Star Wars/Tear Jerker: Difference between revisions

* ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]''. Han being frozen in carbonite.

* ''[[Return of the Jedi]]''. Yoda's death, as he struggles to tell Luke as much as he can, and finally lets him know [[There Is Another]] Skywalker before [[Ascending to A Higher Plane of Existence]]. Especially after all the characterization he got in the prequels and after understanding the significance of what he said.

*** [[Fridge Horror|One could go further than that]]; to Luke, the rancor was a dangerous creature who needed to be killed; to the rancor keeper it was a pet. [[Fridge Brilliance|Such differences in attitudes towards the rancor echo those towards real-life pets, such as between someone who was attacked by a dog and the owner of said dog.]]

*** Actually expanded on in ''Backlash'': Luke watches some Rancors in the wild and remembers Jabba's. He is remorseful that he had to kill it, believing them to be beautiful creatures, but he states that Jabba's rancor had been so mistreated and abused that it couldn't have been helped by anyone. Death was a mercy for its existance of being used as an executioner and gladiator beast. That last part is made even worse by the reveal in a short story that Jabba had the rancor fight dangerous creatures for sport, and he was planning to have it fight a Krayt Dragon which would have destroyed it without effort.

** No matter how you might feel about the Ewoks, you probably still get affected when one of them is killed, and another who barely avoided the blast tries to wake it up before realizing the truth. [[Speaking Simlish]] at its most moving.

*** It's the agonized scream of the dead Ewok that sells it. Think about it from their perspective. They've openly volunteered to fight an enemy that overpowers them in every respect beyond sheer numbers. They're losing, they're being driven back, and then we get to see firsthand the consequences of their decision to fight. Its quite heartrending, and sums up he horror of the conflict in one short, simple scene.

** And there's the moment when Luke [[Sheathe Your Sword|throws away his lightsaber]] and says "I'll never turn to [[The Dark Side]]. I am a Jedi, like my father before me," which is also a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]].

** Anakin Skywalker's redemption, with Luke being [[Electric Torture|tortured with lightning]] by Palpatine.

** "Just once, let me... look on you... with my own eyes." Especially considering that in his final moments, he accepted death and saying goodbye without anger or regret, coming full circle.

*** This exchange between Luke and Vader before Vader dies. Could also be a [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming]]

'''Vader:''' You already have. }}

** Anakin's funeral scene. And when Luke sees the Force ghosts of Anakin, Yoda and Obi-Wan during the victory celebration scene after it's also a great [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming]].

* Qui-Gon's death in ''[[The Phantom Menace]]''.

** My eyes were watering when Anakin had to choose between his life on Tatooine with his mother or following his life dream of becoming a Jedi Knight. Made even worse that he eventually turns Sith.

* ''[[Attack of the Clones]]''. "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jALL1_KdN8 Across The Stars]." The credits version even more so, which segues into a mournful rendition of Anakin's theme from ''Phantom Menace'' before ending with the ominous bass strains of "the Imperial March."

** Shmi's death. She's been captured by Sand People, tortured to near death, and dies in the hands of her son, just managing to get out "I... love..." before dying. And people wonder why Anakin's so messed up?

*** Anakin's utterly broken plea of "Stay with me, mom." Anyone who has ever lost a parent will know his sorrow.

** When 10-year-old Boba Fett picks up his father's helmet after he was killed by Mace Windu.

** Anakin's entire downfall is so very, very sad. Sad because he's killing so many, but also because he's ''not'' the ultimate embodiment of evil: he's a good person who's gone way too far, and he ''fails to save Padme''. ''He actually brings about her death by trying.''

** I always tear up in that scene in Coruscant with Padme standing on the balcony, talking to Anakin about how she wants to go back to the lake country and raise their kid (at this point they don't know it's twins yet) in peace, in a room by the garden, having a nursery done up, and you know that it isn't going to happen.

*** When the music reaches its peak, and Yoda drops his gimmer stick. You can tell, that little green muppet is in ''agony''; he felt the deaths of every single one of his Jedi.

*** Having always liked the clones for being badass, this troper always feels like crying when he realizes that the clones themselves really don't have a choice in the matter. And I can almost detect a trace of sadness from one of the clone pilots when he says, very quietly, "It will be done, my lord."

**** "Why did the order have to come in AFTER I gave him the damn lightsaber?"

*** What really makes it feel wrong is that the clones knew about the plan the entire time and yet carry it out efficiently with absolutely no emotion. Not only did the clones know about Order 66, but they had been fighting alongside the Jedi as friendly comrades moments before they were told to gun them down. Damn it, [[George Lucas]], that's just ''evil''. "Aayla Secura told us we were the absolute best soldiers she'd ever worked with. It was a good thing we were wearing helmets, because none of us could bear to look her in the eye." [[Manly Tears]].

**** ''Order 66'' of the [[Republic Commando Series]] explains that some clones were aware that Order 66 was always going to be initiated (most notably the 501st Legion, among which was that unnamed clone who mourned Aayla Seucra), but others were unaware and assumed it was simply an emergency order unlikely to be initiated. The latter were generally the older Kaminoan clones.

*** And it's even ''[[It Got Worse|worse]]'' if you remember all of the EU games that take place before the movies, specifically the ''[[Knights of the Old Republic|KOTOR]]'' games. You save the Republic from annihilation by the Sith ''twice''...and see everything you fought for come to nothing.

*** Not quite. As Jolee Bindo points out, every era has its tyrants and its heroes, and while one side may gain the upper hand, at some point, the other will regain momentum. Tyrants like Malak needed to be fought, but their coming didn't herald the end of all things. Palpatine's empire was just the latest victory by the Dark Side, and it was comparatively short lived.

** None of that even compares to this:

(''lightsaber ignites'') }}

** The [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzATP2IcTA8 music] makes the whole thing worse. Seeing the Jedi in the Temple die was sad, and then there's [[Children Are Innocent|that little Padawan kid]] (played by George Lucas' son) who tries to escape and almost makes it, but the clone troopers shoot him anyway. Bail Organa witnesses the whole thing but can't do anything about it.

*** No, what REALLY makes that scene worse is the fact that that perticular Padawan was actually HOLDING HIS OWN. He only died becuase HE protected Organa from the troopers when they knew he figured out what was going on. That boy was a true Jedi, putting the needs of others before his own.

** The scene of Anakin after killing the Separatists where it shows him standing alone, weeping in complete and total self-hatred. He knows full well what he's become, but feels he's beyond redemption already.

** How about when Obi-Wan and Yoda are in the Jedi Temple after the purge, and Obi-Wan decides to look at the security feed? Yoda trying to stop him, to protect him from the knowledge that it's Anakin who led the slaughter, gets this editor every time - let alone the bit where they actually watch it.

*** And then the bit where Yoda says that they must destroy the Sith-

** One of Anakin's few lines before his climactic lightsaber duel with Obi-Wan, coupled with Obi-Wan's rebuttal just destroys this troper when he considers the fact that, after all he's done, Anakin is still driven by his love of and his manic desire to save his wife from death:

'''Obi-Wan:''' Your anger and your lust for power have already done that. }}

** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dlM3sHiMT0 This] clip. Particularly Obi-Wan's "You were my brother, Anakin... I loved you!" speech (at 1:05), the pain in Anakin's eyes, the conflict in Obi-Wan seeing how far his [[Heterosexual Life Partner]] has fallen.

** The most heartbreaking use of John Williams' "The Force Theme", as the greatest warrior in the galaxy could only watch helplessly as a young mother dies, holding her orphaned babies in his arms. Made all the worse by Padme's last words: "Obi-wan, is Anakin all right? There's still good in him, I know it..." And Obi-wan just has this heart-broken look on his face knowing what he did to him...

** Seeing the deceased Padme holding the japor snippet Anakin gave her in ''[[The Phantom Menace]]'' made this Troper cry so much.

** The shot of the Death Star under construction and the Imperial officer in the background who was clearly a young Governor Tarkin.

** At the end, an infant Leia is delivered to Alderaan. The planet is beautiful, and we see Bail Organa happily handing the baby to his wife, the Queen. The scene becomes hard to watch when you realize the next time that planet is seen in the films is when {{spoiler|it's being blown up in now grown-up Leia's face}}.

** And Han's ensuing [[Heroic BSOD]].

* {{spoiler|Anakin Solo's death}} in ''New Jedi Order: Star by Star''. {{spoiler|Leia's [[Heroic BSOD|shutting down emotionally]] and Han's anger}} especially pulled at this troper's heartstrings.

** Come on! That's all you could find from Star Wars? To writ: Corran dies in ''Wedge's Gamble'' (he gets better); in ''The Krytos Trap'' it's Mirax (who also gets better) and {{spoiler|Diric}} (who doesn't) that tear people up. Also, Tycho's Return monologue at the ruins of Alderaan.

** Jesmin's death in ''Wraith Squadron'', and also {{spoiler|Falynn's}} for its effect on {{spoiler|Donos}}. Same book, Kell bugging out of a fight, returning only because of [[Love Redeems|Tyria]]. As noted above, {{spoiler|Phanan dying}} in ''Iron Fist'', but also Dia's meltdown when she {{spoiler|shoots Castin (who's ''probably'' already dead)}}. Donos/Lara's and Gavin/Asyr's "resolutions" in ''Solo Command'' and ''Isard's Revenge'' respectively (both got more resolution later. One was better. One... wasn't). Wedge's speeches, including all of them in ''Starfighters of Adumar'', but especially the one to Iella about the "two reasons nothing's going to happen to [him]". {{spoiler|Chewie dying}} in ''Vector Prime'', Karrde's fight for Yavin IV (including an in-universe example, when he thinks {{spoiler|Shada is dead}}). Order 66 redux, when the Vong start Jedi-hunting. The fall of Coruscant, complete with [[Rousing Speech|impassioned speech]] from Leia. Wedge's supposed-to-be-suicidal stand at Borleias, when it almost become truly suicidal for him. Anakin dying. Jacen dying, Jacen coming back. Oh, and Pellaeon giving Han and Leia the painting at the end of ''The Unifying Force''.

*** So, long story short: Star Wars? Good at emotions in any media.

*** Hell, that's not a tearjerker, it's a crime.

** There's this exchange in the ''[[Hand of Thrawn]]'' duology that always makes this troper want to give [[Worthy Opponent|Pellaeon]] [[The Woobie|a hug]]:

'''Ardiff:''' * hesitates, reaches out and touches Pellaeon's arm* "It's been a long road, sir. Long and hard and discouraging. For all of us, but mostly for you. If there's anything I can do..." }}

** [[Darth Bane|Zannah's]] [[Break the Cutie|ordeal with the death of Laa]]. Made almost worse by the fact that the Jedi she immediately kills were only trying to protect her. And that they killed pretty much the only sane Bouncer left on Ruusan.

*** This troper grew to love the young Jedi [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Tallisibeth_Enwandung-Esterhazy Scout] from "Yoda: Dark Rendezvous"; she wasn't strong in the Force, but she believed in her cause and tried to make up for it in other ways. Being a Jedi - everything about her boiled down to that, and Yoda's little speech about not giving up on one who burns so brightly could qualify for this trope. "Order 66" tells us that after her culture was annihilated/driven underground she got scooped up and most likely converted by the Mandalorians, who ''hate'' Jedi and are antithetical to them... well, she's not Scout after that. She's just another smug Mandalorian; the core of her being is gone. Sure, it's never stated that she got converted, and it can be hoped that she found other Jedi and left. But it's so sad to think of Scout losing herself and being another [[Proud Warrior Race Guy]] - the line referring to her implies that she thinks the Jedi thought she was of little value so she was rejecting them, and that ''was not true.'' Don't write her anymore, Traviss. I love Scout. Don't do that to her.

*** Except that '''none''' of that happened. Aside from Yoda and her master, Jai Maruk, she really ''wasn't'' very well liked by the Jedi, and Mace Windu suggested sending her off to the Agricultural Corps (where weak-with-the-Force, failed Jedi go). She was pretty much telling the truth. And once rescued by the Mandalorians and brought to Mandalore, Scout was offered the chance to become a Mandalorians if she wanted to and she '''''turned them down'''''.

'''Mij Gilamar (Mandalorian)''':"''Of course you can.''" }}

**** And in Traviss' notes for the now canceled Imperial Commando 2, she stated that Scout would have remained a Jedi with Jedi Master Djinn Altis' sect of Jedi in-hiding. The ''only'' thing that would have changed is Scout being adopted by the aformentioned Mij Gilamar as his daughter, and not a problem in Altis' family-friendly Jedi sect.

*** As near as I can tell, some people hate Karen Traviss's Republic Commando series and some people love them. I love them, and the whole damn series was full of tearjerkers. I LIKE her version of the clones, and they're wildly tearjerking. Especially Skirata's boys. And their backstory. Even if they are psychopaths.

*** Another from Shatterpoint. Mace has to order some of his clone troopers to fly cover for him in unarmed transports - a suicide mission:

'''Commander''': We always volunteer, sir. All of us. It's who we are. }}

*** Also, {{spoiler|Chalk's death}} from the same. A thirteen year old rape victim, fighting so that no one else has to go through that, {{spoiler|gets shot through the stomach and keeps shooting. No one notices her fatal wound until they're about to leave and she is in the process of ''actually dying''; she has to draw their attention to herself because she took the bullet without a sound.}}

** The ending of [[Outbound Flight]]. Lorana and Thrass die to save the last survivors, and [[The Greatest Story Never Told|no one ever knows what they did]].

** There's a quiet one in ''[[Star Wars/Allegiance|Allegiance]]'', when the Emperor's Hand Mara Jade "buries" her companion, a smuggler she was working with and had promised a pardon to, out in space as he'd requested. He'd come to trust her. Typically of Zahn, it briefly and economically hints at her character, emotional state, and her hidden awareness that Palpatine is bad, for all that she thinks of him as a "[[Horrible Judge of Character|good and wise man]]" in his presence.

** The end of the novelization of ''Revenge of the Sith''. Starting from "This is how it feels to be Anakin Skywalker, forever," until the end.

*** Oh god. That entire ''passage''.

Because now your''self'' is all you will ever have. }}

** No, Anakin's death at the end of RotJ. This troper still cannot read it without bawling.

*** To elaborate, Anakin's death scene is mostly told from his point of view, emphasizing both his guilt and horror at what he's done, while also his wonder at feeling, seeing, and tasting for the first time in twenty years without the aid of his suit.

** In ''[[Death Star]]'', you get into the mind of the gunner that destroyed Alderaan. Turns out, he hated himself for not having the guts to say no to such a massive atrocity. He died delaying the Death Star from firing. Gives new meaning to the phrase "Stand by".

* In the young adult series ''Jedi Apprentice'', set before ''[[The Phantom Menace]]'', Qui-Gon Jinn and Tahl, a Jedi that he grew up with, finally admit their love for each other after years of close friendship. {{spoiler|Immediately afterwards, she gets captured and tortured to death, nearly bringing Qui-Gon to the Dark Side in his [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge|grief-stricken rage]]}}.

* Chewbacca's tribute comic is a combination of [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|Crowning Moments of Awesome]], [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming|Crowning Moments of Heartwarming]], even [[Crowning Moment of Funny|Crowning Moments of Funny]], and of course, [[Tear Jerker|Tear Jerkers]]. But there are two back to back instances that stand out the most for the Tear Jerkers.

** The first is Luke's talk about Chewbacca. Luke, talking to C-3PO and R2-D2, who are preparing a memorial for the fallen hero, remembers his early life, the first time he met Chewbacca, and what he felt when the Wookiee died.

*** These last words are accompanied by a half-page panel of Han weeping bitterly alone in the ''Falcon's'' cockpit, and a small panel of Luke looking as old as Yoda.

** The second Tear Jerker follows the first, and concludes the comic series. Han is in the ''Falcon'', cleaning and repairing his ship, and forgets for a moment that Chewbacca isn't there anymore. When 3PO and R2 arrive, he sits down and shows them some keepsakes: a brush, some junk, and a twig from the trees of his homeworld. Han embarks on a short tale of a time that Chewie rescued his young daughter:

 

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[[Category:Literature/Tear Jerker]]

[[Category:Film/Tear Jerker]]

[[Category:Tear Jerker]]

[[Category:Tear Jerker/Comics]]