Not seen the new Star Wars movie yet?  It may be best to not read the following look, at the place of Dads in the Star Wars Universe – as it very much includes The Force Awakens.

No seriously, don’t read this if you haven’t seen it.  If you still want to read this, please scroll past Darth…

Spoilers below…

Still here? Ok…

I came across this little article earlier “Patriarchy and Star Wars: The Mother Strikes Back” where its argued that Mothers don’t seem to be liked much in the Star Wars universe. The thing is, Padme dies in childbirth, Shmi doesn’t die well, and yes it is suggested that Leia sent her son away… but let’s see if Dads do well in Star Wars, by looking at the main male characters and how well they do at the father / child relationship thing.

Obi Wan Kenobi

While not a dad as such to Anakin Skywalker, it could be argued that the guy was a father figure in some ways (particularly after Qui-Gon Jinns death). Obi Wan seemed to only really listen to Anakin once he rebelled. In punishment for Anakin’s rebellion, it can be argued that Obi Wan slashed the guy with a light saber and left him to burn in lava. That’s not nice parenting.

Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader

Whilst growing up as a slave, Anakin didn’t seem to have a dad on the scene, until one day this cool guy that could do mind tricks turned up, telling him that he could be free and train as Jedi as long as he left his mother behind. Anakin chose to hang out with this guy who could potentially had been the dad that he’d never had. This “dad” died an hours movie time later.

The replacement father figure seemed a lot younger, didn’t seem to listen to Anakin much, seemed keen to keep Anakin from seeing his mother, and anyone else who he may have an emotional attachment with. This forced Anakin to see his Mum in secret (in time for her to die – and not die well), and for him to have a secret relationship with Padme. Due to not being able to discuss his fears about Padme dying in childbirth, with his father (Obi Wan), Anakin found another person to confide in.

This led to a chain of events that led to Anakin being left burning by his father figure, just to be saved by another one. This new father figure picked him, dusted him down, and gave him a new life.

When Darth Vader realised that his son survived child birth, he went across the galaxy to track him down, and offer him a chance to work with him. Sadly Luke went grumpy teenager, screamed No at him, and jumped down into Cloud City. (Yes Darth cut off his hand, but this was a result of the love shown to him by Obi Wan Kenobi)

After being shown this love, Luke went to see Darth Vader – who in turn took him to see the only family Darth Vader had on the Death Star. This set up a chain of events that led to Luke killing his Dad. Whilst his friends blew up Darths place of work, AGAIN.

Luke Skywalker

Spent his teenage life living with his aunt and uncle who told him that his father Anakin / Darth had died, and felt trapped within his life as a farm boy. Possibly as a result of this sheltered upbringing he didn’t react well to the happy news that his father was alive, snogged his sister, and killed his own father, before setting his father’s dead body on fire.

Since then, it’s possibly the case that he has abandoned his family and went into hiding after a work project had gone wrong.

Han Solo.

Let’s ask how the relationship with his son is? No wait…

In conclusion…

I think it’s fair to say that families in general don’t do well in Star Wars.

Is there anything I’ve missed from the above list?