Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkertook one of the more tragic characters in the franchise and made their life that much more heartbreaking. Thechronological order ofStar Warsmoviesis admittedly full of tragedies, from the downfall of Anakin Skywalker to the sad story of Luke Skywalker in the sequel trilogy. The franchise has always ridden the line between fun, escapist space adventures and more grounded, sad, human stories, which will undoubtedly continue inupcomingStar Warsmovies.
Thebest-rankedStar Warsmoviesin the franchise tend to be those that deal directly with more hard-hitting subjects.The Empire Strikes Backexplores Luke’s tragic confrontation with Vader and the revelation of their connection, culminating in Luke losing a hand and Han Solo being trapped in carbonite. As evident, heartbreaking lives have been a constant throughout the franchise. However, one ofStar Wars’best charactersgoes under the radar as having an incredibly sad arc that is only compounded in the story ofStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
In Legends & Canon, Wedge Antilles Has Been Defined By Survivor’s Guilt
The Character Of Wedge Has Long Been A Tragic Figure
TheStar Warscharacter in question is Wedge Antilles, the Rebel Alliance pilot who was integral to the events of the Galactic Civil War. Wedge flew in Red Squadron during the Battle of Yavin and again at the Battle of Endor, flying in Rogue Squadron during the Civil War betweenA New HopeandReturn of the Jedi. After the original trilogy, Wedge’s only otherStar Warslive-action appearance comes inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerduring the Battle of Exegol.
Although Wedge’s story is not overly sad as it is presented in theStar Warsmovies, it is the extended material of the franchise that brings to light just how tragic his life is. In both Legends and canon,Wedge suffers from immense survivor’s guilt. At the beginning of both continuities, Wedge’s life starts with his parents being killed in a pirate attack. In Wedge’sStar Warscanon timeline, he joined Phoenix Squadron during the events ofStar Wars Rebels, a group that had a high fatality rate among its pilots.
Eventually, Wedge joined Red Squadron during the Battle of Yavin. At this battle, Wedge was the only survivor besides Luke Skywalker, with various canon comic books outlining his guilt over the deaths of pilots such as Biggs and Porkins. Later, the sequel-era bookStar Wars: Resistance Rebornadded the deaths of Luke Skywalker and Admiral Ackbar to Wedge’s conscience before more about Wedge’s home life was detailed in other sequel-era stories.
Star Wars Canon Gave Wedge A Family… & A Son, Snap Wexley
Wedge Began To Find Another Purpose In Protecting His Family
In theStar Wars: Aftermathtrilogy of books, Wedge settled down with a wife named Nora Wexley who had a 16-year-old son named Snap. Wedge took Snap under his wing, teaching him how to fly and acting like a proud father when Snap becomes a brief commander in the wake of the Battle of Starkiller Base. Eventually, Wedge and Nora enlist themselves in the Resistance. This leads to the duo almost giving their lives to hold off stormtroopers so that their son and his comrades can escape, with Wedge proving himself once more to be one ofStar Wars’best pilots.
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This parallels a Legends story of Wedge’s inStar Wars: The New Jedi Orderin which Wedge almost gives his life so a refugee transport can escape. This sums up a lot of Wedge’s internal strength; despite being someone who has seen countless battles and the deaths of many friends and comrades, Wedge is always willing to accept death if it means saving someone else in the process, including Snap.
Wedge Arrived At Exegol Too Late To Save His Son
TheRise Of Skywalker Puts A Cruel, Tragic Cap On Wedge’s Story
Despite Wedge’s earlier heartbreaking life being offset by his new family, the end of his tale reverts to tragedy. As a member of the Resistance, Snap was enlisted to Exegol in the final battle against Palpatine and the Sith Eternal.Wedge, like the hero he is, helps Lando enlist ships from all across the galaxy to fly to the Resistance’s aid to save his newfound sonand bring him to safety.
Wedge is someone who has long suffered from survivor’s guilt after a lifetime of war and just wanted to protect his new family…
However, Wedge arrived too late. Snap is killed during the Battle of Exegol inThe Rise of Skywalker, with the film not showing Wedge’s reaction. That said, knowing whatStar Warshas revealed about Wedge’s life, Snap’s death is unendingly sad. Wedge is someone who has long suffered from survivor’s guilt after a lifetime of war and just wanted to protect his new family. Unfortunately, asThe Rise of Skywalkerdetails, Wedge could not save Snap, giving his story a harrowing end.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
Cast
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker concludes the Skywalker saga with Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron leading the Resistance against the First Order. As the final battle unfolds, they draw upon the wisdom and strength of previous generations to confront their adversaries. Released in 2019, the film concludes the sequel trilogy.
