(Above, my son, receiving the education traditional schools cannot provide.) 

It seems obvious, like asking what the weather is like on Hoth.

But it’s harder to answer than it might appear. A colleague once told me that as a kid, Han Solo was his childhood hero. A worthy pick, sure, but…how could Han be your hero when you had not just Luke, but all the Jedi to choose from?

Han is great, sure, but wasn’t Star Wars really about tapping into this mysterious Force? About finding the balance between good and evil and understanding the true nature of the universe.

Well, perhaps not.

It was the first time I realized perhaps Star Wars meant–that it could mean–something different than it did for me.

My son loves the droids, particularly R2-D2, who he dubbed “Bee-boop” when he was four. For one of my buddies, the answer is “laser swords and acrobatics, duh.”

So as we celebrate Star Wars Day, and as I kick off this blog–a place for those of who know that Star Wars can never be taken too far–let’s start our first discussion in the comments with this question: Why do you watch Star Wars?

Is it for the political drama? The Jedi? The Force? The meaning of the universe? Is it, for you, about good and evil? Fathers and sons? A universe where women kick a fair share of the butts that need kicking?

Can we even break down this seemingly simple question, or is Star Wars, like the Force, its own mysterious power we can only hope to understand?

Let’s discuss.

And May the Fourth be with you

 

Welcome to LetsDiscussStarWars.com, a place for those of us who know that, when it comes to Star Wars, you can never take it too far.

This is a place, not so far, far away, that you can always visit when you need to have the conversations that simply need to be had. When you’re at work, lying in bed, on a long journey through hyperspace–this is a site where you can regularly check back for the latest ongoing discussion of Star Wars. What is the Force? Why do we love Star Wars so much? Dare we even begin to discuss the holiday special? Lets Discuss Star Wars is a place where you can take your discussions of Star Wars parsecs beyond where your lesser-educated friends can take it.

This is a place for the rest of us. This is a place where we can Star Wars to the places it needs to go.

Got an idea for a discussion topic? Drop it in the comments below.