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A Final Note…

This is the point in the process I fear the most. You’re really about to read this book and before you turn the page and actually take this journey with me, I just want you to know that I’m feeling really vulnerable right now. I’m not asking for sympathy. Not even understanding. I’m just letting you know the truth. I’m being very honest and raw. I’ve wanted to write a book like this for a long time and now it’s here. You have it in your hands…or in your tablet…or in your ears with some really expensive voice-over talent reading it to you…and this is really happening.

Deep breath.

This is going to be a great experience for everyone AND apologies if I write in first person from time to time. (I was a stand-up comedian for years and we’re just way too comfortable writing, performing, and complaining in the “I, Me, Mine” form.) I just want to say a few more things while I have your attention and you’ve seen me at my most vulnerable.

Here are technical notes on the moments that are the reasons behind why we love Star Wars:

First, this is a “ranking” but don’t let that distract you from what you’re about to read. These certainly build on each other and the moments listed later on do carry a little more weight, but I truly believe these reasons all add up to the greater point at hand: loving Star Wars. No one reason can exist without the other. It’s like that one time Obi-Wan Kenobi told Boss Nass that the Gungans and people of Naboo are symbiotic life forms and they need each other. Yeah. Yeah. That’s exactly it. This book is just like the Gungans and the people of Naboo. Thanks, Obi-Wan.

Second, the moments, scenes, characters, sounds, music, and more are all based around the “new” canon of Star Wars. The canon that began in April 2014 when it was announced that Lucasfilm was starting over with a fresh slate of Star Wars stories beyond just the new movies coming down the pipeline. What was the vibrant and robust—and often confusing and, you know, what’s the word, silly—expanded universe became Star Wars Legends. This was—and still is—considered by many to be controversial and, in some extreme cases, tragic.

I understand that. I respect that. I love the passion of Legends fans.

However, to be clear, this book is comprised of Star Wars moments drawn from the theatrically released movies, novels, and Marvel Comics released under this new canon banner, newer shows like Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance, and Forces of Destiny, and, of course, everybody’s favorite animated program—The Clone Wars. While there are many things to be celebrated about Star Wars Legends (Palpatine’s three-eyed son Triclops, Luuke the clone, and Chewie being crushed by a moon are not among those moments), this is not THAT book either.

Sorry.

Seriously.

Third, this book was written prior to the release of Episode IX, the live-action TV show The Mandalorian, or any future film projects, announced or rumored. So, if you happen to be reading this book after those projects came out and are wondering where is that one scene in which FUTURE SPOILER HERE, well, that’s why.

The best part of this is that this means a second edition of this book will have to be written. Not published. No, what I’m saying is I will most likely just scribble some new moments into the margins of this book and if you connect with me on LinkedIn, I’ll let you know what they are.

Fourth, what do you think first set off the feud between the Gungans and people of Naboo? I mean, for the most part the Gungans lived underwater and appeared to be on the other side of the world. That’s why the “planet core” was the quickest way from Otoh Gunga to Theed, right? I kind of get the sense that the dry landers up on the planet’s surface were being a little bit prickly in their distaste of the Gungans. I’m not absolving the Gungans of any wrongdoing. Sure, Boss Nass seems pretty affable after you put a peace orb in his hands, but prior to that he did seem to have an argumentative streak and Captain Tarpals had NO problem poking his own troops with electro prods. Eh, but if your next-door neighbors hated you for no reason, you might aggressively poke things with electro prods as well. Regardless of how it started, I’m really glad Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were able to get that symbiotic point across.

Fifth, I am not affiliated with Lucasfilm or Disney. Though, I can tell you where to get the best hot chocolate in Disneyland. I am a professional broadcaster, podcaster, writer, and entertainer who has been entrenched in the professional Star Wars punditry game for a while now. I am not a critic. I am a professional appreciator, and this is one fan’s journey through of a lifetime of loving Star Wars.

A really, really vulnerable fan.

May the Force be with you.