What happens when you mash up It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, The Force Awakens and a dash of symbolism?
It's the Great Jedi, Skywalker Brown!
Kylo: I got a mask!
Finn: I got a jacket!
Rey: I got a blaster and a lightsaber!
Luke: I got a rock.
[rim shot]
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Listen to the Author's Whispers
I may have mentioned this quote somewhere else on this blog, but it begs another mention...
"It's not what an author says, but what he/she whispers that is important." - Logan Pearsall Smith
Man, I love that quote. It basically articulates why I like, and get so much out of any favorite book, poem, film, song, film, etc. It's the English major deep within me that keeps coming back and finding new things in all my favorite texts.
Story time alert!
Perhaps the most fun I ever had in putting together video to teach was putting together my "The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker" video "essay." I started using Anakin as an example of a tragic hero about a year or two before ROTS. All the pieces were in place to document Anakin's tragic hero journey. We had the beginning, part of the middle and the finale. Yet, we had to speculate what happened at the most crucial part of that journey. What happens when Anakin "dies" and is reborn as Darth Vader? I knew there would be a payoff in Episode III, but I had no clue how deep and wide it would go...
I had connections to greek tragedy, Shakespeare, and in my option, some pretty purposeful storytelling.
Did the much maligned George Lucas achieve a master stroke of storytelling? Did he really put that much thought into what was on the big screen or, like most Star Wars fans, I was digging way deeper than was ever intended.
But it's do darn easy to do...
I patiently waited for ROTS to be released on DVD so I could put the final pieces into that video essay. However, there was so much to choose from the original cut was 2+ hours!!! I didn't want to chew up multiple class periods watching this examples, but ....
The first thing you notice when you watch all 6 films, and focus on just Anakin and anyone/anything that interacts with him, you see the hyper-focus on hitting the "beats" of a tragic hero. You see the conflicting advice between mentors, the emphasis on choices, the "more machine than man" Vader rhetoric and on and on...
The next thing that stuck me is the sway Palpatine has over Anakin. Pay attention to what Anakin says in AOTC and you see it's less about Anakin's "poor dialogue" and "whiny complaints", and more about Palpatine's brainwashing. Anakin, literally, parrots things Palpatine has told him. "Someday I will be the most powerful jedi ever" and "Obi-Wan is holding me back" isn't Anakin's wishful thinking and pitiful teen, it's specific Palpatine statements and advice. It becomes evident, as early as AOTC, that Anakin is the robo-man he would become starts long before he's ever in The Suit. To paraphrase a Chuck D comment, "you wind up robots and robots will do what they do."
Anakin is so far under Palpatine's sway, that aside from the few times he tries to break free (see Padme and Luke), he seems completely dependent on Palpatine's advice, assistance and power. A dark side symbiotic relationship (thanks, Qui Gon!) if there ever was one. Thus, when Darth Vader says, "you don't know the power of the dark side" over and over between ESB and ROTJ it takes on a whole new meaning...
"It's not what an author says, but what he/she whispers that is important." - Logan Pearsall Smith
Man, I love that quote. It basically articulates why I like, and get so much out of any favorite book, poem, film, song, film, etc. It's the English major deep within me that keeps coming back and finding new things in all my favorite texts.
Story time alert!
Perhaps the most fun I ever had in putting together video to teach was putting together my "The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker" video "essay." I started using Anakin as an example of a tragic hero about a year or two before ROTS. All the pieces were in place to document Anakin's tragic hero journey. We had the beginning, part of the middle and the finale. Yet, we had to speculate what happened at the most crucial part of that journey. What happens when Anakin "dies" and is reborn as Darth Vader? I knew there would be a payoff in Episode III, but I had no clue how deep and wide it would go...
I had connections to greek tragedy, Shakespeare, and in my option, some pretty purposeful storytelling.
Did the much maligned George Lucas achieve a master stroke of storytelling? Did he really put that much thought into what was on the big screen or, like most Star Wars fans, I was digging way deeper than was ever intended.
But it's do darn easy to do...
I patiently waited for ROTS to be released on DVD so I could put the final pieces into that video essay. However, there was so much to choose from the original cut was 2+ hours!!! I didn't want to chew up multiple class periods watching this examples, but ....
The first thing you notice when you watch all 6 films, and focus on just Anakin and anyone/anything that interacts with him, you see the hyper-focus on hitting the "beats" of a tragic hero. You see the conflicting advice between mentors, the emphasis on choices, the "more machine than man" Vader rhetoric and on and on...
The next thing that stuck me is the sway Palpatine has over Anakin. Pay attention to what Anakin says in AOTC and you see it's less about Anakin's "poor dialogue" and "whiny complaints", and more about Palpatine's brainwashing. Anakin, literally, parrots things Palpatine has told him. "Someday I will be the most powerful jedi ever" and "Obi-Wan is holding me back" isn't Anakin's wishful thinking and pitiful teen, it's specific Palpatine statements and advice. It becomes evident, as early as AOTC, that Anakin is the robo-man he would become starts long before he's ever in The Suit. To paraphrase a Chuck D comment, "you wind up robots and robots will do what they do."
Anakin is so far under Palpatine's sway, that aside from the few times he tries to break free (see Padme and Luke), he seems completely dependent on Palpatine's advice, assistance and power. A dark side symbiotic relationship (thanks, Qui Gon!) if there ever was one. Thus, when Darth Vader says, "you don't know the power of the dark side" over and over between ESB and ROTJ it takes on a whole new meaning...
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Love is the Answer
To quote Todd Rundgren and Qui Gon Jinn, "love is the answer."
So here's another fun, far-fetched thought/theory... Anakin was supposed to fulfill an old jedi prophecy about a chosen one who brings balance to the force. Certainly one can make the argument that Anakin did just that. Although, he had to go to the dark side, as Darth Vader, to destroy the Emperor, bring balance to the force and restore peace to the galaxy, Therefore, Anakin brought balance to the force, by a show of force (pun intended), with an assist from his loving son, Luke.
But what if there's more to the prophecy and the "love" part?
What if Anakin brought balance to the force, not by violence but love?
Love. Really? Peace and love, man. Far out. The Beatles called and they think you're trying too hard.
Hear me out. Anakin brings balance to the force by breaking the rules and having a family. THAT'S how he fulfills the prophecy.
Huh?
Let's continue... Anakin and Padme have two children. One boy (Luke), one girl (Leia). Balance. Both are force sensitive, but only one (Luke) develops his potential with the force. Unfortunately, Luke discovers the power of his dark side (see ROTJ). At this time, based on the films, we're not sure how he comes to grips with that. Let's say there's a force imbalance within the House of Skywalker.
Later. Leia and Han have a child, a boy ironically named Ben, who is strong in the force but develops it for the dark side. However, Uncle Luke is still in the game, so there is balance in the force. Then Ben becomes Kylo Ren, takes down the jedi academy and Luke disappears. Again, we find imbalance.
Now here comes Speculation the Force Ghost. He says, Luke and his wife have a child, a girl, "Rey."
One girl. One boy. One light. One dark. The girl assumes the legacy of Anakin Skywalker. The boy assumes the legacy of Anakin's shadow, Darth Vader. Together they bring balance to the force. Two sides of Anakin Skywalker.
[Aside: Have the Star Wars films ever made it clear what "bringing balance to the force" actually means? Does it mean bringing light and dark to equilibrium? Is balance to the force just a synonym for peace? Is this why the jedi has such trouble interpreting the prophecy? For my purposes, I interpret it as being a tad more complex. As it is the natural way of things to ebb and flow. Like a pendulum. As soon as things are going too far to one way, they start to swing the other. So the more evil there is in TGFFA, the more good tries to rise up to take it down. And then it swings the other way...]
To circle back, Anakin broke the rules and brought balance to the force. It may not be the way the old school Jedi would've liked, but the prophecy was true. Thus, through love and family, Anakin Skywalker fulfilled his destiny. He brought balance to the force and the galaxy. Good on you, Anakin.
The End...or is it?
So here's another fun, far-fetched thought/theory... Anakin was supposed to fulfill an old jedi prophecy about a chosen one who brings balance to the force. Certainly one can make the argument that Anakin did just that. Although, he had to go to the dark side, as Darth Vader, to destroy the Emperor, bring balance to the force and restore peace to the galaxy, Therefore, Anakin brought balance to the force, by a show of force (pun intended), with an assist from his loving son, Luke.
But what if there's more to the prophecy and the "love" part?
What if Anakin brought balance to the force, not by violence but love?
Love. Really? Peace and love, man. Far out. The Beatles called and they think you're trying too hard.
Hear me out. Anakin brings balance to the force by breaking the rules and having a family. THAT'S how he fulfills the prophecy.
Huh?
Let's continue... Anakin and Padme have two children. One boy (Luke), one girl (Leia). Balance. Both are force sensitive, but only one (Luke) develops his potential with the force. Unfortunately, Luke discovers the power of his dark side (see ROTJ). At this time, based on the films, we're not sure how he comes to grips with that. Let's say there's a force imbalance within the House of Skywalker.
Later. Leia and Han have a child, a boy ironically named Ben, who is strong in the force but develops it for the dark side. However, Uncle Luke is still in the game, so there is balance in the force. Then Ben becomes Kylo Ren, takes down the jedi academy and Luke disappears. Again, we find imbalance.
Now here comes Speculation the Force Ghost. He says, Luke and his wife have a child, a girl, "Rey."
One girl. One boy. One light. One dark. The girl assumes the legacy of Anakin Skywalker. The boy assumes the legacy of Anakin's shadow, Darth Vader. Together they bring balance to the force. Two sides of Anakin Skywalker.
[Aside: Have the Star Wars films ever made it clear what "bringing balance to the force" actually means? Does it mean bringing light and dark to equilibrium? Is balance to the force just a synonym for peace? Is this why the jedi has such trouble interpreting the prophecy? For my purposes, I interpret it as being a tad more complex. As it is the natural way of things to ebb and flow. Like a pendulum. As soon as things are going too far to one way, they start to swing the other. So the more evil there is in TGFFA, the more good tries to rise up to take it down. And then it swings the other way...]
To circle back, Anakin broke the rules and brought balance to the force. It may not be the way the old school Jedi would've liked, but the prophecy was true. Thus, through love and family, Anakin Skywalker fulfilled his destiny. He brought balance to the force and the galaxy. Good on you, Anakin.
The End...or is it?
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Tragedy Trumps Triumph
It's no surprise by now that Star Wars fans everywhere were stunned to learn that The Galaxy Far, Far Away didn't sustain the happy ending of Return of the Jedi. The Force Awakens showed us that... Han and Leia are separated, their son went rogue and turned to the dark side, the Empire is gone but The First Order has risen, the New Republic didn't turn out the way everyone hoped and, most importantly, Luke bolted. That ain't good.
Perhaps it's the hardest lesson to learn in life; we experience and witness more tragedy than triumphs. We endure more loss than gain. To paraphrase an old adage; Life is a sad grind, punctuated by brief burst of elation and illuminancy. Boy, those are happy thoughts. However, we wouldn't appreciate the highest of highs if we haven't dabbled in the lowest of lows. Maybe that should be our take away with Round 1 of the Sequel Trilogy. In the Star Wars universe it is tragedy that rules the day.
Over the years, I've taught my students about tragic heroes. We've discussed many of the usual suspects: Hamlet, Oedipus, Antigone, Othello, Macbeth, Willy Loman... We've even discussed true life tragic heroes: Malcolm X, LBJ, Nixon, Timothy Treadwell. Students have even shared their own examples: Mufasa, The Sandman, Albous Dumbledore... Yet, some of the best examples of Aristotle's "tragic hero" come from Star Wars. While Anakin Skywalker tops the list, ROTS showes us that Obi-Wan Kenobi deserves consideration. Then along comes TFA and now we have to add Han Solo and Luke Skywalker to that list. Who would have ever thought George Lucas and Joseph Campbell's posterboy example of the Hero Journey (Luke) could also fit Aristotle's tragic pattern?
I will examine how these characters fit Aristotle's criteria in future blogs. Please share your ideas and stay tuned!
Perhaps it's the hardest lesson to learn in life; we experience and witness more tragedy than triumphs. We endure more loss than gain. To paraphrase an old adage; Life is a sad grind, punctuated by brief burst of elation and illuminancy. Boy, those are happy thoughts. However, we wouldn't appreciate the highest of highs if we haven't dabbled in the lowest of lows. Maybe that should be our take away with Round 1 of the Sequel Trilogy. In the Star Wars universe it is tragedy that rules the day.
Over the years, I've taught my students about tragic heroes. We've discussed many of the usual suspects: Hamlet, Oedipus, Antigone, Othello, Macbeth, Willy Loman... We've even discussed true life tragic heroes: Malcolm X, LBJ, Nixon, Timothy Treadwell. Students have even shared their own examples: Mufasa, The Sandman, Albous Dumbledore... Yet, some of the best examples of Aristotle's "tragic hero" come from Star Wars. While Anakin Skywalker tops the list, ROTS showes us that Obi-Wan Kenobi deserves consideration. Then along comes TFA and now we have to add Han Solo and Luke Skywalker to that list. Who would have ever thought George Lucas and Joseph Campbell's posterboy example of the Hero Journey (Luke) could also fit Aristotle's tragic pattern?
I will examine how these characters fit Aristotle's criteria in future blogs. Please share your ideas and stay tuned!
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Power Corrupts Absolutely
Chalk this one up on the list of wacky ST theories...
In TFA novelization, the Restistance leaders are chatting about how Starkiller Base works. Admiral Ackbar says something interesting things about there being more dark energy in the universe than anything else. I'm sure this is more scientific than Star Wars light side vs. dark side. But then Admiral Statura makes this very cryptic statement:
“If the engineering could be worked out, one would have access to an almost literally infinite source of energy.”
Hmmmmmmmmm.
Someone once said, regarding the ST, we're going to see the force in a different way. Well, what if the whole Starkiller Base was a red herring? I'm sure there's thousands of deceased First Order officers and troopers who would beg to differ. But what if Starkiller Base had a dual purpose? The first, obviously, to have the ability to wipe out entire systems, strike fear into the galaxy, destroy potential enemies and establish a new Empire-like regime. Yada yada. So imagine a second purpose was to find a way to harness energy in order to create a limitless power source. Imagine if that could be channeled into some kind of force power... Somewhere I can hear Palpatine yelling "Uuuuuuuuunlimited Poooooooooower!"
The dark side forces are working on that unlimited dark power. Kylo wants to finish what Vader started. Many have debated what that quest was? Bringing "peace" to the galaxy? Destroying all the jedi? Trying achieve ultimate power? Maybe it is that goal of absolute power. Assuming it is, that whole Starkiller ruse takes on a much more ominous premonition. As they now have discovered how to harness the power of suns to unleash a seemingly infinite source of power, maybe it's time for a Kylo v. Snoke showdown for sole possession of that ability? After all, Kylo's dad warned him Snoke would use him and drop him the first chance he got. And if one of them is unable to beat the other to gain possession of that resource, why not enlist the other most powerful beings in the galaxy? Luke Skywalker and, possibly, his sole heir Rey.
Since it's probably a guarantee Luke would refuse to join up with Snoke or his nephew, I'm sure destroying his jedi academy sent quite a message. [Aside: could this massacre been over trying to find Rey? Has she been the macguffin for Snoke/Kylo all along? If Kylo didn't "stash" Rey away on Jakku, maybe he's been trying to find her ever since she disappeared?] Since he has faith in his sister's ability to take on the First Order, via the Resistance, maybe he thought the galaxy was better off without Skywalkers? As he probably hid Rey away (adopted parents?) long before the academy massacre, he probably knew he had to hide himself too. Perhaps memories of his flirtation with the dark side (ROTJ) was more traumatic than we ever realized and Luke knows a direct confrontation with Snoke and Kylo would require more than meditation and passivity. The potential galactic consequences a battle of that magnitude could bring would be devastating.
Since the PT, we've hear talk about prophecies about someone bringing balance in the force. As Snoke/Kylo are bringing about another imbalance, there has to be some giant light side power source to counter this dark side increase. Two words. Rey Skywalker. In the TFA novelization Rey's Story, Rey talks about having a sense of purpose/destiny within her. In the regular TFA novelization, during his interrogation mind probe, Kylo sees "something" worth analyzing but is blocked by Rey before he can really get a handle on it. What is this glow? This "something?" It's a source of light side force power/ability that no one has ever seen before. [Somewhere Qui-Gon Jinn is frustrated he can't whip out his midichlorian meter.] If Luke, potentially married another jedi and they had Rey would that not make her, arguably, the first child ever born of two jedi parents? Thus making her the purest of the pure force-sensitive humans? A potential pure-bred jedi? Rey is The Natural. This could explain why Rey is able to "easily" take to force abilities (i.e. jedi mind trick, force-grabbing lightsabers out of the snow, channeling force ghosts,etc.) long before any character we've previously seen in Star Wars films. Whereas Luke and Kylo had to (assumingly) painstakingly developed their force abilities, it comes to Rey easily. Perhaps she is the true Chosen One?
In TFA novelization, the Restistance leaders are chatting about how Starkiller Base works. Admiral Ackbar says something interesting things about there being more dark energy in the universe than anything else. I'm sure this is more scientific than Star Wars light side vs. dark side. But then Admiral Statura makes this very cryptic statement:
“If the engineering could be worked out, one would have access to an almost literally infinite source of energy.”
Hmmmmmmmmm.
Someone once said, regarding the ST, we're going to see the force in a different way. Well, what if the whole Starkiller Base was a red herring? I'm sure there's thousands of deceased First Order officers and troopers who would beg to differ. But what if Starkiller Base had a dual purpose? The first, obviously, to have the ability to wipe out entire systems, strike fear into the galaxy, destroy potential enemies and establish a new Empire-like regime. Yada yada. So imagine a second purpose was to find a way to harness energy in order to create a limitless power source. Imagine if that could be channeled into some kind of force power... Somewhere I can hear Palpatine yelling "Uuuuuuuuunlimited Poooooooooower!"
The dark side forces are working on that unlimited dark power. Kylo wants to finish what Vader started. Many have debated what that quest was? Bringing "peace" to the galaxy? Destroying all the jedi? Trying achieve ultimate power? Maybe it is that goal of absolute power. Assuming it is, that whole Starkiller ruse takes on a much more ominous premonition. As they now have discovered how to harness the power of suns to unleash a seemingly infinite source of power, maybe it's time for a Kylo v. Snoke showdown for sole possession of that ability? After all, Kylo's dad warned him Snoke would use him and drop him the first chance he got. And if one of them is unable to beat the other to gain possession of that resource, why not enlist the other most powerful beings in the galaxy? Luke Skywalker and, possibly, his sole heir Rey.
Since it's probably a guarantee Luke would refuse to join up with Snoke or his nephew, I'm sure destroying his jedi academy sent quite a message. [Aside: could this massacre been over trying to find Rey? Has she been the macguffin for Snoke/Kylo all along? If Kylo didn't "stash" Rey away on Jakku, maybe he's been trying to find her ever since she disappeared?] Since he has faith in his sister's ability to take on the First Order, via the Resistance, maybe he thought the galaxy was better off without Skywalkers? As he probably hid Rey away (adopted parents?) long before the academy massacre, he probably knew he had to hide himself too. Perhaps memories of his flirtation with the dark side (ROTJ) was more traumatic than we ever realized and Luke knows a direct confrontation with Snoke and Kylo would require more than meditation and passivity. The potential galactic consequences a battle of that magnitude could bring would be devastating.
Since the PT, we've hear talk about prophecies about someone bringing balance in the force. As Snoke/Kylo are bringing about another imbalance, there has to be some giant light side power source to counter this dark side increase. Two words. Rey Skywalker. In the TFA novelization Rey's Story, Rey talks about having a sense of purpose/destiny within her. In the regular TFA novelization, during his interrogation mind probe, Kylo sees "something" worth analyzing but is blocked by Rey before he can really get a handle on it. What is this glow? This "something?" It's a source of light side force power/ability that no one has ever seen before. [Somewhere Qui-Gon Jinn is frustrated he can't whip out his midichlorian meter.] If Luke, potentially married another jedi and they had Rey would that not make her, arguably, the first child ever born of two jedi parents? Thus making her the purest of the pure force-sensitive humans? A potential pure-bred jedi? Rey is The Natural. This could explain why Rey is able to "easily" take to force abilities (i.e. jedi mind trick, force-grabbing lightsabers out of the snow, channeling force ghosts,etc.) long before any character we've previously seen in Star Wars films. Whereas Luke and Kylo had to (assumingly) painstakingly developed their force abilities, it comes to Rey easily. Perhaps she is the true Chosen One?
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Follow That Droid
OK, TPM confession time. There were two things that got some eye-rolling with me when I saw TPM in 1999. First, I thought the whole "immaculate" Anakin thing was a little much. It felt forced. Since then I've come to appreciate it. The other was this idea that Anakin built Threepio.
Really?
For Real?
I remember thinking: does everything have to connect back to the OT? [somewhere some TFA-haters are chuckling and nodding their heads]
Then as the PT marched on, I started to wonder if this was intentional. What if there was some subliminal, symbolic reason why Anakin is responsible for C-3PO's existence. Then the light bulb turned on. Eureka! I have it all figured out. I'm going to "take what they give me..."
Let's play FOLLOW THAT DROID!
At any time during Episodes 1-7 if you want to know how Anakin is doing, mentally and spiritually, just look at Threepio. No, seriously. LOOK AT HIM. His appearance mostly, not so much his chatty-chatterbox routine, but his physical makeup...OK, and maybe a little characterization here and there. So let's follow Threepio through all seven films.
Episode I
Anakin is young, a slave and not a jedi yet. He has not yet realized his full potential or his true power.
Threepio is freshly built and missing his outer shell. He has not yet been given opportunity to show his stuff as a protocol droid.
Episode II
Anakin is a strong, yet tad reckless jedi padawan. He's good, but has a long way to go in solidifying his jedi identity.
Threepio has progressed to the next stage. He's attained his outer shell, but it's lacking its final golden finish. Oh yeah, and for part of the film his head is mixed up with a battle droid head. He's certainly not all together there. [SYMBOLISM!!!]
Episode III
Anakin is a full-fledged jedi knight, a legend and thisclose to being a jedi master. Oh yeah, and he is powerful and turns to the dark side. Anakin "dies" and Darth Vader is born.
Threepio is in his full shiny golden glory and a useful droid for the Skywalkers. Loyal, dutiful and knowledgeable, Threepio has come a long way from Tatooine. However, once Palpatine and Vader begin Order 66, Padme dies, the twins will be hidden and Frankenstein's monster Vader is put in the black suit, Threepio has his memory wiped! [This is not exactly an outward appearance reference but, golly, it parallels the Anakin/Vader thing perfectly!]
Episode IV
Darth Vader is "more machine that man." He's, inwardly, a broken man who seems to be just going through the motions as Palpatine and Tarkin's lackey, er, enforcer. He goes around reminding everyone how powerful he is because of his knowledge of the Force.
Threepio is a beat up protocol droid who gets dinged around and has no knowledge of his old life. He is constantly complaining and fearing the worst. Can you imagine what R2 must think of him having to listen to this all these years?
Episode V
Darth Vader realizes his son is alive, well and strong in the force. Deep down he is "being torn apart" by his duty to the Empire and his need to enlist Luke and start a new fight. Perhaps, this is when the "conflict within him" becomes palpable. By the way, I should mention Vader lops Luke's right hand off.
Threepio is blasted into pieces after making a wrong turn at Albuquerque, er, thinking he hears an R2 unit, accidentally walks in on some hiding stormtroopers. Chewbacca starts to put him together, but can only get the head (backwards) and an arm (the right) on and carries him around in a bag. By the way, in the carbon freeze chamber, when Boba Fett raises his blaster to shoot Chewbacca, Vader pushes his arm down. Why? Not because Vader's got a soft spot for Wookiees. Not because he does't want to start a battle in the middle of this frozen dinner factory. It's because Boba Fett would've shot his droid, bro.
Episode VI
Luke is able to bring the Anakin back and destroy Vader. He becomes acreepy happy force ghost. And everyone lives happily ever after...Well, at least for the next 15 minutes...
Threepio is in his full golden glory. He has finally amounted to something special. He's an Ewok god and has become a fine storyteller. [Man, remember back in the day when Threepio said he wasn't much good at telling stories? Joseph Campbell would be proud of your journey, Threepio.]
Episode VII
New movie, so I've gotta come up with something so I will. The red arm. Why does Threepio have a random red arm? Because something is missing. Even though Anakin was redeemed in ROTJ, something is missing. Anakin is somehow still incomplete. Is it Luke's failure at rebooting the jedi? Is it Anakin's force ghost who, allegedly, glitches back and forth between Anakin and Darth Vader? I dunno. What I do know is that Threepio is whole again by the end of the movie. You know why? Two words: Rey Skywalker. "The circle is now complete." Rey will complete what Anakin started as The Chosen One. She will bring true balance to the force.
Sometimes you can't make this stuff up...
Really?
For Real?
I remember thinking: does everything have to connect back to the OT? [somewhere some TFA-haters are chuckling and nodding their heads]
Then as the PT marched on, I started to wonder if this was intentional. What if there was some subliminal, symbolic reason why Anakin is responsible for C-3PO's existence. Then the light bulb turned on. Eureka! I have it all figured out. I'm going to "take what they give me..."
Let's play FOLLOW THAT DROID!
At any time during Episodes 1-7 if you want to know how Anakin is doing, mentally and spiritually, just look at Threepio. No, seriously. LOOK AT HIM. His appearance mostly, not so much his chatty-chatterbox routine, but his physical makeup...OK, and maybe a little characterization here and there. So let's follow Threepio through all seven films.
Episode I
Anakin is young, a slave and not a jedi yet. He has not yet realized his full potential or his true power.
Threepio is freshly built and missing his outer shell. He has not yet been given opportunity to show his stuff as a protocol droid.
Episode II
Anakin is a strong, yet tad reckless jedi padawan. He's good, but has a long way to go in solidifying his jedi identity.
Threepio has progressed to the next stage. He's attained his outer shell, but it's lacking its final golden finish. Oh yeah, and for part of the film his head is mixed up with a battle droid head. He's certainly not all together there. [SYMBOLISM!!!]
Episode III
Anakin is a full-fledged jedi knight, a legend and thisclose to being a jedi master. Oh yeah, and he is powerful and turns to the dark side. Anakin "dies" and Darth Vader is born.
Threepio is in his full shiny golden glory and a useful droid for the Skywalkers. Loyal, dutiful and knowledgeable, Threepio has come a long way from Tatooine. However, once Palpatine and Vader begin Order 66, Padme dies, the twins will be hidden and
Episode IV
Darth Vader is "more machine that man." He's, inwardly, a broken man who seems to be just going through the motions as Palpatine and Tarkin's lackey, er, enforcer. He goes around reminding everyone how powerful he is because of his knowledge of the Force.
Threepio is a beat up protocol droid who gets dinged around and has no knowledge of his old life. He is constantly complaining and fearing the worst. Can you imagine what R2 must think of him having to listen to this all these years?
Episode V
Darth Vader realizes his son is alive, well and strong in the force. Deep down he is "being torn apart" by his duty to the Empire and his need to enlist Luke and start a new fight. Perhaps, this is when the "conflict within him" becomes palpable. By the way, I should mention Vader lops Luke's right hand off.
Threepio is blasted into pieces after making a wrong turn at Albuquerque, er, thinking he hears an R2 unit, accidentally walks in on some hiding stormtroopers. Chewbacca starts to put him together, but can only get the head (backwards) and an arm (the right) on and carries him around in a bag. By the way, in the carbon freeze chamber, when Boba Fett raises his blaster to shoot Chewbacca, Vader pushes his arm down. Why? Not because Vader's got a soft spot for Wookiees. Not because he does't want to start a battle in the middle of this frozen dinner factory. It's because Boba Fett would've shot his droid, bro.
Episode VI
Luke is able to bring the Anakin back and destroy Vader. He becomes a
Threepio is in his full golden glory. He has finally amounted to something special. He's an Ewok god and has become a fine storyteller. [Man, remember back in the day when Threepio said he wasn't much good at telling stories? Joseph Campbell would be proud of your journey, Threepio.]
Episode VII
New movie, so I've gotta come up with something so I will. The red arm. Why does Threepio have a random red arm? Because something is missing. Even though Anakin was redeemed in ROTJ, something is missing. Anakin is somehow still incomplete. Is it Luke's failure at rebooting the jedi? Is it Anakin's force ghost who, allegedly, glitches back and forth between Anakin and Darth Vader? I dunno. What I do know is that Threepio is whole again by the end of the movie. You know why? Two words: Rey Skywalker. "The circle is now complete." Rey will complete what Anakin started as The Chosen One. She will bring true balance to the force.
Sometimes you can't make this stuff up...
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover
Here is a quick theory on Han Solo in TFA. Many are disappointed with Han's character arc and saying TFA ruined his redemption from the OT. I say [cliche alert] don't judge a book by it's cover.
I've already shared my theory that Kylo Ren/Ben Solo was likely the person who dropped Rey off on Jakku. But what if he wasn't alone. What if Han was with him? What if Han was somehow involved? If you start to connect the dots, even further than Kylo was the reason why the Millennium Falcon is on Jakku, what if Han is the reason the MF is on Jakku. Rather than Kylo stealing it and giving it to Unkar Plutt as payment to keep Rey undercover, what if it was Han who made that deal?
Here's my evidence...
Let's take what is given to us in TFA and connect the dots:
- Leia says she lost Han and Ben at the same time (Han to his old life of smuggling and Ben to Snoke)
- Rumor has it Rey was left on Jakku prior to Kylo Ren's slaughter of Luke's jedi academy
- Rey was left on Jakku by her "family"in Unkar Plutt's custody
- The MF just happens to be on Jakku
- Once Rey and Finn escape on the MF, Han Solo just happens to pick them up...like immediately
- Han's guarded to reaction to being asked about Luke (something like "Yeah, I knew Luke.")
- Han's reaction to Rey telling him her name (more "what a great name" - as he's well aware she probably changed her name - than "pleased to meet you, Rey")
My take away: Han, possibly under directions from Luke, takes Rey to Jakku, leaves her with Plutt (for the pragmatic reasons I've stated before), the MF is payment (hey, Rey's protection is worth the price of the MF), and Plutt has instructions to let Solo know if there's trouble. In the meantime, Han's regression into smuggling has a two-fold purpose. You could still argue it's a result of the friction between Leia, Ben and himself, but what if it's also to free himself to be able to step in if trouble (Ben and Snoke) comes to Rey? He did find Rey and Finn awful fast. Almost as if he was alerted I believe Han states there is a homing beacon on Falcon. That makes sense but how does Han know Rey would escape via the MF? Therefore, it's possible Plutt directly contacted Solo to let him know Rey's whereabouts.
p.s. It may be possible that Leia doesn't even know about this deal between Han and Luke...
I know it's far-fetched but makes you view Han and Unkar Plutt in a different way, right?
I've already shared my theory that Kylo Ren/Ben Solo was likely the person who dropped Rey off on Jakku. But what if he wasn't alone. What if Han was with him? What if Han was somehow involved? If you start to connect the dots, even further than Kylo was the reason why the Millennium Falcon is on Jakku, what if Han is the reason the MF is on Jakku. Rather than Kylo stealing it and giving it to Unkar Plutt as payment to keep Rey undercover, what if it was Han who made that deal?
Here's my evidence...
Let's take what is given to us in TFA and connect the dots:
- Leia says she lost Han and Ben at the same time (Han to his old life of smuggling and Ben to Snoke)
- Rumor has it Rey was left on Jakku prior to Kylo Ren's slaughter of Luke's jedi academy
- Rey was left on Jakku by her "family"in Unkar Plutt's custody
- The MF just happens to be on Jakku
- Once Rey and Finn escape on the MF, Han Solo just happens to pick them up...like immediately
- Han's guarded to reaction to being asked about Luke (something like "Yeah, I knew Luke.")
- Han's reaction to Rey telling him her name (more "what a great name" - as he's well aware she probably changed her name - than "pleased to meet you, Rey")
My take away: Han, possibly under directions from Luke, takes Rey to Jakku, leaves her with Plutt (for the pragmatic reasons I've stated before), the MF is payment (hey, Rey's protection is worth the price of the MF), and Plutt has instructions to let Solo know if there's trouble. In the meantime, Han's regression into smuggling has a two-fold purpose. You could still argue it's a result of the friction between Leia, Ben and himself, but what if it's also to free himself to be able to step in if trouble (Ben and Snoke) comes to Rey? He did find Rey and Finn awful fast. Almost as if he was alerted I believe Han states there is a homing beacon on Falcon. That makes sense but how does Han know Rey would escape via the MF? Therefore, it's possible Plutt directly contacted Solo to let him know Rey's whereabouts.
p.s. It may be possible that Leia doesn't even know about this deal between Han and Luke...
I know it's far-fetched but makes you view Han and Unkar Plutt in a different way, right?
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Follow That Lightsaber
Symbolism is an English teacher's bread and butter. As my students will tell you that I find symbolism in everything. That's because there is. As Professor Thomas C. Foster says, "Everything is a symbol...unless proven otherwise" (How to Read Literature Like a Professor). We can't help it. We've been trained to think that way. And, hey, it's fun to peel the layers of the onion, to see the whole puzzle based on it pieces, to see how one things can mean many, etc. For English teachers figuring out symbols is our own real-time game - scan the area and figure out the solution. Symbolism also makes a text DO things. It makes it more interesting and relevant. Symbolism is probably the reason I make so many connections to Star Wars in my classroom. In The Catcher in the Rye, Mr. Antolini warns Holden about living humbly for a cause (Luke) vs. going out in a blaze of glory for one (Anakin). Any story involving potential self-fulfilling prophecies (Holden Caulfield and James Castle, anyone?)? I point to The Cave in ESB. Not to mention all the mythological symbolism that comes with caves... Is it a coincidence that The Dead Poets Society is created in a cave? They walk in as regular palookas and come out as poetry devotees. Kind of like Rey descending in the "cavernous" basement of Maz Kanata's castle... But I digress. You get the idea. Symbolism is important to English teachers. Got it. Let's move on...
What child growing up with Star Wars wasn't obsessed with lightsabers? I was not different. I always wanted that fancy one they sold in stores, but like many old school toys, its details were fairly inaccurate (remember the Luke action figure with yellow hair and a yellow lightsaber? Or R2's cyclops eye?) It was probably too pricey and Mom and Dad weren't fans. But I did get an knockoff, but it wasn't the same. It never is for purists, right? Needless to say I paid extra close attention to the lightsabers used in the OT.
*There are only four lightsabers you need to know:
Anakin's Blue Saber - Part II: Luke's Blue Saber (1st lightsaber)
I ignore all the Obi-Wan/Ben Kenobi bashers and haters. Blame George Lucas for the fibs, don't blame Obi-Wan. I still believe everything he told Luke in ANH was truth, even if part was half-truth. Luke was not ready to hear that Darth Vader was his father. Repeat that to yourself twenty times. An adventure seeking teenager is not ready for the "burden" of that truth. Tell that to the Solo family who probably did tell their kid the truth.
That being said, Obi-Wan gives this saber to Luke and tells him his father wanted him to have it (could have been said) and his uncle wouldn't allow it (probably fact). Notice I: Other than training, we never see Luke using the saber in ANH. Then we see it primarily used in The Cave (SYMBOLISM!!) and against Darth Vader. Luke holds his own, initially, but is bested by Vader and his greater power. Everyone knows what happens next, Vader lops off Luke's right hand and the saber disappears with it into the depths of Cloud City. Notice II: The saber is gone by the time Vader makes his big reveal to Luke.
Significance: In ANH, Luke picks up his father's sword but does not know how to use it yet. He is not ready to truly enter the "war." In ESB, he fails at his first attempt using the saber against Phantom Vader in The Cave. He shouldn't have even brought it with him (says Yoda). He fails the second time he uses it against Real Vader. He still not ready to wield his father's sword...OR that saber's way is not the right way...OR he is not ready to bring balance to the Force. Luke was not able to handle the Skywalker Destiny, the "burden", of that sword... At least not yet...
Luke's Green Saber (2nd lightsaber)
Significance: Some great symbolism here. It literally is a double-edge sword (no pun intended). Not only is Maz handing Rey her call to adventure to become a jedi, but her rightful place in the Skywalker lineage. She picks up her father/grandfather's sword, is ready to handle that "burden" and enlisting Luke (handing the saber to him) to begin again - going back to basics... A super cosmic jedi do-over! Together they will rule the galaxy as father and daughter...Just kidding. Together they will bring balance, true balance (think about it...), to the Force as father and daughter.
* Yes, I realize there are many other lightsabers in the SW films, but since the Skywalker legacy is front and center...
Mace Windu - is it a coincidence his purple saber is a cross of blue and red? Hmmmm...
What child growing up with Star Wars wasn't obsessed with lightsabers? I was not different. I always wanted that fancy one they sold in stores, but like many old school toys, its details were fairly inaccurate (remember the Luke action figure with yellow hair and a yellow lightsaber? Or R2's cyclops eye?) It was probably too pricey and Mom and Dad weren't fans. But I did get an knockoff, but it wasn't the same. It never is for purists, right? Needless to say I paid extra close attention to the lightsabers used in the OT.
*There are only four lightsabers you need to know:
- Luke's blue saber (from ANH)
- Obi-Wan's blue saber (from ANH)
- Vader's red saber (all 3 OT films)
- Luke's green saber (ROTJ)
What story do these initial lightsabers tell?
Let's start with the colors. Crossed referenced with some handy mythology/symbolism books: Blue is truth, friendship, devotion. Sounds about right? Red is war, rage, aggression, murder. But red is love, Valentine's Day and hearts, Swedish Fish, right? Yeah...but.. Red like the devil, right? It's all about context. That goes with the third color too. Green is hope, rebirth, neutral, fertility (yikes!)... One could even boil them down to blue (cool), red (hot) and green (life).
Now let's travel through all 7 films and play FOLLOW THAT SABER:
Anakin's Blue Saber (2nd lightsaber) - Part I
We first see this saber in ROTS as a replacement for a previous saber. As it appears to be the main saber he used in the Clone Wars, fighting alongside the good guys. However, it's also the saber Anakin uses as he becomes Darth Vader and commences Order 66. In its last act as Anakin/Darth Vader's lightsaber, it's used against Obi-Wan (first blue on blue saber fight we've seen in Star Wars - SYMBOLISM!)
Significance: This saber started out for good, but was tainted with evil, betrayal and slaughter. Not unlike Anakin's old identify vs new identity. Obi-Wan takes the saber whether to symbolically take away Anakin's jedi identity or to keep it for further use (i.e. giving it to Anakin's offspring). I dig the former reason rather than the latter...Even though he does give it to Luke, it does seem random that he picks it up and takes it on Mustafar.
Significance: This saber started out for good, but was tainted with evil, betrayal and slaughter. Not unlike Anakin's old identify vs new identity. Obi-Wan takes the saber whether to symbolically take away Anakin's jedi identity or to keep it for further use (i.e. giving it to Anakin's offspring). I dig the former reason rather than the latter...Even though he does give it to Luke, it does seem random that he picks it up and takes it on Mustafar.
Obi-Wan's Blue Saber
First seen in AOTC (?) This is Obi-Wan's longtime saber - used in many righteous fights on the side of good, and the light side. Other than the aforementioned blue on blue fight with Anakin, this saber is tried and true. Just like Obi-Wan. It's last seen on the Death Star.
Significance: Just like Obi-Wan, this saber is pretty pure... You can make the case that the lone fight with Anakin symbolizes Obi-Wan's own ambivalent attitude toward Anakin as his padawan/mentee/friend/brother (Obi-Wan's words not mine). It's a story for another day, but it's pretty clear that Obi-Wan had conflicting attachment issues with Anakin (as close as brothers?). For the saber's other significance see Luke's 2nd lightsaber...
Significance: Just like Obi-Wan, this saber is pretty pure... You can make the case that the lone fight with Anakin symbolizes Obi-Wan's own ambivalent attitude toward Anakin as his padawan/mentee/friend/brother (Obi-Wan's words not mine). It's a story for another day, but it's pretty clear that Obi-Wan had conflicting attachment issues with Anakin (as close as brothers?). For the saber's other significance see Luke's 2nd lightsaber...
Darth Vader's Red Saber
This one's an easy one. Vader builds this lightsaber between ROTS and ANH. It's his Sith lightsaber and it's used throughout Vader's entire career in the black suit (note the black accents to the hilt). One can speculate all the naughty things this lightsaber did in the twenty or so years between ROTS and ANH, we do know it's used to kill Vader's mentor and cut off his son's hand. We assume it was destroyed in the Second Death Star.
Significance: If this saber could talk...
Significance: If this saber could talk...
Anakin's Blue Saber - Part II: Luke's Blue Saber (1st lightsaber)
I ignore all the Obi-Wan/Ben Kenobi bashers and haters. Blame George Lucas for the fibs, don't blame Obi-Wan. I still believe everything he told Luke in ANH was truth, even if part was half-truth. Luke was not ready to hear that Darth Vader was his father. Repeat that to yourself twenty times. An adventure seeking teenager is not ready for the "burden" of that truth. Tell that to the Solo family who probably did tell their kid the truth.
That being said, Obi-Wan gives this saber to Luke and tells him his father wanted him to have it (could have been said) and his uncle wouldn't allow it (probably fact). Notice I: Other than training, we never see Luke using the saber in ANH. Then we see it primarily used in The Cave (SYMBOLISM!!) and against Darth Vader. Luke holds his own, initially, but is bested by Vader and his greater power. Everyone knows what happens next, Vader lops off Luke's right hand and the saber disappears with it into the depths of Cloud City. Notice II: The saber is gone by the time Vader makes his big reveal to Luke.
Significance: In ANH, Luke picks up his father's sword but does not know how to use it yet. He is not ready to truly enter the "war." In ESB, he fails at his first attempt using the saber against Phantom Vader in The Cave. He shouldn't have even brought it with him (says Yoda). He fails the second time he uses it against Real Vader. He still not ready to wield his father's sword...OR that saber's way is not the right way...OR he is not ready to bring balance to the Force. Luke was not able to handle the Skywalker Destiny, the "burden", of that sword... At least not yet...
Luke's Green Saber (2nd lightsaber)
This saber first appears in ROTJ and has an incredible first reveal that is easy to forget how dramatic it truly was at the time. Right away, the first thing you should notice by looking at this saber is it's fashioned after Obi-Wan's blue saber, but it's green. Until 1999, a green lightsaber was a novelty. Therefore, at the time, you could make the case that Luke was forging "something new" with his identify as a jedi. A new jedi way if you will. As he seems to go against Obi-Wan and Yoda's advice, his "outside the box thinking" proves to be true. They think Vader should be destroyed, Luke thinks he can be redeemed. This thinking is, arguably, is the catalyst to Anakin finally fulfilling his prophecy as The Chosen One. Yet, in the penultimate moment he even tosses that sword aside and goes completely unarmed against the Dark Side. Pretty brave if you think about how it could have backfired. That's twice Luke took the non-violent way and both times it seemed to work - on Vader's psyche - and, ultimately, saves the galaxy.
On a side note, does Luke still have that green lightsaber?
On a side note, does Luke still have that green lightsaber?
[Aside] The next green saber we see is Qui-Gonn Jinn's. I would argue Jinn fits that "outside of the box" jedi train of thought...but Yoda's saber is green too... Does green have a bigger significance?
Significance: Perhaps a running Luke Skywalker motif: melding old with new, Luke creates a new saber but based on an old design. Thus, Luke is taking Obi-Wan's path, the jedi way, the not-so-easy path. The path of the light side. He will not be following his father's path. Luke picked up his mentor/second father's sword, not his biological father's and succeeds on his own terms.
Anakin's Blue Saber - Part III: Rey's Blue Saber (1st lightsaber)
By the will of the Force, Anakin/Luke's saber ends up somewhere... According to rumor, the saber passes many hands (could it be the "Darth Vader saber" that is sold in a market in Chuck Wendig's Aftermath?) and ends up in Maz Kanata's possession. Thus, in TFA, Rey opens up Pandora's Box, er, Ben Kenobi's old chest, er, some random old chest in the Maz Kanata's basement and, lo and behold, there's the Skywalker saber. The second Rey touches it she has a force vision. I'm all but convinved the lightsaber is a medium for the Force (especially the Jedi - most notably Obi-Wan) to communicate with her. She sees the vision but does not know what to make of it [Aside: nor does most of the audience] Maz tells her the legacy of the lightsaber. She echoes Luke telling Leia of the Skywalker legacy ("the force is strong in my family...my father has it..."). She tells Rey this saber belonged to Luke and his father before him. Thus, is it a far stretch to say Rey is a Skywalker too? Rey refuses this "call to adventure" but later picks up her father's sword and begins to regain control of the Skywalker legacy against her dark cousin (Kylo Ren aka Ben Solo). That moment is so powerful JJ Abrams and John Williams put the ANH "homestead cue" under it. Once and for all, Rey will redeem this blue lightsaber, its failure and dark past and "finish what was started" by a Skywalker bringing balance to the Force. Her next task is to bring her father back into the fold.
Significance: Some great symbolism here. It literally is a double-edge sword (no pun intended). Not only is Maz handing Rey her call to adventure to become a jedi, but her rightful place in the Skywalker lineage. She picks up her father/grandfather's sword, is ready to handle that "burden" and enlisting Luke (handing the saber to him) to begin again - going back to basics... A super cosmic jedi do-over! Together they will rule the galaxy as father and daughter...Just kidding. Together they will bring balance, true balance (think about it...), to the Force as father and daughter.
* Yes, I realize there are many other lightsabers in the SW films, but since the Skywalker legacy is front and center...
Mace Windu - is it a coincidence his purple saber is a cross of blue and red? Hmmmm...
Thursday, February 4, 2016
"Where's Luke?": Already Know You That Which You Need
The Force Awakens begs a lot of important questions about the state of that galaxy far, far away. Two of the loudest are: Why did Luke check out and who are Rey's parents?
Like many, many others, I have my theories. Both of those questions can be answered by what happened to Luke during the past three decades. The best explanations and evidence of what happened to Luke and Rey are already in the seven films. The answer to these
After watching the OT, one can walk away with the theory that Luke didn't agree with the old Jedi code and would likely forge a new one. One that isn't so black and white (no Empire puns intended). In ESB, Luke chose his friends/family over his jedi training (much to Kenobi and Yoda frustration). It seemed like a rash thing to do. You can argue Luke's (almost fatal) decision to face Darth Vader for the first time was boneheaded and a miserable failure (says Luke's right hand). Yet, Luke finds out the truth about his father. It certainly is a true he'd prefer not to hear ("Noooooooooeeeeeeewwwwaaaaaaahhhhhooooo"), but it's THE TRUTH. So Luke goes back to Dagobah. Yoda tells him his training is complete (wait, what?!!) and Obi-Wan tells some more truth...from a certain point of view. Much to their dismay, Luke insists his father is still good. Darth Vader? That guy? The guy who chokes his own officers? Really? Yep. Luke confronts Vader again, this time with the Emperor. He does his non-violent Gandhi thing. Vader cedes to Anakin, kills the Emperor and thus, arguably, fulfills his Chosen One prophecy. Luke 1, Team Old Cranky Jedi 0.
The big take-away: Luke embraces the gray - the gray all us regular folks understand. The less idealistic, and more realistic view that rules, laws and codes are important, but so are people and relationships. [aside: You know who else embraced a more gray Jedi philosophy? Qui-Gonn Jinn.] As we fly through life we learn many of us are neither totally bad, nor totally good. [Aside: Personally, I think there is more good out there than the few spoiled apples that get more air time than the bunch.] Most of us are a mixed bag of everything. Most of us are travelling straight up the middle of the road, trying not to veer off too far off road one to one side or the other. There's plenty of classic literature that reminds us of this...So, aaaaaaanyways, when it comes time to starting the New Jedi Order, I'm sure Luke incorporated more of his own life experiences into his new jedi rules - melding old ways with new. As I'm sure Luke may have tinkered with some of the rules of the Jedi Code, one think is certain, the first thing to be altered was the misguided idea of forbidding attachment.
Luke: And Sacrifice Han and Leia?
Yoda: If you honor for what they fight for...Yes!
Luke: Your overconfidence is your weakness.
Palpatine: Your faith in your friends is yours.
Luke has clearly learned the value of teamwork, family and attachments. Part Luke's joy of building the jedi order from the ground up probably coincided with starting a family of his own. What would really make sense is Luke marrying someone who will share the duties of starting this New Jedi Order. Perhaps his first padawan (btw - I'm sure Luke ditches the age requirement - as he's proven that was nonsense - and met/found someone his own age)? Perhaps a reformed Imperial operative? [wink, wink] Together these two lovebirds begin a new way of thinking, jedis sharing ideas about the force with everyone who will listen... Everything is a stunning success. Later, this couple welcomes their first child, [insert real name here]. For hoots and hollers, let's just call her Rey.
Rey is a natural. She's incredibly strong in the force. Regardless of when (and if) she starts training as a jedi, she is clearly, naturally, one with the force. She will be the first purebred jedi, perhaps, ever. One person who takes note, and exception to this is her cousin, Ben the mutt. Ben is named after Ben Kenobi (that first name is an alias - hmmmm), was of one of the greatest jedi of all time. Ben is Son to Princess Leia (legendary political hero, force-sensitive), Grandson to Anakin Skywalker (arguably the most powerful jedi ever)...who also happened to be Darth Vader (the worse guy every)...Oh, did we mention Ben's father is Han Solo (smuggler, reluctant soldier, the Bad Boy with the Heart of Gold). Rey Skywalker 1. Ben Solo 0.
In contrast to Rey, Ben Solo has grown up with the truth. Unlike his Uncle Luke, he has always known his heritage. Unlike Rey, to Ben Solo Luke, Anakin, and Darth Vader are all real. No myths. It can easily be seen how it may have gone to his head. As a teenager, is it not obvious why the Darth Vader legacy in your family is much more attractive (and interesting) than Anakin Skywalker? You're the grandson of, arguably, the most powerful (key word) jedi ever. You want to finish what he started: to bring order to the galaxy, er, be the ultimate power in the universe. Maybe there is someone who can give him the easier way to get there than ("Patience!") Uncle Luke?
In the meantime, Ben is not daunted by his cousin's awesome and pure abilities. Sure, he's a little jealous of his overachieving cousin but he's focused on increasing his own abilities. As she easily could find her way on the Principal's List on ability alone, not because her folks are the teachers, he had to work like a dog to make Honor Roll. Still, he's one of the Jedi Academy's star pupils. He's a plugger, a self-motivated worker...albeit with a short temper (something he may have picked up from both parents)? He's pretty good, not great. What's keeping him from greatness? Is Uncle Luke holding him back? Perhaps he starts to look elsewhere to become more powerful. Who takes notice of this? A sith-wannabe who sees Ben Solo as his ticket into authentic Sithdom. His name is Snoke. How does he seduce Ben to his side of the tracks? He's a bookworm too. A real history nut. Palpatine was probably even a close friend. Maybe he was one of those advisor dudes in the blue and red duds you see in ROTJ. So he knows things. On the side, he's teaches Ben force tricks (intentional choice of words) that no jedi has been ever been able to do before. Ben is a quick learner with Snoke. But he's not a finished product. What's the rush?
But the seduction to the darkside begins...
I will finish what you started - Kylo Ren
If you choose the quick and easy path, as Vader did, you will become and agent of evil. - Yoda
LUKE: Vader. Is the dark side stronger?
YODA: No...no...no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.
LUKE: But how am I to know the good side from the bad?
YODA: You will know. When you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi
uses
the Force for knowledge and
defense, never for attack
Around the age of fifteen, Ben Solo runs away. Not only is he running away from the Jedi Academy, but running away from family and the light side. Snoke's promises of advancing his training and power are too good to pass up. This defection devastates his parents. They had sent Ben to Luke in hopes of showing him the "power" of the light side (kinda like a more positive spin of the old military school threat) and giving him some sense of purpose. Did that decision start Han and Leia pointing fingers at each other? And once Kylo runs away it completely splits them apart? Han and Leia retreat to their respective corners without ever settling anything. He reverts back to his smuggler life, she buries herself in her work (The Resistance). More self-exile? Ben's running away only reminds Leia that although Luke has turned out alright, they are all still relatives of the House of Vader. This just reaffirms her decision to never be trained as a jedi herself. There's just too much potential for danger. Maybe it's time to give up the ghost on the Skywalker Doomed to Failure Jedi cycle? Apparently, failure is the true Skywalker destiny.
Snoke and Ben make their dark side quest official by forming the Knights of Ren (possibly with other Jedi Academy defectors). Thus Ben Solo "dies" and is resurrected as Kylo Ren.
(By the way, when Ben runs away he takes a piece of his father with him. His father's priced possession. The object that is his father's identity. The Millennium Falcon. One more way of sticking it to Dad.)
Luke senses what's next. He knows Snoke and Ben will return to wipe out the strongest opposition to the dark side. Against his better judgement, he finds some trusted friends (maybe force-sensitive friends?) who promise to watch over Rey until this is all over. Even if Luke and the jedi fail against the dark side, he knows his daughter will be in good hands (could this be "the clan" mentioned in so many TFA rumors?). Who better than Luke, and Leia, to understand the benefits of hiding out with adoptive parents?
Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice. - Yoda
As Luke has continued training new jedi, the Knights of Ren have begun their "war" against the light side. Their ultimate goal, the final showdown, is to execute their own Order 66 and establish themselves as the ultimate power in the universe. But things get personal first. Kylo and the Knights of Ren have discovered where Rey (and possibly her mother?) is hidden. As they have been collecting old Sith relics, they are destroying jedi relics. One relic Kylo is after is Anakin's old lightsaber. Somehow he knows Luke's wife has it on her. Once and for all, as revenge for holding him back and to prove his power (and domination of his weaker light side), Kylo and the Knights of Ren wipe out "the clan", Rey's adopted family, possibly Rey's mother (thus obtaining Anakin's/Luke's lightsaber only to have it swiped by Maz Kantata) and have their eyes set on Rey, the New Hope, the golden symbol of the jedi/light side. One of the Knights is about to do the deed when Kylo kills him. At the last second, Kylo realizes what he's about to lose - the most powerful ally he could ever hope for. The ultimate apprentice. Kylo spares Rey's life but has to fight his fellow knights to keep his prize. But now what? How will he explain what just happened to Snoke?
In a panic, Kylo takes her to a planet where no one would bother to look for anyone. A worthless planet on the Outer Rim. A "junkyard" no less. He knows he can't just leave her there. He needs someone who will keep Rey under his/her thumb. Someone pragmatic who see no value in jedi, spiritual matters or saving the universe. Someone who only values possessions and currency. Someone who doesn't believe in any of that jedi mumbo jumbo. How about a junk dealer? How about Unkar Plutt? But this junk dealer wants to know what's in it for him to take this girl? His payment? The fastest ship in the galaxy and a piece of history: The Millennium Falcon. That works for Plutt. He gets a sweet ship and a new worker. Kylo tells his cousin he and her folks will be back for her soon - once "the trouble" is over.
As Rey grows up in servitude, she tells Plutt about her family again and again. Someday they'll be back to get her. Plutt tells her to get real. There are no more jedi. No one's coming back to get you. And if you think your dad is Luke Skywalker, you're delusional. After all, Luke Skywalker is just a tall tale. The Paul Bunyan of the galaxy.
Luke, run away, far away - Leia
The fear of loss is a path to the dark side...Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose. - Yoda
"A hibernation is a covert preparation for a more overt action." - Ralph Ellison
In the aftermath of losing his family, believing his wife and daughter are dead, Luke is completely shattered mentally. He is well aware of the confrontation is coming, but is a fight worth risking everything his family has built up? He desperately tries to find the best place for he and the jedi to hide. He is searching star systems for the original jedi temples. Perhaps they would be the right place to train, meditate and find answers? Then the New Jedi Order's worst fears come true. History is about to repeat itself. As Luke has soldiered on with the new jedi, In parallel, Kylo and Snoke have increased in power. It is time. With Luke temporarily out of the picture, Snoke and Kylo attack the Jedi Academy and destroy the jedi. Luke returns to mourn the jedi (funeral pyre) and has to contemplate what do do next. He's broken, disillusioned, and lost. Where can you possibly go from here? This is a maddening, vicious circle Luke can not seem to remove himself from. He is too broken and disillusioned with his "power." No matter his intentions, is he a menace to society? What good is being strong with the force if everything you touch turns to tragedy? He is King Midas in reverse (thanks, Graham Nash). How do you break this cycle of Skywalker tragedy (which parallels the fate of the galaxy)? We see what the galaxy is like without Luke in TFA. Who is Luke Skywalker and isn't the galaxy better off without him? Luke knows he needs to think...and think...and think...
In those thoughts, Luke senses the faintest bit in the force coming from far way...Jakku. Trusted friend Lor San Tekka drops Luke off on Ahch-To and is given a map with his whereabouts, if needed. Luke asks a favor of San Tekka. Go to Jakku to see if Rey is still alive and to watch over her if she is. Luke's hope is to commune/meditate with the force to find answers.
In the end, Luke learned the hard lesson that Yoda was right about attachments (ROTS, ESB). Luke revisions to the Jedi Code didn't work (or did they?) It shouldn't be Luke Skywalker's responsibility to save the universe. This is the Tragedy of Luke Skywalker, like his father before him, the more he tries to help others, the more he hurts them. So he goes into self-exile, a hibernation if you will. It's time to accept loss and move on. If there are to be any more jedi, it must be the will of the force and not Luke's CHOICE...Thus, Rey shows up by the will of the force. She is there to finally undo the Tragic Skywalker Destiny/Cycle. Is there no better symbol of this cycle than that blue lightsaber? We know where it's been. Now Rey has picked up her father's sword and is handing it back to him. It's time to take action. To "set things right." Your daughter and the galaxy depend on you...No pressure.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To me this explanation would be very "satisfying" reasoning to why Luke left. The answers we're seeking are already behind us. Just like watching a foreign movie, sometimes you have to go back and watch it again to understand the ending. Usually the answer is already there. You just have to open your eyes to 'em.
P.S.
I'm also guessing that Rey won't know Luke's true connection to her until Episode IX. Luke will reveal his connection to Rey on his death bed. It is too loaded and dangerous to do otherwise. Rey needs to find her way on her own, without the pressure of being a Skywalker (see Kylo Ren and how that went) and undoing the past. ...On the other hand, I think it would be awesome if 15 minutes into Episode VIII - after you've seen Luke and Rey interacting/training/yada - Rey finishes off a sentence with "father." Like, "I've finished off that container of blue milk, father." Kinda like Luke did to Vader in ROTJ ("So, you've accepted the truth?") Wouldn't that be a fun reveal?
Update: 2/12/16 (using TFA Han/Leia dialogue to clean up)
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Good Girls Like Bad Boys or Kindred Spirits Can Relate
Why do Anakin and Padme end up together? Some argue there is no chemistry. I've got a theory:
Why do good girls like bad boys?
In The Outsiders, why in the world does Cherry Valance like Dallas Winston? Is there anything in that book that explains why? Why does Gatsby and Daisy's relationship work? Forget any film version of The Great Gatsby. [Fitzgerald's regret?] If we accept these other relationships purely on rooting for the underdog, then why not believe Anakin and Padme's relationship?
Do deleted scenes help? Does a film's novelization help? Does either count? The great teaching tool in this argument, is the case for textual support. Go into any fan forum for any TV series or film series and you will see fans arguing over characterization, themes, motives, predictions, etc. What do all of them base their arguments on? The text (aka TV show or film). They will point to dialogue, symbols, body language, conflicts with other characters, conflicts with themselves, music cues, visuals... Everything based on specific examples from the text. Snoke is Plagueis because of his appearance/what he says (especially how long he's been around) and the fact the same music played in a Palpatine/Anakin scene in ROTS is the same as what's used in a Snoke scene in TFA. Rey is Rey Kenobi because she has a British accent, Anakin was, allegedly, channeling real life politics ("if you're not with me...) in ROTS... on and on. The point here is that the little things count. Every last detail can be examined for meaning. And that's why so many people love Star Wars. A little bit of this or that can go a long way in creating meaning.
That being said, let's take this little details approach back to Padme and Anakin. Perhaps, they are kindred spirits. Look at the facts, er, details. They both come from strict, governed backgrounds. You are told, perhaps ordered, to talk and act a certain way. Is Padme's geisha-like demeanor and public senator persona any different than Anakin's public jedi persona? Maybe there's a good amount of empathy between them. Neither has had any real opportunities to date, so why not fall for the first person who shows interest? [Director Kevin Smith does a great analysis on this very topic in Film Comment July/August 2002.] Who else out there in cyber space has done the same? Raise your hands...Um, OK, maybe we don't want to admit it...AAAANYWAYS...
Ultimately, like any human emotion, sometimes reason never comes into play. You feel what you feel, and sometimes you can't control it. In Ordinary People, Dr. Berger says the "body doesn't lie." Sometimes your brain will not be able to hide or reason why you should, or shouldn't, feel the way you do. Sometimes you see someone you like struggling and your instinct is to help (or change them) overrides reason. The whole Knight in Shining arm thing takes over (Rey to Finn: "Quit holding my hand!") for guys and we want to rescue the Damsel in Distress. Meanwhile, the gals want to help that bad boy overcome his badness because, deep down, he's got a heart of gold, right? Wouldn't Princess Leia agree with that (winking at Han)? And love is blind, right?
So why are Padme and Anakin's relationship any less believable?
Why do good girls like bad boys?
In The Outsiders, why in the world does Cherry Valance like Dallas Winston? Is there anything in that book that explains why? Why does Gatsby and Daisy's relationship work? Forget any film version of The Great Gatsby. [Fitzgerald's regret?] If we accept these other relationships purely on rooting for the underdog, then why not believe Anakin and Padme's relationship?
Do deleted scenes help? Does a film's novelization help? Does either count? The great teaching tool in this argument, is the case for textual support. Go into any fan forum for any TV series or film series and you will see fans arguing over characterization, themes, motives, predictions, etc. What do all of them base their arguments on? The text (aka TV show or film). They will point to dialogue, symbols, body language, conflicts with other characters, conflicts with themselves, music cues, visuals... Everything based on specific examples from the text. Snoke is Plagueis because of his appearance/what he says (especially how long he's been around) and the fact the same music played in a Palpatine/Anakin scene in ROTS is the same as what's used in a Snoke scene in TFA. Rey is Rey Kenobi because she has a British accent, Anakin was, allegedly, channeling real life politics ("if you're not with me...) in ROTS... on and on. The point here is that the little things count. Every last detail can be examined for meaning. And that's why so many people love Star Wars. A little bit of this or that can go a long way in creating meaning.
That being said, let's take this little details approach back to Padme and Anakin. Perhaps, they are kindred spirits. Look at the facts, er, details. They both come from strict, governed backgrounds. You are told, perhaps ordered, to talk and act a certain way. Is Padme's geisha-like demeanor and public senator persona any different than Anakin's public jedi persona? Maybe there's a good amount of empathy between them. Neither has had any real opportunities to date, so why not fall for the first person who shows interest? [Director Kevin Smith does a great analysis on this very topic in Film Comment July/August 2002.] Who else out there in cyber space has done the same? Raise your hands...Um, OK, maybe we don't want to admit it...AAAANYWAYS...
Ultimately, like any human emotion, sometimes reason never comes into play. You feel what you feel, and sometimes you can't control it. In Ordinary People, Dr. Berger says the "body doesn't lie." Sometimes your brain will not be able to hide or reason why you should, or shouldn't, feel the way you do. Sometimes you see someone you like struggling and your instinct is to help (or change them) overrides reason. The whole Knight in Shining arm thing takes over (Rey to Finn: "Quit holding my hand!") for guys and we want to rescue the Damsel in Distress. Meanwhile, the gals want to help that bad boy overcome his badness because, deep down, he's got a heart of gold, right? Wouldn't Princess Leia agree with that (winking at Han)? And love is blind, right?
So why are Padme and Anakin's relationship any less believable?
Monday, January 25, 2016
Imagination is Catalyst for Learning
I am a teacher. It's what I do. Before that, I was an English major. So it's suffice to say I like to think. And I like to think a lot about literature and music. It's easy to trace this line of enjoyment in over-analyzing (my students' words, not mine) stories and tunes back to the original 1977 Star Wars film.
Long before Blu-Ray, DVD, and even VHS, there was only two ways to see a movie. See it in a theater or on television. The problem was trying to catch it whenever it was available. Past seeing a movie in a first or second run, the only way you could see it again is through a revival or film society. Catching a movie on television was the equivalent of catching your favorite animal not sleeping at the zoo. Then came cable television. Then, hopefully, it was only a matter of time before your favorite movie showed up on cable movie channels. Thus was the experience for so many of us growing up, waiting to see the original Star Wars (ANH aka Episode IV) on TV.
I went a good three years between seeing Star Wars in the theater (circa 1978 - it played many months in the theater - remember those days?) The next time I saw it was post-Empire Strikes Back when it ran in the theaters again (circa 1981). All the years between viewings, playing with the toys, memorizing the trading cards, reading the books (including the proverbial record/book read-along), listening to the John Williams soundtrack, and drawing countless interpretations created a movie in my head that couldn't be matched.
Then Star Wars premiered on HBO in February 1982, I saw a movie I did not recognize.The movie I videotaped and watched endlessly was not the movie I remembered seeing in 1978. Where was the scene where I thought R2-D2 walked through a wall? Where was the scene with Biggs (there were pictures of this scene in my Scholastic Book version)? It just felt...different. It seemed shorter, not as grandiose... I was convinced I was seeing an edited version. HBO shafted us! It was years before I realized my imagination took what I saw in 1978 and ran with it.
The whole concept, themes and characters and Star Wars Universe led to questions that pointed me back to the movies. The re-watching, the questions, the waiting for answers between movies (remember that?) was just as much fun as the films themselves. I wanted to recapture that feeling long after the OT ended its run. So I turned to music. The Who, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Joe Walsh, Santana, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young... All these artists took me down the same Rabbit Hole of Analysis that Star Wars did. What does that song mean? Why did he write those lyrics? Is Joe Walsh aware that his Barnstorm resembles a concept album? Then...there was FILM. I started to understand what makes a classic/great film. Sitting through Apocalypse Now and Woodstock for the first time made me appreciate Heart of Darkness and the music of Pink Floyd. Some would say classic literature, baseball and Pink Floyd are all acquired tastes. But I learned it's the journey. You can't take the short cuts [ahem! Spark Notes] or you'll miss the beauty of the ride.
Then along came college and hardcore theory analysis. I took classes that questioned gender, reality and society. Just like music, the literature always had something to relate to. It's there if you think about it and can see it. Like using the force. Questioning and critical thinking opened doors to all kinds of ideas, concepts and possibilities. Suddenly, analyzing Jean Luc Godard and Ingmar Bergman wasn't such a stretch in my adult life. I've learned to appreciate the eye, thought and choices of the artist.
And, yet, I see those "kid-friendly", "marketing heavy" movies about good vs evil, Skywalkers, Wookiees and droids and I'm still thinking about them. The best part? Just like with literature, music, art and film, as you grow older you can read, listen and view with different eyes. Different themes are emphasized the longer you stick around. You care about different things and understand more than you used to. It's a joy to experience!
And so I have to thank George Lucas, for all of it. That one film rippled my imagination to all kinds of wonderful places and ideas.
Thanks again, George.
Long before Blu-Ray, DVD, and even VHS, there was only two ways to see a movie. See it in a theater or on television. The problem was trying to catch it whenever it was available. Past seeing a movie in a first or second run, the only way you could see it again is through a revival or film society. Catching a movie on television was the equivalent of catching your favorite animal not sleeping at the zoo. Then came cable television. Then, hopefully, it was only a matter of time before your favorite movie showed up on cable movie channels. Thus was the experience for so many of us growing up, waiting to see the original Star Wars (ANH aka Episode IV) on TV.
I went a good three years between seeing Star Wars in the theater (circa 1978 - it played many months in the theater - remember those days?) The next time I saw it was post-Empire Strikes Back when it ran in the theaters again (circa 1981). All the years between viewings, playing with the toys, memorizing the trading cards, reading the books (including the proverbial record/book read-along), listening to the John Williams soundtrack, and drawing countless interpretations created a movie in my head that couldn't be matched.
Then Star Wars premiered on HBO in February 1982, I saw a movie I did not recognize.The movie I videotaped and watched endlessly was not the movie I remembered seeing in 1978. Where was the scene where I thought R2-D2 walked through a wall? Where was the scene with Biggs (there were pictures of this scene in my Scholastic Book version)? It just felt...different. It seemed shorter, not as grandiose... I was convinced I was seeing an edited version. HBO shafted us! It was years before I realized my imagination took what I saw in 1978 and ran with it.
The whole concept, themes and characters and Star Wars Universe led to questions that pointed me back to the movies. The re-watching, the questions, the waiting for answers between movies (remember that?) was just as much fun as the films themselves. I wanted to recapture that feeling long after the OT ended its run. So I turned to music. The Who, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Joe Walsh, Santana, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young... All these artists took me down the same Rabbit Hole of Analysis that Star Wars did. What does that song mean? Why did he write those lyrics? Is Joe Walsh aware that his Barnstorm resembles a concept album? Then...there was FILM. I started to understand what makes a classic/great film. Sitting through Apocalypse Now and Woodstock for the first time made me appreciate Heart of Darkness and the music of Pink Floyd. Some would say classic literature, baseball and Pink Floyd are all acquired tastes. But I learned it's the journey. You can't take the short cuts [ahem! Spark Notes] or you'll miss the beauty of the ride.
Then along came college and hardcore theory analysis. I took classes that questioned gender, reality and society. Just like music, the literature always had something to relate to. It's there if you think about it and can see it. Like using the force. Questioning and critical thinking opened doors to all kinds of ideas, concepts and possibilities. Suddenly, analyzing Jean Luc Godard and Ingmar Bergman wasn't such a stretch in my adult life. I've learned to appreciate the eye, thought and choices of the artist.
And, yet, I see those "kid-friendly", "marketing heavy" movies about good vs evil, Skywalkers, Wookiees and droids and I'm still thinking about them. The best part? Just like with literature, music, art and film, as you grow older you can read, listen and view with different eyes. Different themes are emphasized the longer you stick around. You care about different things and understand more than you used to. It's a joy to experience!
And so I have to thank George Lucas, for all of it. That one film rippled my imagination to all kinds of wonderful places and ideas.
Thanks again, George.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Questions and Observations (Q & O) Part I: The Force Awakens
From a certain point of view, the English teacher, here are my questions and observations for The Force Awakens:
Questions
What if Rey is a natural? Is that why she is so strong with the force with no training? Therefore...
Is Rey the true Chosen One? Does that mean that a possible ... of Anakin Skywalker brings balance tot he force...Does that mean that, technically, Anakin did bring balance to the force by breaking Jedi Code and having a family?
Observations
Sequel Trilogy (ST) is the Original Trilogy (OT) in a mirror:
- Kylo is a dark side believer trying to fight off the light/Luke is a light side believer trying to fight off the dark (see: The ESB Cave, ROTJ duel with Darth Vader)
-
Motifs:
Helmets/Masks
Keepers/Protectors
- Lor San Tekka is keeping/protecting a map...and, perhaps, Rey (a la Ben Kenobi and Luke Skywalker in ANH)
- Maz Kanata keeping Luke's lightsaber (p.s. Rey doesn't just coincidentally end up at Maz Kanata's castle, HAN SOLO TOOK HER THERE!!)
Stairs (love this one)
- Rey goes down a set of stairs in Maz Kanata's castle and receives the Skywalker lightsaber and goes up another set on Ahch-to to hand said lightsaber to Luke [ahem! SYMBOLISM!!] Can't you hear Joseph Campbell somewhere: "X descends into the abyss and transcends into another being..."
speaking of lightsabers...there are dozens of symbolic interpretations to the lightsabers throughout the films...and yet...
Kylo handing over his lightsaber (representing force identity) to his father, Han Solo/Rey handing over Anakin/Luke's lightsaber to Luke (offspring and father in reverse, perhaps?)
Originally written 1/22/16
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Take What They Give You
If I am going to talk Star Wars on any level, I have to start with this golden rule: "Take What They Give You." My internal interpretations of Star Wars initially function on a new critic/formalist approach to make sense of the overall STORY and meaning of the films. Then I am able to connect to other sources for the larger meaning. Start inside, then go out. Everything I have to work with, my puzzle pieces, must be seen or heard in the films. But first, let's flashback...[cue Wayne and Garth]
The reason I like Star Wars goes beyond my own personal connection with the original 3 films. Yes, I grew up on action figures, books and trading cards...My mother made me a Han solo vest and a Vader cape...blah blah blah.
However, as a teacher, I like what Star Wars DOES and SAYS. All six seven films (yes, I said all seven) get me thinking about a lot of things: mythology,politics,storytelling, social commentary, fate, faith and on and on. Rather than getting quote up in the debates about what all seven films do or don't do. I'd much rather focus on what's actually in the films rather than what they lack. And I like what they have to say...
Recently, I came upon a an online post that included this video about Star Wars as "poetry." It demonstrates quite a few ways that the six films echo each other in thematic and visual ways. It includes one of the examples I use in my Cinema Studies class. Once I was able to obtain a DVD copy of ROTS I commenced to breaking down what I thought I'd seen in the theaters. I saw something pretty amazing.
It's very clear, and seems clearly intentional, that the scene where Palpatine begs Anakin to save him from Mace Windu mirrors ROTJ when Luke begs Vader...er, Anakin to save him from Palpatine. This is where you have to give George Lucas some credit. Someone took the time to make sure those two scenes are painstakingly matched. From Anakin/Darth Vader being caught in the middle, to Mace/Palpatine's "angry face", to Palpatine/Luke's incessant begging from floor, to both times he chooses the person to his right and get rids of the person to his left. [Please, don't make any political jokes with that.] That. Shows. THOUGHT. Things like that give you something to think about...And there's a ton of that in Star Wars.
Here's another story...
Confession: I, too, was a little disappointed with Episode I. However, when it was first released, I felt I had some perspective on it. I wasn't ready to throw all my memories away because it was some terrible movie that didn't match my pre-conceived notions. Truth be told, I had no idea what to expect. But my housemates did. And they were mad, peeeeeeeved. As we rode home in the dark, they complained about everything. They pointed out the major goof when Qui-Gon died he didn't disappear like Obi-Wan and Yoda did. Somebody obviously hadn't done their OT homework. OK, maybe there were some legit gripes...Maybe there were some un-Star Wars-like things. Like that two on one fight between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Darth Maul. That seemed a little un-jedi-like. That didn't seem like a fair fight. [But later viewings of ANH told me this wasn't unusual.] And there was too much Jar-Jar...Waaaaay too much. I understood this film had to be a little light-hearted and marketed (?) to kids, but suddenly an interesting ground battle broke out into a Keystone Cops routine. [Aside: My hope was Jar-Jar was going to redeem himself in the next couple films. I think he did...did I miss it?] So I tried to talk some sense into my disgruntled housemates. I told them this episode had to be a fairy tale in order for it to go where it logically would go in Episode III. They ignored me and, in hindsight, probably made a lot of Jar-Jar and podracing-is-just-selling-video-game jokes. [who didn't?]
Flash forward to the VHS comes out. I buy it and never watch it. As much as I still believed the tone of TPM was purposeful, I had no desire to watch it. It just wasn't my thing. Then one of my best friends made me watch it with him. He's ten years my junior and was barely out of his teens at that time. Young padawan had much to learn about REAL Star Wars. Or saw I thought. We watched the film and he started pointing out things I would never have noticed. The most striking, and subtle, was Anakin's reaction to when the Jedi Council shoots down the idea of Anakin becoming a jedi, and Mace moves on to "new business." Anakin squints. Oooo, he's mad. YES, that poor little Jake Lord who everyone swears is the worst kid-actor of all time just did something that was well-directed. At first I thought I was seeing things. But as each successive episode came out, it became more and more clear Anakin and Mace just don't like each other. Like, haaaaaaaate each other. Go back and watch every scene in the Prequels where they interact. Watch the eyes [I see your eyes - sorry, couldn't resist] and body language (TPM: "No, he will not be trained", ROTS: "Take a seat, Master Skywalker". It's very clear. Then along comes Anakin in Episode III, trying to do the right thing. He tells Mace the truth about Palpatine. Mace tells him to stay out of it and says "fear" is clouding his judgement. And then there's the payoff...The callback, from all the way back to The Squint, Mace says, "If what you told me is true, you will have gained my trust." Whaaaaaat? Gained his trust to confront Palpatine together? Gained his trust that Anakin should be a master?Gained his trust that Anakin is the Chosen One? All of the above? Is this a multiple-choice quiz?...Or is it that Mace never trusted him in the first place? I'm taking what GL is giving me and I like it.
To Be Continued...
Originally Written: 9/23/15
It's very clear, and seems clearly intentional, that the scene where Palpatine begs Anakin to save him from Mace Windu mirrors ROTJ when Luke begs Vader...er, Anakin to save him from Palpatine. This is where you have to give George Lucas some credit. Someone took the time to make sure those two scenes are painstakingly matched. From Anakin/Darth Vader being caught in the middle, to Mace/Palpatine's "angry face", to Palpatine/Luke's incessant begging from floor, to both times he chooses the person to his right and get rids of the person to his left. [Please, don't make any political jokes with that.] That. Shows. THOUGHT. Things like that give you something to think about...And there's a ton of that in Star Wars.
Here's another story...
Confession: I, too, was a little disappointed with Episode I. However, when it was first released, I felt I had some perspective on it. I wasn't ready to throw all my memories away because it was some terrible movie that didn't match my pre-conceived notions. Truth be told, I had no idea what to expect. But my housemates did. And they were mad, peeeeeeeved. As we rode home in the dark, they complained about everything. They pointed out the major goof when Qui-Gon died he didn't disappear like Obi-Wan and Yoda did. Somebody obviously hadn't done their OT homework. OK, maybe there were some legit gripes...Maybe there were some un-Star Wars-like things. Like that two on one fight between Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan and Darth Maul. That seemed a little un-jedi-like. That didn't seem like a fair fight. [But later viewings of ANH told me this wasn't unusual.] And there was too much Jar-Jar...Waaaaay too much. I understood this film had to be a little light-hearted and marketed (?) to kids, but suddenly an interesting ground battle broke out into a Keystone Cops routine. [Aside: My hope was Jar-Jar was going to redeem himself in the next couple films. I think he did...did I miss it?] So I tried to talk some sense into my disgruntled housemates. I told them this episode had to be a fairy tale in order for it to go where it logically would go in Episode III. They ignored me and, in hindsight, probably made a lot of Jar-Jar and podracing-is-just-selling-video-game jokes. [who didn't?]
Flash forward to the VHS comes out. I buy it and never watch it. As much as I still believed the tone of TPM was purposeful, I had no desire to watch it. It just wasn't my thing. Then one of my best friends made me watch it with him. He's ten years my junior and was barely out of his teens at that time. Young padawan had much to learn about REAL Star Wars. Or saw I thought. We watched the film and he started pointing out things I would never have noticed. The most striking, and subtle, was Anakin's reaction to when the Jedi Council shoots down the idea of Anakin becoming a jedi, and Mace moves on to "new business." Anakin squints. Oooo, he's mad. YES, that poor little Jake Lord who everyone swears is the worst kid-actor of all time just did something that was well-directed. At first I thought I was seeing things. But as each successive episode came out, it became more and more clear Anakin and Mace just don't like each other. Like, haaaaaaaate each other. Go back and watch every scene in the Prequels where they interact. Watch the eyes [I see your eyes - sorry, couldn't resist] and body language (TPM: "No, he will not be trained", ROTS: "Take a seat, Master Skywalker". It's very clear. Then along comes Anakin in Episode III, trying to do the right thing. He tells Mace the truth about Palpatine. Mace tells him to stay out of it and says "fear" is clouding his judgement. And then there's the payoff...The callback, from all the way back to The Squint, Mace says, "If what you told me is true, you will have gained my trust." Whaaaaaat? Gained his trust to confront Palpatine together? Gained his trust that Anakin should be a master?Gained his trust that Anakin is the Chosen One? All of the above? Is this a multiple-choice quiz?...Or is it that Mace never trusted him in the first place? I'm taking what GL is giving me and I like it.
To Be Continued...
Originally Written: 9/23/15
Thursday, January 7, 2016
There's Symbolism Everywhere...in The Force Awakens
If there's one thing my students goof on me, besides my Star Wars references, there's my penchant for pointing out symbolism. In delivering a hint at symbolism, my favorite method of choice is to cough into my hand (these days I should probably should be using the crook of my arm) while exclaiming SYMBOLISM!! And then acting like I was just clearing my throat...Most likely, I'm the only one that finds it funny...
So imagine we're reading Lord of the Flies aloud in class. Jack hits Piggy in the face and Piggy's glasses are partly broken. [ahem! SYMBOLISM!]
Simba is walking behind Mufasa and find his foot touching down inside his father's enormous footprint. [ahem! SYMBOLISM!]
You get the idea...
I got a chance to see The Force Awakens a few weeks back and couldn't help but go all English teacher on that film...[aside: No, I did not do my coughing/Symbolism thing...I did lean over to tell my buddy, "I didn't know Voldemort was in the this movie" when Snoke appeared on screen. Forgive me.]
So here are some moments of symbolism I couldn't help noticing... later I will add what I think they mean...what do YOU think these mean?...:
- Rey goes down some stairs in Maz's castle and opens Pandora's box...er, a trunk and finds Anakin/Luke's blue lightsaber. Later, she is seen going up some stairs, actually a lot of stairs on Ahch-to (sp) to find Luke and attempt to hand over the lightsaber.
- Speaking of handing over lightsabers...Did anyone notice the yin yang of Kylo (Ben Solo) Ren refusing to hand over his lightsaber while Rey is, seemingly, begging Luke to take hers?
- I think everyone who saw this movie saw the symbolism of the "dying of the light" that leads to Kylo doing that bad thing to Han Solo [spoiler alert!]
- The fact an Empire First Order superweapon is done in again by the same Achilles heel as the previous movies. Other than the Lucas rhyming thing, is there more to this "same as it ever was" approach to Star Wars plots?...Or is there some symbolic reason these bad dudes keep going back to the same technological terror well and never get it?
- Several of the characters have a talisman: Rey and Anakin/Luke's lightsaber, Kylo with Vader's helmet, Finn with Poe's jacket [waitaminute, didn't Chewie hand Han his jacket...what is it with jackets in this thing?], BB-8 and R2 with maps, Captain Phasma with...uh...er... Man, why didn't they give her more to do?!
- Kylo removing his helmet for his father,
- Kylo's wounds (from Rey) [I'm sure they will leave a mark]
- That gaping chasm that, seemingly, just happened to open up between Rey and Kylo and ends their duel.
I only saw TFA once [April 5th can't come fast enough]. What did I miss?
So imagine we're reading Lord of the Flies aloud in class. Jack hits Piggy in the face and Piggy's glasses are partly broken. [ahem! SYMBOLISM!]
Simba is walking behind Mufasa and find his foot touching down inside his father's enormous footprint. [ahem! SYMBOLISM!]
You get the idea...
I got a chance to see The Force Awakens a few weeks back and couldn't help but go all English teacher on that film...[aside: No, I did not do my coughing/Symbolism thing...I did lean over to tell my buddy, "I didn't know Voldemort was in the this movie" when Snoke appeared on screen. Forgive me.]
So here are some moments of symbolism I couldn't help noticing... later I will add what I think they mean...what do YOU think these mean?...:
- Rey goes down some stairs in Maz's castle and opens Pandora's box...er, a trunk and finds Anakin/Luke's blue lightsaber. Later, she is seen going up some stairs, actually a lot of stairs on Ahch-to (sp) to find Luke and attempt to hand over the lightsaber.
- Speaking of handing over lightsabers...Did anyone notice the yin yang of Kylo (Ben Solo) Ren refusing to hand over his lightsaber while Rey is, seemingly, begging Luke to take hers?
- I think everyone who saw this movie saw the symbolism of the "dying of the light" that leads to Kylo doing that bad thing to Han Solo [spoiler alert!]
- The fact a
- Several of the characters have a talisman: Rey and Anakin/Luke's lightsaber, Kylo with Vader's helmet, Finn with Poe's jacket [waitaminute, didn't Chewie hand Han his jacket...what is it with jackets in this thing?], BB-8 and R2 with maps, Captain Phasma with...uh...er... Man, why didn't they give her more to do?!
- Kylo removing his helmet for his father,
- Kylo's wounds (from Rey) [I'm sure they will leave a mark]
- That gaping chasm that, seemingly, just happened to open up between Rey and Kylo and ends their duel.
I only saw TFA once [April 5th can't come fast enough]. What did I miss?
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
History Repeats... Because We Forget
So, yesterday, I made my very first The Force Awakens analogy in class. As I am notorious for making Star Wars references in my classroom, my students only knew it was a matter of time before the new movie entered the conversation. Even though the new film hasn't come out, I'm intrigued by a theme TFA trailers are insinuating: true history can be forgotten and/or mythologized [is that a word?]. I can't help but think of how that relates to the history I've read about or experienced, topics from my class, and my own life. Can true history be forgotten? Do we remember what we want to remember? Is it just human nature for the wackier things to stick to history and the mundane gets dropped? Why does today's "very big deal" become tomorrow's afterthought. [Sometimes asking a classroom full of teenagers about John Wayne, Watergate, The Civil War can be frustrating] Can we handle the truth?
Every year, I show my seniors an episode of My So Called Life called "Guns and Gossip?" (aside: what is it with teens and weapons? [ahem, rhetorical question] Rebel Without a Cause, Over the Edge, The Outsiders, A Bronx Tale...check it out) At the very beginning, while watching John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech, Angela laments her parents' generation having that single communal event/moment where everyone remembered where they were. In this case, the event being the Kennedy assassination. She wishes she had something like that. [Be careful what you wish for, Angela] Now, in my lifetime, there was a time when people insisted that The Challenger explosion was our generation's moment. In hindsight, has it matched the impact of November 1963? Should I remember where I was for that event any more than when President Reagan was shot? What about all the positive moments: the Miracle on Ice?
Here's a question, do we believe what we want to believe? Do we want our historical narratives to fit a template? We like good guys vs bad guys, underdogs who overcome adversity, cloned heroes and remakes... [how many "The Next Michael Jordan" or "That person is The Michael Jordan of..." can we create?] What happens when actual events don't fit that model? Why do we get so upset when someone isn't the next Wayne Gretsky, Michael Jordan, John F. Kenndedy, Martin Luther King?... Or the next Empire Strikes Back?
In the mid-90s I worked at an after-school program. The kids ranged in age from 5 to 12. I brought in the three original Star Wars movies (on VHS no less) for them to watch. I was so sure they'd want to watch the original Star Wars, or would like the action in The Empire Strikes Back. You know which movie they wanted to watch? Return of the Jedi? You know why? Ewoks. Now here's my historical context, remember when Return of the Jedi was the punching-bag of the original three films? In the present context of prequel-bashing, did we forget that Return of the Jedi was once the outcast of the OT? I remember my peers referring to it as a muppet movie. People hated, hated the ewoks. Never mind the whole they-couldn't-afford-wookkie-costumes reasoning, or the Vietnam analogy, people couldn't stand the cute little furry guys stealing the spotlight from our oh-so-serious heroes. They couldn't stand the "this-one-is-not-like the-others" glare coming from ROTJ. Yet, so many would argue ROTJ is superior to the PT. You'd think ROTJ was Close Encounters to Empire's Saving Private Ryan, as compared to the prequels' 1941. Personally, I'd say ROTJ is more Hook than Close Encounters...But why ruin everyone's joy in going all Keith Moon in The Phantom Menace Hotel? Is it because those movies didn't fit the template?
The easiest answer to any of these questions can be found in an HBO's ATP (abbreviated). Host Robert Wuhl make a great point that "history is pop culture." Basically, today's media creators are tomorrow's historians. Therefore, we will remember the fiction over the truth because it's more interesting and meaningful, right? The collective oral history in American culture is based on we believe what we choose to believe? Wuhl nicknames this phenomenon the "Liberty Valance Effect" ("When the legend becomes fact, print the legend" - John Ford) What a great way to encapsulate what happens to history over time. The episode has some great examples with Christopher Columbus, Paul Revere and others. The Liberty Valance Effect is the reason why so many history teachers loathe Oliver Stone's JFK. So, how does this circle back to Star Wars and The Force Awakens?
Consider this: is it possible that in TFA, the Liberty Valance Effect works in reverse? What if nobody wants to believe the truth (Luke Skywalker's heroics, the Rebellion vs the evil Empire) because it seems like a myth or fairy tale? That whole good triumphs over evil thing is too easy for a universe that is so ambiguous, complex and gray... What if nobody believes that one quasi-jedi was able to defeat the baddest baddies who ever ruled the universe? On the other hand, what if people grew up to believe [ahem, Finn] the Empire was good and the rebels/jedi were bad? Isn't there evidence to prove that? [I'm looking at you, Mace Windu] What if Luke never told anyone what happened to Vader and Palpatine before the Death Star 2.0 met its demise? What if no one knew that the Luke Skywalker who destroyed the original Death Star also had a hand in defeating Vader and the Emperor? What if everyone believed that Vader and Palpatine died in the destruction of the Death Star 2.0? Does that mean Luke Skywalker becomes a footnote? Is that what TFA trailers are insinuating? Sure sounds interesting and historically relevant to me. Let's wait and see...
Originally Written: December 1, 2015
Every year, I show my seniors an episode of My So Called Life called "Guns and Gossip?" (aside: what is it with teens and weapons? [ahem, rhetorical question] Rebel Without a Cause, Over the Edge, The Outsiders, A Bronx Tale...check it out) At the very beginning, while watching John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech, Angela laments her parents' generation having that single communal event/moment where everyone remembered where they were. In this case, the event being the Kennedy assassination. She wishes she had something like that. [Be careful what you wish for, Angela] Now, in my lifetime, there was a time when people insisted that The Challenger explosion was our generation's moment. In hindsight, has it matched the impact of November 1963? Should I remember where I was for that event any more than when President Reagan was shot? What about all the positive moments: the Miracle on Ice?
Here's a question, do we believe what we want to believe? Do we want our historical narratives to fit a template? We like good guys vs bad guys, underdogs who overcome adversity, cloned heroes and remakes... [how many "The Next Michael Jordan" or "That person is The Michael Jordan of..." can we create?] What happens when actual events don't fit that model? Why do we get so upset when someone isn't the next Wayne Gretsky, Michael Jordan, John F. Kenndedy, Martin Luther King?... Or the next Empire Strikes Back?
In the mid-90s I worked at an after-school program. The kids ranged in age from 5 to 12. I brought in the three original Star Wars movies (on VHS no less) for them to watch. I was so sure they'd want to watch the original Star Wars, or would like the action in The Empire Strikes Back. You know which movie they wanted to watch? Return of the Jedi? You know why? Ewoks. Now here's my historical context, remember when Return of the Jedi was the punching-bag of the original three films? In the present context of prequel-bashing, did we forget that Return of the Jedi was once the outcast of the OT? I remember my peers referring to it as a muppet movie. People hated, hated the ewoks. Never mind the whole they-couldn't-afford-wookkie-costumes reasoning, or the Vietnam analogy, people couldn't stand the cute little furry guys stealing the spotlight from our oh-so-serious heroes. They couldn't stand the "this-one-is-not-like the-others" glare coming from ROTJ. Yet, so many would argue ROTJ is superior to the PT. You'd think ROTJ was Close Encounters to Empire's Saving Private Ryan, as compared to the prequels' 1941. Personally, I'd say ROTJ is more Hook than Close Encounters...But why ruin everyone's joy in going all Keith Moon in The Phantom Menace Hotel? Is it because those movies didn't fit the template?
The easiest answer to any of these questions can be found in an HBO's ATP (abbreviated). Host Robert Wuhl make a great point that "history is pop culture." Basically, today's media creators are tomorrow's historians. Therefore, we will remember the fiction over the truth because it's more interesting and meaningful, right? The collective oral history in American culture is based on we believe what we choose to believe? Wuhl nicknames this phenomenon the "Liberty Valance Effect" ("When the legend becomes fact, print the legend" - John Ford) What a great way to encapsulate what happens to history over time. The episode has some great examples with Christopher Columbus, Paul Revere and others. The Liberty Valance Effect is the reason why so many history teachers loathe Oliver Stone's JFK. So, how does this circle back to Star Wars and The Force Awakens?
Consider this: is it possible that in TFA, the Liberty Valance Effect works in reverse? What if nobody wants to believe the truth (Luke Skywalker's heroics, the Rebellion vs the evil Empire) because it seems like a myth or fairy tale? That whole good triumphs over evil thing is too easy for a universe that is so ambiguous, complex and gray... What if nobody believes that one quasi-jedi was able to defeat the baddest baddies who ever ruled the universe? On the other hand, what if people grew up to believe [ahem, Finn] the Empire was good and the rebels/jedi were bad? Isn't there evidence to prove that? [I'm looking at you, Mace Windu] What if Luke never told anyone what happened to Vader and Palpatine before the Death Star 2.0 met its demise? What if no one knew that the Luke Skywalker who destroyed the original Death Star also had a hand in defeating Vader and the Emperor? What if everyone believed that Vader and Palpatine died in the destruction of the Death Star 2.0? Does that mean Luke Skywalker becomes a footnote? Is that what TFA trailers are insinuating? Sure sounds interesting and historically relevant to me. Let's wait and see...
Originally Written: December 1, 2015
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