Happy beeps only!

               Happy beeps here, buddy! I had so much fun making this list few weeks back, but I needed some time to organize my thoughts – writing first part was hectic. You have to understand, that my love for Star Wars is huge. This franchise brings me so much joy!  But most importantly, it makes me happy – and if something makes you happy, never let it go. Same goes with people!

For reading pleasures, please put this playlist on – whenever you stopped the last time, keep it going! ?

You can also go back to my SW posts here:

• PART ONE OF THIS SERIES
• First look at The Mandalorian – I had no idea what a treat it will be…
• Clone Wars overview and why you should start watching it
• Episode IX review
• Star Wars story: A thousand generations

Once again, there is no logic here. But when dealing with emotions… Logic fails.

REASON #11 – “I have a bad feeling about this!”

               This line made a full circle with Lando completing it in The Rise of Skywalker. (Check this video out to refresh your memory. This sentence is a recurring thing: EP I Obi-Wan, EP II Anakin, EP III Obi-Wan strikes back, Rogue One K2-SO, EP IV Luke and Han, EP V Leia, EP VI Han, EP VII Han and C3-PO, EP VIII BB-8).

I use this phrase every once in a while, I probably should use it more often – considering how my life looks like now. But hey – the more SW references in our lives, the better.

But this one, even though it’s partially hated by the fans, it is truly iconic – the very fact that it was used in every part of the saga proves it. Using it in one context – danger – but with different characters, intonation and charisma, results in something funny. And I am here for it!

REASON #12 – The Role models (to be continued)

               Let’s talk about Lando Calrissian. We should talk about happy-go-charming Lando – getting what he wants and looking good doing it. You might think that Lando sold Han out – okay, this much is true. But he turned to the light side eventually. He showed up right when he was needed.

And hell, this was the charming cheekiness we needed in the Galaxy! The original gang – Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie and Lando – was something keeping us hooked to the screens. The undeniable chemistry between Han, Leia and the trustworthy traitor, Lando.

               Let’s talk about that – survival. Because this was the only reason, Lando gave up the gang. But why is nobody pointing out, that Lando learnt the hard way that the only person he could trust is himself? Listen, I am not all-in defense mode, but what would you do in this situation? I think Lando had this plan to save them all along. So, giving them up was just phase one of said plan. Plus, you have to understand – Lando has NO LOVE FOR THE EMPIRE. He loves himself and he only wants to continue his own path (though we know that deep down he is a good guy, coming back around for the final-final battle).

He is a good role model when it comes to healthy dose of egoism – it’s not like we should ALWAYS play the game for our benefit. But sometimes we deserve to drink the champagne. In this department, just trust Lando. Always, forever – trust Lando Calrissian.

               If I could describe Lando with different pop-cultural reference it would be Robin Hood – stealing mostly from the richest and giving back to… Well, himself.

REASON #13 – R2D2

               If you don’t like this little piece of metal, we need to talk. And end our “whatever relationship” we have, I’m not even sorry. He literally has seen it all. Every single bit. With small exception of what was going on in The Force Awakens but come on – he was looking for his Master.

Artoo is a great sidekick – the best one a hero could ask for. Sure, he will often get you in trouble but his help was, is and always will be critical. And where the hell is his medal?

               My parents – more specifically my mum – knows how happy I am with Star Wars. And even though she doesn’t understand my “obsession” – it’s love, but okay – she tries to buy me stuff that I would like. So, few years ago, for a birthday I believe, she bought me an alarm clock. R2D2 alarm clock. Instead of normal sound, it makes Artoo beeps and yes, I am a six-year-old. Though I’m not gonna lie – the first time Artoo decided to wake me up, he gave me a heart attack.

Also, there is one more fact worth recognition – R2 knew so damn much, and he NEVER said a word. Right? Best secret keeper in the Galaxy! There is so much to think about – when you analyze Artoo’s reactions to some things, playing the “What if” game could take us all night.

REASON #14 – “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope…”

               I must admit – Star Wars is a gold mine of great one-liners. There are plenty that I use often, and I am very happy about it. And guess what? Even my mum knows the iconic ones. Also, there was a phase in my life when I told my brother to call me a “Padawan” – which was a great demotion, because I am clearly a Master. But going back to the line, it is great.

One person being hope for the entire Galaxy. For the Republic, Rebellion and Resistance. One person, that could be the spark that will light the fire. This might sound like an exaggeration but think about it. There must be an Obi-Wan in your life. Someone you turn to, when there is no hope at all.

Keep that one close. And remember that there is always hope. And to be honest – Obi-Wan did what he could back then. We can debate on all the “mistakes” he made with Anakin, but what would be the point? When in doubt, when desperate, Leia turned to Obi-Wan. Possibly the last beacon of hope.

REASON #15 – Cassian Andor

               As you have probably noticed, I like my Latinos in Star Wars. Cassian is a complicated character and a perfect picture of what war does to a human being. What war does to the world. He knew from the start, that he will dedicate and sacrifice his life to the Rebellion.

What do you know? We don’t all have the luxury of deciding when and where we want to care about something. Suddenly the Rebellion is real for you. Some of us live it. I’ve been in this fight since I was *six* years old. You’re not the only one who lost everything. Some of us just decided to do something about it.

We live in a fortunate time – yes. Considering all circumstances. We really do! And hell, we live in fortunate countries as well. We can complain at “first world problems” and don’t even feel guilty about it, right? This is complicated, I know. But proves that sometimes, at war, men had to do things that in normal circumstances, are unforgivable. And no – I am not excusing him, absolutely not. This was reality of war.

               Cassian was haunted by his past, but at the same time he believed in the cause – he is rebel to the core. And maybe he felt guilty of his past… This is why I am curious to see younger Cassian – before his last mission with Rogue One crew. He was raised by a family loyal to the Separatists. Shocker, right? Young Andor was fighting Jedi and their clone army. And they way he was raised, fuel the fire that made him a rebel – he was just a child when he joined Outer Rim insurrection cell.

He is the face of the Rebellion – proving that different paths (often radical) can lead to shared goal: freedom of the Galaxy.  

REASON #16 – Happy beeps philosophy

               Much like Hakuna Matata, this phrase “Happy beeps” grew on me as a philosophy of life. And when life gives you hell, and you have a baaaaaaaaaaaad feeling about things, remember that there are some happy beeps – whether it’s a cup of coffee with a good friend, good book, praise at work.

I know it’s hard sometimes. Hell, I struggle most of the time. And it’s so easy to give out good advises to everyone. It’s tricky, because we never use them ourselves, right?

               My point is – life is not only black and white. It’s all shade of orange as well. Happy beeps, buddy. Life will not get better instantly, but with this though in mind, it does get slightly lighter, right?

REASON #17 – Bo-Katan

               I swear to Gods, if this chick will cause problems for Mando, I’m gonna have a chat with her. And Dave Filoni as well. No, but she is fierce and I love that. See, Marvel? You can make a strong female character without people hating her (hi Danvers). Bo was Satine’s sister. Or, should I say that Satine was Bo’s sister, considering what happened to Satine?

Bo-Katan was leader of the Nite Owls and a lieutenant in Death Watch (hello, nicely tied to the canon stories), a terrorist group, and later during the Imperial Era, became Mand’alor (the title assumed by the sole leader of the Mandalorian people).

               So, I think you know why I like her and why she is the reason for my love – strong, independent leader. We need more people like her in our lives, even though the future is a bit uncertain. I mean, during rescue of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mandalore, Bo was able to single-handedly defeat multiple Mandalorian fighters at once.

I’m curious how her story will unfold, given that Moff gave up (because let’s face it, it was his plan all along) the Darksaber to Din so he is the rightful ruler of the Mandalore.

REASON #18 – X-wing

               There is no more badass ship in the Galaxy, than the Falcon but come one. X-wings are equally iconic! And we all got freaking CHILLS seeing that ONE X-wing coming to the rescue, right? I always favored those ships over Tie Fighters, though I like the dark name better ?

There is something about X-wings – is it because more than often, their pilots are flirty flyboys of the Galaxy? Maybe. But they are… Elegant, yet fast. Graceful and not so easy to destroy because of the shape. I think this will be my next LEGO purchase. Though no, wait. I was supposed to get a Death Star…

               Alright, I just read online that when you compare it to TIE fighter, X-wings are lower and less maneuverable in space – like I care, lol. Okay, now that I think about it, it’s true BUT in the atmospheric maneuverability and hyperdrive are loads better, right?

REASON #19 – Visual effects

                And I am talking about the 70s here. You have to give it to Lucas and Industrial Light & Magic. What they did, was occupied with tears and blood. Working 20 hours a day, 7 days a week to satisfy despotic Lucas. They went through hell and back to deliver something so absolutely extraordinary for the “yet-to-be-colorful” reality of late 70s.

George Lucas was limited by technology, and even though IL&M tried to develop equipment needed to make his vision come true, there was a time pressure from the 20^th Century. This is why, once the digitalization and computer era were finally within his reach, Lucas tried to fix all the “bad things” about original trilogy, making up new creatures in the cantina or making Greedo shoot first (SOLO SHOT FIRST) at Mos Eisley.

Needles to say that fans were not happy at all – and that is the point I’m trying to make here. The original trilogy was perfect in the eyes of hungry fans – hungry of adventure and something positive, funny. Light space opera, with solid basis made out of friendship, jokes and spaceships.

               Watching the effects today, knowing what IL&M is capable of, I feel proud. They did their best and with every next movie, they slowly raise the bar higher. Countless awards for best visual effects only prove, that the milestone achieved with New Hope was first out of many.

So yes – in my opinion, visual effects in New Hope were revolutionary. The raw effects, not the ones fixed by Lucas years after. I mean, FFS – they built spaceships and robots FROM SCRATCH! You don’t see that very often now – it’s cheaper to use green screen. But I could talk about this all day, and it wouldn’t be enough.

REASON #20 – May the Force be with you

               The Force, initially was mysterious, almost sacred, mystic, spiritual thing. Religious. It was puzzling for people to figure out or to… Hmm, how to put it – to make sense out of it. Limited by technology back then, Lucas sticks to the idea of something unexplainable.

The grand conundrum was explained in the prequels – and even though the Force is all around us, not everyone was that sensible. And so, Lucas introduced the complex of the midi-chlorians.

They are tiny, intelligent life forms that originated from the foundation of life in the center of the galaxy. You can find them within the cells of all living creatures. There, they are forming a symbiotic relationship with, well, our bodies. The Force speaks through the midi-chlorians, allowing some of us to use the Force. That is, of course, if we are sensitive enough to its powers.

               I grew up knowing this from the start, as I watched in the chronological order from the start, so…  But I can imagine the severity of this secret. I’m sorry for all those fans who were not happy about this.

BONUS REASON for January 17th – FAN CREATIVITY part II

               Now, the Internet never ceases to amaze me – few days ago I found this wonderful edit with final scene of the last episode of The Mandalorian S2. Now, if this does not make you happy or excited, on the edge of the seat even – then you really need to rethink your life.

Kidding – after all we like different things.