Do I Need to Watch Rogue One Before New Star Wars Episode Comes Out?

Many questions arise before watching a new Star Wars episode, one of which is whether you should watch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story first. To clear up the confusion, let's explore the reasoning behind either choice.

Is It Necessary to Watch Rogue One?

No, it's not strictly necessary to watch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story before watching the next Star Wars episode. However, doing so can certainly enhance your understanding of the larger narrative. Rogue One provides important context for the events leading up to A New Hope, particularly regarding the Rebel Alliance and the Death Star plans. If the upcoming episode references events or characters from Rogue One, having that background could enrich your viewing experience. But if you are already familiar with the original trilogy and the general Star Wars lore, you might still enjoy the new episode without it.

Why Rogue One Is Not Necessary, Yet Valuable

The movie Rogue One sought to answer the question of how the Rebellion obtained the Death Star data tapes. Did it need answering? Not necessarily. The original A New Hope works perfectly fine without going into the sacrifices and struggles the Rebellion went through to obtain those tapes. However, if you're looking for additional context, Rogue One is certainly worth watching.

In my opinion, Rogue One was a smartly made movie that added substantial context to A New Hope. It highlighted several important points, such as the precarious state of the Rebellion in A New Hope, the terrifying power of the Empire, and the nature of the Empire at that point. If Disney had focused more on movies and stories like Rogue One, they might have allowed themselves to continue presenting interesting anthology movies that would appeal to audiences. However, their next anthology film, Solo, aimed to answer the question of who Han Solo was before the original Episode 4. The answer, unfortunately, was not one that resonated with many fans.

Rogue One: A Side Story

Rogue One is a side story that simply explains the price of getting the Death Star plans. The story will make sense without watching it. It provides valuable context for the events leading up to the original trilogy, but it is not essential for enjoying the new Star Wars episodes. For those who are eager to dive into the lore and appreciate the richness of the Star Wars universe, Rogue One is a must. For others, it's a choice based on personal interest and curiosity.

Conclusion

In summary, while it is not necessary to watch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story before a new Star Wars episode, doing so can enhance your appreciation of the broader narrative. The decision to watch it rests on whether you want that additional context or not. If you're looking for enriching background knowledge, it can certainly be worth your time. If you're focused on enjoying the new episode, you can do so without any prior viewing of Rogue One.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rogue One necessary to understand the original trilogy?

No, but it does provide additional context and enriches your understanding of the broader narrative. It's not required for the story to make sense, but it can enhance your appreciation of the original trilogy.

Will I miss anything if I watch the new Star Wars episode before Rogue One?

No, you won't miss any critical plot points from the original trilogy. However, you might miss some of the additional background and context provided by Rogue One.

Is Solo worth watching?

Solo is an interesting film, but its impact on fans was not as significant as that of Rogue One. It provides interesting backstory, but it doesn't add the same level of context as Rogue One.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the decision to watch Rogue One before the next Star Wars episode comes down to your personal interest and curiosity. If you're looking for an enriching experience and a deeper understanding of the Star Wars universe, it might be worth your time. If you're just excited to see the new episode, you can enjoy it without prior viewing of Rogue One.