Why Luke Skywalker’s legacy still matters today and how the Sequel Trilogy celebrates it.
ThisStar Warsarticle contains spoilers.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be Luke Skywalker.
So did a lot of kids, Im sure.
I remember, as a teen, talking about whether Luke or Han was better.
Most of my friends had an opinion, some proto-territoriality and loyalty when it came toStar Warsheroes.
Aspirations change, and problems become more complex and less direct.
People worry about politics, about climate.
Along with the conflict of light versus dark,Star Warsis also a story about personal growth and adulthood.
InThe Last Jedi, though, we see that Lukes hopefulness inReturn of the Jedihas soured into bitter sadness.
Therefore, its perfect that Luke would also go through a similar disappointment.
Luke was driven to Ahch-To in part by his own feelings of unworthiness as a teacher.
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This commentary continues inThe Last Jedi.
We see inEpisode VIIIthat Luke blames his own belief in his legend for his actions.
Lukes last lesson is meditative: to live in the moment.
That isnt true, though.
Luke wasnt in an X-Wing at the Battle of Endor.
His story would have been about proficiency if it had ended atA New Hope, sure but it didnt.
This is, partially, true.
(From a certain point of view?)
But really, Lukes story isnt about gaining proficiency and power.
The Last Jedishowed that Luke can be powerful, but also that his real power isnt violent or aggressive.
He is fighting to save what he loves.
Instead, he teaches Rey to pull up the Force in his own way.
The conversation between Luke and Yoda inThe Last Jedidirectly addresses this, but does not linger on blame.
I dreaded Lukes death inThe Last Jedi.
ButEpisode VIIImade his death gracious, peaceful, and meaningful.
It also showed, both explicitly in dialogue and metaphorically, that failure is okay.
In that case, one might ask, what kind of story beat is failure?
Why build plot points around that?
It is as worthy a topic as any other on the spectrum of human emotion.
After all, Luke is the ultimateaudience surrogate.
And, ultimately, sometimes people need to see the character they identify with succeed after their failure.
Fandom, just like the rest of the world, isnt without its fights and aggressions.
Lukes victory inReturn of the Jediis a victory for hope.
Not necessarily peace, but hope for a peaceful day in the future.
As an adult, part of me still wants to be Luke Skywalker.
Because, in the ways that matter most, LukeisStar Wars.
Sure, there are other characters who serve as the face of the merchandising.
Now, he has graciously passed that story on to Rey.
