Originally posted by: Obi Jeewhyen
For me, Star Wars is the only thing that's canon.
If so much of the story hadn't been subsequently changed, I could consider the other two films of the O.T. as "canon" ... but Darth Vader being Luke's father, Princess Leia his sister are drastic revisions that are at odds with what's presented in the first movie.
I think of the Star Wars universe as having many concentric layers of EU, kind of like nested Russian dolls. Episodes 5 & 6 are one layer of expanded universe, not entirely matching the original. The prequels are a further layer, further removed. Shadows of the Empire yet another outer layer, and the other EU materials - games and novels that I've never even experienced - a still further away layer of expanding information .... but like the game 'telephone,' each new incarnation suffering from a bit of expanded miscommunication.
Star Wars is it. The rest are shadows and reflections - often interesting, sometimes entertaining. But none of it the real thing.
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For me, Star Wars is the only thing that's canon.
If so much of the story hadn't been subsequently changed, I could consider the other two films of the O.T. as "canon" ... but Darth Vader being Luke's father, Princess Leia his sister are drastic revisions that are at odds with what's presented in the first movie.
I think of the Star Wars universe as having many concentric layers of EU, kind of like nested Russian dolls. Episodes 5 & 6 are one layer of expanded universe, not entirely matching the original. The prequels are a further layer, further removed. Shadows of the Empire yet another outer layer, and the other EU materials - games and novels that I've never even experienced - a still further away layer of expanding information .... but like the game 'telephone,' each new incarnation suffering from a bit of expanded miscommunication.
Star Wars is it. The rest are shadows and reflections - often interesting, sometimes entertaining. But none of it the real thing.
.
Well put, very eloquent, and IMO 100% bang on.