Star Wars Insider #205 preview: Who knew? (exclusive)

One of the most fascinating questions you can ask in any fandom is “What if?” In Star Wars, especially, we love the way certain events have played out, from the original trilogy’s story to the prequels and the sequels. But sometimes, we just can’t help but ask ourselves what if things had gone a little different?

Of course, if you’ve been pondering these alternate universe-like scenarios, you aren’t alone. And in Star Wars Insider #205, that’s exactly what writer Jay Stobie does.

Follow along in this exclusive excerpt as three events in Star Wars’ canon are looked at with a different eye. If those characters only knew the truth behind those key events in their lives, who knows how the events in a galaxy far, far away would change?

Read on below the cover for the excerpt from this month’s issue of Star Wars Insider.

Star Wars Insider #205 preview

“Who Knew?” Insider investigates the life-changing information that could have altered the course of the saga…

Words: Jay Stobie

Stunning revelations are a vital part of Star Wars storytelling, with sudden plot twists and unexpected connections astounding audiences for more than 44 years. If our fictional friends had known certain important details in advance, who among them could have benefited the most and avoided some significant hassles?

C-3PO’s Forgotten Life

Everyone has moments in their life that they’d prefer to forget, but C-3PO forcibly underwent an extreme procedure that wiped his entire memory at the conclusion of the Clone Wars. As a result, the intrepid droid needed to get reacquainted with R2-D2, become accustomed to space travel all over again, travel the galaxy with no notion of his own backstory, and basically remain totally unaware of his previous life and relationships.

If C-3PO remembered all of his earlier ordeals, he might have been more equipped to assist the Rebellion in their fight against the Empire. Or he could have opted to avoid political affairs altogether and accept a position as a translator for a moisture farmer. After all, nothing exciting ever happens on a moisture farm, right?

Ben Solo’s Bad Uncle

An eccentric uncle isn’t exactly uncommon, but waking up to find your Jedi Master kin preparing to cut you down with a lightsaber is an experience unique to Ben Solo. Propelled by the feeling that Snoke had already corrupted Ben’s heart, Luke Skywalker’s momentary lapse in judgement nearly saw him extinguish his nephew, with the horrific sight sending Ben into a rampage.

If Ben had only known that Luke had decided against such a violent solution, there remained a chance that he could have sidestepped becoming Snoke’s apprentice and wreaking havoc upon the galaxy as Kylo Ren. Ben didn’t give his uncle much time to explain the truth, but who can blame young Solo for his fight-or-flight reaction? Then again, the other Jedi that Ben slaughtered in his rage might stand as evidence that Luke’s instinct hadn’t been wide of the mark.

Daddy Darth Care

Obi-Wan Kenobi failed to prevent Anakin Skywalker’s downfall, but how would Darth Vader have reacted if he had discovered that Luke and Leia had survived childbirth? The Sith Lord’s desire to have Luke at his side later proved to be a key element in reviving what remained of Anakin, so it is plausible to foresee that the presence of his children could have been the final line of defense to prevent him from completely succumbing to Palpatine’s will.

After all, any parent will tell you that it would be very difficult to focus on maintaining an Empire with two young children to care for! One can envision Darth Vader wishing to protect his children from Palpatine’s clutches rather than seeking galactic dominance. Then again, Yoda and Kenobi might disagree – that’s why they hid Luke and Leia in the first place!

Pick up Star Wars Insider #205 – on sale September 21 – for more and find out what tops our list! Plus, actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee on landing a role in The Mandalorian; the influence of Japanese culture and filmmaking on Star Wars; an all-new Star Wars: The High Republic short story from Cavan Scott; and much, much more!

Find out more and subscribe at www.titan-comics.com/insider.