Episode 59: The Limits of Escapism!
Star Wars is probably the most escapist narrative there is, and we love it!
We love escapism, and being able to escape into imaginary worlds is a super important survival strategy in the midst of oppression, pandemics, state-sponsored violence. But what if a story is escapist for some people, but not for others? And how dark can a story get and still be escapist? Let's talk about escaping AND fighting for justice.
Notes, citations, & etc.
Star Wars (movie)
The medal scene from Star Wars
The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells (book series)
Doctor Who (TV series)
The Magicians (TV series)
Fillory (magical world in The Magicians)
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (book series)
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (book trilogy)
J.R.R. Tolkien (author)
epic fantasy (genre)
The Shannara Chronicles (TV series)
George R.R. Martin (author)
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin (book series)
space opera (genre)
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (novel)
superheroes (genre)
Crisis on Earth X (Arrowverse crossover)
Adventure Time (TV series)
The Hunger Games (book/movie series)
Mad Max (movie series)
Lost (TV series)
Grand Theft Auto (video game series)
zombies (genre)
Independence Day (movie)
Mad Max: Fury Road (movie)
The Handmaid's Tale (TV series)
Tolkien in Oxford (1968 BBC documentary)
Ursula K. Le Guin (author)
Joseph Conrad (author)
The Wizard of Oz (movie)
Star Trek (series)
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (book)
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan (book)
Star Trek: Picard (TV series)
Star Trek: Discovery (TV series)
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (TV series)
Steven Universe (TV series)
Vagrant Queen (TV series)
Logan (movie)
The Expanse (TV series)
Dungeons and Dragons (role-playing game)