TheBoost said (in a different thread): I understand why Chewie died. How exciting is a series of books where you know for a fact no matter where the story goes and what happens, the status quo for the core dozen characters will never ever change?
This is exactly what I hate about the Jedi and Sith in the EU. Whether the story takes place in 5000 BBY or 5000 ABY, you know from the beginning exactly how the Sith will rise, what the Sith will acheive, and how the Sith will fall.
Every single time:
1. Jedi and Republic are complacent and believe the Sith to be extinct.
2. The Sith, who were defeated long ago, corrupt someone, wipe out the Jedi, and take over the galaxy.
3. The Sith are betrayed by a high-up apprentice, saving the day.