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...
Thursday, March 31, 2016
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...
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