I still can’t believe that one of my greatest dissatisfactions with Star Wars has been remedied: Getting to actually see Luke Skywalker at not just the height of his power, but the height of him being centered in himself as a Jedi Master, as played by Mark Hamill. It’s a reminder that Luke didn’t actually spend the majority of his life in a pit of depression and guilt and misdirected anger and blame, that there was so much of his life that was good and hopeful and amazing. It’s not just the badass fighting scene (though, that was pretty great) but the reminder that Luke Skywalker’s life had purpose and meaning, that he helped people, that he had such light and connection and affection in his life and that he extended his hand to so many people who needed help, that the ending didn’t define Luke Skywalker’s entire life. He died in service of helping and protecting others, but so much of the sequels was spent on Luke’s misery that it was hard to remember that there was so much joy and selflessness and compassion and care and wonder and good in there, too. The Mandalorian using Luke Skywalker isn’t just about him fighting off a bunch of droids in an amazing sequence, but a reminder that Luke Skywalker was a Jedi Master who helped people and he did so much good. That seeing Grogu’s little hand reach out to the monitors to reach him reminded me of just what Luke Skywalker meant to people. And we got to see that again! To be reminded that it was the majority of his life that was spent in helping others! FUCK YEAH LUKE SKYWALKER’S LIFE WAS PRETTY EXCELLENT. AND WE GOT TO SEE IT AS PLAYED BY MARK HAMILL.


















