Sanctum Sanctorum: May the Force Be With You

Normally we save our Sanctum Sanctorum discussions for the end of the month, but how could we miss the perfect opportunity to talk Star Wars. Because clearly we don’t talk about Star Wars enough on this blog. Share your Star Wars love in the comments! (Because obviously everyone loves Star Wars, right??)

When did you first venture off to the galaxy far far away?

Wendy: I was just a year old when A New Hope hit the theatres, so I didn’t watch it till years later when it was on TV. I remember always being really scared of the monster in the trash compactor. Then Empire Strikes Back came out and we went to see it as a family. My brother may never forgive me for making him take me to the potty during the first Yoda scene.

Tiara: I wasn’t around when the first Star Wars movie came out, so it was some years after the movies released that I was introduced to them. I can remember being around 6 or 7 when I watched The Empire Strikes Back. My aunt, who isn’t so much into science-fiction, had a huge crush on Billy Dee Williams at the time. I was already a fan of science-fiction stories, so I begged to see all the movies.

Mogsy: I grew up overseas in Asia. We were in China in the late 80s/early 90s and there were no such things as early Saturday morning cartoons, sports games, after-school activities or outdoor recreations or any number of the things parents usually turned to keep to their children occupied for me and my brother. So, what my mom did was put on VHS tapes of American movies over and over to keep us entertained. (Actually, this was how my love for many of  the 70s and 80s sci-fi and adventure movie series developed, not just for Star Wars but also Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Gremlins and Ghostbusters, just to name a few.) I was probably 6 or 7 then. All three movies were already out by the time I was even born, but how I wish I could have been around to experience Star Wars with the rest of the world for the first time ever on big screen. I can only imagine the electrifying sense of awe in the theater. Anyway, I think I had a time machine, I would take it back to 1977 and watch Star Wars. Pretty frivolous use of a time machine, really, but there you go.

How obsessed were (lol okay are) you?

Wendy: I used to watch the movies every time they came on television and still have the original VHS videos (the ones with the painted covers, not that remastered crap). I obsessively read the expanded universe books and had a subscription to Lucasfilm Magazine where I picked through every page to find out when we would get the promised prequels. I was there at midnight for the first showing, and even though the prequels hurt my soul, I’ll still bleed for Star Wars. It was my first fandom where my first OTP (Han and Leia) lived and the world in which I wrote my first fanfiction before I even knew what fanfiction was. This past Christmas, I treated three generations of my family and we all went to see The Force Awakens on Christmas day. It was glorious. I’ve started reading and re-reading the books and comics again and collecting toys…. for all the criticisms thrown at the movie–even the prequels–I can’t think of anything that is so universally compelling; that has insinuated itself into so much of our cultures. Even if you don’t like Star Wars (who are you?) you know what it is and what it’s about.

Tiara: Honestly, I think between the three of us on this site that I’m the more casual fan, which I guess is still more rabid than most people. For years, I mainly watched the movies. Then, I ventured into the games. I learned more about the universe through friends and the internet. Now, I’ve started to dive more into the books and comics. I did get dressed up as a Jedi and go see The Force Awakens opening night with my husband. We had fun being surrounded by other fans.

Mogsy: Well, I think it’s no secret that I’m a Star Wars addict. If you follow this blog, then you’ve also likely seen my Star Wars book reviews and all my Star Wars related ramblings on Twitter. I used to be a lot worse back when I was younger and I had a lot more time and spare cash to spend on my obsession. In high school, I built and painted dioramas for my Star Wars action figures for fun. In my senior year I wrote my Psychology paper on the Jungian archetypes of Star Wars. Our family’s ruby Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is named Mara after Star Wars‘ most famous redhead. All through my life, I collected pretty much everything and anything Star Wars related, and I mean everything and anything, like, even the soda cans from when Pepsi Co. did that whole ad campaign with The Phantom Menace. Yeah, we’re talking that obsessed. These days, I’ve mellowed out a lot and I’m pretty much content now to just watch all the movies, all the shows, read the books and comics, and buy the occasional toy for my kids (okay, fine, they’re mostly for me).

Favourite character?

Vergere

Wendy: Originally, Han Solo. Handsome and dashing. I was smitten. Now, having matured and branched out into the expanded universe, I’ve met so many other amazing characters. Mara Jade is a given, but I am particularly fond of the characters that question the Force and struggle between the so-called Dark Side versus Light Side. Can’t we all just get along? First, it was Jolee Bindoo from the game, Knights of the Old Republic. Then it was Kreia from Knights of the Old Republic II. And before them, the Dathomiri witches, and Vergere from the book Traitor, who taught Jacen Solo that there was no Dark and Light; only the Force.

And also, Poe Dameron. Handsome and charming on screen and off. I’m smitten.

Tiara: I can’t say that I really have just one favorite character. I don’t think it’s ever just been one character for me that made Star Wars. The reason why I enjoy the universe is because of what many of the characters add to the story, how these characters work together (or against) one another in this universe. It’s more about the synergy that all the characters come together to create that I enjoy. So, with that in mind, I guess most of them are my favorite. They all bring something different to the table.

Mogsy: I can’t name just one favorite character, that’s too hard! Maybe you want to get more specific? I mean, do you want my favorite character from the original trilogy, from The Force Awakens, from Star Wars Rebels, from the Old Republic era, from the all the numerous different series of comics, games, books, TV shows etc. etc. etc.? From Boba Fett to BB-8, Sabine Wren to Darth Bane, Quinlan Vos to Revan, Jaina Solo to Rex, I have a different answer to pretty much every question and it also might change from day to day depending on what mood I’m in, or even how the Star Wars universe evolves. It is full of so many great characters, from both the old EU and the new canon, and they’re constantly adding more. Really, I love a lot of characters–as long as their name isn’t Jar Jar.

Sith or Jedi?

Wendy: Dathomiri Witch. In other words, if I have Force powers, I don’t want to be any where near those Jedi or Sith punks and their ridiculous codes.

Mogsy: These days, when I ask my four-year-old daughter who her favorite Star Wars character is, she always answers Darth Vader and then will proceed to belt out the Imperial March. I have no idea when or how my sweet little girl went Dark Side, but I may have to choose Sith just so we can rock a Darth Vader/Kylo Ren team when we play Disney Infinity.

Tiara: