The Jedi and the Force are of course essential toStar Wars, but these 10 stories from throughoutStar Warsmovies and TV showsand some canon books prove that the franchise is so much more as well. For quite some time,the Skywalker family treedominatedtheStar Warstimeline. Even whenStar Warsbegan to move a bit beyond the Skywalkers, though, such as in the sequel trilogy, the Jedi remained at the forefront ofStar Warsshows and movies.
That has shifted quite a bit in recent years. Movies likeRogue One: A Star Wars StoryandSolo: A Star Wars Storyfocused on non-Jedi (and non-Skywalker) characters, and many ofStar Wars’best TV shows, such asThe MandalorianandAndor,have also begun exploring stories that are significantly less focused on the Jedi and the Force.These 10Star Warsstories in particular, fromStar Warscanon movies, shows, and books, reveal that the franchise is about so much more than just the Force.
10Satine Kryze’s Mandalorian Reformation Is One Of Star Wars' Most Powerful Stories
First Appeared In: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Despite only appearing inStar Wars: The Clone Wars, Satine Kryze is a massively influentialStar Warscharacter. She was shockingly revealed to be Obi-Wan Kenobi’s secret love interest inThe Clone Wars, and her death at the hands of Darth Maul affected Obi-Wan deeply. Even outside her connection to Obi-Wan, though,Satine Kryze’s status as the Duchess of Mandalore during the Clone Wars era proved to be fascinating.
Satine was, for better or worse, a pacifist, and she was dedicated to maintaining peace and not engaging in violent battle above all. This became very complicated, as sitting out such a bloody and challenging war is morally ambiguous at best. This is also interesting because it is quite outside the typical Mandalorian way, which is precisely why Satine faced such intense opposition (including by Death Watch, of which her own sister, Bo-Katan Kryze, was a part). Although this political plot had little to do with the Jedi or the Force, it is a truly fascinating story.
9Padmé’s Efforts To Free Shmi Skywalker Are Unknown To Many
First Appeared In: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Padmé has long faced criticism for not doing everything in her power to free Shmi Skywalker or the slaves on Tatooine in general, as have the Jedi. In Padmé’s case, though, that isn’t the whole story.Although it was never depicted on screen, Padmé did try to free Shmi through the work of her best friend and handmaiden Sabé(who was also her decoy inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace).
Padmé has long faced criticism for not doing everything in her power to free Shmi Skywalker or the slaves on Tatooine.
The Padmé trilogy books,The Queen’s Shadow,The Queen’s Peril, andThe Queen’s Hope, all written by E.K. Johnston, confirm thatPadmé charged Sabé with finding Shmi Skywalker on Tatooine, freeing her, and fighting slavery on the planet as well. Sadly, Shmi had already been sold by Watto to Cliegg Lars, who freed her and married her. While that is theoretically a good change for Shmi, those events ultimately resulted in her death at the hands of the Tusken Raiders. Nevertheless, this is a criticalStar Warsstory.
8Crosshair’s Redemption Arc Is One Of The Best In Star Wars
Clone Force 99 comprises some of the most beloved characters inStar Wars, such as Tech and Hunter (to name just two).Easily the most controversial member of the Bad Batch crew is Crosshair, however. Crosshair was already quite a bit more cold and biting than the other Bad Batch members, butStar Wars: The Bad Batchrevealed just how different Crosshair really was from his brothers—and that wasn’t a good thing.
Clone Force 99: Every Member’s Powers & Abilities Explained
Star Wars: The Bad Batch stars Clone Force 99, a group of mutant clones who possess unique abilities. Here’s all you need to know about these heroes.
Because of their differences from the other clone troopers, or “defects” in the eyes of some, the Order 66 inhibitor chip effect wasn’t as strong for Clone Force 99. Although they weren’t entirely immune, the directive was nowhere near as intense for the team as it was for the other clones. Despite that, Crosshair complied with the order and continued to be brutal and violent throughout the early days of the Empire.
The Bad Batchalso revealed what an incredible redemption arc Crosshair had, though, especially in season 3. Within that arc, Crosshair helped to save Omega from the Empire and reunited with his brothers. Redemption has always been a key theme inStar Wars, and this story is a great addition to that legacy, even without the Force or the Jedi.
7Mon Mothma’s Struggle With Culture And Tradition Is Truly Unique In Star Wars
First Appeared In: Return Of The Jedi
Mon Mothma is a much bigger character inStar Warsthan she may initially seem. After being introduced inReturn of the Jedi, Mon Mothma returned throughoutStar Wars, and she has become especially important inStar WarsTV shows. Not only did she deliver an impassioned and essential speech inStar Wars Rebels, but she has also revealed how essential she was as opposition in the Galactic Senate inAndor.
One of the most recent plotlines involving Mon Mothma has been particularly unique and interesting, though. Mon Mothma, who is from the planet Chandrila, is now grappling with questions about her culture and her planet’s traditions in light of her own personal beliefs. Specifically, her daughter suddenly seems quite committed to the Chandrilan ways, many of which Mon Mothma finds troubling. This is a fascinating topic forStar Warsto explore, and it will be interesting to see how this unfolds inAndorseason 2.
6Cassian Andor And Jyn Erso’s Sacrifice Proved Heroes Can Come From Anywhere
First Appeared In: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Rogue Oneis widely considered one ofStar Wars’best movies, and for good reason. Unlike the otherStar Warsmovies, all of which focus on the galaxy’s biggest heroes,Rogue Oneis a boots-on-the-ground look at the Rebellion. This unique focus honors the heroes who put their lives on the line and gave everything to ensure the Empire was overthrown, even if they never got recognition for all that they did.
This is precisely what happened with Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor, whose sacrifice is undeniably one of the best and most affecting stories inStar Wars. Jyn and Cassian gave their lives to ensure that the Rebels would receive the Death Star plans, which is the very reason the Death Star was able to be destroyed. Arguably, this could even mean Jyn and Cassian secured the victory of the Rebellion.Rogue Oneis therefore an incredibleStar Warsstory that brings attention to the galaxy’s lesser-known heroes who also deserve celebrating.
It was a genuine shock whenStar Warsgave the Bad Batch crew a happy ending inThe Bad Batchseason 3 finale. Happy endings are hard to come by inStar Wars, as the franchise has proven again and again. Yet,The Bad Batchended not only by confirming that the members of the Clone Force 99 team got their happily ever after but also confirming that all really was well in the end with a major time jump.
Of course, not every member of the Bad Batch crew was there. Devastatingly,The Bad Batchseason 3 confirmed that Tech really did die inThe Bad Batchseason 2 ending, even though audiences were holding out hope that he would be revealed to still be alive in the final season. Even so,getting to see many clones finally get the life they deserved was truly rewarding, and it makesThe Bad Batchone of the best stories in all ofStar Wars.
4Maarva Andor Is An Underrated Star Wars Hero, And Her Final Speech Proves It
First Appeared In: Andor
Maarva Andor is arguably aStar Warscharacter who doesn’t get enough credit, although she was critical for the Rebellion and was simply a wonderful character in her own right.Andorseason 1 revealed that Maarva had found, saved, and adopted Cassian Andor when he was young, and she went on to raise him completely as her own, accepting him completely as her son. That love endured until her tragic death, and she also made sure she did not die in vain.
Maarva Andor is arguably aStar Warscharacter who doesn’t get enough credit.
Rather, Maarva left behind an impassioned speech calling upon those attending her funeral to fight back against the Empire. This was an incredible use of her voice, and it was undoubtedly the push that many needed to finally join the fight. This storyline may have nothing to do with the Jedi and the Force, but it is one of the most powerful stories in the franchise in recent years, and it reveals the power of everyday people, just asRogue Onedid.
3Leia Organa Didn’t Need The Force To Kill Jabba The Hutt
First Appeared In: A New Hope
This may be one of the oldest additions on this list, but it doesn’t make it any less powerful.Leia Organa using her own chains to choke Jabba the Hutt to death inReturn of the Jediremains one of the most iconic moments in all ofStar Wars. Seeing Leia chained up and dressed in humiliating attire was brutal, but it gave her an incredible legacy and a brilliant new name—Huttslayer.
How Star Wars Redeemed Return Of The Jedi’s Worst Scene
One scene from Return of the Jedi has been a disappointing one for decades, but, in recent years, Star Wars has improved it significantly.
Yes, Leia was ultimately revealed to be Force-sensitive and was even trained as a Jedi by Luke Skywalker himself, but this story with Jabba the Hutt was entirely separate from the Jedi and the Force. This was simply an act of remarkable strength and bravery, and it gave Leia the revenge and justice she absolutely deserved. Thankfully, this also entirely flipped the imagery of Leia in her “slave outfit” on its head as well.
2Tales Of The Jedi Confirmed How Important Bail Organa Really Was
First Appeared In: Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones
Bail Organa’s importance inStar Warshas only become increasingly apparent over the years. Bail Organa was introduced inStar Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and he wasted no time proving how significant his role in the Senate was. Bail was brave in pushing back against Palpatine’s rise to power, which became especially clear inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Of course, Bail also adopted Leia, which had a massive impact on the galaxy’s future.
Star Warsshows have only further revealed what a major role Bail played in the Rebellion, including inObi-Wan KenobiandStar Wars: Tales of the Jedi. Bail, like Mon Mothma, continued to fight the Empire from within the Galactic Senate, but he also set up a network for the Rebellion, whichTales of the Jedimade clear. In fact, it was Bail who set Ahsoka Tano up as Fulcrum, which ultimately connected her with theRebelsteam and set so many other events in motion.
It was Bail who set Ahsoka Tano up as Fulcrum, which ultimately connected her with theRebelsteam and set so many other events in motion.
1Din Djarin’s Adoption Of Grogu Is Peak Star Wars
First Appeared In: The Mandalorian
Finally,Din Djarin’s relationship with Grogu inThe Mandalorianis one of the single best stories inStar Wars, especially when it comes to stories that don’t center on the Jedi or the Force. (Even with Grogu being Force sensitive, that is not really what the story is about, particularly given he chooses to walk away from the life of a Jedi.)The Mandalorianseason 3 endingmade this story especially beautiful by confirming that Din Djarin formally adopted Grogu.
This story contains so many of the messages and themes thatStar Warshas always represented. There are elements of found family, acceptance, loyalty, compassion, and countless others stemming from this arc, and that story is only likely to get even better with the upcomingThe Mandalorian and Grogumovie. Of all the incredibleStar Warsstories that have nothing to do with the Force or the Jedi, these 10 represent the very best.
