The Lightsaber to Start It All

Is there any cooler sound than a lightsaber igniting?

With the release of the Star Wars VII teaser trailer behind us, it has been amazing to see all of the analysis that has taken place on these short 88 seconds of film magic. In other blogs, I will take time to look at some of the really cool stuff that the film makers showed us and why I am so excited for this movie. For now, I really would like to focus on the very last thing you hear in the trailer.

*Mild Spoilers ahead* (No plot spoilers)

People with more time and resources than me have analyzed the lightsaber sound at the end of the trailer and believe strongly that it is the sound of Luke Skywalker's original lightsaber. The is the first lightsaber we, as an audience, ever see ignited and it is also when we get that wonderful description of this weapon. "This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age." Obi-Wan Kenobi informs Luke that it was his father's weapon and that he wanted him to have it when he was old enough.

If the experts are right and this is Luke's original lightsaber that is amazing, Here are a few things to remember or think about as we explore the idea of the return of the first lightsaber.

1. This was once Anakin's lightsaber as well. Obi-wan picked it up on Mustafar after their last battle in Episode III and kept it for Luke all these years.
2. The lightsaber was lost on Bespin when Darth Vader severed Luke's hand in Episode V. This means someone has to find this in Cloud City and somehow it has fallen into a new character's hands or has been returned to Luke.
3. If this is Luke's lightsaber, then it will have secured a part in all three trilogies: Anakin's weapon in prequels, Luke's in the original, and someone's in the new trilogy.

I believe this raises a few questions.

1. Who found the lightsaber and why?
2. Who is wielding it when it first is ignited?
3. Who will use this lightsaber in the new movies? Could it be another Skywalker?

I hope this gets you thinking without giving away too much about the new movie. I am very excited, but I am trying to stay away from too many rumors. Do you think it is going to be Luke's original lightsaber? Who do you think will use it? Are you excited that JJ Abrams may have wanted to bring it back?

Arrow and Flash

The first crossover event is behind us and I think it is fair to take a look at how it went. I want to answer two different questions. Did the crossover event introduce viewers to the other series if they are not watching it? Did the crossover event serve a greater purpose?

On the first question, I believe they did very well. The schedule was a challenge because their new show Flash comes Tuesday nights, a day before their established show Arrow on Wednesday nights. Many shows who attempt to use a crossover to prompt the new show have an older show and then newer show approach. I applaud the creators of Arrow and Flash for going newer and then older. If Arrow watchers did not catch the first part of the crossover on Flash it was done in such a way that both stories had a conclusion, so a viewer who had their interest peeked could go back and watch it without having much of it spoiled.

To answer my second question, I believe they hit a home run. The two characters have very different styles. One is a vigilante and one is becoming a hero. They see the world differently and that made for good character interaction. I believe both of these characters will have some subtle changes in their approaches that will be developed over the rest of this season.

I hope they plan on a few more crossover events, but I do not want the line between the shows to get too blurred. I trust that they will use it on occasion but hopefully leave us wanting more. These two shows are quickly ascending to become two of my top shows on TV today. What do you think? Did it work or not?