It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since the outstanding season 2 finale of The Mandalorian aired and we were graced with the return of the saga’s greatest Jedi. I was reminded of just how powerful this episode was recently as I attended ‘Farthest From’ in Fordingbridge. There was plenty of time to socialise over the 2-day event and this episode, these collections of moments, got brought up at least half a dozen times by different fans at different times. On the way home it struck me all over again that this has had a lasting impact on fans and continues to do so. But the question is…why? What was it about this return of the Jedi that really struck to the heart of fans worldwide and did so in a collective way? As I tend to do, I’ve thought long and hard about this the past week and let in ruminate in my mind and I think I’ve perhaps just started to crack the shell of what happened. In order do so, we’re going to get philosophical and we’re going to have to return to the dreaded year that was 2020, but I think it’ll be worth it. Let’s dive in.
The first season of The Mandalorian became the powerhouse global phenomenon that Disney had been waiting for since their 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm. Solo had stumbled in style at the box office and regardless of one’s personal feelings about the sequels, hype had certainly died off by the time 2019 arrived. Star Wars was facing a crossroads and quite a dramatic one at that. There was to be a break from theatrical films, and everything seemed in a state of flux. Then along came Mando and a little green baby. Season 1 was a smash hit and we then flashforward to season 2 which aired in 2020 and the year which changed everything. It was bleak to say the least. A worldwide pandemic had thrown countries into countless or endless lockdowns.
By the time the show came back on air on Disney+ in October, the summer was over and we were facing an uncertain winter ahead with covid. Mando became something to really get excited about once a week and it was a solid series. After each episode aired (on a Friday and still a much better release day) I would phone and message with friends to dissect what we had just seen. The opening episode was nothing short of spectacular and later we had the return of Boba Fett in glorious fashion and the season’s writing had an overall arc; to reunite Grogu with his own kind. We had previously seen Ahsoka Tano make her live action debut, but we were teased with more. Star Wars was fun again! I had missed the fun speculation. Who could the Jedi in question be to come and take Grogu? Could it be Cal Kestis? How about Mace Windu? Maybe Ahsoka would simply return? Luke’s name had been thrown about but seemed literally impossible. I mean – literally and physically impossible.
Then came the day. Friday December 18th 2020. It was a week from Christmas and the world was in crisis. A new variant had been discovered and was wreaking havoc. Here in the UK, Christmas was effectively cancelled. Lockdowns were back, loved ones were separated from each other once more and the darkness of the winter days couldn’t help but permeate one’s soul.
But that was about to change. To convey the power of Luke’s return, you’ll have to forgive the indulgence but I’m going to share my experience of it, which in turn seems to be also the same as everyone else’s. As a stand-up comedian, in 2020 I had effectively lost everything. Live work wouldn’t return for another six months, and I had taken a job at a pharmacy to keep ticking over. This day was particularly tough. Colleagues, family and friends had all tested positive on this day. Members of the public had come seeking help and guidance and we simply couldn’t give it to them. I, like most (like all), was exhausted. The year had caught up with me and my soul was simply shattered. I remember walking home that dark evening wondering if I would ever perform comedy again. I remember thinking if I would see my Nan for Christmas. I was done. I got in and quickly showered and made some food.
I settled in to watch the season 2 finale of this great show. My child-like excitement flooded me once more and such is the power of the myth of Star Wars that it can do this. As our heroes were facing certain death from the Dark Troopers there was just one question on everyone’s mind – Who could it be?
Then came the X-Wing. Then came a hooded figure on the monitor. I sat in disbelief. It wasn’t him. It couldn’t be. The beauty of this episode is that it plays out almost in real time for us. The characters are watching this cloaked saviour just the same as we are. They can see what’s happening on the monitors and are just as bewildered as us, the audience. Then came the moment of clarity. A particular lightsaber hilt and a green blade to accompany it.
I uttered one simple word of heartbreaking joy.
“Luke.”
As Luke continued to make quick work of the Dark Troopers I felt the tears streaming down my face. This is where the metaphor comes into play. Luke had come to save Grogu and his friends, but it also felt like he’d come to save me. In our darkest hour of 2020, the epitome of light and good in the galaxy had returned to lift us all. There was hope to be found once more. There is another thread here too. As someone who felt that something wasn’t quite right about Luke’s journey in the sequels, there was a monumental euphoria at seeing Luke return and in his most promised glory. This was the Luke Skywalker of legend. This was the Luke that we had dreamed about seeing. The name of his alone evokes a feeling of awe both in the Star Wars universe and in our real world.
As the episode came to a close, I know there were fans who took issue with the CGI technology, but I could forgive this. That’s because of the intent. The intent of the filmmakers and storytellers had been to give us something special and they had certainly delivered. As R2-D2 rolled onto screen it completed the image.
And here’s the kicker. People have asked – why the tears? Well, I certainly wasn’t alone in this. In the days following the episode airing I got great joy from seeing people all over the world reacting to this much as I did. Grown men were reduced to sobbing, fans leapt out of their chairs with joy and glee and collectively it felt like we had all experienced something together, despite being apart.
I can still take myself back to that moment. I see the darkened room, a tired me sat on the sofa while the events play out. The power of Luke’s return remains the same. It went above a cameo. It went beyond Mark Hamill returning. (I still believe that this return was as much for Hamill as it was for us.) You see, when Luke Skywalker came back into our lives – time froze. Everything stopped. There was only us and Luke. Us, Luke and a feeling of love. Time did indeed stand still and for the briefest of moments, we were all a child again. The pain of the outside world was away from us, and we were all transported back to that safe feeling of childhood and carrying Luke Skywalker with us from there on out.
As the credits rolled, I wiped my eyes and sat in silence. But unlike 49 minutes before, there had been a change. You see…
My weary soul was renewed with hope. It was renewed with hope because Luke Skywalker had done what he does best.
Luke Skywalker had given us a reason to believe.
- Hardcover Book
- Richau, Amy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 200 Pages - 12/05/2023 (Publication Date) - DK Children (Publisher)
