Part 1/13:
The Decline of Star Wars and the Culture of Coping
The recent discourse surrounding the Star Wars franchise, particularly the reactions to The Acolyte, exemplifies a broader phenomenon in fandom culture: the desperate need to defend a product that many believe has become fundamentally flawed. Instead of engaging critically with the content, fans and critics alike often resort to bending definitions, dismissing logic, and engaging in elaborate justifications to preserve their attachment. This phenomenon reveals not only frustrations with the franchise's current trajectory but also exposes a culture where entertainment quality has taken a backseat to ideological battles and performative outrage.