Star Warshas given the ultimate payoff to a 26-year-old joke from Legends. George Lucas always insisted thatStar Warsis for kids, which is probably why he decided to introduce the Ewoks inReturn of the Jedi. Adults may roll their eyes at the idea these cuddly creatures could beat crack Imperial stormtroopers, but let’s face it - they were perfect for merch, and there’s a direct throughline from the Ewoks to the adorable Grogu inThe Mandalorian.
LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxyrewrites the entireStar Warssaga in a tremendously fun way. It’s the closestStar Warshas come to a “What If?” TV show, a delightful breath of fresh air and a source of so many laughs. Beloved characters are turned into Sith Lords, Luke Skywalker revels at the Mos Eisley Marina, and there are even Ewok bounty hunters.These new Ewoks are actually the perfect payoff for one of my favorite Legends jokes, a wonderful legacy to one of the bestStar Warsauthors of all time.
Ewok Starfighter Pilots Hail All The Way Back To Legends
Let me tell you the story of Lieutenant Kettch
Michael A. Stackpole and the late Aaron Allston were the celebrated authors of some of thebestStar Warsbooksof all time, theRogue SquadronandWraith Squadronseries. Although these were designed to flow into one another, Allston’s style is much more humorous than Stackpole’s, making his books a laugh a minute. He’s particularly well known for an Ewok gag that became a long-running recurring joke.Here’s how it all began in 1994’sX-Wing: Wraith Squadron, courtesy of pilot Wes Janson:
“His name is Kettch, and he’s an Ewok.”
“No.”
“Oh, yes. Determined to fight. You should hear him say, ‘Yub, yub.’ He makes it a battle cry.”
“Wes, assuming he could be educated up to Alliance fighter-pilot standards, an Ewok couldn’t even reach an X-wing’s controls.”
“He wears arm and leg extensions, prosthetics built for him by a sympathetic medical droid. And he’s anxious to go, Commander.”
“Please tell me you’re kidding.”
“Of course I’m kidding. Pilot-candidate number one is a Human female from Tatooine, Falynn Sandskimmer.”
“I’m going to get you, Janson.”
“Yub, yub, Commander.”
A confession: I absolutely adore that book,X-Wing: Wraith Squadron. “Yub, yub, commander,” is literally one of my (admittedly eccentric) go-to stock phrases. It’s a joke that most people don’t get, and it makes my wife roll her eyes every time I say it. For me, though,the idea of Ewoks is synonymous with Lieutenant Kettch- an Ewok pilot made up by Wes Janson, who actually became a military disinformation strategy to deceive high-ranking Imperials as Allston’s novels continued. Yes, really.
LEGO Star Wars Is The Ultimate Payoff For This Great Legends Joke
“Yub, yub, commander”
You can imagine, then, my absolute joy watchingLEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, in which the heroes are stalked by Ewok bounty hunters. Even more delightfully, the episodes do indeed turn “Yub, yub” into a battle-cry, just as Wes Janson predicted all those years ago. Talk about a deep cut intoStar Warslore, a joke that’s funny to most but means so much to those of us who grew up with theStar WarsExpanded Universe.
Aaron Allston passed away while at a convention in 2014, and he is dearly missed by theStar Warsfans who grew up loving his books.The Ewok bounty hunters inLEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxyfeel like the ultimate payoff to one of his best recurring gags, and they really do mean so much. WithStar Wars, nothing is ever truly gone, and anything can be woven back into the present with ease - even a 26-year-old joke from a book no longer part of canon.
LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy
Cast
In a galaxy far, far away, familiar heroes and villains return in LEGO form to embark on a thrilling adventure to restore balance to the universe. As the remnants of the Empire threaten the fragile peace, a group of courageous rebels, including iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo, join forces with new allies to rebuild what was lost. Utilizing their wit, bravery, and the unique humor of the LEGO universe, they face off against formidable foes, uncover hidden secrets, and forge unexpected alliances.
