I remember thinking it odd that the original trilogy started with Episode IV and continued through Episode VI. What about Episodes I-III? It would take another 16 years until those early episodes would be released in cinemas. Until the prequel, I assumed Luke Skywalker was the main character of the franchise because he was the good guy, the one you cheered on. Then it became clear--Anakin Skywalker, a.k.a. Darth Vader, was the center of it all.
It was great to see how, from humble beginnings, Darth Vader became the menace of a galaxy far, far away, but he died at the end of Return of the Jedi. Peace was restored. The light side of The Force triumphed over the dark. What more could be covered in Episodes VII-IX? Apparently, plenty. A mere 10 years after the prequel, we saw what happened to Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. We saw a new threat, the First Order, grow from what was left of the Empire and the Resistance, the new Rebel Alliance, fighting it to make the galaxy peaceful once more.
The newest movie, The Rise of Skywalker, marks the end of a long era. A very long era--42 years, to be exact. Many of my generation who grew up with the movies are now seeing the last installment with their kids or even grandkids. If you ask for my personal opinion, the nine movies George Lucas envisioned may be completed, but I don't see the Star Wars universe being gone forever. I'm sure more movies will be made (think Rogue One and Solo).
In the meantime, we can watch the newest movie in the cinema and go to the library for Star Wars DVDs and books (you knew I had to plug the library, didn't you?).
Wishing you peace in your galaxy this Holiday Season from the perch.
