Luke Skywalker and his father figures: What Star Wars has to say about dads

Some Star Wars Father's Day cards from 2016

The pictures above are the Father’s Day cards I received from my two sons last weekend. There are no festivals that Star Wars does not reach. 

They set me thinking about the role of fatherhood in Star Wars. Released at a time of sharply rising marital break-up, the 1977 film was the tale of a fatherless young man looking to find his place in the universe. Today, Episode Nothing considers how Star Wars dealt with the subject of fatherhood.

What the censors made of Star Wars: British paperwork reveals their views

A UK poster for Star Wars, displaying the 'U' certificate

The bodies that apply age ratings to films around the world had to consider whether Star Wars was appropriate for all children. Episode Nothing considers some fascinating documents from the archives of the British film censors which record their conclusion. 

7 key similarities between American Graffiti and Star Wars

Poster art for American Graffiti (1973) and Star Wars (1977)

Star Wars was George Lucas's third feature film. It couldn’t be more unlike his first, THX 1138 (1971). But it bears a surprising number of similarities to his second, the low budget smash hit American Graffiti (1973). Today, Episode Nothing explores the connections between Lucas's vision of small town California in 1962 and the galaxy far, far away. 

Listen: A 1977 audience's reaction to Star Wars

Hear a 1977 audience react to Star Wars below

Today, Episode Nothing points you towards one of the most beautiful, warmly nostalgic Star Wars experiences you can have on the internet, as we hear a first generation audience react to the film.

What's the record number of times anyone has seen Star Wars? Anyone beat 102?

A 1977 audience waits in line to see Star Wars

Last time at Episode Nothing, we considered the case of Daniel Henning, a boy who saw Star Wars 102 times – and not on video, but in a cinema. Today, we give further consideration to the people who saw the film multiple times, and who became a key part of the Star Wars phenomenon.

Did Alec Guinness really make a young fan burst into tears? The story of the boy who saw Star Wars 102 times

Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi

Today, Episode Nothing returns to the subject of Sir Alec Guinness and the contempt he came to show for Star Wars. 

It turns out there is a fascinating postscript to his story about the time he made a child promise never to see the film again. And it might just shed some light on the great actor’s complicated relationship to his most successful film.

Star Wars Annual No. 1: The UK gets the Marvel comic in colour ... or color

The cover of Star Wars Annual no. 1 from 1978

Episode Nothing looks at the first Star Wars Annual, from 1978.  It was the book which gave UK fans behind the scenes features about the film, plus a taste of something Americans had already had – Marvel's Star Wars adaptation in colour. (Or, if you prefer, color.)