Mattris

DAY 12 Generally speaking, do you think you understand Star Wars: its narrative, themes, and lore? If so, why? What do you desire from the expanding/continuing story, if anything? Would you prefer that the storytellers give you what you want over what they want to give you? If Star Wars shows that it had always been more than you had initially estimated, would you approve?

DAY 11 After being instructed in the ways of the Force/Jedi by ignorant, failed, secluded 'masters' of a fallen order - and considering his habit of making naive, reckless choices throughout his journey - why was it assumed that Luke Skywalker would have been successful in his mission to restart the Jedi? Even at the time of Return of the Jedi's original release, we knew that Anakin Skywalker had been seduced and chose a dark path. Wasn't Luke's bold and defiant statement to the Emperor ("I am a Jedi like my father before me." ) confirmation that he was destined to fail in a case of 'like father, like son'? Does the same logic also apply to the well-intentioned Rey Skywalker Palpatine? "Your journey nears it's end." Why do so many of the Star Wars audience (still) think that portraying the return of the Jedi would have resulted in a net positive for the galaxy of the story, especially after the context presented in the prequel trilogy?

DAY 10 What was the Force, and how did it work? How did the Jedi, Sith, and others 'use the Force'? Did the Jedi or Sith have larger goal than combat/destroy the other sect? Do you think the Jedi or Sith ever learned from their past mistakes? What mistakes did they make?

DAY 9 What was the origin of Anakin Skywalker? Please elaborate on Anakin's relationship with the Jedi Council, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. What were the means and motivation by which young Skywalker turned to the dark side and became Darth Vader? Do you think he was manipulated? What was Anakin's place in the grander story? What exactly did 'The Prophesy of the Chosen One' state? What was its origin? Of his own volition - as well as his Imperial orders/duty - what did Darth Vader accomplish on his own, without assistance? Ultimately, what do you think Anakin Skywalker earned or deserved by the time of his death?

DAY 8 What would you consider to be the best - but perhaps, most difficult - choices that the Republic/Rebel/Jedi heroes made throughout the Saga? Do you think the heroes' ends - and good intentions - justified their means and their specific actions? Does the fact that the heroes opposed 'the bad guys' necessarily make them 'good' and deserving of their supposed successes or victories?

DAY 7 What do you think is the main point(s) or piece(s) of advise that Star Wars intends to convey, particularly regarding 'valuable lessons for twelve-year-olds' and 'mythological motifs to deal with the issues that exist today'?

DAY 6 Why do you think George Lucas presented the Star Wars Saga starting with its second trilogy? Whether or not you think Star Wars sequels or prequels were planned in advance, what possible reason or advantage would this release schedule provide him, most notably, from a storytelling standpoint?

DAY 5 Do you think the story of Star Wars will stand the test of time? If so, why?

DAY 4 George Lucas repeatedly made clear that Star Wars was created as 'a modern fairytale' with its foundations derived from 'the old myths', with 'phycological underpinnings' and inspiration drawn from the philosophical works of Joseph Campbell. "Well, when I did Star Wars, I consciously set about to recreate myths and the classic mythological motifs. And I wanted to use those motifs to deal with issues that existed today." - George Lucas, 1999 Do you interpret the story along those lines? Or do you instead view the work as escapist in nature? If so, why?

DAY 3 Do you consider any volume(s) of Star Wars irrelevant or even detrimental to the story as you've interpreted it? If so, which volumes... and why? Do you find yourself trying to rationalize why select volumes shouldn't be a part of the story more often than how they should?

DAY 2 What is your personal interpretation of Star Wars: its narrative, themes, and implied lessons? Have your thoughts on Star Wars ever significantly changed... perhaps after watching a sequel or prequel film/trilogy? As time has passed - and with subsequent viewings - do you find yourself perceiving the story differently than you did originally?

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH US I see I've been missed. To mark my return, I would like to host a productive conversation/debate featuring our favorite story to cherish critique & complain about: THE (NEVER MORE THAN) 12 DAYS OF STAR WARS Each day for the next twelve, I will pose a Star Wars question. (Some questions may contain multiple parts.) Everyone can join anytime. Please answer each 'question of the day' in the order presented. My hope is that in sharing our up-to-date thoughts, theories, and reflections in a more organized fashion, we can better learn from each other... and perhaps move the conversation into uncharted territory. I will join the discussion on Day 13, at which time I will answer all of the questions and ask follow-ups. DAY 1 What are your thoughts on the current state of Star Wars: the perceived health of the IP, the progression/expansion of the story, and the general vibe of the audience/fandom? On what are you basing your perceptions? Do you allow other peoples' opinions to affect your own?

Just a quick Skeleton Crew theory prior to the release of its finale... and before I respond to recent posts. Jod will be stopped/usurped by Maz Kanata, the pirate queen and rightful Republic emissary. I wouldn't be surprised to also see 'old pirate' Han Solo become involved in the climactic battle/madness.

I explained how the story of Star Wars is not 'fine' as the majority of the audience perceive it. Without explaining the lore and the Force beyond that of "the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi", the story is lame and incomplete. I admit, Lucasfilm may not do what I think should be done with the story. But in principle, my desired conclusion is objectively superior to ending it with Episode VI or IX. Outside of the people who have/had a hand in making Star Wars content, my guess would be less than 1000 people in the world hold a generally correct interpretation of Star Wars. As for the number of people who have discovered the mountain of canon receipts to back up this particular interpretation, I'd say the number drops to less than 10. That's just it, not everything George Lucas was quoted saying for decades can be true. The literal words of the story are far more important, especially in context. Select bigger-picture GL quotes substantiate only a single, worthy interpretation of Star Wars. "We cannot afford to take mythology at face value." - Indiana Jones In your opinion, what makes the original STAR WARS and TESB 'cinematic classics'? What makes the others 'merely good to downright awful'? Did Star Wars take a wrong turn with ROTJ... or do you just not like its style of film making? Generally speaking, would you have ended the Saga differently than was presented? Rather than desiring 'cinematic classic' status from individual films, wouldn't it be wiser to consider the overall narrative and themes of the grander story? It is, though. Episodes of a larger/planned narrative should not be primarily considered as individual works, but parts of a whole.

There is a sharp distinction between understanding something and figuring it out.