Welcome to Sideshow Freaks 2020, where lifelong OT Star Wars fans are favorably comparing TROS with ROTJ
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Pretty sure they are all going through grief for the death of Star Wars they once knew. They haven't reached acceptance yet.
Stage 1 - Denial - The first reaction to learning about the death of a cherished franchise is to deny the reality of the situation. ?This isn?t happening, this can?t be happening,? people often think. It is a normal reaction to rationalize our overwhelming emotions.
Denial is a common defense mechanism that buffers the immediate shock of the loss, numbing us to our emotions or entrenching ourselves with the denial. We block out the words and hide from the facts. We start to believe that the ST is good, and is of value. For most people experiencing grief, this stage is a temporary response that carries us through the first wave of pain, although in special cases like this one, denial can last many years.
Stage 2 - Anger - As the masking effects of denial and isolation begin to wear, reality and its pain re-emerge. We are not ready. The intense emotion is deflected from our vulnerable core, redirected and expressed instead as anger. The anger may be aimed at inanimate objects, complete strangers like Ducky, friends or family.
Anger may be directed at other trilogies, such as the PT. Rationally, we know the PT is not to be blamed. Emotionally, however, we may resent the PT for causing us pain or for leaving us. We feel guilty for being angry, and this makes us more angry.
TheDucky who diagnosed the illness and was unable to cure the disease might become a convenient target. Star Wars professionals deal with hate and haters every day. That does not make them immune to the suffering of their patients or to those who grieve for them.
Do not hesitate to ask your Ducky to give you extra time or to explain just once more the details of the ST illness. Arrange a special appointment or ask that he telephone you at the end of his day. Ask for clear answers to your questions regarding diagnosis and treatment. Understand the options available to you. Take your time.
Stage 3 - Bargaining - The normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability is often a need to regain control through a series of ?If only? statements, such as:
If only we had realized the ST was garbage sooner?
If only we got a second opinion from another PT fan?
If only we had tried to be a better person and not support the ST?
This is an attempt to bargain. Secretly, we may make a deal with George Lucas or our higher power in an attempt to postpone the inevitable, and the accompanying pain. This is a weaker line of defense to protect us from the painful reality that the ST is garbage.
Guilt often accompanies bargaining. We start to believe there was something we could have done differently to have helped save our franchise.
Stage 4 - Depression - There are two types of depression that are associated with mourning the franchise. The first one is a reaction to practical implications relating to the loss. Sadness and regret predominate this type of depression. We worry about the costs and future of the franchise. We worry that, in our grief, we have spent less time with others that depend on us. This phase may be eased by simple clarification and reassurance. We may need a bit of helpful cooperation and a few kind words.
The second type of depression is more subtle and, in a sense, perhaps more private. It is our quiet preparation to separate and to bid our franchise farewell. Sometimes all we really need is a hug, but it won't come from Chewbacca.
Stage 5 - Acceptance - Reaching this stage of grieving is a gift not afforded to everyone. ST reminders may be sudden and unexpected or we may never see beyond our anger or denial. It is not necessarily a mark of bravery to resist the inevitable and to deny ourselves the opportunity to make our peace that the ST was garbage. This phase is marked by withdrawal and calm. This is not a period of happiness and must be distinguished from depression.
Franchises that are terminally ill or aging appear to go through a final period of withdrawal. This is by no means a suggestion that they are aware of their own impending death or such, only that decline may be sufficient to produce a similar response. Their behavior implies that it is natural to reach a stage at which social interaction is limited. The dignity and grace shown by our dying franchise may well be their last gift to us, sadly, for Star Wars franchise, dignity and grace has been loss due to KK and RJ.
Coping with loss is ultimately a deeply personal and singular experience ? nobody can help you go through it more easily or understand all the emotions that you?re going through. But others can be there for you and help comfort you through this process. The best thing you can do is to allow yourself to feel the grief as it comes over you. Resisting it only will prolong the natural process of healing.
...to be fair, I do like what he said about Star Wars needing to be *hopeful* at its core. I love Rogue One but it veered too far into darkness to be on-brand. Love it but can't quite put it on the same shelf.
that too often seems to be falling by the wayside in Hollywood 
. So far, it's the audience that has benefited from all the Star Wars LUV
