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We’re starting a new mini-series this week, taking a look at the stories contained in Before the Awakening! Written by Greg Rucka, the book is really a collection of three novellas, each focused on a hero from The Force Awakens.
Rey and Poe will certainly get our attention in subsequent episodes, but this time, it’s Finn in the spotlight. We should warn you that this is a spoiler-filled podcast in the sense that, if you haven’t read the book, then brace yourself, because we’re going to tell you everything that happens in the story. (Don’t worry, I won’t be dropping Episode VIII spoilers, so you’re safe in that way at least!)
The story takes place almost immediately prior to The Force Awakens, as we meet Finn’s fire team, watch them perform in a simulation, in weapons training, and finally in their first-ever deployment to Pressy’s Tumble, an artificial asteroid field and mining colony for the First Order.
Finn’s been demonstrating what amounts to weakness in the First Order ranks, by trying to help one of his fire team members when he’s lagging behind in their simulation or getting beat down in their weapons training. But the straw that breaks Captain Phasma’s back is when she orders Finn and his fire team to kill the miners on Pressy’s Tumble for trying to band together and make demands of the First Order. Finn, surprise surprise, can’t pull the trigger here.
Phasma, who’d seen Finn as potential officer material, is disappointed to say the least. But she decides to give him one more chance, in a situation where people might be shooting back at him, to see if that snaps him into line. And that last chance? You guessed it – it’s the mission to the village of Tuanul on Jakku, where Lor San Tekka is hiding out. Pretty cool, right?
And as promised, here’s the tweet Mark Hamill dropped on Sunday night:
A long time ago (last week I think) In a galaxy far, far way(@PinewoodStudios ) THIS happened! Happy Birthday Daisy! pic.twitter.com/dYc9j65YBD
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) April 10, 2016
And here’s a link to Mashable, which tracked down some great examples of the Photoshop battle that ensued.
Trivia Time!
Test your knowledge of the Star Wars universe!Yesterday’s answer: Four – the garden variety trooper, the Snowtrooper, the Flametrooper, and the Riot Control Trooper.
Today’s question: What species is Ello Asty, one of the X-wing pilots from The Force Awakens?