Darth Vader died “After” the Clone Wars
Nobody likes to argue with their kids. I know I certainly don’t. Last night was different, at least for one conversation. I was making the kids’ dinner and while waiting they became heatedly engaged in a conversation about precisely when Darth Vader had died. I am by no means any sort of expert on Star Wars or Darth Vader but like many others grew up as a science fiction fan and Star Wars was certainly a topic always near the surface, regardless of my interest. I was curious about what they were saying though and a thought hit me: Did I just hear right? Were the Jacob, Isaac and Piper discussing the finer details about the timeline of Star Wars? Now granted that Piper has only recently come into this phenomenon, but the boys are knee deep in it.
The primary part of the discussion was trying to figure out when specifically the clone wars took place. Once that could be nailed down they would be able to pin point when Vader had died. One problem though was that each of the boys understood the time-line of the show differently. Isaac assumed that in context the original three movies happened prior to the most current three. In addition he wasn’t quite sure where the animated shows fit in at all, other than to know they were related to the clone wars in general. Jacob on the other hand knew the appropriate order, including that of the animated episodes, and he was trying in vain to explain that the most current movies really came first.
At some point, I think when I put dinner on the table, I was pulled into the conversation. Happily so I might add. I wasn’t going to interject, wanting to hear the conversation evolve as well as the excitement and vigor with which each side’s case was presented, argued and defended. Isaac was adamant. Jacob was done – “Mr. Isi – When did Darth Vader die. Before or after the Clone Wars?” Not wanting to crush any spirits with a quick and dicey answer, I sat down with dinner, and we walked through the progression of each episode. I realized that it is hard to describe what a prequel is to a four and six year old. There were certainly more questions, plenty of tangents, and much of “but that..”, “but they…” etc… in the end however, Isaac seemed to get it and was able to put things in their proper order in his head.
After dinner had passed I got to thinking again about the conversation and was somewhat exhilarated to have gotten to participate and be mediator for argument about Star Wars. Not that being a parent doesn’t offer plenty of opportunity to do this but rarely is the topic about some nostalgia that has always been a part of the fabric around us. There is a certain amount of unexplainable pride that goes along with seeing kids interested in the same stuff you were. Same thing had happened when we were camping a few weeks back and Isaac taught Piper the Indiana Jones theme song.
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I think Obi-Wan was a dick for not drop kicking Anakin into the river of lava after he turned him into a flash-fried Sith Lord.
“Hey there’s my best friend whose limbs I just hacked off except for his Terminator arm. He has the complexion of an onion ring. The merciful thing to do would be to plant the glowing end of this lightsaber into his skull or maybe skip him across that lava pond like a stone. Or maybe I’ll just walk away and let him go into shock and maybe give his boyfriend Palpatine time to get here and save him.” Lame, Obi-Wan! That whole “don’t kill an unarmed man” thing and all. Of course, it was literal here as he was unarmed and unlegged as well!
Agreed. I always thought that part was weird. Maybe Obi-Wan was just making a point.
“You know, I should kick you into the lava and watch you melt. You were like a son to me and yet you make me follow you across the damned galaxy only to end up on this god forsaken lava pit…for what…You need a hug…Dark Side a bit lonely…Well piss off you arrogant, self righteous momma’s boy…Lets see how well you manage without legs or arms and burnt half to death…Lets see if the force can save your ass now.”
In the end it cost him but at least he got to be a ghost of the force – I wonder if that is the Star Wars version of heaven – at least for the Jedi – you get killed but not really…you get to pop in and out whenever you like making sure people know your opinions.
The guy was Space Hitler & just for killing Palpatine 20 years too late he gets a get out of Chaos (Star Wars equivalent of Hell). He got to be bad and get out of jail free.