Episode 39: Star Wars Episode 7 + 8 + Solo Review

Topic: Star Wars Episode 7 + 8 + Solo Review

The Month of Star Wars continues, and we move on the most recent collection of movies.  We’re discussing Solo: A Star Wars Story, Episodes 7 and 8, and we’re watching Episode 9 this weekend.  Mom shares her distinct objective going in to Star Wars this time around.  She’s such a nerd now… it’s awesome.  Come hear Our thoughts of this, and leading up to Episode 9!

Solo: A Star Wars Story

1. Orphans Han Solo and Qi’ra(Kira) are trying to escape Corella and Gangster life. They bribes the Empire to escape, but Qi’ra gets apprehended.  Han vows to return and enlists with the Empire.
2. Han fails to become a pilot and becomes an Imperial infantry man. He meets a group of criminals and tries to convince them to let him join up.  He fails and is arrested and thrown in to a prison with Chewbacca.  They eventually get recruited by the criminals
3. Criminals try to steal Coaxium, starship fuel, but fail due to interference from pirates and most of the team dies.
4. Han and Chewbacca learn that Beckett was to steal the Coaxium on orders from Dryden Vos, a dangerous Gangster. They go to him and purpose to get the Coaxium from a different venue.  Qi’ra is found to be working for Vos and is assigned to help Criminals
5. Criminals go to recruit Lando Calrissan, L3-37, and the Millennium Falcon to assist with getting Coaxium from Kessel.
6. They successfully infiltrate and steal Coaxium from Kessel, but lose L3-37, who is installed in to the Millennium Falcon.  They are stopped by the Empire and escape by traveling throughuncharted/dangerous space leading to Kessel.
7. Upon Landing to offload Coaxium for refinement, Lando leaves in Millennium Falcon and criminals are visited by the Pirates and learn they are part of the Rebels fighting the Empire.
8. Han and Chew go to deliver Coaxium to Vos, but are double crossed by Beckett, who explains that the Coaxium that Chew and Han brought it a fake, but the real stuff is with the Pirates.  Han later explains that it is the real Coaxium as the pirates don’t have it. 
9. Beckett takes Chewy at gunpoint and leaves with Coaxium. Han fights and kills Vos, and then goes after Beckett to save Chewy.  Han saves Chewy by killing Beckett, while Qi’ra takes over gangsters, talking to Darth Maul and returning to him.
10. Chewy and Han meet with Lando and end up winning the Millennium Falcon.  They Travel to Tatooine for business with the Hutts.

Trivia

• Harrison Ford liked the movie, but declined to go to the premier as he didn’t want to overshadow cast.
• First film to never mention Jedi.
• Joonas Suotamo first movie after taking over role of Chewbacca from Peter Mayhew.
• When discussing where to steal Coaxium From, Scarif is mentioned.  Scarif is where the Death Star was being developed in Rogue One.

Ep7

Force Awakens

1. 30+ years after Battle of Endor, the First Order has taken the place of the Galactic Empire and wants to destroy the Republic.  Poe Dameron a part of the Resistance and is on Jakku, trying to find the where-abouts of Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.  Kylo Ren finds Poe Dameron and takes him, but leaves behind his droid BB-8
2. On the Star Destroyer, Stormtrooper Finn is having issues and defects, rescuing Poe and escaping with him back to Jakku to recover BB8.  They crash and Poe is separated from Finn, who leaves to find shelter.
3. Rey is a scrapper who finds BB-8 and offers to take him to find his master. They meet with Finn who lies and says he’s a part of the Resistance.  They commandeer the Millennium Falcon and escape to space.
4. Rey and Finn are found by Han Solo and Chewbacca, who take back the Millennium Falcon and offer to take them somewhere where they can reach the Resistance.
5. Crew on Millennium Falcon fly to Takodana.  Han offers Rey a place on his ship while Finn seeks to find work to escape the First Order.  Rey discovers Luke’s Lightsaber(Formerly Anakin’s) and has a Force vision.  She drops the lightsaber, running away, but Finn Picks up light saber.
6. The Cantina where the crew are at is attacked by First Order, but are later rescued by the Resistance.  Kylo Ren kidnaps Rey, and takes her to his ship. 
7. Kylo Ren has difficulty using the Force against Rey and she is discovered to be Force user.
8. Han, Chewy, Finn, and Leia return to Resistance Base to discover First Order’s new Death Star, the Star Killer.  Han, Chewy, and Finn will fly Millennium Falcon to Star Killer base and deactivate shields for X-wings to target.  Poe found alive and will lead X-wing fighters.
9. Han, Chewy, and Finn break in to Star Killer Base to rescue Rey, but find her along the way.  Han and Chewy go to planet explosives to destroy shield generator, but Han is stopped by Kylo Ren.  Han says he wants to save his Son, but Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) relents, saying he needs to kills the thing holding him back.  He kills Han Solo.
10. Chewy blows the up shield generator, giving Poe a chance to attack.  Kylo Ren chases Finn and Rey in to forest and Finn fights Kylo Ren with lightsaber.  Finn loses badly, but Rey pulls Lightsaber to her and fights Kylo Ren, beating him.
11. Star Killer base destroyed, everyone returns to the Resistance.  Poe continues to help Finn recover from injuries alongside Leia.  Rey and Chewy get the map to Luke Skywalker so that Rey and start her training to become a Jedi.

Trivia

• Harrison Ford got top Billing in movie, and is the first non-Jedi character to do so.
• Oscar Issac‘s (Poe Dameron) uncle was a huge Star Wars fan and asked director if he could visit set. Director agreed and after tour offered the uncle a chance to be an extra.  He was on Jakku with his nephew during opening scene.
• Rey’s outfit was designed around original sketches for Luke during development of original 1977 film.  These sketches led to discussion of Luke character being a woman, but was ultimately discarded.
• 3^rd movie after Avatar and Titanic to break $2 billion in box-office.

Ep8

The Last Jedi

1. The First Order has found the Resistance, and after Poe leads a successful, but with heavy casualty, fight to escape with Leia and Finn.  Kylo Ren’s master, Snoke, mocks Kylo Ren for trying to be like his Grandfather, Darth Vader.
2. Rey offers the light saber to Luke but Luke tosses it aside.  Rey eventually gets Luke to give three lessons on the Jedi/Force. 
3. Poe, Finn, and Leia learn that the First Order is tracking them through HyperSpace.  In an attack, much of the Resistance leaders are killed, but Leia barely survives by using the Force. Finn and Rose leave to find a hacker to deactivate the tracking device.  Leia is replaced by Admiral Holdo who tells Poe to relax and follow her orders.
4. Rey has visions with Kylo Ren and they talk. After explaining the Force, Luke eventually explains that he felt the Dark Side of the Force in Kylo Ren and considered killing him.  Kylo Ren woke up after Luke realized what he was thinking was wrong, but it was too late.  Rey leaves to go help friends and redeem Kylo Ren
5. Luke goes to destroy remaining Jedi material, but is stopped by Force Ghost Yoda, who sets Luke right and tells him what he should have done.
6. After Finn and Rose recruit a hacker, they travel to Snoke’s Capital ship, which is chasing the Resistance.  Holdo is try to escape to nearby planet in shuttles, but Poe starts a mutiny and takes control of the fleet.  He is stopped by Leia, but only after Finn and Rose are captured by the First Order and about to be killed.
7. Rey makes it on to Snokes ship, but is immediately captured by Kylo Ren.  Snoke interrogates her to learn Luke’s location, but Kylo Ren kills Snoke.  Rey and Kylo Ren fight local guards and then fight over Luke’s Lightsaber.  Lightsaber breaks and Rey escapes.
8. Holdo used remaining capital ship to ram in to Snoke’s Ship, saving Finn and Rose, who join up with Poe and Leia on nearby Planet.  Poe, Rose, Finn, and Leia old off First Order while they look for help.  Rey comes in Millennium Falcon to save them.
9. Luke arrives on the planet to save everyone.  He distracts Kylo Ren in Lightsaber battle, but is later revealed to be there via the Force Projection.  Everyone escapes the First Order, but Luke dies, but becomes one with the Force.  Resistance barely survives, and is now on the run from the First Order.

Trivia

• Mark Hamill did not like the direction that Luke Skywalker took, but maintained his professionalism and respect for the director during filming.
• Actor Laura Dern (Admiral Holdo) said pew every time she shot her blaster.  This is a mimic of when people with lightsaber would make the lightsaber noise when swinging the lightsaber around.
• Porgs in the film were created because of various Puffins on the island and being unable to remove them due to local laws.  Porgs where a way to cover them up.
• Ewan McGregor expressed interested in reprising his role as Obi-wan, but couldn’t due to not having a place for him in the story.

Episode 38: Star Wars Episode 4-6 + Rogue One Review

Topic: Star Wars Episode 4-6 + Rogue One Review

This week, we’re on to the original trilogy that started it all off.  We’re on to the original trilogy, the ones that it all off for myself and my mom.  Unlike the last ones, we both had more favorable feelings about these movies.  I can’t wait to show her the next set of movies and see her reaction to those movies, see if she likes them or not.

Rogue One

1. Young Jyn Erso is in hiding with her parents, father who is a lead engineer on the Death Star, but the Empire comes and takes Jyn’s Father away to finish the Death Star.
2. Years Later, Jyn is picked up by the Rebels, seeking her father who is helping build the Death Star.
3. Cassian Andor and K-2SO take her to the planet of Jedha to find Saw Gerrera, who just so happens to have a message from her father, mentioning an exploit.  They pick up Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus in the process.
4. Death Star above, led by Director Krennic, fires on the planet to test the Death Star. Grand Toff Tarkin takes over Death Star after test
5. Rebel crew head to planet of Eadu to rescue Jyn’s Father, but fail and leave in stolen Imperial Transport ship.
6. Director Krennic goes to Darth Vader to take command of the Death Star back, but fails and is told to clean up his mess.
7. Rebels go to planet of Scarif to retrieve the Death Star Plans.  The Main fleet of the Rebels eventually join to help with the fight.
8. Jyn gets the stolen plans to the rebels, but not before Vader nearly has them in his grasp. 
9. Last scene leads directly in to Star Wars – A New Hope.

Ep 4

Star Wars – A New Hope

1. Princess Leia is on the run from Darth Vader with plans for the Death Star.  She gives them to R2D2
2. R2D2 escape to planet Tatooine with C3PO, but are captured and sold to Luke Skywalker
3. Luke meets Obiwan Kenobi
4. Luke leaves with Obiwan to give the stolen plans to the rebels, in the Millennium Falcon, Piloted by Han Solo and Chewbacca.
5. Vader interrogates Leia on the Death Star and blow up Leia’s Planet of Alderan.
6. Luke, Han, Obiwan, and Chewbacca arrive at Alderan and are captured by the Empire.
7. They rescue Leia and escape the Death Star, but not before Obiwan sacrifices himself to allow them to do so.
8. Death Star tracks the rebels to Yavin 4, and Luke agrees to fight the Empire in an X wing.
9. Rebels are able to blow up the Death Star with Han and Chew’s help. 
10. Big ceremony at the end.

Trivia

• Luke Skywalker originally Starkiller
• Lucas opted for less pay on the movie in order own the merchandising rights
• Obiwan never says, “May the Force be with You”
• Ewan McGregor(Young Obiwan)’s uncle Was in Star wars, denis Lawson (Wedge Antillies)

Ep 5

Empire Strikes Back

1. Rebels are in hiding on ice planet Hoth, Luke gets attacked and injured, seeing Obiwan as a ghost, but is saved by Han.
2. Empire finds the Rebels and sends down an army to capture the Rebels. 
3. Han, Chewbacca, and Leia are running away from the Empire, can’t go to Hyperspace because Millennium Falcon is damaged
4. Luke go to meet Yoda so Luke can learn to be a Jedi.
5. Han, Chewbacca, and Leia go to meet Lando Calrissian, but the crew have been sold out to Darth Vader and Bobo Fett
6. Han is frozen in Carbonite, but Lando switches sides and helps Chewbacca and Leia escape on Millennium Falcon.
7. Luke goes to save his friends, but fights Darth Vader.  Loses his right hand and learns that Vader is his father.
8. Luke is saved by Millennium Falcon and they all escape.  Lando promises to find Han and Luke agrees to go and help save him.

Trivia

• Shots of Luke using the Force to retrieve his lightsaber were accomplished by Mark Hamil throwing his light saber and film being reversed.
• Carrie Fisher stood on a box for many scene with Harrison Ford due to their height difference, Fisher at 5’1”, Ford at 6’1”
• When Mark Hamill was having problems shooting scenes with Yoda, Frank Oz would bring out his Miss Piggy Puppet to make him laugh
• Scene where Leia says, “I love you.” And Han says, “I know.” Was adlibbed by Harrison Ford.

Ep6

Return of the Jedi

1. Luke, Leia, Lando, and Chewbacca save Han on Tatooine.
2. Luke learns Leia is sister, gets final training from Yoda
3. Rebels learn of new Death Star, send Han, Luke, Leia, and Chewbacca to moon Endor to turn off shield generator so Empire can destroy new Death Star.
4. Vader visits Death Star with Emperor to ensure the Rebels are defeated.
5. Luke hands himself over to Darth Vader, intending on convincing his father to reform, he is brought to death Star
6. Han, Leia, and Chewbacca go to destroy the Shield generator, helped by Ewoks.
7. Lando leads Rebel Fleet to attack the New Death Star. They Succeed
8. Luke and Darth Vader Fight, Luke wins, Vader kills Emperor.
9. Vader dies, redeemed, Crew with Ewoks celebrate end of the Empire.

Trivia

• Harrison Ford only sign contract for two movies, but George Lucas convinced him to sign for a 3^rd, believing that Han Solo still had more heroic stuff to do.
• Actor Ian McDiarmid would play the Emperor, and reprise his role 15+ years later in the prequel trilogy.
• Carrie Fisher complained that her costumes in previous movies were too long and people could not tell she was a woman.  This led to the infamous Slave costume worn during early parts of the movie.  Costume was made of metal and had shots had to be redone due to wardrobe malfunctions.
• Mark Hamill opined that Luke should don Vader’s helmet after Vader’s death, leaving the ending of Luke character ambigious or ominous.  George Lucas disagreed and went with the happy ending.

Episode 37: Star Wars Review, Episodes 1-3

Topic: Star Wars Review, Episodes 1-3

This week starts our first review of the Star Wars Movies.  This week, as we’re watching them in the intended order of 1-8, we’re watching the Prequel Trilogy, which came out in 1999-2005.  Fair Warning, Mom did not enjoy these movies, and we get to talk about it.

Ep 1: The Phantom Menace

1. Obiwan Kenobi & Qui GonJin are sent to Planet of Naboo regarding a blockade by the Trade Federation
2. Obiwan& Qui Gon meet Jar-jar Binks and rescue princess Padme’ Amadala from planet.
3. Their ship is damage and they land on Tatooine.
4. Quigon, Padme, and Jar Jar meet Anakin Skywalker and participate in a Pod Race for parts and Anakin’s ownership.
5. Quigon Fights Darth Maul before leaving Tatooine.
6. Everyone travels to Corusaunt, Padme tries to get Senate to intervene on her planet, while Quigon asks for Anakin to become a Jedi.  Council declines.
7. Everyone goes back to Naboo.  Jar Jar leads a Gungan army, while Padme goes to capture the trade federation representatives.  Anakin flies a star fighter, and Jedi fight sith.
8. Padme captures trade federation, Anakin blows up droid ship, Quigon dies, but Obiwan kills Darth Maul.
9. Anakin allowed to become a Jedi, New Chancellor for senate, Peace on Naboo.

Trivia-

• ·Ahmed Best played Jar Jar on set, but was later digitally removed in favor of Special Effects due to being easier and less costly.
• ·         Natalie Portman portrayed Queen Padme Amadala, Kira Knightely also portrays Padme Amadala
• ·         Liam Neeson was so eager to be in the film that he signed on without having read the script.
• ·         Natalie Portman (Queen Amidala) missed the premiere party in New York City because she had to go home to study for her high school final exams.
• ·         In 1997, a fierce sandstorm destroyed several of the Tatooine sets in the desert outside Tozeur, Tunisia. Filming resumed two days later. George Lucas considered this a good omen, as the same thing had happened during filming of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977).

Ep 2: Attack of the Clones

1. Padme now senator, but trying to be assassinated.  Obiwan and Anakin sent to be bodyguards.
2. Obiwan finds a lead and decides to follow it, while Anakin and Padme retreat to Naboo for protection.
3. Obiwan learns of a Clone army that shouldn’t exist; Anakin and Padme make googly eyes at each other.
4. Obiwan fights with Jango Fett, and tracks him to a Droid factory planet.  Padme and Anakin go to Tatooine to rescue Anakin’s mom.
5. Obiwan capture by Droids and Count Dooku, so Padme and Aankin go to rescue, but they are also captured.
6. Jedi come to save Obiwan, Padme, and Anakin.
7. Obiwan and Anakin go to stop Count Doku, Anakin loses an hand, and Yoda saves them.
8. Start of Clone Wars

Trivia-

• ·         When Jango Fett gets into his ship after his fight with Obi-Wan, he bangs his head on the partially open door. This was intentional, and is a reference to a famous goof from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), where a stormtrooper accidentally bangs his head on a door.
• ·         During rehearsals and filming of Count Dooku's light-saber battle scenes, a small model of Yoda was used as a reference point for Sir Christopher Lee. The model, however, was slightly altered to have vampire fangs, to which Lee's amused response was "I will not comment on that. I didn't think you would do this to me, George!" The fangs were likely a joke at Lee's expense for his performance as Count Dracula in Horror of Dracula (1958) and several other Hammer Studios horror films.
• ·         With an estimated budget of $120 million, this was the most expensive Star Wars film until Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015), with an estimated budget of $200 million.

Ep 3: Revenge of the Sith

1. Obiwan and Anakin go to rescue Chancellor, kill Count Dooku.
2. Padme tells Anakin she’s pregnant, they’re married.
3. Chancellor Palpatine appoints Anakin to Jedi Council, but council does not give him rank of Master.  Anakin is meant to be agent of Chancellor but also for Jedi council.
4. Obiwan sent to find General Grievous, to which he defeats.
5. Palpatine tells Anakin he is a Sith and he can save Anakin’s Wife.  Anakin reports to council.
6. Council goes to Palpatine to arrest, but with Anakin’s help, kills the council members.  Anakin become Darth Vader.  Palpatine becomes Emperor.
7. Palpatine executes Order 66, killing all Jedi. Anakin goes to Jedi Temple and kills all Jedi.
8. Obiwan and Yoda return to Jedi temple to find in ruins, realizes Anakin has fallen to Dark Side.
9. Obiwan goes to Padme to learn of Anakin’s fate.  Obiwan follows Padme to fire planet.
10. Obiwan and Anakin fight on fire planet, Anakin loses other arm and legs, and catches on fire. Obiwan goes in to hiding.
11. Yoda goes to fight Palpatine, Palpatine wins, so Yoda goes in to hiding.
12. Obiwan and Yoda watch twins Luke & Leia be born.  Luke goes to tatooine with Obiwan, Leia goes to Alderan as adopted child.
13. Anakin puts on full Darth Vader suit.  Fade to construction of Death Star.

Trivia-

•   Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen trained for two months in fencing and fitness in preparation for their epic battle. As a result of their practice, the speed at which Kenobi and Vader engage the duel (in the completed movie) is the speed in which it was filmed, and was not digitally accelerated.
•   Liam Neeson has said that he recorded a cameo as Qui-Gon Jinn, which was to feature in a scene with Yoda, further explaining the concept of a Jedi communicating from beyond the grave. In the script, the dialogue (in which Qui-Gon is heard, not seen) appeared in the scene in which Yoda is meditating on the secret asteroid base, just before Bail Organa informs him of Obi-Wan's return with Padmé. The scene does not appear in the deleted scenes section of the DVD; however, an unfinished version was included in the Blu-ray release box set.
•  Chancellor Palpatine's strategy for maintaining power is known to political scientists, and is called Perpetual War. He comes to power through conflict with the Trade Federation, gains greater privileges through the Clone War, and solidifies his position through war on the Jedi.
• ·         Every clone trooper in the film is CGI. Not a single real clone costume or helmet was featured in the movie.

Episode 36: Star Wars Tutorial

Topic: Star Wars
This week, we’re starting our Month long discussion on Star Wars, with the anticipation of the new Movie ‘Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker’.  Get out your light sabers, prepare your wookie roar, and remember that “It’s a Trap!”  Let’s talk Star Wars!

AIDS Life Cycle
This upcoming June, our Co-Host, Mom, will be participating in a cycling event, aimed at raising money for charity to support AIDS research and treatments.  This 7 day, 545 mile trek will start in San Francisco, Ca and end in Los Angeles, CA, winding up and down hills and valleys.  My mom’s goal is raising $10,000 and I’m hopeful our audience can help.  If you can assist with her ride and learn more, please visit my Mom’s AIDS Life Cycle Page.

Tutorial
Origins
Created by George Lucas in 1977
Originally, George Lucas wanted to do Flash Gordon movie, but couldn’t secure the rights.
Element of Joseph Campbells The Hero with a Thousand Faces
Secured sequel rights before first film ever released

Science Fiction vs Science Fantasy
Science Fiction = Less Fantastical, More realistic based off the universe. Could actually exist in theory
Science Fantasy = More Fantastical, Less emphasis on explaining how things work, unlikely to ever really happen/exist.

Key Features of Star Wars
• The Force
• Jedi / Sith
• Light Sabers
• Blasters
• Republic
• Universe seems a lot like the Wild West/Pirates
• Droids
• Aliens / Language
• Mix of Sci-fi and Fantasy elements


Movies
Prequel Trilogy
1) The Phantom Menace (1999)
2) Attack of the Clones (2002)
3) Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Star Wars Story
• Solo (2018)
• Rogue One (2016)

Original Trilogy
4) A New Hope (1977)
5) The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
6) Return of the Jedi (1983)

Sequel Trilogy
7) The Force Awakens
8) The Last Jedi
9) The Rise of the Skywalker

TV Series
• Ewoks
• Clone Wars
• Rebels
• Resistance
• Mandalorian


Other Media
Expanded Universe / Also known as the Legends
Books, Lots of books
Lots of games
 TIE Fighter / X-Wing
 Jedi Knight series (Jedi Outcast)
 Knights of the Old Republic
 Force Unleashed
 Battle Front
 Fallen Order
 MMOs (Old Republic / Galaxy)
Theme Parks

FANS
Trooping / 501st
Wookipedia
Concern over Tim.

Episode 35: Nerd Tutorial Gift Giving Guide

Topic: Gift Giving Guide

With the holidays coming up shortly, and the big chance to buy gifts, we wanted to offer some idea and advice when shopping for your fellow nerds.  Some of this will be relevant to some, while others, maybe less so, but the intent is to give a direction to those shopping for their beloved, and professional, nerds.

Knowing your Nerd

Buying a great present for a nerd can be difficult some times, but the most important thing to know when buying is to understand what the nerd is in to or would like.  Research and talking with your nerd will be a major hurtle to figure out what would be an ideal gift.  If you want to be secretive about it, you might want to try to couch the request as a gift someone else, a cousin, colleague, or something like that.  The better you know the nerd, the easier it will be to pick a present out.



Basic/Necessities


Subscriptions

• Netflix
• Hulu
• Crunchyroll
• Subscriptions 

Gift Cards

• Amazon
• ThinkGeek
• Card Kingdom
• Local Stores
• Game Currency 

Loot Boxes

• https://bensbargains.com/thecheckout/guides/20-awesome-subscription-boxes-like-loot-crate/

Indulgence

Game Systems


Playstation 4

• Lots of Games, aiming more toward Japanese culture
• Great graphics
• Playstation VR
• Potential 4k systems/games

Xbox One

• Lots of Games, more geared toward American/western
• Good Multimedia tools/Services
• Great Graphics

Nintendo Switch

• Good Game Library, heavy on First Party Support
• Portable
• Aimed toward family friendly
• Good for multiplay/local 

Clothing/Accessories

• Shirts are easy to get, no nerd will turn down a shirt usually.  Try to find stuff they’ll want to wear all the time, or great for special occasions.  Even better if they can camouflage it at work! 

Game/Computer Hardware

• Aim to get them Games they don’t already have if possible.  Better to buy closer to the date you’re giving the gift as they may not have it at that point.
• If getting electronics, aim to get high end or biggest bang for buck.  Computer parts/hardware can age poorly over the years, so aiming for better early on will mean it lasts longer. 

Collections

• Nerds enjoy their collections, so if you’re able to add to it, all the better.  Knowing your nerd will help a lot here.   

Tickets

• If you have local convention or events happening, tickets are a great option.  Wrestling is all the time, usually 2-3 times a year.  There is often a touring orchestra that does video game or pop-culture music.  If you have a local convention, buying their pass for the convention can also work well too.   

Specialty


Etsy / Craft

• If you’re looking for a one of a kind, never seen before item, this might be where you look.  Etsy has lots of great makers and ideas to give you the most unique gift.

Memorabilia

• Personal to them. 

Time

• As we discussed, sometimes, your time with a nerd can be more than enough.  Finding something there in to and joining it, or simply giving them a chance to talk about their nerdy passions might be worth it.

Episode 34: World of Warcraft Review/Play

Topic: World of Warcraft

This week, we're trying something different. Because it's a Video Game, and the magic of technology allowed us, we recorded the whole Episode on film! Okay not real film, but still, we recorded the adventure of Mom learning and trying to play World of Warcraft. Come find out how we did.

We're uploading the video to Youtube as well, so while the podcast might be a bit misleading if you don't see what we're doing, for those who can't watch us play, you can atleast listen to us play.

Episode 33: World of Warcraft Tutorial

Topic: World of Warcraft

This week, we start the process of learning about one of my favorite games of the last decade, and Mom gets to come and journey with me on it.  We’re learning about World of Warcraft, and while we can’t talk about everything, we’ll certainly give you a good idea of what it’s all about!

Tutorial

MMORPG – Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game

Developed and Created by Blizzard Entertainment, now Activision Blizzard Interactive.

Based on previous MMOs, like Runescape, Ultima Online, Everquest, Star Wars Galaxies, and many other game.

Personal Favorite were Phantasy Star Online and Ragnarok Online

Blizzard knows how to distill the core, fun elements of a game, rebuild it in their own image and what is fun about it, and then paint a rich narrative over the entire game to bring it to life.

Blizzard is well known for their Warcraft, Starcraft, and Diablo franchises.

A good studio that puts out quality games.

History

Beginning development in 1999-2000 around the same time as development on Warcraft 3.

Elements from Warcraft 3 helped shape the story, character, world, and races of the upcoming World of Warcraft.

Announced in 2001, released in late fall of 2004.  Immediate success based of studio’s previous work and franchise of Warcraft a few years earlier.

The game was a worldwide success, and quickly became the most popular and largest game in history. 

Additional expansion are released every two years to provide new mechanics, character classes and/or races, new locations to visit, and new stories/lore.

Vanilla/Classic (2004)

Initial incarnation of the game. 

Story takes place on Azeroth, a fictional, fantasy world with two major factions trying to bide for control over the world:

The Alliance(Humans, Dwarfs, Gnomes, & Night Elves)

The Horde (Orcs, Trolls, Tauren, &Undead(Forsaken))

Each control major areas of two continents and war against each other in an eternal struggle. 

Original story focused on a Dragon lord trying to come to power.

Blood gods of the Trolls seeking to corrupt the world.

Ancient bugs awakening from their slumber.

And the Undead returning to finish the job.

Classic versions of the original game were recently released in August of 2019 to allow players to play the original version of the game.

The Burning Crusade (2006)

Set in the world of Outland, the former home of Orcs.

Alliance recruits the Dranaei.

Horde recruits the Blood Elves.

Story has us fighting against the Burning Legion, the universal evil bad guys set on destroying all life.

Eventually to fight a big bad named Illidan

Introduction of Flying in game

Wrath of the Lich King (2008)

Set on the continent of Northrend

Introduced a new player class (Death Knights) for all races

Story follows forcing trying to subdue the big bad Lich King from Warcraft 3

Marked what many feel is the high point of the game.

12 Million Subscribers high.

Cataclysm (2010)

Revamped the 1-60 game world, drastically altering the landscape of the game to allow flying and new game effects.

Alliance recruits the Worgen.

Horde recruit a faction of Goblins

Some class/race combinations rebalanced for more options.

Story follows heroes trying to stop the dragon ‘Deathwing’ from destroying the world.  He’s the one that caused the world to sunder, otherwise known in game as ‘The Cataclysm’.

New world also introduced a more dynamic story that would begin to play out over multiple expansions and lead in to the next one over time.

Mists of Pandaria (2012)

Set in the land of Pandaria, a place hidden in mist until the Cataclysm revealed it.

Alliance and Horde recruit Panderians,

New class known as the monk introduced.

Story follows the Alliance and Horde bring war to a new place that hadn’t seen it and causing a mess. Eventually capped off with the Leader of the Horde trying to start a genocide of his own faction and his eventual downturn.

Warlords of Draenor (2014)

Returned to Outland before it became Outland, and even went back in time.

Introduction of Garrisons as a major feature.

Story followed form warchief going back in time to before the orcs were corrupted, and trying to build the Horde he always wish it would be.  We would stop the new horde from advancing in to our world and taking it over.

Game quickly begins to slow down, with the game being less than well received and considered lackluster.  Entire raid content/patch was dropped.

Legion (2016)

Set in the Broken Isle, a lost location where the Burning Legion has returned thanks to Gul’dan from last expansion being sent to our world.

Introduced the Demon Hunters to the game.

Revamp of all Classes and specs to create dynamic, individual game play, and Order Halls.

Story follows us trying to stop the burning Legion of returning and putting an end to their campaign once and for all.

Many people happy about this expansion and considered a new high point.

Battle for Azeroth (2018)

Current expansion.

Set on islands of Kul Tiras and Zandalar, forgotten lands in wow lore.

We recruit new allied races to assist:

Alliance gets Light Forged Dranaei, Void Elves, Dark Iron Dwarfs, Mechagon Gnomes, and Kul Tirans

Horde get High Mountain Tauren, Nightborne, Mag’har Orcs, Vulpera, and Zandalari Trolls.

Story initially starts as a continuation of the Horde vs Alliance, but quickly find the new WarchiefSylvanas trying to kill everyone for a secret agenda.

Continued on success of Legion in story and gameplay.

Shadowlands (2020)

New expansion set in the land of the dead. 

Revamp of Order Halls and revamp of character abilities.

Changing leveling process back to 60 cap level, making each expansion the 10-50 experience.

Story revolves around Sylvanas opening up a portal/hole to the shadowlands, but for unknown reasons.

Planned for 3^rd quarter of 2020.

Classes: 

Warriors – Heavy Plate soldiers, good at all weapons, great at tanking.

Paladins – Holy Warriors, can do close combat, plus tanking, and Healing.

Death Knights – Unholy knights, good at tanking, but channeling unholy skills to do damage

Shamans – Nature warriors that call upon the raw elements to attack and heal.

Hunters – Similar to rangers, good with all long range combat

Rogues – Typical thief, can hide in stealth and strike enemies with ease.

Druids – Shape-shifter that rely on nature magic to transform in to either healers,  tanks, melee or ranged damage

Monks – Barehanded warriors who are drunk tanks, quick melee fighters, or mystical healers.

Demon Hunters – Similar to Illidan, these are warriors infused with demonic energy that can also be tanks

Mage – Typical wizard channeling the fire, ice, or arcane magic

Warlocks – Dark wizards that use fel and shadow to summon demons to do their bidding.

Priests – Holy wizards that excel at healing, but have an unholy damage.

Things to do in game:

Leveling/Alts – Common is to level your character until max level, or start a new character and level up all over again

Dungeons – 5 man groups tackling various smaller issues, usually relating/theming to current events/expansion

Raids – 10-25 man groups tackling bigger dungeons, almost always related to the current events/story

Player Vs Player – various areas, themed objectives, and open world fights between the Horde and Alliance. 

Pet Battles – Introduced in Cataclysm, think Pokemon with your in game pets

Dailies – series of objectives that can be completed daily for various rewards

Transmog – Hunting Gear or looks from various sources/objectives

Role Playing – Popular amongst roleplay servers, allowing character to act out stories with their characters.

Getting Started:

1) Server
The easiest way to get started is to first ask any friends who are playing first. World of Warcraft has over a Hundred different servers(also known as realms) to play on, and if you aren't on the one with your friends, you can't play with them easily, and depending on your investment, moving a character to another server can be costly.  

If you don't have any friends playing World of Warcraft, there are two major type of servers, Normal and RP(Roleplay) servers.  The difference between the two is RP servers tend to have people roleplaying as their characters, vs Normal focuses more on gameplay like PvP or Raiding.

2) Faction
If you plan on playing with your friends, also figure out the faction.  Alliance and Horde can't interact outside of trying to kill each other typically, much less even talk to each other. So if you play Horde but your friends play Alliance, it will only make it more difficult to play with others.

3) Race/Class
Once you figure out what server you want to be on, you next want to figure out what class or race you want to play.  Not all Races can be certain classes, and not all classes can be any race, so figuring out what you want to play is important.  While each race has some minor perks here and there, the class is really what stands out.

Some people really want to play a Gnome or Troll, so if you decide on the Race first, then pick a class available to them.  Otherwise, pick a Class and see what race you'd like to be.  

Always choose what you feel comfortable with.  The game give you the option to try a character ahead of time at high level, so you'll get a feel for what the character will play like and look like beforehand.  This way it's only a little bit of investment to see if you like how it plays or not.

4) Personalize
Once you've picked your class and race, you can personalize your character with various hair, skin, and face options, with more choices for horns, tattoos, beards, jewelry and more depending on the race or class.  Look at you character from behind, because it's what you'll look at the most in the game.

Finally, Pick a name.  Your name can be just about anything, assuming it hasn't been taken already.  You can always pick at random using the random name generator, but you can personalize it to yourself if necessary.  

5) Enter the World!

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