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Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Exploring The Skywalker Family Tree

The Star Wars universe is a beautiful thing. Audiences in 1977 recognised that fact in droves. Audiences in 1999 still recognised that fact – in spite of the obvious flaws in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and its sequels. The franchise has a beauty that reaches far beyond science fiction fandom, and far beyond teeny-bopper crushes on rugged cinematic heroes. Its beauty reaches into every corner of society, uniting the entire spectrum of age, gender, culture and politics - as fans of this fantastical story, borne of the mind of George Lucas.

The Luke-Leia Generation

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In an attempt to hide them from their father, who has become powerful with the Dark Side of the Force, the surviving Jedi send the Skywalker twins away to begin very different lives.

Leia is adopted by Senator Bail Organa and his wife, Queen Organa, and is raised as Princess on Alderaan. Luke, meanwhile, is given shelter by his step-uncle and step-aunt, Owen and Beru Lars on their farm on Tatooine. The droid R2D2 eventually brings Luke and Leia back together, and the two feel an immediate bond which they do not initially understand. The droid also brings Luke, and eventually Leia, into contact with a roguish smuggler named Han Solo.

As Luke discovers his true parentage, and his brotherly relationship to Leia is also revealed, Leia and Han Solo develop a romantic connection. As this new family is formed, Luke confronts his father and Emperor Palpatine intervenes – resulting in Vader’s death. Luke honours Anakin with a funeral pyre, and the next Skywalker generation looks to the future.