Star Wars and the dark side of YouTube

As a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast who grew up with the original trilogy, I’ve seen the galaxy far, far away evolve right before my very eyes. From the moment I first heard that iconic opening crawl, I was hooked. I remember the excitement of waiting in line for hours to see “The Empire Strikes Back” and the heartbreak when Darth Vader revealed he was Luke’s father.

Whenever I find out someone is a Star Wars enthusiast, I really appreciate discussing the franchise as it’s enjoyable. We can have great conversations about our shared passion, debating our favorite characters and moments from the movies or shows. But recently, this camaraderie has taken on a more intense quality.

Many folks discussing the franchise, especially on YouTube, seem to be more harsh than praising about the content released after Disney acquired it in 2012. However, the change in the franchise’s direction occurred when George Lucas sold the company to the studio back then, and nothing has shifted since then.

Star Wars is universal and is still a modern mythology, exploring basic ideas of good versus evil.

The range and richness of acting talent has significantly evolved since the initial trilogy was filmed in the 70s and 80s. Some people on YouTube have expressed discontent over these changes. Yet, numerous young women identify with characters like Rey and Osha as intensely as fans of the original trilogy did with Luke Skywalker.

Lando Calrissian, a memorable figure from the original Star Wars trilogy, embodied diversity in casting. His character was reminiscent of stereotypes prevalent among African Americans during that period, but his storyline lacked substantial development in the films. The response from fans towards Billy Dee Williams following “The Empire Strikes Back” has been a well-known topic. Contrastingly, modern characters like Cassian Andor have been crafted with greater originality and depth due to compelling narrative choices.

Disney strategically decided to write its unique narrative by primarily discarding previously established lore, then gradually reincorporating pieces of it. Consequently, Star Wars Legends remains significant due to its ongoing impact. Numerous fans, podcasts, and shows continue to acknowledge both the original expanded universe (EU) and the new Disney canon, appreciating their potential to intermingle harmoniously. This flexible approach enabled a fresh crop of filmmakers and storytellers to develop their own narratives and delve deeper into characters through different perspectives. However, many on YouTube express discontent over the modifications made.

In “The Acolyte”, several YouTubers expressed annoyance over the appearance of Ki-Adi-Mundi. They seemed frustrated because a previously non-canonical backstory had been incorporated into the series narrative. However, the showrunner opted to include him in the storyline. This doesn’t alter his character; it merely expands upon it. And that’s perfectly fine.

I’m able to introduce Star Wars to my daughter, and I catch up on every new episode with my partner. We both get quite enthusiastic and discuss various aspects of it. It’s all about experiencing and appreciating a series that has touched the hearts of countless individuals over the years. It’s not about lashing out in anger due to death threats being directed at those involved in its creation. It’s not about believing that my perspective is the only one that holds value.

Disney expanded the Star Wars universe beyond the tales of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, enriching its narrative with fresh perspectives and depth that everyone can appreciate. Essentially, if someone finds themselves disliking these new additions, they are free to choose not to watch them.

2024-09-26 19:21