Comments on: The Millennium Falcon – A Character in Her Own Right?

By: Tricia

Tricia — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:07:46 +0000

@Mary, Errant Venture is a good one. The red Star Destroyer has been on many adventures that made me smile.
@Space Girl, the Jade Shadow is another good one. Makes you feel like Mara’s still with them.
@Kay, Han makes the old girl what she is.
@Laura, lol. You said it better than I.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:44:07 +0000

Of course the Falcon is a character! She’s creaky, crabby but shows up when it counts.

By: Kay

Kay — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:07:51 +0000

The Falcon definitely is a character but Han really makes that possible.

By: Space Girl

Space Girl — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:27:33 +0000

Of all the vehicles in the Star Wars universe, the Falcon is the one that stands out the most in terms of being part of the cast of characters. I thought during the Yuuzhan Vong war she was going to be destroyed. It seemed like nothing in that series was safe.

I would agree that the Errant Venture would be another ship with fascinating characteristics. I also think both Luke’s and Wedge’s X-wings would fall into that category. To me, the X-wings might not have as much heart as the Falcon, but just the same I would hate to see them destroyed. And, to a lesser degree, the Lady Luck holds some interest in the is she/isn’t she discussion of ships as characters.

Right now with the FOTJ series wrapping up, I have come to really appreciate the Jade Shadow as part of the Luke/Ben dynamic. Maybe Jade Shadow is the third character in that set? The authors of this series have done an excellent job of portraying how Luke feels connected to his beloved Mara through the ship itself. Sometimes it tugs my hearstrings a bit, and makes me miss Mara’s character even more.

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:45:57 +0000

Are the ships in Star Wars characters? Absolutely! One of the best things about Star Wars is its spirit of inclusion – citizens of the galaxy come in all shapes, sizes, and components.

Naturally, the Falcon stands out as the most vibrant. I couldn’t agree with you more.

My real childhood often included hanging around mechanics fixing cars and I developed an early and long-lasting appreciation for them. Like you, I feel as though my car is part of the family: at different times an errant sibling, drunken uncle, or beloved partner.

In Star Wars, there is a similar collection of vehicular family members, some iconic (X-wings stand out in that category) and some as fascinating individuals. Aside from the Falcon, it is Booster Terrik’s Errant Venture that leaps out of hyperspace into my mind. The unmistakable cherry blossom red former Imperial Star Destroyer-turned-heavily-armed space casino has a personality very much like her irascible owner.

Booster Terrik is recognizably in-your-face, bellicose, gutsy, curmudgeonly yet soft-hearted grandfather who takes care of family. He loves his Venture and it could be argued that he has re-made her in his own, one-of-a-kind image. The Venture’s hull paint instantly identifies her; her systems are cranky; and she can make one heck of a racket when necessary to protect her own. Like the Falcon – and Booster – she belies her advancing age.

Whenever she makes an appearance, I am thrilled. She’s an old friend come back to fight for the good of the galaxy – and she’s just kidding about being a gambler. That’s her cover.

The Expanded Universe wouldn’t be the same without her.