue in 'Star Wars and the Power of Costume'"; What the Force episode about the music of TPM; The Redemption of Jar Jar Binks; General Fanfic Rec List; Shippers List; Another Shippers List; Tumblr post about dying in Obi-Wan's arms

In this episode

• How does Darth Maul die? (0:05:07)
• A Formal Apology to Jar-Jar Binks (0:11:18)
• Racialized Others in The Phantom Menace (0:18:46)
• On Dying in Obi-Wan's Arms (0:27:52)
• Maul's Last Words (0:31:41)
• Ezra's Two Dads (0:36:16)
• Another Formal Apology (0:40:46)
• The Plight of Robots in Star Wars (0:42:44)
• Midichlorians and Symbionts (0:56:01)
• What's the Deal with Padme Amidala? (1:07:25)
• What's the Deal with the Jedi Order? (1:32:51)
• Recap: The Two Deaths of Maul (1:34:41)
• Our Next Research Question (1:40:31)

Next Time on Lore Genius: What Are Midichlorians?

• Wallace, Daniel, and Ian Fullwood. "Unique Crystalline/Electronic Ambulatory Symbiont". Guide Entry. In The New Essential Guide to Droids, 199. Del Rey Books, 2006.
• Lewis, Ann Margaret and Helen Keier. "Midi-Chlorian". Guide Entry. In The New Essential Guide to Alien Species, 201. Del Rey Books, 2006.
• Plagius, Darth. Daniel Wallace, Editor. “The Science of Creating Life.” Essay. In Book of Sith - Secrets from the Dark Side [Vault Edition], 129–44. becker&mayer!, 2014
• Reaves, Michael, and Steve Perry. Medstar II: Jedi Healer: A Clone Wars Novel. Del Rey Books, 2004

Lore Genius Master Timeline - Episode 0

• The Mandalorian
• countless novels
• Knights of the Old Republic
• Episode 1: Rise of Skywalker Return of the Jedi
• Episode 2: Attack of the Clones
• Episode 3: Return of the Jedi
• Clone Wars, Solo, countless novels
• Episode 4: A New Hope
• Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back
• Episode 6: Return of the Jedi
• countless novels
• Episode 7: Pacific Rim Return of the Jedi Legends…of the Jedi
• Episode 8: Rogue One
• Episode 9: Return of the Jedi
• Andor

Next time on Lore Genius: When Does Darth Maul Die?

• Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
• Star Wars Rebels S03E20: "Twin Suns"