My 'The Force Awakens' Prep Guide Part V: Canon 2.0

The countdown has begun!  The Journey to The Force Awakens is upon us!  With less than three months to go we are being bombarded with everything Star Wars.  Several new novels are now on bookshelves, the comic books are in full swing, and toys are being bought in record numbers.  Star Wars has something it didn't have the last time we saw a film in theaters; Disney.  Back in 2012, Disney bought Lucasfilm/Star Wars for $4 billion.  Like Marvel Studios, Disney lets Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy run the production company, but she still reports to Disney CEO Bob Iger.  Having the Disney marketing team behind it, The Force Awakens is becoming a gold mind of franchising. Disney will make back that $4 billion they spent by next year probably!

Now, when Disney bought Lucasfilm, aside from announcing more Star Wars films would be made, they also had another big announcement in regards to Canon.  For those who don't know the term, Star Wars Canon is anything that exists in the main Star Wars timeline.  With twenty-five years of Star Wars novels, comics books, games, television series, and all other media, the lore of Star Wars has gotten big, and somewhat confusing.  Some of it fits together, some of it doesn't.  So Kennedy announced a clean slate.  Anything that isn't the six live-actions films or The Clone Wars TV series would be known as 'Legends" and is no longer part of true Star Wars lore.  Which means it's pretty much fan fiction. 

 Some fans were upset, but all those stories haven't gone away.  In fact, future Star Wars stories are free to draw from what has come before.  Even J J Abrams said he may 'cherry pick' some ideas that have come before for future tales.  But now, post 2012, it all counts!  Lucasfilm has two men, Leland Chee and Pablo Hidalgo, to keep track of Canon 2.0.  Their job, their career, is keeping track of all the Star Wars stories (novels, comics, TV, etc.) and make sure it all fits together.  Some think it's too big of a task to work long-term, but as a big Star Wars fans I've now been trying to keep up with it all before it become too much.

Since I don't read single issue comic books anymore I'm still waiting for graphic novel versions to come out, but I've heard Star Wars, Kanan: The Last Padawan, and Shattered Empire are starting off really good. And thanks to Disney XD and the public library I've been able to keep up with the novels and Star Wars: Rebels.  So if you just want to check out "what counts" now in the Star Wars universe, here are some of my recommendations.

DARK DISCIPLE

One of the best characters to come out of The Clone Wars was Asajj Ventress.  She started out as Count Dooku's apprentice and was betrayed by Dooku to become a much deeper character.  She became a bounty hunter for hire, and last we saw her she tried to help Ahsoka Tano clear her name at the end of season 5.

As the clone war wages on the Jedi Council has reached a decision; to end the war, Count Dooku must die.  It's a dark decision for the Jedi and so a dark Jedi must carry it out. Quilan Vos has mainly worked undercover as a Jedi spy, but is asked to find Asajj Ventress, gain her trust, and then use her inside knowledge on Dooku to assassinate him.

If you are fan of The Clone Wars, and the character of Ventress, this is a terrific read!  It starts out slow, but picks up and ends on a nail biter.  The finale left me satisfied, yet sad.

LORDS OF THE SITH

When we see Darth Vader in A New Hope he is over 40-years-old and half machine.  But back when he first became a Dark Lord he was the boogie man of the universe.  Several years after Order 66 and the formation of the Empire, their are pockets of rebellion springing up throughout the galaxy.  Darth Vader and the Emperor himself travel to Ryloth to squash these rebels down before a bigger movement begins.  But the Twi'lek rebels are waiting for them and see this as an opportunity to take out the head of the Empire and end their tyrannical rule.  It's the Sith Lords, by themselves, verses a planet.

Probably my favorite new Canon book so far because of Palpatine and Vader being the main characters.  We see Vader still struggling with his past and who he has become.  Meanwhile, we still see Palpatine manipulating Vader and playing with his mind to make him the lieutenant he wants him to be. 

LOST STARS

To be honest I've only just started this book, but so far I am impressed.  I heard a spoiler a few days ago and I just had to pick it up.  Lost Stars is about two friends who join the Empire shortly before the events of A New Hope, and soon end up on opposite sides of this galactic civil war.  Their stories play out during the events of the original trilogy and beyond.  That ship falling from the sky on the cover?  That is the Star Destroyer we see on Jakku in The Force Awakens trailer.  That's all I needed to know to get me to read this book.

STAR WARS: REBELS

I bought the first Canon 2.0 book, A New Dawn, right before I started the first episode of Rebels.  And after that first episode I was excited to go back read the prequel to the series.  If anyone ask me how to describe Rebels I say it's Firefly/Serenity in the Star Wars universe.

Kanan, Hera, and the crew of the Ghost like to make trouble for the Empire.  They rob from the Imperials and give to those in need.  On a mission they run into Ezra, a young orphan who has a strong "Aladdin vibe" to him.  Kanan recognizes that Ezra is also strong in The Force as well, and he begins training Ezra in the ways of the Jedi, even though Kanan never even finished his own training before Order 66 was carried out.  The crew travel through the galaxy making lots of waves.  So many waves that it's caught the attention of Grand Moff Tarkin and Lord Vader. Uh-oh.

The first season of his series just came out on blu-ray and dvd and season two premieres out next month.  Some assumed Rebels was going to be a kiddie show because it was on Disney XD, but as the first season continued, the tone and story got darker and more interesting.  The first two-part episode of season two has already aired, and has the crew of the Ghost running into Darth Vader and getting their ass handed to them.  

I'm so excited for season two.  We will get to see more classic characters, and even some from The Clone Wars like Ahsoka and Captain Rex.  The first season is only 13 episodes so it's easy to catch up in time for season two.  So far, anyone who was against Rebels have changed their tune after watching it stating, "this is the first thing in a long time that feels like Star Wars."  But as we know, no one from the Ghost is in the original Star Wars trilogy.  Are they hiding, or did they meet a tragic end?  I can't wait to find out the answer!

End, The Clone Wars Has

As a kid growing up I always thought I was a Jedi.  I had good instincts, I was very perceptive, and I could handle myself with a lightsaber.  A while back I realized I had the power to predict the future, because I knew exactly what was going to happen when Disney decided to buy Lucasfilm.  I saw Dark Horse comics stopping their 20-year publishing run of Star Wars comics and Marvel now publishing Star Wars comics.  Later this year, that is exactly what will happen since Disney owns Marvel comics.  I also saw the animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, switching over to DisneyXD and leaving Cartoon Network.  Then word came that they were canceling the show all together and making a new Star Wars animated show on DisneyXD.

Now I am an unbashful Star Wars.  I try to soak up everything I can that is Star Wars. So, I have been watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars since it started.  In the season 5 finale, Ahsoka Tano, the character specifically made for the show, left the Jedi Order.  I was shocked that the series was going to be left with such an open ending like that!  It was later announced that the 6th, and final, season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars would air directly on Netflix.  My only hope was that all the questions about season 5 would be resolved.  

One thing I have liked about Star Wars: The Clone Wars through the years is that even though it was a 1/2 hour program most story lines took several episodes to get through; like having lots of mini movies.  Occasionally you had the childish episode, like one starring Jar Jar Binks, in which case I skipped over those episodes.  But this really was a family show in that it had something for all age groups.  The later seasons started getting a little darker, but it was still good plots with good characters.  So after finishing season 6 on Netflix I've decided to share my favorite story lines from a series that I hope I can watch with my kids in about 10 years.

Season 1: Episodes 2-4

Rising Malevolence, Shadow of Malevolence, Destroy Malevolence

This is the first multi-episode story line in the series and it really set the tone for the show.  The main characters were Anakin, Obi-Wan, Padme, and Ahsoka. This was also the first introduction of General Grievous in the show since the character had not been in The Clone Wars theatrical movie that set-up the series.

The Separatists have a new weapon, the Malevolence, and it threatens to hurt the Republic unless it is stopped.  Anakin leads a fleet against this massive ship and after disabling it he, and Obi-Wan, must rescue Padme who is on Malevolence.  The third act is Star Wars it's finest!  It's action-packed, fun, funny, and makes us remember why we love the classic characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and C-3PO.  In one scene Obi-Wan is surrounded and Grievous drops in and says, "hello there."  Obi-Wan paid Grievous back for that one in Episode III. 

When The Clone Wars began Dave Filoni, show creator, said that this series was going to finally show Anakin Skywalker: the war hero and good guy.  He was right.  Throughout the course of the show we saw Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship and why Obi-Wan loved him so dearly.  We also see how brave and valiant Anakin was, but with the occasion anger management issue.

Season 2: Episodes 1-3

Holocron Heist, Cargo of Doom, Children of the Force

The end of the first season introduced a new bounty Hunter, Cad Bane.  Bane is everything some Star Wars fans think Boba Fett is, but we have yet to see it on-screen.  Bane is bad ass and makes being the bad guy look cool.  

Bane is hired by Darth Sidious to steal a Jedi holocron from the Jedi Temple.  Then he has to find himself a Jedi to open it.  The main three (Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka) chase Bane down for the holocron and later must stop him when they find out he's kidnapping children who are potential Jedi.  This leads Anakin and Ahsoka to Mustafar, the planet of Anakin's future damnation and his epic battle with Obi-Wan.  Just seeing Anakin on Mustafar was enough foreshadowing to get me excited.  These episodes also begin to show Anakin's attachment to Ahsoka and how they both have a lot to learn from each other. 

Season 2: Episodes 12-14

The Mandalore Plot, Voyage of Temptation, Duchess of Madalore

Did anyone else know Obi-Wan had a girlfriend?  Apparently he met the Dutchess Satine years ago when he was still Qui-Gon's apprentice.  But Obi-Wan stayed true to his vow to the Jedi Order and continued his training to become a Jedi Knight.

It's years later and Obi-Wan has returned to Mandalore to protect Satine against the rebel group known as 'Death Watch.'  These are the guys that Jango Fett came from.  Satine and Obi-Wan bicker for all three episodes making us believe these two must really have liked each other.  When Anakin shows up we see him try to encourage Obi-Wan to be alone with Satine.  To me, this gives insight that Anakin sees Obi-Wan put into the same situation he was in with Padme, only Anakin gave in to his desires.  

I love that this was not only an Obi-Wan centered story, but also we get told a little more about Obi-Wan's past.  He did love someone at some point in his life, but he chose to stay with the Jedi.  Iron Man director and actor, Jon Favreau, also lends his voice to the Death Watch leader in these episodes.

Season 3: Episodes 12-14

Nightsisters, Monster, Witches of the Mist

For those fans still saddened that Darth Maul died so quickly then this is the story for you.  We get to learn where Maul came from and how many more where like him.  And by the time the story is done we get a hint that Darth Maul just may not be done in the Star Wars universe after all.

After countless failings, Count Dooku decides to let his apprentice, Asajj Ventress, die.  Ventress makes it back to her home world with her people, the Nightsisters, and begins plotting her revenge against Dooku.  We learn about Ventress's past and that she comes from a tribe of very powerful women. The Nightsisters persuade Dooku to take a new apprentice of their choosing, one who came from the same place as Darth Maul.  

Savage Opress is given extra powers by the Nightsisters and goes to work for Dooku.  Soon Ventress comes to exact her revenge with Opress by her side just as Obi-Wan and Anakin have tracked down Opress, whose been leaving a body count throughout the galaxy.  All the characters escape with their lives and Opress returns to the Nightsisters lost, but is given the location of his brother; Darth Maul.

Season 3: Episodes 15-17 

Overlords, Altar of Mortis, Ghosts of Mortis

This story line was very character driven that focused on 'The main three' but was mainly about Anakin being 'The Chosen One'.  After being sucked into a magical world that is very powerful with the Force the Jedi are introduced to Father, a force-wielder who wants to know if Anakin truly is 'The Chosen One'.  Father has two children; Daughter, who represents the light side of the Force, and Son, who represents the dark side of the Force.  

After a test Anakin refuses to take Father's place in keeping his children in balance.  Son then tries to persuade Anakin to the dark side and help set him loose upon the galaxy.  Along the way Daughter is killed by Son, Ahsoka sees her future self, Obi-Wan sees Qui-Gon Jinn, and Anakin sees what he will become in a giant, black, formed cloud accompanied by some heavy breathing.

At the end of the story Father makes Anakin forget what he just learned and 'The main three' feel like they just had a really bad acid trip.

Season 5: Episodes 14-16 

Eminence, Shades of Reason, The Lawless

This was the last episode I went back and re-watched because it had been so long since I watched it.  And I gotta say, I think The Lawless is one of my top 3, if not my favorite episode, in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  When Darth Maul comes onto the show I feel it got a little darker and The Lawless is the kind of episode I never thought I'd see in this show if I was back watching season 1.  WARNING!! MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!!

Darth Maul and Savage Opress are picked up by Death Watch and they swap stories about their mutual hatred for Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Maul then convinces them to join him in uniting all the criminal underground in the galaxy under them; even The Black Sun and the Hutts.  Then they stage an attack that puts Death Watch in charge of Mandalore and imprisons Satine in hopes of luring Obi-Wan to Mandalore.  Maul then kills the Death Watch leader, still voiced by Jon Favreau, and takes control of Mandalore for himself. 

Obi-Wan of course comes to save the day, but is captured.  Then Darth Maul kills Satine right in front of him!  I totally forgot about this event and it shocked me as if I had just watched 'The Red Wedding.'  But someone else who doesn't like Darth Maul in charge of Mandalore is Darth Sidious.  He comes to confront his former apprentice, tells him he is messing with his own plans, and then kills Savage Opress.  The Lawless ends with Obi-Wan fleeing Mandalore, vowing to return and restore order, and Darth Sidious sparing Darth Maul's life saying that his has plans for him still.

These cliff hangers are ones I hoped season 6 would tie-up but didn't.  So now we're just left hanging in regards to Mandalore, and Darth Maul, because he doesn't pop-up in Episode III as part of Sidious's plan. 

Season 5: Episodes 17-20

Sabotage, The Jedi Who Knew Too Much, To Catch A Jedi, The Wrong Jedi

As if The Lawless didn't shake up this animated series enough the following story line left us coming up with more questions and theories as to what will happen to these characters.  This story is Ahsoka centered.  Which is nice because at the time we all thought this was the last of The Clone Wars we'd ever see.  So wrapping it all up with the character who was specifically made for The Clone Wars seemed right.

The story starts out with Ahsoka and Anakin investigating a bombing at the Jedi Temple, but soon all the evidence begins to point to Ahsoka.  She stages a prison break after she is expelled from the Jedi Order and Asajj Ventress becomes her most trusted ally as she is a fugitive on the run.  It kind of reminds me when Batgirl teamed up with Catwoman on Batman: Animated Series.

So eventually Anakin finds out that is was Ahsoka's friend, Offee, who framed Ahsoka.  Offee accused the Jedi of losing their way in this war and doesn't believe in the Jedi Order anymore.  This is something that was brought up by Anakin in Episode III and is how the galactic public starts to feel about the Jedi, which makes it that much easier when Order 66 comes to pass.  The Jedi Council re-instates Ahsoka but she turns them down.  After a heart-felt goodbye with Anakin the last shot of her is walking into the sun set.  Seriously, that's the last we see of her in the whole series except for a dream/vision.

When Star Wars: The Clone Wars started I felt like something had to happen to Ahsoka; mainly death.  She's not in Episode III and it would fit to help bringing Anakin closer to the dark side.  But she walks into the sunset with all her limbs still attached!  Looking at it now I'm glad they didn't kill her.  This now gives Star Wars creators use of this beloved character in other stories.  Maybe she'll pop-up in Star Wars: Rebels, maybe she'll be in Episode VII, or maybe we'll get a story where Ahsoka and Anakin, I mean Darth Vader, meet later and he kills her?    

Season 6: Episodes 1-4

The Unknown, Conspiracy, Fugitive, Orders

The last couple of episodes in the series were centered around Yoda and how he learned to better become one with the Force, and why he went to live in Dagobah at the end of Episode III.  There is also a nice lead-in to that one about the Jedi finding out what happened to Master Sifo-Dyas, who ordered the creation of the clones, and how they learn that Count Dooku might actually have been responsible for the creation of the clones.

However, this story was one that really stuck out to me in season 6.  One of the clone troopers in Anakin's platoon ends up snapping and killing a Jedi.  Everyone is stunned and wants to know why.  The trooper's friend, Fives, then goes on a grand suspenseful tale about what happened, what Order 66 is, what Palpatine has planned, and how nobody believes him.  

It's quite interesting how this show really did have so many great characters.  I like how they showed that even though the troopers were all cloned from the same person, they still had their own personalites.  I know that Cody turns against Obi-Wan in Episode III, but I'd love to know that happens after that.  Does he have remorse for someone he spent years with?  What about Anakin's right-hand man, Rex?  What happened to him?  

There are so many things that are left unanswered in this series I hope at some point within the Star Wars universe we get some answers.  But I think that's how you know it's a good show.  It's not about how many Emmy's it won (several by the way) but that you want the series, and the characters, to continue.  Seriously though, if they never bring Ahsoka back, ever, I'm going to have carved on my tombstone, "What happened to Ahsoka?"