Star Wars The New Jedi Order Series
The Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Xbox One and Black Series Figure Bundle - Only at GameStop includes: Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, and Star Wars The Black Series Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 6-Inch-Scale Action Figure. This bundle cannot ship to a PO Box or APO/FPO address. The New York Times bestselling Star Wars series The New Jedi Order enthralls readers with its epic drama and thrilling adventure. Now readers will pierce the very heart of darkness. It is a solemn time for the New Republic, as the merciless Yuuzhan Vong continue their campaign of destruction. The New Jedi Order: Star by Star is a novel by Troy Denning, published by Del Rey on October 30, 2001 as the tenth installment of The New Jedi Order series. The paperback version includes the short story The New Jedi Order: Recovery, previously available in eBook format only, as well as a preview of The New Jedi Order: Destiny's Way.
The Star Wars franchise spans multiple generations across various media, from movies to video games, comic books, novels, and TV shows. Yet, despite that shared fondness for stories of the Jedi, the Sith, and the galactic adventures that unfold around them — which spawn an entire day of Star Wars events to enjoy each year on May 4 — there’s one thing Star Wars fans can never quite seem to reach a consensus on: The order in which to watch the films.
For those who aren’t aware, there are several fan-sanctioned ways to watch the Star Wars saga. (Warning: Multiple Star Wars spoilers ahead!)
Naturally, there’s a strong argument to be made for watching the movies in the order they were released in theaters — the “Production Order,” as it’s called. This means watching the original trilogy, beginning with Episode IV – A New Hope and on through The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, before moving on to the prequel trilogy of Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Then, of course, it’s on to 2015’s Episode VII – The Force Awakens, 2016’s stand-alone prequel, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, 2017’s polarizing , and finally, 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story.
There are several fan-sanctioned ways to watch the Star Wars films.
The primary benefit to this order is that you see the films as veteran fans experienced them, kicking things off on a high note with George Lucas’ adventure that started it all, before descending into the doldrums of his prequel series, only to rise up again with the modern Disney adventures.
Watching the films in this order also requires you to jump around the timeline quite a bit, making it feel less like a linear narrative and more like a batch of self-contained stories in a shared universe.
Of course, if you want that linear feel, there’s always the “Episode Order” for viewing the franchise. As the title implies, this order would have you watch each of the episodic chapters in order, starting with Episode I: The PhantomMenace, Episode II and Episode III, then squeezing in Solo and Rogue One’s breakaway adventures before Episode IV. After that, you proceed in numerical order, concluding with Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.
The benefits of this viewing order are pretty clear, in that you see the story of Star Wars unfold along the timeline crafted by Lucas and his successors at Lucasfilm. On the negative side, though, kicking off your Star Wars experience with what’s arguably the worst film in the franchise. Transitioning from the sterile, CGI-infused environment of the prequel trilogy to the late-1970s and ’80s visuals of the original trilogy, then returning to the modern trilogy and stand-alone films can be frustratingly jarring.
This order also leaves what many consider the best movies in the series — Episode IV – A New Hope and Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back — stuck in the middle of the order when they should feel more climactic, and also reveals one of the biggest plot points in the series (the identity of Luke’s father) well before it happens in Empire.
So what’s a superfan to do if neither viewing order feels right?
The Machete Order
Rod Hilton, a Colorado blogger and programmer, tackled this very question in a now-famous 2011 post that spawned a new viewing order that’s widely regarded as the most immersive, entertaining way to experience the Star Wars saga. It’s called “The Machete Order” — named after the title of his blog, Absolutely No Machete Juggling — and we think it makes for the coolest Star Wars experience.
The order he suggests, which predates the release of the modern trilogy and the stand-alone films, is this: Begin with Episode IV and Episode V. Then, fall back to Episode II and Episode III, which set up all the drama of Anakin turning into Darth Vader, before moving on to his redemption in Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. (Hilton leaves out Episode I for a very particular reason that we’ll describe in a moment.)
Hilton takes a deep dive into his reasons for the viewing order in a lengthy post, but it boils down to this: If the Star Wars saga is understood to be Luke Skywalker’s story, and the climax of the series centers on Luke’s belief that his father — one of the most powerful villains in the galaxy — can be redeemed (and in so doing, instill hope for the rest of the galaxy), then the viewing order should serve that theme in an intuitive way.
“Effectively, this order keeps the story Luke’s tale,” writes Hilton. “Just when our main man Luke is left with the burning question ‘did my father really become Darth Vader?’ we take an extended flashback to explain that it’s true. Once we understand how his father turned to the dark side, we go back to the main storyline and see how Luke is able to rescue him from it and salvage the good in him, which is the only way to destroy the Empire.”
It’s a convincing argument for a viewing order that pairs the less warmly received chapters of the saga with some of its best, and organically weaves together the original trilogy and prequel films in the culmination of Luke and his father’s stories in Return of the Jedi.
Removing Episode I eliminates the weirdness introduced by the age difference between Anakin and his future bride, Padme.
As for why he recommends leaving out Episode I – The Phantom Menace, the easy answer is, it was pretty terrible. However, more precisely (and less controversially), it contributes little of substance to the franchise. The Phantom Menace is generally regarded as a conspicuous outlier in the series due to its use of Anakin and everyone’s favorite franchise punching bag, Jar-Jar Binks, as comedic elements, among other issues. One of the only widely agreed-upon positives in the film tends to be the debut of Sith Lord Darth Maul, whose violent death comes before the credits roll.
Removing Episode I also eliminates the weirdness introduced by the age difference between Anakin and his future bride, Padme. (Actors Jake Lloyd and Natalie Portman were ages 7 and 16, respectively, when the movie was filmed.) Finally, dropping the film lets Anakin and Luke enter the saga at similar points in their lives (essentially as whiny teens), each unaware of how their future will shape the galaxy. It’s a nice way to create a parallel that further blends the two characters’ arcs.
However, none of this addresses what to do with Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, and Solo: A Star Wars Story, which were all released after the creation of Hilton’s “Machete Order.”
Luckily, we’ve solved this conundrum.
The New Order
Narratively and tonally, it makes sense to add The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi after Return of the Jedi. Not only does Return of the Jedi merge Luke and Anakin’s stories, but it also features the darkest portrayal of Luke in the series to that point, so his disappearance in the time between Episode VI and Episode VII makes sense. Luke was still reeling from the events that led to his father’s death, and then had to contend with the betrayal of Kylo Ren to the dark side. That’s a lot to handle — even for a Jedi.
Concluding your viewing experience with The Last Jedi then serves the ultimate theme of the saga — Luke Skywalker’s evolution from farmboy to hero — by showcasing Luke’s final, noble act as the steward of the Jedi legacy.
When it comes to Solo, this stand-alone chapter in the saga is a bit trickier to place in a proper viewing order. It probably makes the most sense to squeeze it in between Revenge of the Sith and Return of the Jedi, as it offers a nice palate-cleanser between the dark denouement of the prequel trilogy and the culmination of the original trilogy.
Solo also gives Han Solo and Chewbacca a bit more of a backstory, building up their character arcs and back stories alongside that of Luke Skywalker — albeit to a much lesser degree After spending two films focusing on Anakin and Obi-Wan, we also get a nice reminder that there are other, non-Jedi characters to care about when we come back to Return of the Jedi, making the events of that film — and The Force Awakens, of course, which puts Han and Chewie front and center — feel that much more impactful.
As for Rogue One, the timeline of director Gareth Edwards’ prequel film, among other elements, reveals the answer. While we know some will see it as heresy not to start with Lucas’ first film, there are multiple reasons why the best place for Rogue One is right at the start of the viewing order.
Star By Star
First of all, it’s a great film that kicks things off in exciting fashion, while establishing an exceptional mood for the series. It also offers a brilliant introduction to the villains who will dominate the remainder of the series — Darth Vader and The Empire — and firmly establishes them as sinister forces that seem well beyond the abilities of any farmboy from Tattooine to effectively thwart, no matter how many scruffy nerf herders, aging Jedi, or princesses accompany him. And from an aesthetic prospective, Edwards and company worked hard to make Rogue One look strikingly like Episode IV, right down to the shimmery white model aesthetic of the Star Destroyers.
But the best argument in favor of beginning the massive Star Wars saga with Rogue One is the film’s final scene, which segues directly into the opening of Episode IV – A New Hope.
As an introduction to the Empire and the threat it poses to the galaxy, Rogue One sets the stage by (spoiler!) not only killing off its protagonists — setting high stakes right from the start — but closing with a grand introduction to the figure whose ultimate fate will shape the destiny of both the franchise’s hero and the galaxy itself, before running right into the entry point of everyone’s favorite sci-fi fantasy. We’d say all that makes Rogue One a prime candidate to get your movie marathon rolling. Consider this an updated version of the Machete Order, with credit to Hilton’s exceptionally well-explained foundation.
So how does the final order shake out?
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
- Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
Of course, all of this is simply a suggestion for how to get the most out of your Star Wars experience. Fans of the Star Wars saga — or newcomers to the series — can and should watch the movies however they see fit, and in whatever order suits their interests.
That’s the beauty of the franchise, after all: There’s something to love about it — no matter what order you watch them in, or where you jump into the saga – for each and every one of us.
The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the beliefs of Digital Trends.
Editors' Recommendations
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is full of new characters in the Star Wars universe, taking place between the prequel movies and the original trilogy - in the 'Dark Times' after Order 66 was enacted to wipe out the Jedi. Neverwinter nights 2 walkthrough.
In this adventure, you will come across many new heroes and villains - including new humans, aliens, and even droids that populate this part of the galaxy. Read on for more details.
Cal Kestis[edit]
Cal is the main protagonist of Jedi: Fallen Order. One of the few survivors of the Emperor's 'Order 66' purge of the Jedi Order, Cal Kestis has managed to survive by blending in among the populace. He's followed a mantra of rules to never stand out, accept what has happened, and not to reveal his Force powers.
Cal has found a meager life hiding on the planet Bracca with his companion droid, BD-1, and has taken up work with the local Salvage Guild to work on dismantling decommissioned starships from the old republic - in the hopes that he can avoid the gaze of the Empire and their inquisitors.
However, the story of Jedi: Fallen Order truly begins as Cal is tested and uses his Force powers to save a friend, alerting the Empire and its Purge Troopers to his whereabouts. Now Cal must evade the Purge Troopers and their leader, the Second Sister - and find his own path to becoming a Jedi with the help of a mysterious companion.
BD-1[edit]
BD-1 serves as Cal's only friend and companion droid. This droid has several utilities that can help Cal in his adventures, like being able to light up dark places with his flashlight - and is small enough to travel with Cal wherever he goes.
BD-1's appearance is almost like a miniature AT-ST, featuring two long legs up to a tiny torso, and a larger flat head on top that features an eye-like camera and light-emitter.
Star Wars The New Jedi Order Series Order
Cere[edit]
A mysterious Jedi Knight who has also been in hiding, Cere appears after Cal has been outed as a Force user and is on the run from the Empire's inquisition and the Second Sister.
Developer's have stated that Cere and Cal's relationship will not be that of a traditional Jedi and Padawan, but she will no doubt be integral to Cal learning to master using the Force and his lightsaber.
Second Sister[edit]
An elite member of the Empire's Inquisitorial Squad, the Second Sister has been tasked with hunting down and destroying any and all Jedi that remain in the galaxy.
The Second Sister is herself Force-sensitive, and able to use Force powers along with an intimidating double-bladed lightsaber. The Second Sister leads a team of elite Purge Troopers tasked with rooting out Jedi in hiding, and following leads of sighting all over the galaxy.
Purge Troopers[edit]
The Purge Troopers are an elite group of Storm Troopers that are specifically tasked with tracking down leads on Force users in order to find and eliminate Jedi and relay confirmed sightings to the Inquisitors, including the Second Sister.
The Purge Troopers have been called the 'first responders' for Jedi sightings and have been trained to engage Force-users with special weapons designed to go head-to-head with lightsabers. They will not go down without a fight.