Time to dive into the Matrix with the GWC crew! Highlights: we take a few last-minute Star Wars calls, discuss the “reality” of the Matrix, learn that Chuck (and a caller) would totally throw humanity under the bus for a good steak, marvel at Matrix cookies that crisp instantly without turning into hockey pucks, recognize that PVC can indeed be sexier than nudity, debate whether Neo is specifically the one (or just the one who took the job), enjoy the film’s techno soundtrack goodness, and compare the marble lobby security guards to the Death Star’s independent contractors.

 GWC Podcast #113 [121:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Please join the the GWC community in the Book Club select for August, Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn here

“You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.”

Time to dust off your DVD and get ready for the Watercooler crüe to tackle, The Matrix Trilogy. If you would like to join the discussion in the forum you can find the thread here

ps: If you want to earn a gold star and earn some extra credit be sure to download the bonus “Very Jerry” Galactica Watercooler podcast #22.

Wrapping up our Star Wars podcast arc, we squeeze in one last podcast solely to address listener calls. Highlights: we check in with GWCers who attended ComiCon, listen to DawnAZ’s “high maintenance” Leia howler, talk Star Wars toys one last time, wonder about SW droid religions, marvel at the uncool that is Corvette Summer, offer to pay for Audra’s Salacious Crumb tattoo, and announce our next arc: The Matrix.

 GWC Podcast #112 [112:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

With this week’s feature, Return of the Jedi, we near the end of our GWC Star Wars podcast arc. Highlights: we marvel at Leia’s distinct memory of her mother’s beauty during the two minutes they both lived, questioned the Jedi “from some point of view” approach to truth, skeeved out at Palpatine the perv, discussed Jedi the musical, heard Audra’s Jedi-era hair analysis, and wend our way through tales involving generic baggers and Salma Hayek. We didn’t get to calls again this week, but don’t despair: next week’s podcast will be a call-only show wrapping up the Star Wars arc!

 GWC Podcast #111 [123:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week’s Star Wars arc feature: Empire. Highlights: We share additional “original” Star Wars experiences with callers, discuss stories without beginnings or endings, again talk “vintage” toys, wonder how bad tauntauns must smell (considering Han could still smell ‘em in the cold), analyze Han’s decision to follow Leia (and what it means for his “scoundrel” ways), argue the morality of Lando’s “betrayal,” and look forward to Jedi next week. Reminder: Chuck and Sean will be at the NYC meetup tonight: Ashtons, 6pm at 208 E 50th St, Btwn 2nd & 3rd Ave (subway E,V,6 at 51st and Lexington).

 GWC Podcast #110 [138:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s time for the Star Wars that started it all: Episode IV, A New Hope. Highlights: we discuss the female fascination with the man in black, argue the meaning of “high maintenance,” notice (yet again) that Leia is smokin’ hot, talk droid knowledge and their interaction with Vader in the original trilogy, comment on Ben’s lie of omission, bemoan the Han/Greedo-shoot-at-same-time DVD (but love the sound), pontificate on Tatooine fashion, love on Alec’s trend-setting Jedi appearance, and watch Ani crank on that TIE’s control knob like he’s makin’ butter.

 GWC Podcast #109 [121:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week we check out Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Highlights: we rejoice in the magic moment when Vader dons his helmet (and bag on his NOOOOOOOOOOOOO reaction a bit), comment on Padme’s womb of holding, note that Aunt Beru is actually quite hot, hear Audra’s Ep. III hair analysis (read: Padme++, Anakin++, Obi’s Beard–), and thoroughly delve into Anakin’s deliverance to the dark side and what it means for next week’s New Hope.

 GWC Podcast #108 [125:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In our second Star Wars arc podcast we take on Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Highlights: we debate the wrongness of Anakin’s Tusken slaughter, question Qui-Gon’s/Obi-Wan’s parenting skills, wonder why the Republic allows “temporary replacement senators,” discuss the downsides of Sith apprenticeship, hunt for female Jedi, and again marvel at Palpatine’s masterful manipulative skills.

 GWC Podcast #107 [123:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

During the hiatus we’re delving into some other stories, and this week marks the beginning of our Star Wars podcast arc — and our re-watch of Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Highlights: we discuss what the Trade Federation is, why Naboo is remotely important (and why you should care), see midi-chlorians as Star Wars’ glowing cylon backs, question Anakin’s “virgin birth,” note how the Jedi could’ve saved the galaxy for a few creds by buying Anakin’s mother out of slavery, decide it’s OK to say Natalie Portman is hot because she’s over 21 now (and that Anakin’s “are you an angel?” line totally works), hear part one of Sean’s Yoda rant, and compare pod racing to NASCAR (Tusken sugar-water/pot-shots at racers = Talladega beer/boobs).

 GWC Podcast #106 [126:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We spend this ‘cast taking listener calls, wrapping up Revelations — with our usual diversions. Highlights: we discuss the ramifications of three’s “four cylons” in the fleet comment, talk “harbinger” definitions (and Starbuck’s role as such), discover that we weren’t alone in looking for the famous lady of liberty (”You blew it up! Damn you all to hell!”), begin the year-long analysis of the final scene, crack wise about the ”other” Cylon fleet’s sausage-fest, plus talk screened-off fat-boy dance floors for Chuck and pec-mounted microphones. Thanks for all the wonderful calls this week!

 GWC Podcast #105 [121:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Jane Espenson, best known for her work on Buffy, Firefly and Angel has taken a producing and writing role in the fourth and final season of Battlestar Galactica. In a recent interview with TV Squad she shared her thoughts and feelings on the last episode:

“When we screened this episode at Ron’s house, months ago, we all sat stunned, and then agreed it was perhaps the best the show had ever produced. And seeing it Wednesday and again Friday night with fans in attendance bore that out… every time the blue clouded planet was revealed, I could hear the inhales of hope, despite the lack of indication of any continents — and I knew we were about to break some hearts. But, I hope, they only broke like mine did.”

The full interview can be found here.

(Thanks, RavenU, for the great CC-licensed photo.)