invictacaela

[invictacaela]

Legacy of the Force despite its flaws I love because its very much a Greco-Shakespearean tragedy. That being the characters basically act in accordance with their inner dispositions, and can't really deviate from that.

Jacen was always going to listen to Lumiya-he isn't going to close his mind to anyone, because he's not dogmatic. Mara was always going to go hunting in the dead of night-because at her core, she always was a predator, a killer-who she's hunting just changed. Luke is so afraid of falling-he denies his own thirst for revenge and let's Jaina take the risk for him, Luke would never fall-though he might come very close.

Han was always going to support his homeworld-if only out of sentiment.

Lumiya could not but do what she always did. It reminds me of that passage in Traitor-Jacen is chomping to die fighting with Ganner, and Vergere tells him he can-but that's not his fate, that's not who he is.

The grim fatalism and spiraling catastrophe is set up in the very first book-and Invincible not for one moment has real levity-its dreary, sad and depressing-because the boy who had whole menageries of animals and was so compassionate the Yuuzhan Vong thought he was an avatar of their god of the downtrodden and marginalized has become an irredeemable monster.

LOTF is often criticized for the characters acting OOC-I disagree, the characters are put in extremely high stress emotionally shattering situations and react in accordance with who they are.

But the core of characters like Luke and Jacen does not change-Jacen's fundamentally selfless and love filled core does express itself one last time-everything he did was ultimately for someone else. Luke as cold and calculating as he becomes-still retains his center.

No one really wins in the end-the family is shattered, Daala is installed and there isn't a real happy ending. The family shares a light smile at the end where Jaina meets Allana-but well given the context its very much forced. Even Lumiya didn't get what she wanted-though she is the only person who ended the series I think truly victorious.

Its a grim story, its very much an engagement and critique of SW optimism that love is enough to redeem someone, that you can somehow rise above who you are.

[invictacaela]

Gotta to comment on Lumiya again-imagine that moment when Jacen told her that he had killed his aunt. She's got to have so many emotions at that moment-relief, satisfaction, anxiety(she's immediately asking how they can divert the Jedi and buy Jacen time), and also...peace.

Lumiya is the only SW villain that goes to their death truly content-(off the top of my head anyway)-she's won. She's done it, she has completed her life's work. Now whatever happens-she has basically done everything she set out to do in life.

Sacrifice often gets criticized for the way it handled Mara's death(a different topic)-but I still am just obsessed with Lumiya's victory.

She has endured decades of loneliness, bitterness and despair-and now Jacen Solo is her crowning achievement, her lasting accomplishment. All those years on the Home, all that patience-all the grief at watching the empire fall, at realizing Palpatine was a monster.

Now-she gets to settle the score with her ex boyfriend(not really but you get the idea)-Luke can't hurt her anymore, he can't foil her plans, or leave her dead in space. By even meeting the challenge-Luke shows his moral compass has been compromised.

And Lumiya dies-at peace. She reminds Luke that all he has left is his promises-(in this case broken ones). And she can die with dignity.

She dies at peace. Its a very un sith way to die-but she dies with no fear, no pain.

[invictacaela]

Star Wars EU Lore: The Jedi Lords and the Fandom

Many people in the fandom get worked up about the concept of "Jedi lords"-the feudal Jedi warlords in the last century of the New Sith Wars. People use this to say a lot of (usually) negative things about the Jedi.

Firstly I want to emphasize that the Jedi Lords do not seem to have continued after Ruusan-that is, they surrendered all power they accumulated to the Republic without incident. Secondly, they only emerged in the VERY LAST century of the most apocalyptic conflict in star Wars legends(more so than the Vong war or any other). Let me just reiterate how bad the NSW were.

The Republic collapsed completely outside the core-the Holonet was gone, galactic trade had collapsed, the Republic military was unable to do anything but conduct defensive and limited counter operations.

Candorian plague killed, probably tens of billions to trillions of people-and the Sith were free to attack basically everywhere with impunity. So much so-that its the only time in SW history that nihilistic despair really took hold.

Sith Warlords enslaving whole systems, using people for mass experimentation, just a systemic breakdown everywhere.

And in this chaos-entire systems and sectors abandoned, worlds left helpless to Sith, Mandalorian and just regular raids-collapse of trade, only then, only then when Jedi had already ruled the Republic already for 300 years. Did Jedi take the role of hereditary rulers. For...maybe 2-3 generations. Maximum.

Defending desperate people from sith coalitions that were running over Republic armies and smashing local defenses with no difficulty.

I cannot emphasize how bad the New Sith Wars were-or how dire the situation had been-such that technology literally...regressed. That's why artwork shows literal spears used at Ruusan-industrial production had shattered.

And only then-only then, did the Jedi take the mantle of direct political rulership, and Jedi had served as supreme chancellors before-when the Sith turned the tide midway through the millennium-and even that wasn't enough.

The Jedi have in the entirety of legends seized political power or accepted it one time-one time. When the galaxy needed their lightsabers the most-their prudence, justice and hope.

They ruled as paladin knights and lords. When it seemed the universe itself was stacked in the sith's favor.

[invictacaela]

One point about Jacen and Tenel Ka's relationship is-just how much stress Jacen puts himself under to maintain it. Tenel Ka cannot publicly be with him-Allana cannot know who her father is, he can only visit periodically in secrecy. Jacen could easily say "I can't do this"-and be with literally anyone else, and TK would be upset but she'd accept it.

He doesn't. Ever since Allana was born-he spent five years visiting every several months, seeing Tenel ka only a few times a year(or only every few months)-while not being able to tell anyone, not even his immediate family-because it might put TK and Allana at risk of assassination plots. (The Hapan nobility is violently anti Jedi).

Denning to his discredit doesn't really emphasize what a sacrifice this is-but Jacen makes it anyway, its not a situation like Anakin where exposure would embarass him specifically-it would just threaten his GF and baby girl by virtue of it becoming public knowledge-and he keeps it from his parents, from Luke and Mara, everyone. Because Tenel Ka asked him too.

That's INSANE commitment. From someone who by no means has too or would even suffer direct repercussions if it became public knowledge-its because he loves them and won't put his own comfort ahead of losing them.

[invictacaela]

Its dark and its sad, but I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say I appreciate it? LOTF is anti escapism or "anti Star wars" in that it reminds us-sometimes redemption is basically near impossible, and that's especially true if there is no common basis for engagement.

LOTF is a tragedy. And despite its flaws-I will always praise Invincible for in fact-making the reader feel miserable and depressed. That's the point.

Maybe its because despite everything I see myself in Jacen-flaws and all, and maybe as I've gotten older, I've realized life isn't a fairy tale that ends in tearful reconciliation or joyous hope. Often life(real life) is just tears and pain. LOTF in that sense is a masterpiece-it doesn't conform to SW often saccharine and pollyannish optimism.

[invictacaela]

Just a lot of SW thoughts and musings on my mind.

[invictacaela]

I find the EU to actually be deeply resonant as its own narrative-from the celestials to Legacy, as basically an eternal dance, no side "wins" because no side represents more than one aspect of the force. Everyone ultimately just is like Ganner, embracing the path laid for them. With all the elegance and beauty that entails.

[invictacaela]

I really dislike people over simplifying the sith as just cackling villains-they are, but they're drives are fundamentally understandable. The Sith fundamentally reject what they see as Jedi servility and passivity-the Sith don't want to be a drop of water in the ocean, they don't want to accept ego death and dissolution, they want to endure-to live and live forever. Every Sith from the exiles on(and the Sith species likewise)-are pursuing the twin dreams of eternal life and mastery over life.

Its basically buddhism vs IDK Nietzschean vitalism/egoism? The Sith are eternal-if not as a defined organization but as a concept because this desire is normal, its inherent to life. Same as the Jedi's surrender and ego denial. Hence the force ultimately being one-the light and dark sides are not God and Satan-but two aspects of one whole.

[invictacaela]

One of the things I love about the Yuuzhan Vong is their passionate sincerity-yes they are deeply alien in their worldview, but the NJO's writers make them come off as fundamentally sincere-it sells the cosmic majesty of their polytheistic ultimately Vong centric worldview. (Yun-Yuuzhan walking down the rainbow path cutting away parts of his body-is just damn, love it).

[invictacaela]

Despite all the unpleasantness-I do want one day to write a "triumphant Sith tahiri" AU-Luke and Jacen mutually KO, Ben ends up dying(IDK Tahiri kills him by accident?)-so you end up with this traumatized young woman burning any possibility of redemption and as Jacen's heir, having to take the reigns of the galactic government despite literally zero experience, aptitude or interest in politics.

(Okay part of the appeal is GAG and GA military staff looking expectantly at her-realizing she can't defect to the Jedi, and now she has to win or die-and...taking off her shoes-if she's going to be Caedus' heir and deal with a bunch of power hungry moffs and stone faced secret police-she's not wearing shoes).

[invictacaela]

All post ROTJ Sith are fundamentally different than what came before.

Lumiya's Sith basically want to make the order into something it never was-a force for "good" insofar as good means ensuring some sort of desirable state for the wider galaxy.

Krayt's Sith likewise-is the vision of one man who has seen the galaxy tear itself apart in at least four major wars within two generations. Krayt and Jacen are ultimately fighting for the same vision-they just go about it under a different framework.

Immortality and godhood aren't the goals here-that died with Palpatine. I just want to be sure people understand this.

[invictacaela]

I actually like the idea of Jedi Queen Messiah Allana-Jacen's fall being driven not for himself or even to save someone-but because this little five year old is so important she's worth burning worlds over.

Which adds I think to the why question of Jacen in LOTF? Why is he doing all this? Ultimately-its for that vision he sees of Allana in Invincible-when he sees this, its confirmation and vindication of all his efforts, war crimes and sacrifices.

Makes me want to write a fanfic where Jacen wins, and then engineers a situation where Allana destroys him Onimi style(sort of like Leto II in Dune).

Do remember Allana was gunning down Sith as a ten year old.

[invictacaela]

I emphatically reject Jaina being under five foot. I am almost sure that was dan wallace making an error somewhere in the guide to characters. No official art of Jaina shows her this small, nor is that something ever commented on in the text.

[invictacaela]

Sometimes people ask why Anakin being born into slavery would be so authoritarian. I think it makes a lot of sense actually. Anakin has always been a doer, whether for himself or for Watto and his mother. He has no patience for delay or excuses(that likely got him a beating when he was a child), and in the rough and dangerous environment he grew up in-sitting around discussing a problem was not something you did. If there is a problem-solve it and solve it now.

A mechanical problem, pull back your sleeves and fix it. A thief or a troublemaker? Get rid of them before the situation escalates. Anakin always favors decisive action and as he says, he "likes fixing things"

In terms of government, this doesn't really suit a democrat. People disagree when the problem is there and obvious? Either ignore them or bully them into helping. Incompetence and lack of wisdom? Find someone who is capable and wise, someone who can lead, who can act.

At his best, Anakin has zero patience for unnecessary bureaucracy or excuses from the lazy and self serving. Because in his experience, the best way to deal with problems is direct and head on confrontation, whether they be machines or people.

(An attitude that probably served him well as he got older).

Point being-Anakin being a slave has made him more amenable to authoritarianism-not less. "Doing stuff" preferably decisively and without delay-that gets you home safe, that keeps Watto happy, that prevents unnecessary conflict.

Anakin at his best wants to cut through all the bullshit and inaction and just "fix things"-directly and simply. In everything from charging enemy battlelines at ninety degree angles or finding some means of saving his wife.

Another thing I'd add is Tatooine is not a "civilized" society(in the way Padme means) where people respectfully discuss problems and come sooner or later to consensus. Its a society built on exploitation, greed, and bribery. On backscratching, and blasters to the head when all else fails. So just to survive-Anakin had to become very adept at not only solving problems/tasks-but solving them promptly.

So of course he is going to support a political system wherein "someone wise" can just cut through things like "rights" or "due process" or "checks and balances" and fix the issue at hand.

[invictacaela]

I feel like Luke in the Denningverse should be understood as a man who:

1. Has endured a lot of losses already and the pain that comes with those losses 2. He has realized not every dark sider is Vader-some are just not redeemable or its not worth the risk 3. Which leads to 3-Luke in the OT has no responsibilities, he's not even really part of the Alliance structure by ROTJ. (or if he is, its very loose). Luke in the denningverse, has a family, has an order, has a government. A lot more is riding on his decisions than his personal moral purity, meaning he has to be much more flexible and indeed accept risks and be willing to see people die as collateral(and even then in Invincible-he lets Jaina take the risk so he won't fall to the dark side-Jaina if she fails will just die, Luke will fail regardless-either he loses himself or Jacen pulls off an upset and the order is headless).

This is a man in his sixties, a widower, and a Jedi grandmaster no longer has the luxury of infinite patience, leniency or indeed charity, not to mention he's just franky tired of Sith and dark siders. So by FOTJ-he's willing to say "redemption is for those who deserve it"-its bitter and its cold, but it makes sense.

This is what a man ground down by loss, failure and cynicism would say. Its entirely organic.

Its just shocking to the readers because its not OT era Luke who in many respects is a very different man.

How this point was reached and if it was treated as appropriately tragic is another matter, where yes LOTF is quite open to criticism. But the idea in itself-of a more cynical, ruthless Luke Skywalker is entirely consonant with the events, traumas and expectations the Denningverse throws at him.

[invictacaela]

One of the biggest complaints I see with regards to expanded universes is how main characters(from films) diverge. To use Star Wars as an example-Luke Skywalker is a vastly different man in Apocalypse or Invincible than he is in ROTJ. Admittedly in context, how Denning writes this is up for criticism-but I don't believe expanded universes should treat characterization as fixed-for "primary" characters-it defeats the purpose all together.

[invictacaela]

I realize this is controversial, but am I the only one who appreciates Mara's death in Sacrifice? Mara in the end isn't a Jedi master or a Skywalker-she's a predator, a hunter, an instinctual killer. Fighting to defend her son-a tigress in every respect.

People say they feel it disrespects the character-but does it really? Mara Jade Skywalker basically has the same "embrace who you really are" moment Jacen and Ganner are faced with in Traitor-she was always a killer, a stalker in the dark. She embraces that-she's an assassin! A huntress, and she dies for someone she loves. With all the ferocity, desperation and cunning she can muster-she gives it all.

And that to me is worth respecting-not that she lost, but she didn't deny her own instincts when they mattered most.