Are You Not Entertained?

It’s no secret that I’m a giant nerd. I love sci-fi, comic books, and fantasy. As I write this, art prints of Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian, and the Cardboard Tube Samurai stare back at me — not to mention the various Star Wars lego figures arranged on my desk. This is who I am.

Last year, I was thoroughly excited about the Netflix adaptation of Cowboy Bebop. The nearly 25-year-old anime series is something I began watching in college and have regularly rewatched since.

As soon as the show was released, the internet lost its mind. I couldn’t turn a corner without seeing someone complain about Netflix ruining Cowboy Bebop. The creative team made some odd choices, but the show was fun and ended on a unique note that genuinely left me wanting more. I guess I was outnumbered because Netflix canceled the show almost immediately.

Fast forward to The Book of Boba Fett. Like Cowboy Bebop, I’ve been bombarded with less than flattering hot takes on Twitter and TikTok. Just like Bebop, I’ve really enjoyed The Book of Boba Fett. It’s not the greatest thing ever released in the Star Wars universe (I’m looking at you, Rebels), but it’s something new, and it’s entertaining. Ultimately, that’s what I want from my entertainment.

While things we create aren’t appetizing to everyone, it’s also important to temper our expectations when consuming other people’s work. Why do we pick up a new book or watch a new show? Is it to fundamentally change our universe? Typically, no. We usually just want a short escape into a new world.

I can’t remember my first introduction to Star Wars, but a college roommate introduced Cowboy Bebop as something I might like. They didn’t tell me it would change my life or become something I’d watch for the next 20 years, nor did I go in with that expectation. If I did, there’s no way anything would ever live up to the hype.

It’s okay just to enjoy something, even if it’s not life-changing. We need to stop putting so much pressure on the things we enjoy and the creators who make them. It might just help us enjoy our entertainment more.

Did my thoughts change your life? I don’t expect them to. Still, I want to know what entertainment you enjoy escaping into. Hit reply and let me know.