Episode 156: Does Killing Characters More Fully Engage the Audience?

Unmistakably Star Wars

Happy Halloween!

On this weeks episode, Barb, Carl, Devin and Eve sit down and cover the latest in Star Wars news; from Mark Hamill’s controversial tweets, episode IX box office predictions and more info on Vader’s mysterious castle on Mustafar, the gang had quite a bit to say! In our third act of the show, we take a closer look at whether or not killing essential characters either alienates or more fully engages the audience. You won’t want to miss what each of us have to say!

News Stories for the Week:

• Marvel Reveals The Hidden Secret of Darth Vader’s Rogue One Castle (Link)

• Box Office Prospects For 'Star Wars Episode 9' Just Got Much Brighter (Link)

• Mark Hamill Reveals a Controversial New Take on Luke's Death (Link)

• Mark Hamill says the Force killed Luke (Link)

Closer Look: Does Killing Characters More Fully Engage the Audience?

The debate: In what ways do character deaths add to or detract from the story and legacy of the character?

• Backstory - ESB/ROTJ

  • Han’s death

  • Rogue One

  • Luke’s death

• Before we delve into it...what are some film/TV characters whose death has torn you apart the most? Why?

• Have there been non-SW films/shows in which a character has died that you felt diminished the show?

• [refresh Kasdan vs. Lucas debate details]

  • How did Han’s death ‘better’ the character? How did it lessen it?

    • Should Han have been killed off?

  • How did Luke’s death ‘better’ the character? How did it lessen it?

    • Should Luke have been killed* off?

    • How is Luke’s death* different from Han’s?

  • What’s the most emotionally scarring SW death for you?

• With Han and Luke dead, will Leia survive 9?

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