From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi and the 10 Best Character Stories
The ten best character stories From A Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi.
We have come full circle on the retrospective look at the Original Trilogy with A Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi. 100+ stories not from Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, or Han Solo’s point of view. We have come to expect the points of view of Imperial officers, Stormtroopers, X-wing pilots, a few creatures, and a secondary character. Some subjects will naturally have an advantage (Obi-Wan stories are always top-tier), so it is even more impressive when a writer takes an unknown or lesser-known character and builds a great story that enhances the overall lore. But reading an entertaining story that stands on its own is also lovely.
Like the previous collections, From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi is divided into sections. Here, those sections are more intertwined with the location than an event: Tatooine, The Second Death Star, and the Endor system, so, aside from the honorable mentions, we will go through them chronologically.
Mild Spoilers for From A Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi
All images credit Lucasfilm Publishing
THE TOP 10 (In Sequential Order)
Satisfaction
by Kristin Baver
Almost no story from Jabba’s Palace/Tatooine made it on this list, which tells you how slow the first third of this book reads. And the decision not to have an Oola point of view is baffling, but there is always Sy Snootles. I am an unapologetic Sy fan and even devoted a Whatever Happened To….? to the Pa’lowick. This somewhat answers what happened to her after the events of Jabba’s sail barge. Sy has evolved from a puppet in the original format to CGI in the Special Edition, to a backstory of being a secret bounty hunter unleashed on her former lover, Ziro the Hutt. Sy is not a hero, but she is not necessarily a villain either, at least not to our main heroes. She is just focused on one thing: herself and her career, and everything else is disposable. As Sy stays behind while the rest of Jabba’s palace residents take that fateful ride on his sail barge, the Pa’lowick thinks about her past life as a performer on Coruscant and years as a bounty hunter, deeply unsatisfied with where she is currently.
If only she didn’t have to worry about Jabba the Hutt anymore.
I am always open to more Sy content, so having a story focused on her and giving more insight into her motivations in working with the Hutts was a welcome surprise.
From a Certain Point of View
by Alex Jennings
If you title a story after the entire series, it better deliver. I imagine that Alex Jennings felt a lot of pressure writing Obi-Wan Kenobi’s thoughts during one of the most pivotal scenes in the franchise. During the film, we learn vital information that shapes future Star Wars content, but, most importantly, it is an integral part of Luke Skywalker’s arc. But Jennings turns Kenobi and Luke’s conversation after Yoda’s passing into a revelation for Kenobi. Even Force ghosts can still learn from their Padawans as Skywalker challenges Kenobi on the notion that Darth Vader killed Anakin Skywalker. “…So what I told you was true…from a certain point of view” has been discussed among Star Wars fans for decades as to whether Kenobi’s choice of words counts as a lie. Instead of debating that, Luke refutes the idea that Anakin Skywalker is dead.
From this point on, Luke refers to Vader as “father,” instantly humanizing and directly addressing Anakin because he knows there is still good in him. This scene has more weight after Obi-Wan Kenobi, where Vader tells his former Master that Kenobi did not kill Anakin Skywalker; Vader did. But Luke’s reaction and response to the knowledge that Vader and Anakin are the same surprises Kenobi and gives him hope. “From a Certain Point of View” throws Kenobi’s words back at him in a way that brings excellent insight into both Skywalker and Kenobi. This story represents the best of Star Wars canon in bringing nuance to legacy characters.
No Contingency
by Fran Wilde
After being ignored for so long, Mon Mothma is having a renaissance. Before Andor and Ahsoka, I had noted in my More to Explore: Mon Mothma that it was odd that such a key figure in the Rebellion continued to have such limited presence in canon. Of course, she is a significant character in the Aftermath novel trilogy that led into The Force Awakens, but she is not around in any of the Sequel films. But given that her first appearance was in Return of the Jedi, it is fitting that she gets another story, and even better that it is a sequel to her last one. “Contingency Plan” in From A Certain Point of View is the better half, but “No Contingency” does a great job at not repeating specific beats as Mothma, once again, faces the “what if” of the Rebels not defeating the Death Star. This time, there is no contingency for the Rebels if they fail, raising the stakes for Mon Mothma on this particular mission. Like most of the stories here, we know the result, but the story of Mon Mothma is about a different kind of sacrifice. She is a politician who is never on the front lines yet feels the weight of those losses. Now, due to a decision her past self made, she has to be on the front lines to retrieve a courier droid with vital knowledge but also with a self-destruct timer. It’s a race against time; failure is a possibility but not an option.
Gone to the Winner’s Circle
by Patricia A. Jackson
Taking your past trauma and harnessing it into a lens of winners and losing where you are constantly competing to “win” and live another day is peak. TK-151 is the unfortunate Scout Trooper in Return of the Jedi that Luke sends spiraling into a tree, and Jackson does not hold back in the description of that terrible death. But, before that, we learn his real name (Raab Krao) and his former profession (professional racer). He and his mechanic brother dominated the Inner Rim racing circuit until a Rebel X-wing squadron mistook his racing garage for an Imperial field installation and destroyed it. His brother (curiously never named) died in his arms, and their livelihood went up in smoke. That is one strong motivation to join the Empire and instantly draw sympathy for TK-151. However, Jackson does not make it that easy. She provides TK with an incredible ego, becoming more evident throughout the chase scene, leading to his downfall (TK circles back to finish Luke off before being surprised with a lightsaber strike through his speeder bike).
Before he dies, TK laments that you can’t win them all, which is one of the calmer reactions to an impending death. “Gone to the Winner’s Circle” had no business being as fun of a read as it was from the POV of someone who dies, but kudos to Jackson, who wrote Star Wars stories for West End Games in the 90s. Lucasfilm- it’s time to give Patricia A. Jackson a novel.
One Normal Day
by Mary Kenney
The Ewoks really were minding their own business on Endor when the Galactic War showed up at their doorstep. Initially brushed off as mere comic relief by many, the Ewoks have found more favorability since Return of the Jedi was released. Part of that is due to sheer visibility (the subjects of several films and an animated series). But another part is the passage of time and reevaluation of the Ewoks’ role in the movie and what they represent: a native species of a planet (moon) invaded by two separate forces (let’s not try and pretend that the Rebels did not also invade no matter how benevolent their intentions). However, they aligned themselves with the group that made a kind gesture. That scene with Wicket and Leia is where “One Normal Day” ultimately arrives, but the former has to deal with a lot before sharing food with a princess. Wicket, known for adventure-seeking, wants a normal day to relax but ends up investigating Imperials (he describes them as bug people from their armor to how they build from the ground).
But it is through observing that Wicket distinguishes the Imperials from the Rebels and, unknowingly, makes an alliance far more effective than random attacks the Ewoks had been making. It is a subtle lesson hidden in a lighthearted tale of a popular Ewok character and a rich lore contribution to the lovable but deadly species.
The Man Who Captured Luke Skywalker
By Max Gladstone
“Commander Altadan Igar walked the haunted moon, guided by the Death Star’s light.”
Max Gladstone, “The Man Who Captured Luke Skywalker”
Max Gladstone starts this story with a powerful opening line conveying much about his primary character. From that one line, we already know his point of view regarding Endor and the Death Star. Igar is the commander of the Gamma Squad of troopers searching for another squad lost to the mysterious planet. It is the third squad missing that week, and Igar and his men are tired, but Igar especially. A veteran of the Clone Wars, the commander has come to know that the enemy is not the ground; it is the dark. It is what you can’t see. So what does he make when the enemy announces himself and says, “I am here to surrender to Lord Vader”?
Igar recognizes the man’s lightsaber as the weapon of a Jedi but does not believe he is a Jedi and thinks him a fool. On the way to Vader, the two discuss the Clone Wars, and we learn why Igar is so cynical of the hopeful rhetoric of the Rebels and his disdain for the Jedi. Their conversation becomes a debate on the Force and the power of choice, which leads brilliantly to a moment where Igar decides the stranger, Luke Skywalker’s, fate.
We know what happens: Igar does deliver Skywalker to Vader and leaves the young man’s fate in the hands of the Sith Lord. But the last few lines of “The Man Who Captured Luke Skywalker” will leave you wanting more time with Altadan Igar.
The Ballad of Nanta
by Sarah Kuhn
So many stories in this series have been about characters we only see die on screen. So, how do you effectively work backward and craft a narrative that respects the doomed character and brings meaning to the purpose of their death?
“The Ballad of Nanta” by Sarah Kuhn might be the blueprint for the reluctant hero, so full of potential, cut short of life but whose impact brings joy in the face of grief.
Nanta is the Ewok killed by an AT-ST and shaken by another Ewok, Romba, who sullenly comes to realize their friend is dead. It is the saddest scene with these creatures in Return of the Jedi, but “The Ballad of Nanta” is not sad. Kuhn celebrates Nanta’s life as a storyteller who longs to have adventures among the stars. His parents encourage the Ewok to focus on more helpful skills like hunting and gathering. But the desire to know more leads him to the Great Spirit Tree (not to be confused with the Cularin Spirit Tree at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant).
Nanta starts to tell the tree his tales and then carves them into the tree for others to read. Longray suggests that Nanta become Bright Tree Village’s Storykeeper, an unofficial mantle that has provided the Ewoks with ballads of the past-a way to preserve their legacy for future generations. And so, Nanta begins to document things, including tragedies like a neighboring village that the Imperials destroyed to honor the fallen Ewoks. He forms a friendship with one of the survivors, Romba, and shares his dreams of venturing to the stars.
Those dreams never get realized, but Romba ensures Nanta’s ballad lives on, and the reveal of what that tribute is and how it fits into the film is heartbreakingly beautiful (and infuriating if you do not own the original release). Nevertheless, Kuhn improves upon Danielle Paige’s The Chronicler in showing the importance of documenting the past to inspire the future.
Trooper Trouble
by Laura Pohl
“Trooper Trouble” is not the first point-of-view story told through log entries, but it is the best. Leaning into workplace humor and the everyday struggles of an underpaid, underappreciated peon of the Empire, Laura Pohl has you laughing while hoping her subject, TK-423, makes it off the Death Star alive. TK-423’s job is to stand around and make important officers feel important, which seems easy enough. Unfortunately, the trooper gets on the wrong side of an Astro each droid assigned to his floor, R2-Q9.
“Like all astromechs it is crafted chiefly out of durasteel and solidified spite.”
Laura Pohl, “Trooper Trouble”
The droid is catty and makes you wonder if R2 units have a personality trait that makes them susceptible to this behavior, however beneficial it may seem (R2-D2, you are loved). Honestly, there is not much to this story in terms of plot, but how everything unfolds in the background of this poor trooper’s day-to-day life is objectively hilarious. If you have gone a long time without caffeine, TK-423’s pain will hit close to home. TK-423 becomes more disillusioned with the Empire not because of its actions against Rebels or the native species of Endor (he never really sees that side) but because of the bureaucracy that keeps the trooper from the one thing he looks forward to every day: caf.
So, “Trooper Trouble” is the most realistic story you will read in this novel. And (SPOILER) I will relieve you of your worry (the journey is the fun part, not the destination): TK-423 survives the Death Star’s destruction in the only way that makes sense while providing some poetic justice. Whoever he ended up, I hope he is well caffeinated. This is one worth listening to on audio.
The Veteran
by Adam Lance Garcia
It is impressive to take anything from Attack of the Clones and build an entire history spanning centuries around them. Lucasfilm and its creatives have done that twice with Jango Fett and his clones, providing so much content for them to mine (sometimes excessively). A more subtle character that the studio has built upon in publishing is Dexter Jettster.
Attack of the Clones introduced Dexter (Dex) as a diner owner in the industrial area of Coruscant called CoCo Town. He was also a secret informant for the Jedi before and during the Clone Wars. Since Episode Two and the knowledge that his species has a very long lifespan, Dexter has been a part of various eras of Star Wars. Recently, we have seen a younger version parade the galaxy with Maz Kanata during his prospecting years in the High Republic era.
Here, he is not so happy. Having lost his diner shortly after the Fall of the Jedi, Dexter is resigned to living the rest of his life wallowing in his past failures. He has seen too many wars and lost too many friends. One friend in particular plagues his mind as he hears the news of the second Death Star’s destruction. The desire to celebrate has long left him as Dex has lived and seen the galaxy’s celebrations and hope for something better before (the defeat of the Nihil and the Republic’s transformation into the Empire). Still, thinking about his old friend whom he met as a young Jedi Padawan, he finds himself in the streets of Coruscant and in a position to help an Imperial trooper targeted by angry citizens. And that’s when he meets a young girl, Vekin Menez, who carries the hope of the Jedi through her actions, reminding Dex that his friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi, still lives on in many ways.
“The Veteran” is the most recent appearance by the Besalisk in the timeline, as his whereabouts during the Sequel Trilogy are unknown (or if he is even alive). For a franchise that focuses so much on Kenobi’s relationship with other Jedi (Qui-Gon and Anakin mostly), Adam Lance Garcia turns this story into a moving tribute to his friendship with Dex. He cannot communicate with his old friend via the Force, but Dex finally finds peace in Kenobi’s absence by celebrating his life.
Brotherhood
by Mike Chen
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a considerable part of the best of From a Certain Point of View partly because he has impacted many other Jedi. But there is a reason why so many narratives center on Kenobi’s relationship to Anakin Skywalker.
And it is no surprise that when Anakin Skywalker becomes one with the Force, Kenobi will guide him to a necessary revelation. Fresh from his redemption and last moments with his son, Anakin is filled with regret and eager to make right somehow all the wrongs he inflicted upon the galaxy. It is an impossible task but one which Anakin, true to character, is determined to execute. Kenobi clarifies things for Anakin, showing him his children celebrating on Endor. He tells Anakin about the good Luke and Leia have done and that they are Anakin’s legacy and way to make things right. But Anakin has to do something he was never good at and let go.
“Brotherhood” is a simple yet poignant story worthy of an addendum to Mike Chen’s novel of the same name. But you do not need to read the book to feel the weight of this short story. It should have been the last story, even though I understand why it is not (without spoilers, let’s just say the last story connects to the Sequel Trilogy). But it is an excellent ending to this list.
Originally published at http://creditsandcanon.com on November 2, 2023.
