A Few Things About Star Wars

I was floored when WonderWife™ presented me with tickets to Star Wars in Concert. It was one of the things that under normal circumstances she would mock relentlessly (and often does). But there we were on our first date night in months sitting under the sky at the Hollywood Bowl, waiting for an orchestra to play sections from the movies accompanied by clips on a giant screen. Geek paradise for me, but not so much for her. Yet she was happy to give me a night like this, which is why I love her so much.

As the sun was setting and the show about to commence, sounds began to play through the loudspeakers. They were the iconic sound effects from the films—lightsabers, tie fighters, Chewbacca…

“What was that sound?” WonderWife™ asked me. “Was it a Wookie? An Ewalker? Are those the guys with the long green ears?

My wife knows nothing about Star Wars. Early on in our relationship I screened it for her and we still debate if she made it through the whole thing (she claims she did not). Maybe it was the pre-show cocktails, but I found her utter cluelessness about Star Wars adorable. She was truly adrift in a pop culture sea without any sense of direction. At one point she pointed out, “all of the kids and their light swords.”

So naturally I started to quiz her about Star Wars. “What ship does Han Solo fly?” I asked.

“Um, I don’t know...the Star Wars Express?”

I couldn’t contain my laughter.

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“Your son has been asking to see Star Wars,” WonderWife™ told me.

Normally this is a phrase that geeky parents like myself anxiously wait to hear. But knowing the Bean like I do, I strongly question if he’s ready for Star Wars. He’s got a bit of anxiety when it comes to the movies. I thought back to a fateful ride on Star Tours at Disneyland two years ago where he less than enjoyed the experience—to put it mildly. I was afraid that one ride alone might have put him off Star Wars for a few extra years.

Knowing that I only have once chance to have Star Wars make a good impression, I decided to press him for details as to his sudden interest.

“Mom has told me you’ve been asking about Star Wars,” I said to the Bean one night while tucking him in.

“Yeah, I want to see it.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Have your friends seen it?”

He paused for a moment. “Well…one day at school when Tony’s mom picked him up, she told him when he got home he could watch Star Wars. And that’s when I wanted to see it.”

So there it is.

I really want to show the Bean Star Wars (I bought the original versions of the trilogy on DVD when he was in utero to get ready). But I don’t think that peer pressure is the right reason. I’m afraid I’m going to have to wait a little bit longer.