By Owen Quinn author of the Time Warriors andd Zombie Blues
It is fair to say that no matter what Star Wars spin off happens, fans will always want to see the return of the classic characters. While there is no argument that the movies totally screwed that up and robbed fans of, not only what they wanted but global audiences wanted to see, it is always and forever lying with the Disney spin-offs to grant that wish too.
All audiences wanted to see the big four reunited; Luke, Han, Leia and Lando all together again with new Star Wars generation Rey and Finn. Disney decided to do one each movie and rob us of that final Han, Luke and Leia united on screen moment. We get Chewie and Han who saw Leia once again. We also got R2 and 3P0 once again. The gang was all there but not in the same place or together. But no sooner had Han come back he was murdered by his son, Ben aka Kylo Ren. Leia would see her brother once more in astral projection form before he inexplicably went to the afterlife while sitting on a rock. Don’t even start me on the logic of that; maybe in a separate article. And sadly Carrie Fisher died in real life leaving Leia to die in Rise of Skywalker via a body double. This left Lando on his ownsome to rally the troops and fly in at the last minute to save the day and help destroy Palpatine’s plan.
While it was lovely to see them all again, it was dumb that Disney did not have that onscreen reunion we badly needed. Not to mention the crabby Luke we got that cared more about his own feelings than his sister or brother in law or even the impending victory of the New Order. Han totally captured the magic of the original trilogy with his buddy Wookie much more than the others did which includes the droids. However there would be one show that delivered in spades what fans had wanted after all these years and that show was The Mandalorian.
In a much improved Season 2, Grogu’s Force strength is rising and Ahsoka sends him to a sacred place where if he is powerful enough a Jedi will sense him and come for him. Now given when the show is set, we know that all the original characters are alive and kicking so speculation was always rife as to who could appear. Boba Fett came back as did R5 D4.
Grogu is captured by Moff Gideon who wants his blood for experimentation and a desperate battle between our heroes and Gideon’s cruiser begins. We see legions of deadly new totally robotic dark troopers, stormtroopers and imperial officers in a series of exciting firefights. There is a space battle between Boba Fett and TIE fighters. The Mando team and allies storm the bridge and secure it and with both the dark sabre and Gideon himself in their custody, a solo ship appears. They are trapped by more dark troopers with no way out.
As they watch an X-wing lands in the shuttle bay. Suddenly on the monitors they see a figure approach. It is dressed in a long black hooded cloak. Immediately the audience’s ears prick up. There had been rumours as to a potential appearance of an old character so were they about to be revealed as true? If it was true, would it be the same horrible method they used for young Leia in Rogue One? That is of course if the showrunners would trick us into false hope? So were our nuts about to be well and truly kicked and leave us with a sour taste in our mouths?
On a monitor, the point of view is from the back and there is a distinct “that cloak bounces like Vader’s did in the movies” vibe. Is it a Sith here to rescue Gideon? Suddenly excitement rose as a green lightsabre lights up and begins taking out the troopers with the ease of a….dare I say it….a master? We get a glimpse of a belt as the figure comes out fighting from a lift. We know that belt! It was on Jabba’s sand barge! And in the palace when…No, no, don’t get your hopes up kids, just in case. Quick, get the figure out of the display cabinet! Piss off, I’m not moving! Neither am I!
But as the sabre swings and baddies fall, we are all thinking the same thing. I have that action figure from Return of the Jedi. Naw, it couldn’t be could it? Oh Jesus I think it is? Please, say it is!
The Mandalorian says open the doors because he has guessed what the ne arrival is. The figure steps inside, smoke billowing behind him. He pauses then pulls his hood back to reveal…Luke Skywalker but not only that but Luke Skywalker as he looked during the Return of the Jedi.
You cannot underestimate just how mad this moment was as audiences of all sexes went wild at the reveal. Like fans at a Tom Jones concert, they were swooning in their millions finally getting to see a glimpse of life for Luke after the original trilogy. There were people hyperventilating and weeping uncontrollably. And I was not in that number. I’d done my weeping at the of The Force Awakens on that clifftop back in the cinema. As Rey approached the hooded figure on the clifftop and he turned to face her throwing back his hood, that was me. I was anybody’s.
Now here he was confirming to the Mando that he was a Jedi. Luke sensed Grogu and has come for him. To be safe he must master his abilities. Now even more tears flow as Mando and Grogu part ways as the little green guy must go with his own kind. Mando removes his helmet so Grogu can touch his face. They are parent and child at this point and the father must give his child up for his own safety,
Then we get sideswiped as R2D2 appears from behind Luke and looks down at the little creature. We all know Grogu is a baby, albeit a fifty year old one, but when he holds his arms up to be lifted just like a toddler does, our collective hearts broke with cuteness. Luke scoops him up, looks at Grogu momentarily and says, “May the Force be with you,” before leaving with droid and baby Yoda staring at Mando over Luke’s shoulder.
if you watch it on Youtube the sheer impact and power of return of the Jedi Luke and R2 appearing is mind blowing. When it is done in such a great story as it is here, the emotions simply overcome us. At the time of filming, Katee Sackhoff who plays Bo-Katan in the series was there that day and had no idea Luke Skywalker would be the reveal. She was told it was Plo Kloon and never knew until the television reveal.
You can be sure action figure sales went up those few days after as Mando figures and the original Jedi Luke figure were sought after.
Now we know Luke and Grogu will appear during the Book of Boba Fett as Grogu undergoes his training at Luke’s Jedi academy but it is this moment, in a cliffhanger that literally leaves the audience wanting more, is where Disney got it right. Actually Jon Favreau got it totally right and Disney should have learned from his mastery. If Disney had used this as a blueprint then we would never have endured Book of boba Fett, the Acolyte and the slow moving Ahsoka. Look back at this, yes , those of you at the top and see what the real magic of Star Wars is. If the reappearance of Luke Skywalker can make us cry as middle aged people then Disney, take note!
And yes, I am cradling my Jedi Luke figure and eyeing the Rancor.
The Time Warriors and Beyond 