I think I’ve figured it out.
I think the main, or perhaps unspoken, reason so many people enjoy the original Star Wars trilogy, Clone Wars series, the Mandalorian, and the Bad Bunch is because of one motif: father-child relationships.
Think about it. In the original trilogy, the driving factor of the plot is Luke’s desire to connect with and later redeem his father. In the TV series, we see the growth of father-child relationships as central to the story as well with Anakin and Ahsoka, Mando and baby Yoda, and now Hunter and Omega.
The prequels and Rogue One are hit or miss on this which I think may explain some of the fandom’s ambivalence towards them. The sequels and Han…well, let’s just say this is what happens when this particular idea is not explored effectively or at all in the Star Wars universe. Han and Kylo’s relationship is forced (no pun intended), and Luke spends most of his screen time trying to reject that role. And in the Solo movie, Han meets people who could be father figures but he spends most of his time independent of them.
And considering that Stars Wars is now a Disney franchise, this is a rather interesting choice for story-telling.
After all, the usual Disney trope is a single mom who may or may not meet an untimely demise. Fathers are either nonexistent (see Ducktales for Huey, Dewey, & Louie) or idiots (to which I name most of the live Disney shows and most tv shows for the last decade or so). To not only focus on fathers or father-like characters but to also make them likable and strong is fascinating! And the fact its the center of the story is also equally fascinating.
To be sure, others have looked into father figures and Disney has as well. However, just sitting the only strong and likable father figures from Disney I can think of are Mufasa, Carl Frederickson (Up), and Marlin (Finding Nemo). There are others, but their role as a father is often overshadowed by predictable plots (Thomas O’Malley from Aristocats), general incompetence or the “goofy dad” factor (Sultan from Aladdin, the Professor in Tarzan), or lack of overall screen time (Geppetto in Pinocchio).
In Star Wars on the other hand, Luke is constantly trying to become like his father. Its what pushes him away from Uncle Ben and getting excited at the prospect of receiving his father’s lightsaber and becoming a Jedi. As a result, he leaves home and joins the rebellion. When he is confronted with the true identity of his father, Luke becomes dedicated to redeeming him and restoring their relationship. Its what drives the whole trilogy! Similarly in the Clone Wars, a large portion of the episodes is about Anakin and Ahsoka learning how to meet the responsibilities of their respective roles: Anakin as protector and teacher, Ahsoka as the student striving to meet his expectations. And now with Mando and Grogu, and Hunter and Omega, we’re getting the unexpected/single father aspect as well.
I don’t know, perhaps I’m off about this. Let me know what you think.
Politics and the Bible 