An Appreciation for Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures
Lego Star Wars: the Freemaker Adventures seemed on the surface like a cash grab. While we waited for Rebels to return and change the series, here was a lighthearted LEGO series about a family’s shenanigans during the events of the original trilogy.
You had mechanics who salvage shipwrecked parts and shuttles, and refurbished them to make rent. In the meantime, the youngest has potential to become a Jedi but lacks the patience and focus necessary to master training. Lo and behold, a fugitive Jedi master appears and promises to train Rowan so that his precognitive abilities wouldn’t get him and his babysitter droid Roger in trouble. In the meantime, he collects Kyber Saber Crystals for her to keep out of the Emperor’s hands; if fully assembled, the weapon will give the wielder the power to strike down planets. Meanwhile, slapstick with parodies of canon characters would ensue.
That was not the story we were promised. And that is a good thing. The writers surprised us pleasantly. What’s more, we got a rollicking adventure over two years. It was a pleasant contrast to the disputes that would ensue over the Last Jedi’s premiere, and our consternations with how POC men and women were handled. (I will post about that for another time.)
Before we go forward, I am obliged to say this before going into analysis . . .
SPOILER ZONE
Bait and Switch with the Freemakers
“Surprise” comes to mind when I think of the show. Our babysitter droid was a Clone War veteran. Roger also protests about the danger that ensues.
Naare, the so-called Fugitive Jedi, is revealed as a Sith Lord working for Palpatine. Her training Rowan is legitimate, in that it gives him the kickstart to master his Force sensitivity. Even so, she uses him to obtain the crystals for the Emperor, and perhaps even for her self benefit. Palpatine gives her no respect, while the Freemakers shower her with adoration. Rowan is the first person to truly credit her for being powerful and clever, and despite herself, she is flattered. Zander has a crush on her, while Kordi is grateful that Naare keeps the landlord away. The flattery isn’t enough to turn her away from her goal, however.
Rowan in the meantime learns that he has to grow to stop Naare, once he learns her true allegiances. This means he works smarter, not harder; when he finds Naare’s red lightsaber and a voicemail from Palpatine that she is a Sith Lord, he waits for an opportunity to talk with his siblings and reveal the truth to them. Everyone agrees to escape before Naare is onto them, and they manage to outfly her by the skin of their teeth. It’s not until they are relatively safe that Rowan breaks down and admits that he’s hurt that Naare lied to them, and made him think he could be a great Jedi.
Growth
Character development ensues from their suffering. The Freemakers, who would before scavenge from the fights between Rebels and Empire forces without getting involved, decide that they are going to have to obtain all the crystals first, so that the Emperor and Naare can never assemble the Kyber Saber. Meeting Leia had earlier inspired Kordi, and she develops empathy for how many people will lose their home to the Empire.
Their development is marked when Rowan decides to fly off with Roger and the last Kyber Saber crystal, in the hopes that his brother and sister can go home. Roger uses his war memories to train Rowan as a Jedi, improving his skill. Kordi and Zander refuse to accept this, and are determined to find their little brother. Rowan has to return when Naare holds them hostage, and loses the last crystal as well as his babysitter Roger. The Freemakers have to infiltrate Coruscant and stop Naare before she destroys everyone with the Saber.
We get a relevant aesop from Rowan’s attempt to sacrifice his happiness: you can’t fight evil alone. You need people watching your back, namely people who love you. Rowan says as much in season two, when the Rebellion recruits his family. He’s never alone, because Freemakers work together. That’s how they survive.
Thank you, Disney, for this show. It’s a suitable apology for what happened with Tangled. I enjoyed the ride.