How Phineas and Ferb introduced me to Star Wars

Phineas and Ferb isn’t a show that most fans of Star Wars would associate with the fandom, but, for me, they will always be intrinsically tied. Although my parents had tried to introduce me to the Star Wars movies as a kid, it never clicked until I saw Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars, an hour-long special exploring the story of A New Hope using a different perspective.

This crossover episode follows two moisture farmers, Phineas and Ferb, as they attempt to return the Death Star plans to the Rebel alliance after R2D2 mistakenly leaves them behind. During this mission, they are being tracked by three stormtroopers who are hoping to earn promotions from their original duty of buying new socks for Darth Vader.

While fans are reunited with favorites like Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, the story’s main focus are the characters from Phineas and Ferb. The show expands on the events of A New Hope by exploring what happened in the moments just off screen. The characters from the original Disney show have room to breathe and be themselves within this alternate universe. This approach is strikingly unique from many other Star Wars crossovers.

I also enjoyed the fact that the special never took itself too seriously. It acknowledged some of the absurdity of a dramatic space opera, while still maintaining the integrity of the story and celebrating what makes Star Wars so great. Jokes were made about plot holes and fan controversies, but the main intentions were clearly to celebrate the incredible Star Wars universe.

Painted in this light, awash in a mixture of strong storytelling and ironic humor, Star Wars seemed approachable. I came to this episode as a fan of Phineas and Ferb, so the emphasis on familiar characters drew me in immediately. The playful songs and smart humor made me feel at home in a story that was completely new to me. I was not typically interested in sci-fi as a child, but the show allowed me to dip a toe into a galaxy I would grow to love. Because of these qualities, the Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars special can act as a gateway into the world of Star Wars for people like me.

When I return to Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars, now as a Star Wars fan, I am still delighted by its wit and sophistication, especially considering its target audience is children. Adult Star Wars fans may be surprised by how well the episode follows A New Hope and integrates deep cuts from the franchise. It may not be canon, but it has something unique to contribute to the Star Wars saga.

“Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars” is available on Disney+ for all hoping to re-watch it, or experience this fun crossover for the first time.

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