Happy Holidays!

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about Star Wars. (Light spoilers ahead for The Last Jedi)

Many years ago, after the success of Star Wars, but before Empire Strikes Back was out, George Lucas wanted to keep Star Wars in people’s minds. So, he allowed the creation of a holiday special, to be released in 1978. It was a trainwreck: Star Wars’ infamous Holiday Special, explained. It’s the reason why George Lucas would never again cede creative control of Star Wars, why there are people whose entire jobs are to make sure Star Wars stories are told in line with the canon, so that any movie, series, book, comic, or video game would properly fit into the Star Wars universe.

This didn’t stop contradictions, weird characters, or other unwanted stuff from creeping in, but over time, Star Wars settled into something that’s easily recognizable as Star Wars. Even if Disney “purged” the extended universe outside of the movies, they shaped how we expect Star Wars today to look and feel like.

Except when The Last Jedi changes how the Jedi are represented relative to the rest of the denizens of Star Wars. Where Jedi were Samurai-like before, with an emphasis on rituals and training (original trilogy), and the right bloodline (prequel trilogy), now they’re a lot more about talent and intent: The Jedi as samurai vs. the Jedi as ninja (note: contains major spoilers).

And finally, how From C-3PO’s perspective, ‘Star Wars’ is a prolonged nightmare (via kottke.org [spoilers]):

Your master goes into a bar, where they refuse to serve you. Instead of leaving the bar in solidarity, he makes you wait outside.

Then you wind up in a giant space station. Your master leaves you behind with your eccentric colleague, who turns out to be carrying Very Important Information. You have no weapons. “What should he and I do if we’re discovered here?” you ask.

“Lock the door,” your new boss says, leaving nonchalantly.

“And hope they don’t have blasters,” adds his new friend, a jerk.

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