Culture on My Mind
Narrative Diversions
(Summer 2023 Edition)
September 8, 2023
Narrative Diversions is a look at the various pop culture things I’ve been watching, reading, and playing over the last few months.
Movies and Television
As I mentioned back in mid-July, I stand with the members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA as a creative who has seen fellow creators treated like garbage since they weren’t seen as valuable human beings. To that end, I will mention the films and shows that I have taken in during the last few months, but my thoughts on them will have to wait until the strike comes to a satisfying conclusion.
Remember that no one is forcing me to do this. I choose to do it because it is the right thing to do in support of my family and friends in the industry, those who create for themselves, and those who share their art with the world.
Books
Star Wars: Heir to the Empire – Timothy Zahn
Star Wars: Dark Force Rising – Timothy Zahn
Star Wars: The Last Command – Timothy Zahn
I originally read this series in 1994. I received them alongside the second edition of the Star Wars trilogy anthology, and I was amazed at the time that they were a continuation of the films. Notably, despite the timeline authorized by Lucasfilm (but not necessarily by George Lucas himself), they were the only books to be deliberately marketed as such in the former Expanded Universe.
The trilogy definitely holds up nearly twenty years later. I enjoy Timothy Zahn’s recent canon trilogies about Grand Admiral Thrawn that accompany the character’s appearances in Star Wars Rebels, and those stories do not detract from this original adventure in the least. Thrawn is still just as menacing and really puts the heroes through their paces. It’s no wonder that he is such a force in the modern era of the franchise.
If you have never read this trilogy and are a fan of Star Wars, give them a shot.
The President’s Club: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity – Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy
This is a fascinating history book that explores the role of former Presidents of the United States as mentors and guides for sitting Presidents. There was a lot that I didn’t know about how this very exclusive fraternity works and some of the challenges they have collectively tackled.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Twist of Faith
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Avatar, Book One – S.D. Perry
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Avatar, Book Two – S.D. Perry
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Section 31: Abyss – David Weddle and Jeffrey Lang
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Gateways: Demons of Air and Darkness – Keith R. A. DeCandido
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Gateways: What Lay Beyond – “Horn and Ivory” – Keith R. A. DeCandido
It’s no secret that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is my favorite Star Trek series, and I was excited to find out in 2001 that there were continuation novels. I remember reading and enjoying the two Avatar books by S.D. Perry, but I fell away afterward as my college studies and naval training took up my time. I recently picked up the Twist of Faith omnibus and enjoyed the five collected stories that follow the crew in the aftermath of “What You Leave Behind”. I’m also eager now to read the Gateways series and the rest of the Deep Space Nine series, especially to find out how Ezri and Kira’s lives progress from here.
Stage
Wicked – Broadway in Atlanta
This is the third time I have seen this musical – once in Memphis and twice in Atlanta – and it’s definitely one that I’ll go see every time I have an opportunity. I really like the extra dimensions that it adds to the classic Wizard of Oz movie while incorporating elements of the books. It’s also far better than the original Wicked novel. I was not a fan of that read at all.
Games
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch
I’m finally to the point when I can dive into the final matchup against Ganondorf. That’s where I left it before finding an Xbox Series X and changing gears a bit. I’m also eagerly awaiting what comes next in the coming months for this experience. Rumor says… maybe a DLC package?
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor – Xbox Series X
I really loved Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, and this sequel is a great improvement on it. The characters have all gone their separate ways and are forced to find each other when a threat from the High Republic era challenges the galaxy. Despite having fewer planets to visit, this game improves by encouraging exploration and questing. It’s fun trying to decide between the main story or the various side missions.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
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