[Dexter]

I agree, C of K. There is much to like in the new series. Taken on it's own terms, it's a great tragic story.

The disappointment only hits me when I think of it as a Star Wars story. It's just such a change, you know? Star Wars was a heroic, fast-paced celebration of good (in the first series). Everything was big, larger than even Texas. Then came the new series with fights over taxes, proper protocols, and the legality of blockaids. Suddenly Star Wars was not heroic, though it was still fast-paced and the only thing big was the special effects. It was just such a different animal.

Character development was not a strength of the first series, but it certainly was in the second series and not just Anakin. We get to know our heroes and villains better, but is that what Star Wars needed? I was all excited when I first heard that the series would be about Anakin's fall. I watched the midnight viewings of all three films. And George did a good job of showing that fall, IMO.

It cost us the Clone Wars. It cost us Darth Vader hunting Jedi (and no, Anaking slaughtering children doesn't count). It cost us the larger than life staight-up conflict between good and evil that so enthralled me so many years ago when I watched the original series.

So I'm conflicted when I view my DVDs of the new trilogy. Hopefully, one day, I'll grow like you did C of K, and let all of that go. And just enjoy.