Luke skywalker and Rory Gilmore

I am a hot mess. It’s a lifelong chronic affliction. Remember that, it will be relevant later.

I just rewatched Gilmore Girls, including A Year in the Life. People are always surprised to learn that I love that show - a feelgood small town mother daughter drama is not my usual thing - but I love it. It makes me fantasize about finding my own quirky little town in some picturesque location where it’s always sweater weather and being the beloved town weirdo in a place filled with eccentric characters. So, yeah, Gilmore Girls is a fantasy fairy tale and I love it.

And obviously I love Star Wars. Everybody knows that.

The fandom generally hated AYITL’s Rory. The confident overachieving valedictorian with big dreams and all the privilege and connections money could buy left Yale destined for greatness. 10 years later and she’s an absolute disaster. An unemployed drifter with no direction and a trail of bad decisions and bad relationships behind her. This was not the Rory we expected. This was not the Rory Rory expected! The fandom was disappointed.

Similarly, the fandom generally hated sequel-era Luke Skywalker. The fearless Jedi knight who destroyed the Death Star, led the rebellion, and brought Anakin back to the good side thus bringing balance to the force, was expected to save the galaxy from all future threats and train a new generation of Jedi. 30 years later he’s a damaged old man living in isolation haunted by the regret of past actions. This was not the Luke we expected. This was not the Luke Rey expected. The fandom was angry.

I am not mad at either of these characters. In these fantasy worlds of small town charm and rich boyfriends and space wizards and laser swords, two gifted kids burning out and shutting down seems like the most realistic plot point. Life is hard. And confusing. And mistakes follow you. And meeting other people’s expectations - or even your own expectations - can feel impossible. These characters are heroes and role models and sure it sucks to see them fail, but also it’s comforting to see them fail, because that means they are accurate reflections of me. Anyone can save the galaxy. Anyone can graduate from college and move on to success and prosperity. But not all of us do immediately. And it’s nice to see yourself in media.

I appreciate the hot mess characters. I appreciate the characters who have fallen so deep into their own despair that the only thing they can do is find a deserted island and sulk, only to redefine success and find their own happiness in the end, whatever that looks like. That’s inspiring. Knowing you don’t have to follow the path. Knowing you don’t have to meet all the expectations. Knowing you can have a total breakdown and come out the other side but on your own terms. These flawed characters are just as important - maybe even more so - than when they were only the farm boy who saves the world or the straight-A student who succeeds.

Luke found peace..I’m sure Rory will eventually find success. Their struggles remind us that ours are ok too. We’ll get there sooner or later,