It’s Thanksgiving, a time to reflect on what we have and be thankful for that which makes our life better. On Thursday we will spend time with family and friends trying our best to not discuss politics and giving thanks for what we have. I know one thing I am very thankful for, Star Wars.
I know it sounds corny, but I truly am thankful for Star Wars. I can’t think of what else has given me as much as those tales from a galaxy far, far away. I wanted to share the parts of Star Wars that I am most thankful for this year.
The Star Wars saga itself. The films, TV shows, comics, novels, video games, bootleg holiday specials, all of it. The saga has given me countless hours of enjoyment, excitement, anticipation, discussion, and more. When I need something to watch, there is always Star Wars. The saga is ingrained into the very fabric of my being.
I’ve seen the films countless times each. I’ve over-analyzed every frame, vocal inflection, and music cue. But, I can still sit back and enjoy the adventure, finding new details that I never noticed and new ways to interpret and enjoy them.
The expanded universe (or whatever we choose to call it now) of the books, comics, and games opens up the saga in new and exciting ways. They give us a chance to find out what was going on with our heroes after the movies ended. We can deep dive with our favorite character or explore the history of the galaxy.
The fans. Aside from the films themselves, this is where Star Wars has most affected me, from discussions with fellow fans, face to face and online, about the deeper meanings and symbolism to groups like the 501st Legion. The fans are what truly make Star Wars special for me. It’s a connective tissue that we all share. Fandom is like the Force, it surrounds us and it binds us all together.
Through the Star Wars fandom, I’ve gotten many experiences I never would’ve had otherwise and I’ve met some amazing people that I am honored to call friends. I am truly thankful for the opportunities that have come my way.
The future. I’ve talked a lot about it before, but I spent so long looking at Star Wars as a franchise with a fixed end point. It still feels surreal that I may not live long enough to see it all. Never before has the franchise felt so strong and vibrant. It’s a great time to be a fan, and it’s only going to get better. The fandom will continue to grow and evolve pulling in new people and telling new stories in the galaxy far, far away. The Force Awakens and Rogue One are just the beginning of a whole new era for Star Wars and it’s fans.
I’m thankful for Star Wars. What started as a silly little sci-fi movie has enriched my life beyond measure. So many of the happiest moments of my life involve Star Wars. It’s been ever-present in my life and I couldn’t be happier for it.
Author: Paul Depaola
Born in the desert, raised on the beach and now residing in the mountains. An obsessive, compulsive geek with a tendency to bring everything back to Star Wars. In his spare time he is TK-5990, a proud member of the 501st Legion. Paul is also the host of his own podcast, Fanboys Talking.