Jay’s Galactic Espressions
“There’s always a bit of truth in legends.” -Ahsoka Tano
Once upon a time, the Expanded Universe (EU) of Star Wars opened up an outlet for me that helped sate my unyielding desire for all things in a Galaxy Far, Far Away. I consider myself a relative newbie to the now-titled Legends category of knowledge and stories, having only come into it about 10 years ago, but I have nonetheless become an intense follower. I have read – and own – countless novels, and have invested myself emotionally and mentally in its lore. When the announcement came in April of 2014, rendering the EU as basically a defunct sector of the Star Wars timeline, I was absolutely heartbroken. First, the cancellation of the Clone Wars series and now, this?! I didn’t know how much more my fangirl heart and soul could take!
Granted, the continuity – and admittedly, the practicality – of EU/Legends material is arguably flawed. This is one of the main reasons why the “new canon” of Star Wars was established: to create one, unbroken timeline of galactic events. Also, there are many fans and non-fans who have either never heard of – or simply have not bought into – the EU/Legends material. It should also be noted that it was never stated that Legends would cease to exist, just that it would exist on a different plane, so to speak.
There is a lot of great stuff in the EU; stuff that should not be ignored. Hundreds of authors, editors, artists, video game designers, and countless others were involved in the collective creative efforts of the EU/Legends genre. Fans of the genre wanted to hang onto their beloved characters and storylines, as well. To simply forgo the relative existence of these things was unthinkable.
Little by little, however, we have seen the re-introduction of several characters, species, ideas and storylines from the Legends era. Some in the form of almost imperceptible Easter Eggs, showing up in novels, film or in Star Wars Rebels. Others, like the Nightsisters, have been plucked directly from the depths of Legends. The woman-based society originally shows up in the 1994 Dave Wolverton novel “The Courtship of Princess Leia.” Although not to the novelization’s description, the Dathomiri women “survived” the new canonization process, nonetheless.
Fans of Legends have since remained hopeful that we would see more and more things brought back into the canon-fold. When Ahsoka uttered the words “there’s always a bit of truth in Legends” in the teaser trailer for season 2 of Star Wars Rebels, Legends fans began to speculate…
Most recently, on social media, Dave Filoni was hinting at something big. This tweet, in which he pictures a novel’s spine, and quotes Ahsoka’s line above, has Legends fans spinning with ideas. Mr. Filoni will be at Celebration Europe in July, and millions of fans will be on the edges of their seats for an announcement – or at least another hint – of what may be to come.
In the meantime, fans such as myself, have started to compile a “wish-list” of things that could be favorable candidates for making the jump from Legends to canon. The usual suspects have appeared again and again. Among those: Mara Jade, Grand Admiral Thrawn (and his little pet ysalamiri), Tallon Karde, Darth Revan, Prince Xizor, Kyp Durron, Kyle Katarn, even Galen Marek (Starkiller)…I won’t dissect these characters here, mainly because they’ve all had their fair share of discussion already. Suffice it to say, though, that I’m a HUGE fan of any one of those characters becoming canon (#VoteThrawn *ahem*).
So, here’s my Legends wish-list (in no particular order), and why I feel they could work in the new canon:
1.) Natasi Daala:
The first woman to receive the rank of Admiral in the Imperial Navy, Daala was a protégé of Wilhuff Tarkin (and his lover), and was considered to be one of the most strategic – as well as ruthless – commanders in the Imperial hierarchy.
Why she could work: Daala could easily have survived the annihilation of the first Death Star. As a former lover of Tarkin, it would seem logical that she would have an even greater hate of those opposed to the Empire’s cause, and would stop at nothing to see those responsible for his death ruthlessly cut down. It has been noted that she was one of the longest-living Imperial officers in history, so she could realistically be around to help establish the First Order.
I could even see Daala hand-picking Captain Phasma as her choice for heading up the new stormtrooper ranks, and even coming up with the idea of Phasma’s armor being a respectful throwback nod to Emperor Palpatine himself. It makes perfect sense that she could be working alongside Hux, as well.
2.) Vergere:
From an avian species known as the Fosh, Vergere was originally a Jedi Knight in the last years of the Republic. She was always known as sort of a rogue, studying “ways of the Force” outside of accepted Jedi teachings. Eventually, it was said that she became a student of Darth Sidious. However, when she attempted to kill him, she was hunted by assassins, eventually fleeing to another world (Zonama Sekot), where she continued her studies of Force-related entities, among other things.
Why she could work:
For one thing, Vergere’s species – the Fosh – hail from the Corporate Sector of the galaxy, composed of over 100 planets in the Outer Rim Sector. This is a great opportunity to introduce this beautiful avian species to the new canon.
Another great thing about Vergere is that she follows a new line of thinking that has been introduced in Star Wars Rebels, as well as The Force Awakens: the idea that “The Force” can take many shapes, and has many names. For example, Zeb’s species, the Lasat, were also from the Outer Rim planet of Lasan, where “Ashla” is the interpretation of the Force. Maz Kanata refers to herself as “no Jedi, but knows the Force.” So, along that line of thinking, why couldn’t Vergere bring back a Force-like discipline from the Ferroans of Zonama Sekot? It’s also conceivable that Vergere could align herself with Snoke, thereby helping to establish the Knights of Ren. It makes sense, because in Legends, Vergere acquires Jacen Solo, son of Han and Leia Solo, and trains him to become Sith Lord Darth Caedus. It seems logical (to me, anyway), that in the new canon, Vergere could be aligned with Ben Solo, son of Han and Leia Solo, to help train him in the dark side of “the Force.” After all, Snoke can’t do it all by himself…
3.) Winter Celchu:
Raised as an assistant and protector to Leia in the palace on Alderaan, Winter became Leia’s most trusted friend and confidante. Adopted by Bail and Breha Organa after her parents’ death, Winter also became Leia’s sister, and would often disguise herself as Leia, so that Leia could “escape” the palace walls, and life as a princess. Winter eventually became a Rebel spy for the Rebel Alliance, but she also served as nanny, helping Leia and Han raise their twins, Jaina and Jacen, during the first few years of the twins’ lives.
Why she could work: The reasons are pretty obvious, really. She has the placing in the timeline, and the plausible character traits to plug her into just about any Star Wars story. Winter could easily show up as a doppelganger for Leia in Rebels, or a spy in Rogue One. I would love to see her in Episode 8, if even only a flashback, taking care of Ben when he was a young boy. Aside from that, her gorgeous silver locks would be a fine thing to see, and would make for an awesome action figure!
4.) Tahiri Veila:
Tahiri’s character arc is a long and convoluted one, which is probably one of the reasons she remains one of my utmost favorite in the realm of Legends. Tahiri was born 13 years ABY (After the Battle of Yavin) to Tatooine moisture farmers Tryst and Cassa Veila. She was orphaned at a young age, adopted and raised by Tusken Raiders, and was eventually found for her Force-sensitivity and trained as a Jedi padawan. One of her endearing qualities was that she always preferred to be barefoot, a throwback to her Tusken Raider culture.
Tahiri Velia, in her Sith apprentice days
Tahiri eventually became friends with – and fell in love with – Anakin Solo (youngest son of Han and Leia Solo), who was later killed. Tahiri witnessed his death, and was forever haunted by the romance that never fully blossomed. She was later captured, tortured, and “reshaped” by the species known as Yuuzhan Vong, becoming a split-personality with the Vong entity Riina Kwaad. After a series of struggles, Tahiri overcame the Vong reshaping, but later became the apprentice of Darth Caedus (see above). During this time, she performed some evil acts (one of which was assassinating Admiral Gilead Pellaeon, who is actually another character I’d like to see brought into canon). After a short stint as a bounty hunter, Tahiri eventually came back to the light, and was welcomed as a Jedi once again.
…Whew! Granted, this character is a huge stretch. I’ve tried to find a lot of reasons why Tahiri could/would work as a character in the new canon:
Why she could work: Tahiri’s character can be shaped and utilized in a lot of potential storylines and aligned with a variety of already-established characters. The fact that she’s from Tatooine and has a tie-in with Tusken Raiders seems to allow her lineage (although not her personally) to be utilized in Rebels somewhere. Her association with the Yuuzhan Vong (and by extention Zonama Sekot and the Ferroans), could make her an easy tie-in to Vergere, and even Kylo and the Knights of Ren. According to my research, Tahiri would only be two years older than Rey, making her 21 at the time of The Force Awakens. It’s entirely plausible – in my mind – that Tahiri could be serving Kylo Ren as a Knight of Ren at this stage, tying in the idea that she once served Jacen Solo/Darth Caedus, son of Han and Leia Solo in Legends.
5.) Venku Skirata:
Venku was the child of Omega Squad Republic Commando clone Darman Skirata (RC 1136) and his Jedi love Etain Tur-Mukan. Their love story remains one of my favorites in Star Wars lore, period. The product of their love, Venku, who was later renamed Kad (Kad’ika) by his adoptive father Kal Skirata, was a Force-sensitive Mandalorian, and blood-nephew to Boba Fett. He was raised on Mandalore and became a farmer, but later he became a political leader of a faction who wanted to strengthen the Mandalore sector. He was also somewhat instrumental in helping to find a “cure” for the advanced aging process of clones.
Venku (Kad) Skirata with his Jedi mother, Etain Tur-Mukan
Why he could work:
The timeline of Venku’s age would be just right for Rebels: being born 20 years BBY would make him just one year older than Ezra, Luke and Leia. Even if his parentage was merely mentioned in Rebels, it helps strengthen the humanity aspect of both the Jedi (rejection of anti-attachments) and the clones (ability to love and question one’s purpose in life).
As we have been informed, Sabine’s character – and most likely by extension Mandalore – is going to be a focus in Season 3 of Rebels. Venku could easily fit into a storyline that includes some sort of restructuring of traditional Mandalorian rule: We already know that the planet’s social and political structure has been in disarray, due to a domino effect of events including the death of Dutchess Satine, and the overtaking of Death Watch by Darth Maul, who defeated its leader Pre Vizsla (and we also know Sabine is of Clan Vizsla). All of this could even open the door to having appearances in Rebels by Boba Fett and Kal Skirata.
Lastly, by lineage, Venku is a force-sensitive Jedi/clone offspring. That’s a super-awesome set of traits to be capitalized upon!
There are several other Legends characters I would love to have incorporated into the new canon, but I would love to hear from you – who would YOU want to see, or what ideas would you want to have included? Leave your comments below, or you can contact me directly! My favorite social media vice is Twitter, just so you know 
email: jayk@coffeewithkenobi.com
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