rhodrymavelyne

I was so obsessed with Star Wars as a child, particularly the light sabers. The way they glowed, hummed, and crackled when they hit another saber.

I marvel that this particular universe and story has prevailed, carrying on to generation after generation. My niece and nephews all love Star Wars. They’ve seen all sorts of TV series on Disney+ I haven’t.

Hanging out at my in-laws’s home over the holidays, I saw the first few episodes of Acolyte. Once again, twins are playing a major part in a Star Wars story, only this time they’re identical and both girls.

In a curious way, they’re reminding me of Beth and Kate Kane from Batwoman more than Luke and Leia. They’re closer than anyone, yet divided by allegiences to the Jedi and the coven which raised them.

There is something irresistible about creating a coven of witches in the Star Wars universe. Yes, the Jedi knights exist, but they’re more like a priesthood with a strict code of ethics, not allowing room for wildness. The Sith feel like their shadow, absorbing all their negative emotions, inverting and mirroring their power.

I was wary of being drawn into Star Wars again, because it’s been a powerful obsession in my life. As a child, I collected figures. I was fascinated by Darth Vader, his sheer sinister power; by the fact that he was the father to these slight, white-clad adversaries; Luke and Leia. I was fascinated by how close he was to them, yet opposed.

There had never been anything like that I’d ever seen as a child, your own father being the villain. Now it’s become almost iconic and I jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else, embracing the notion of family as a protagonist’s adversary.

There’s no foe worse than those closest to you, yet Lord Vader is hardly the worst father out there. At least he seems to want his children, even if they’re on the opposite side.

I’ve been drawn to the development of this relationship in the comics; reading some of the ones about Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, enjoying how Han Solo, Artoo (amused at how foul-mouthed the little droid is when he’s not around Luke or Leia), Threepio. Chewbacca, and Lando interact with them; delighting in the addition of characters like Dr. Aphra.

Now we have Disney+. Now I have a chance to try some of those TV series my family have been watching.

Time to indulge.