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Todd Wahlstrom

Todd Wahlstrom is a creative and analytical freelance writer and life-long Star Wars fan. He has covered such topics as Darth Vader, the Jedi, Boba Fett, and AT-AT Walkers. Todd has published a non-fiction book, holds a Ph.D. in history, and enjoys hiking, running, and reading about science.

When we watched The Last Jedi, we may have noticed how the First Order Walkers on Crait appeared to have red eyes. We may wonder if engineers installed these eyes on purpose and, if so, what purpose they served. The red eyes seem to provide intimidation and function but are also not consistently used.  Did …

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A New Hope gave audiences the breakout entrance of Darth Vader. Once Vader and the stormtroopers overwhelmed the Rebels on Tantive IV, most of the defenders lay dead with their hands across their faces. We may wonder why the actors hid their faces this way. There were both storytelling and filming reasons.  Why Did Most …

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Rumors recently circulated about Kathleen Kennedy being fired. While that is not true, the prospect of her replacement is being discussed. Several candidates have been making headlines but only a few seem to be true prospects for taking over at Lucasfilm.  News on Kathleen Kennedy Recently, Kennedy put to rest speculation that she was being …

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The Clone Wars depicted a variety of weapons on both sides of the conflict. Yet, some vehicles are not used or do not appear very much. Why is that so? Some reasons include suitability for combat and budget decisions.  Why Were Some Vehicles Not Used in the Clone Wars? A recent Reddit Star Wars discussion …

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Darth Vader has many distinctive elements that come with his armor. His fearsome mask and helmet, belt, and chestplate are among them. Yet, we may not have noticed the chain around his neck. Why did Vader start wearing it and what purpose does it serve? The chain has useful and ornamental purposes, and possibly symbolic …

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In the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, viewers saw Obi-Wan return from a hidden life and emerge as a Jedi. After the Clone Wars and his duel on Mustafar, we may have thought he would have abandoned the prophecy. Instead, Obi-Wan fully embraced it. Why did this happen? We can count his relationship with the Force and …

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Because of the prequel movies, we know Anakin’s backstory starts with him as a young boy. Yet, how the prequels portray Anakin only came together once those movies were planned. What was known about Anakin-Vader before the prequels came out? There was an outline of his life, but it diverged from the first two movies.  …

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In The Clone Wars, we witnessed the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS) take on the Republic and be on the verge of losing. Yet, what if the Clone Wars happened without Palpatine playing both sides? Could CIS actually beat the Republic? The potential for a CIS victory has merits, but we see more advantages for …

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During the Clone Wars, the AT-TE was a mainstay weapon that evolved into legendary status for Star Wars fans. This combat vehicle has multiple features that help it stand out. We can start by recognizing its walking speed and then think about eleven other outstanding components.  1. Walking Speed The All Terrain Tactical Enforcer (AT-TE) …

Read More about The Official Cross-Sections Say that the AT-TE Can Walk at 37 mph & 11 Other Facts You’ll Love to Know