Why It Took Star Wars Five Years to Perfect the New Republic Concept

The finale of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew marks a pivotal moment for the franchise, demonstrating a commendable representation of the New Republic after several years of live-action Star Wars productions. Set shortly after the iconic Battle of Endor depicted in Return of the Jedi, the transition of the Rebel Alliance into the New Republic government is a crucial phase within this universe, especially following the Empire’s ultimate defeat at the Battle of Jakku. Over the years, the New Republic timeline has been explored across new films and series.

While I was initially excited to see the New Republic come to life onscreen, previous iterations from Disney have often missed the mark in depicting this era, especially in the television series. As a devoted fan of the original Star Wars Expanded Universe—now referred to as “Legends”—which had a rich collection of narratives focused on New Republic heroes, I am relieved that Skeleton Crew finally gets it right by accurately portraying the New Republic, especially in contrast to its predecessors.

Return of the Jedi Ended With Hope for the Galaxy… But All That Changed After the Sequels

The New Republic Never Got to Be Better Than the Old

Return of the Jedi delivers a powerful conclusion to the original trilogy, symbolizing hope after the Rebellion’s arduous struggle against the Empire. Following the narrative of the prequel trilogy, which focused on the collapse of the Old Republic, the natural evolution would be to celebrate the rise of the New Republic. George Lucas envisioned Princess Leia stepping into the leadership role of this new government as part of his initial plans for future sequels.

However, the New Republic’s existence was tragically brief in the sequel trilogy, suffering near-total destruction at the hands of Starkiller Base midway through the first film. While dialogue within the series hinted at the nobility of the New Republic, its swift destruction served to highlight its vulnerabilities, revealing a government ill-prepared for chaos. Literature tying into the films elucidated how the New Republic became complacent, failing to recognize the threat posed by the First Order.

One significant entry, Star Wars: Bloodline by Claudia Gray, delved into the political landscape of the New Republic and the motivations driving Leia to form the Resistance.

It is worth noting that while the early struggles of a newly-formed government are believable, earlier depictions—including The Mandalorian and its spinoffs—often cast a shadow over the New Republic’s efforts to establish order in the galaxy, particularly in the Outer Rim. There was a missed opportunity to present a transformed New Republic as an optimistic solution rather than a flawed entity.

The Mandalorian Era Has Been In Too Much Of A Hurry To Set Up The Sequels

The New Republic Doesn’t Have to Fall Apart Right Away

Despite the 25-year interval separating the Mandoverse shows from the sequel trilogy, the portrayal of the New Republic has been predominantly negative. While it is reasonable to depict a government grappling with challenges, the rapid downfall seen here undermines the possibilities of an evolving New Republic. In the Legends timeline, the New Republic’s demise occurred gradually, coinciding with a moment marked by the attack on Coruscant.

Throughout the series, New Republic officials display negligence by sidelining pleas for help, imposing questionable rehabilitation tactics on prisoners like Dr. Pershing, and willfully ignoring the threat of the Imperial Remnant.

In essence, the New Republic mirrored the flaws of the Old Republic, and, in some respects, was even more problematic. Its leadership prided itself on the absence of the Empire while effectively deflecting criticism with an imperial mindset. Intended to exemplify a beacon of hope for the galaxy, the New Republic showed signs of decline far too early, paving the way for its destruction two decades later.

Skeleton Crew Finally Gets the New Republic Right

The New Republic Represents “The Real Good Guys”

X-Wings Attacking Pirates in Skeleton Crew

In stark contrast to many shows within the Mandoverse, Skeleton Crew accurately depicts the New Republic as the heroic force it was envisioned to be. Throughout the season, New Republic X-wing pilots appear heroically intervening against pirate threats. Rather than becoming mired in bureaucratic inaction, they showcase a timely and effective response, reminiscent of the old Rebel Alliance’s urgency to protect the innocent.

This series, intended primarily for a younger demographic, presents the New Republic through the lens of youthful heroism—highlighting the importance of seeing them as champions against malevolence. Admittedly, the intricacies of real-world governance are more nuanced than portrayed. While the creators of the other Mandalorian stories aimed to shed light on the complexities and flaws within governmental systems as a setup for the sequel trilogy, this narrative could have included an alternative viewpoint.

It is essential to portray the New Republic as a distinct departure from its predecessor. Rather than defaulting to corruption or authoritarianism, the New Republic’s proactive responses illustrate its commitment to safeguarding lives and restoring peace in the galaxy. As a viewer, I appreciate that Star Wars: Skeleton Crew captured this essential aspect beautifully.

All episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew are now available for streaming on Disney+.

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