New Year, New Star Wars, New Baby.

(Wrote this about a week ago - so dates won't make sense).

Over the past month or so, I've asked my husband exactly two questions about his take on this whole resurrected Star Wars craze. (You've heard of it, right)?

1. Does it bother you that every-other-commercial features Star Wars and that you can't throw a stick without it hitting something Star Wars-related?

2. Did you hear what Lucas had to say about the new movie? And if so, I want your pre- and post-viewing opinion.

This line of questioning reminded me of why I fell for John Brian Fountain in the first place.

(This is a demented love letter, so be warned).

Let's start with John's answers: 

1. No.

Why I love this: John is, without question, a die-hard Star Wars fan. He loves every single movie. He doesn't bitch about any aspect of a single one of the first six made... EVER. He loves them all. He hasn't yet seen the seventh, but he will be (finally) tomorrow and I am very excited for him. I also think it's a phenomenal way to start the first day of 2016. I wish I could go with him but I can't and in a way, I almost think it's better. It's just him and the movie. That's it. No distractions.

2. Yes.

For those of you that didn't hear, apparently Lucas is a bit disappointed that the story isn't as relationship-focused as his vision for the franchise was always supposed to be -akin to a family soap opera.

Back to John's answer. (Bear in mind that I am paraphrasing and probably not doing his explanation/opinion justice).

John: Yeah, he sounds a little bitter, but I don't blame him.

Me: But he CHOSE to sell the franchise - after he probably made a fortune just from licensing to Disney for their theme parks and what not - not to mention countless other profitable licenses.

John: Yes, but he probably sold it somewhat reluctantly. For the past 10 years, he's had to put up with incessant slamming and vitriol coming from the same people who worshipped the first trilogy.

Me: Yes, but he chose to try to be successful in Hollywood and SUCCEEDED and anyone who goes down that path has to know that they're going to have to deal with a combo platter of love and hate. It goes with the territory.

John: But he couldn't have predicted that this world he'd create would have such a monumental impact... globally - and that decades later upon the advent of the Internet, he'd be subjected to an endless onslaught of hatred - in the form of outright insults to accusations that he has ruined people's lives to wildly offensive parodies. And not just online - in person too. That has to get to him. For there to be this hateful backlash to the world that HE created, to have to live with never being able to live up to every single fan's expectations... it can't be easy.

Me: Jesus. You're totally right. I guess I don't blame him for being a bit bitter either. So do you think you're going to like the new movie?

John: Yes.

And I hope to God he does. And I hope I do too, because my husband is totally 100% correct. George Lucas CREATED this whole entire world that everyone is gaga for... until they stamp their feet and decide that they could've written the latest screenplay better. In the meantime, when you stop to consider the millions his creation has had a monumental impact on, let alone the artists, filmmakers, etc. whose imaginations were ignited by Star Wars, it's pretty preposterous that he even has to deal with some of those same people raking him over the coals for expanding that universe in a manner they deem inappropriate.

So here's the thing. My husband's take on Star Wars is the same take he has on everything he truly loves: He loves hard and deep and forever. That's not to say he wouldn't admit it if he really hated any of the movies. He totally would... But he really loves them - all of them...

... and it makes me love him more.

And he's Gypsy's dad. :)

Side note: People hated the ending to Lost, including me. I find it all the more interesting that JJ Abrams directed the latest installment of Star Wars.
Another side note: Since writing this, John did in fact see the movie on New Year's day and gave it a B+. I have no idea when I'll get around to seeing it. Probably not until it's on On Demand or something.