Okay, let’s talk about mara jade. You know, the red-headed assassin from Star Wars who isn’t technically canon anymore, but still holds a spot in a lot of Star Wars fans’ hearts like a permanent tattoo. She wasn’t a Jedi, not a Sith—just somewhere in between, but that’s what made her so freakin’ cool.

The story of mara jade is all about revenge, redemption, and, honestly, some damn good lightsaber duels. I mean, let’s be real—there’s a reason people still talk about her, even though she hasn’t appeared in a Star Wars movie in forever. Stick with me, we’re gonna dive deep into her legacy.

The Origins of Mara Jade: The Emperor’s Hand

So, here’s the deal. mara jade wasn’t just some random Force-sensitive person roaming around like, “Oh hey, I think I’ll be a Jedi today.” Nope. She was the Emperor’s personal hitwoman.

She was the Emperor’s Hand. Y’know, the top-tier secret agent. The kind that made you look over your shoulder every five minutes.

Her Early Role in the Empire

• Trained by Palpatine himself. Yeah, like the dude who somehow survived not one but two major planet-destroying events.
• She was basically the Empire’s answer to a Swiss Army knife: infiltration, assassination, and Force powers. What couldn’t she do?
• Rumor has it she was always lurking in the shadows, even during key moments like the Return of the Jedi.

I’m not saying she was the original “bad girl,” but, well… if anyone was, it’s definitely mara jade. She was lethal and did not mess around. If she had a tagline, it would be: “She’s the one you don’t want to piss off.”

The Fall of the Empire: A Vow That Won’t Die

So, let’s skip ahead a little. The Emperor’s dead. Endor. That whole “Emperor Palpatine is thrown down a shaft by Vader” thing. But guess who’s left standing in the wreckage? Yep. Mara Jade.

Now, Palpatine’s last words to her were simple: “You will kill Luke Skywalker.”

And that, my friends, is how we get into the messy part of mara jade’s journey.

Haunted by the Emperor’s Last Words

• Imagine this: You just watched your boss, who was basically your entire life, get fried by the Force, and now you’re supposed to track down the guy who helped kill him.
• mara jade wasn’t exactly taking this well. She spent the next few years bouncing between smuggler work and bounty hunting. Like, “Who am I? What now?” If it was a ‘90s teen movie, this would be the part where the main character questions everything, has an emotional meltdown, and maybe goes on a road trip.

There’s a scene where she looks up at the sky and wonders, “Should I just kill Luke? Or is that even what the Emperor would want anymore?” Trust me, I get it—when my blender broke during my “smoothie phase,” I too questioned my life choices. Anyway.

The Ultimate Meeting: Mara Jade vs. Luke Skywalker

Okay, so picture this: mara jade is hunting Luke down, right? She’s been ordered by the Emperor to kill him, and now it’s just… fate. Luke Skywalker and mara jade meet. And, look, sparks fly. Not the romantic kind (well, not yet). But it’s like watching a chess match where the pieces are lightsabers and Force lightning. And it’s awesome.

From Enemies to Something Else

• First, she’s a stone-cold assassin, ready to take down the Jedi. She even has a moment where she nearly gets him.
• But as the story goes on, she’s forced to team up with Luke. Surprise! That “kill Luke” order? It starts getting real fuzzy.
• Slowly, over time, she learns that not all Jedi are bad, and Luke isn’t exactly the monster she thought he was. I mean, he wasn’t the one blowing up planets.

I have a friend, Tyler, who always says he’d rather be stuck on a desert island with Darth Vader than with someone who still doesn’t get “Star Wars” and argues about the prequels. This feels like that moment for mara jade—being forced to see things from the other side.

Wait, They Got Married?! Yep.

Alright, so here’s the thing. You’re probably thinking, “Wait, they got married? Seriously?” Yes. It’s complicated. But it works.

Fast forward past three failed attempts at keeping their cool. Mara Jade becomes more than the Emperor’s Hand. She trains as a Jedi. I mean, Luke Skywalker himself is like, “Alright, you’re not terrible.” And she’s like, “Yeah, I can handle this.”

Mara Jade, Jedi Knight

• She’s not just another Jedi; mara jade has layers. She’s got the whole Force thing, but also her own style. She’s not afraid to speak her mind.
• I’m not gonna lie—mara jade and Luke’s relationship was kind of like those weird, “we’ve been friends for years but now we’re more than that” stories. Y’know, when you get older, and suddenly you realize you’ve got feelings for that one person you never thought you would? That’s them.
• They marry, and she becomes a Jedi Master. Wild, right? She’s a former assassin-turned-Jedi, holding a purple lightsaber.

Anyway, don’t think it was all sunshine and rainbows. They fought, they argued, but the spark? Yeah, it never quite disappeared.

Her Legacy: Mara Jade’s Death and What It Means

Fast forward to her tragic death in the Legacy of the Force series. I still can’t get over how brutal it was. Mara jade dies by the hands of her nephew—Jacen Solo. Yes, her nephew, who goes full Sith and turns into Darth Caedus. If this was a real family drama, it’d be the finale of The Real Housewives of the Outer Rim.

The Final Duel

• She sees the darkness in Jacen and attempts to stop him. But, let’s face it: she’s outgunned.
• Her death, in a way, highlights everything she stood for. It’s the ultimate sacrifice, like when you spend hours getting your Thanksgiving meal just right, only for your dog to knock the gravy boat over. Ouch.

But, y’all—mara jade doesn’t go down without leaving a massive impact. Her death is still one of the most heartbreaking moments in the Star Wars galaxy.

Why Mara Jade Still Matters

Listen, I know Disney’s reboot basically told us, “Sorry, Legends is over, move along,” but mara jade has stuck with fans. Even though she’s no longer in the official timeline, she’s still here—alive in our conversations, in our fan theories, and in our hearts.

What Makes Her Last?

• She’s not your average “good guy” or “bad guy.” She’s got flaws, and that makes her more relatable.
• I mean, yeah, Luke’s cool, but let’s be real. Mara jade had attitude. And we need more of that in Star Wars.
• She’s a reminder that no one is just one thing. People, like characters, can evolve.

And look, the number of fan petitions to bring her into the official canon? Wild. Like, mara jade deserves her due, right?

The Expanded Universe and Her Influence

Before Disney got their hands on the galaxy, mara jade appeared in books and comics across Star Wars’ Expanded Universe. And let’s be real: if you weren’t reading those in the ‘90s, were you even a true fan?

Notable Appearances:

• Heir to the Empire trilogy, Hand of Thrawn duology, and more.
• Union comic, where her and Luke’s relationship is solidified (and the wedding happens—no, really).
• Legacy of the Force series, where her final stand happens.

Without mara jade, the Expanded Universe just wouldn’t have been the same. Her character was complex, relatable, and, most importantly—badass.

Should Mara Jade Be Canon Again?

Now we’re getting to the fun part. Should mara jade come back into the Star Wars canon? Fans are hella divided. I mean, who doesn’t want to see her pop up in The Mandalorian or Ahsoka?

Let’s Break It Down:

• Mara jade could add more depth to Luke’s backstory (I mean, they were married, right?).
• She would be an epic female presence in the galaxy far, far away. We need more of that.
• But bringing her back would need some serious careful writing. Let’s not mess this up, Disney.

If you ask me, I say let’s do it. At the very least, give her a shot in some multiverse stuff. Please.

Fun Facts About Mara Jade

• Her lightsaber color? Purple. ‘Cause, you know, why not? Purple’s cool.
• She once impersonated Leia to foil an assassination plot. Talk about pulling a switcheroo.
• Her Force skills were all instinct. The Jedi training came second.
• Once, she tried to pretend she liked smuggling. Spoiler: she didn’t.

And did I mention she’s still influencing Star Wars? I think I did.

Final Thoughts: Why We Still Love Mara Jade

At the end of the day, mara jade is still one of the most memorable characters in Star Wars. Her mix of anger, redemption, and bad-assery is something we can all learn from. So, yeah, her legacy? It’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Plus, she totally deserves a proper reboot in the canon. I just hope when it happens, they don’t ruin it like they did with the Star Wars Holiday Special. Trust me, y’all.