This Is The Way

Someone once said, ~So we're in agreement? If anything happens to Baby Yoda – we riot!~ Let me ask you this question from one star wars fan to another, when was the last time a character has unified a whole fandom so much so that we've sworn a collective oath to protect him at all cost? I think it's safe to say when 50 year old Baby Yoda was introduced at the end of episode 1 of the massive hit Disney Plus series The Mandalorian it in a way revitalized a new found sense of curiosity and not to mention excitement whereby making an indelible impact leaving everybody absolutely speechless. Of course, it has also raised more questions than anything else as well. In any case, what the Mandalorian series has most definitely done is that it has caused such a tremendously positive disturbance within the fandom force it's quite possibly breathed new life, so to speak, concerning the outlook for the future of Star Wars itself.

Without a doubt, there was considerable skepticism indeed among the Star Wars fandom on how The Mandalorian would be embraced knowing how much The Last Jedi wasn't well received with a number of fans hating it while other fans actually enjoying it. Fortunately, all the skepticism would be set aside as those who are highly in doubt of the series itself become believers thanks to the efforts of its creator John Faveraeu who is the executive producer and writer. He, along with David Filoni best known for working on the hit animated Star Wars series The Clone Wars and Rebels, may have sparked new life for a fan base that's been relatively jaded or should I say fed up with the Skywalker saga entirely. Thankfully, many in the fandom have grown to love the weekly series of just only 8 episodes for season 1 with season 2 already being or has been filmed from my understanding with more Baby Yoda to come.

As I said before, the introduction to 50 year old Baby Yoda has in a way revitalized a new found sense of curiosity and not to mention excitement whereby making an indelible impact thus leaving everybody absolutely speechless. Yet, despite that the following questions have also been raised: Is it Yoda? Is it a clone of Yoda? Could it possibly be the love child of Yoda and Yaddle? Of course, another question that's been addressed is what's the name of Yoda's species since George Lucas has never revealed it and has subsequently left it a mystery for the fandom to discuss amongst ourselves? In any case, there have been lively, humorous, and at times serious discussions on whether to rightfully call it "Baby Yoda" so much so that names such as "Kid", "The Child", "Bayo", "Yittle", "Womp Rat" or even "Kevin" have been suggested as a suitable alternative. Personally speaking, I vote for Kevin.

If you think about it, it's considerably rare these days when a fan base immediately latches on to a Star Wars character to the point where the fandom become deeply invested and overprotective; they'll threaten bodily harm if any kind of harm like an impending death is hinted at. Granted, there were the Porgs in TFA but they aren't on the same level as the character who instantly stole not only the fandom's heart but the entire Mandalorian series as well in my honest opinion. Essentially, size matters not to this adorably cute little green guy who has certainly caused each one of us to enclose ourselves in a glass case of emotions. Emotions that we can't help but have a heartfelt reaction to each time Baby Yoda does anything physically and/or makes any sounds whatsoever one of them being sadness, which is considered to be like a force punch to the stomach you truly felt in that moment during episode 3.

In retrospect, the series The Mandalorian is a great starting off point as the Skywalker saga metaphorically closes the door on 9 movies that have entertained generations of fans. No offense to J.J. Abrams and Rain Johnson but I honestly think it's time for the powers that be of Disney to let Favreau and Filoni along with Deborah Chow take over the next set of Star Wars movies. Truth be told, I'm sure that the trio will exceed expectations in continuing on with a legacy that already has us endlessly smiling from ear to ear, especially knowing that the highly anticipated Kenobi series will be coming in 2020 to Disney Plus. Ultimately, I'm genuinely excited knowing what's coming out in the near future for new stories/sagas now in the hands of those who I believe will make the fandom proud. In the end, I don't speak for the fandom but what I'll say is that when it comes to Favreau, Filoni, and Chow's direction in regards to Star Wars...this is the way.