"Don't know, don't care" about Star Wars day? Here's a simple guide to watching the series that'll change everything

Star Wars fans the world over are wishing each other 'May the 4th be with you' on Friday on the occasion of Star Wars Day. However, there is also an even larger bunch of people who couldn't be bothered about the events in a galaxy far far away. There are several reasons for this, to be sure, but the main one is that the series, as it stands, is completely lopsided.

For example, here's the order in which a normal series of 8 films, (so far) would come out: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 

However, in the case of Star Wars, it happened differently, namely: 4,5,6,1,2,3,7,8

And that's without considering the ongoing anthology series, cartoons, novels and other things! 

It's no wonder that non-fans are confused, and that's a shame because as much as Star Wars is revered and appears to have a nerd-connect, it is actually quite a simple and easy to follow space-fantasy-family-action-drama story.

So for all those people who don't know how to get into Star Wars, here's a guide:

*The key is starting from the beginning. Don't let people fool you. The fourth movie (but first to come out) was made in the 70s and will not impress the likes of those who just stepped out of theatres after watching Avengers: Infinity War for a third time. Start with Episode 1: The Phantom Menace and take it from there.

(Watch this film first)

Here's the order for those who want to only watch the essential films(also called 'Episodes'):

1. Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
2. Episode 2: Attack of the Clones
3. Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith
4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
5. Episode 4: A New Hope
6. Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back
7. Episode 6: Return of the Jedi

*Don't be confused by the terminology (The Jedi, the Sith, the force and so on...) 
If you start with Episode 1 as advised above, here's a cheat-sheet:

Jedi: Think of them as an intergalactic elite police force. They're the good guys and we know this because it's part of the definition of being a Jedi. They follow a sort of religion that bars them from espousing feelings such as hate and anger. They have a link to a power called the 'Force' which they use in their activities. At the start of the series, there are thousands of Jedi.

Sith: Also called the 'dark side' as they use the 'dark side of the force', these are the opposites of the Jedi and the villains in the series. Hatred courses through their veins. At the start of the series, they are thought to be extinct.

The Force: As mentioned, it's a power that the Jedi and Sith use. People who are born 'force-sensitive' are trained in its use from a young age. It allows them to have lightning quick reflexes (as their instincts have a sort of limited future-gazing ability) and influence 'luck' and chance. So if someone shoots at them while they're blindfolded, in all likelihood there'll be something telling them to jump away or duck. The force can also be used to move things as if by magic and to trick people or compel them into obeying instructions. People often say 'May the force be with you'... it's like saying 'Best of Luck'

The Galaxy: There's no Earth in Star Wars. Space travel is easy-peasy. There are advanced civilisations all across the galaxy.

Lightsaber: It's a sword made of a laser. It can't shoot but it can cut through basically anything. It can also reflect laser guns. 

*It's not rocket science. There's no Interstellar-like theoretical physics involved. The first film actually features a thrilling high-speed car (pod) race where a force-sensitive kid drives for his freedom. 

(This guy features prominently in Episode 1. He's a complete cartoon)

*It's basically good vs evil: Sometimes the good guys are winning and the bad guys are thought to not exist while on other occasions, the bad guys appear to have won and the good guys are nowhere to be seen.

(A Jedi and a Sith duelling with their lightsabers. The evil Sith always use a red lightsaber)

*As the series jumps generations on two occasions, some of the additional material can help you bridge the gaps. There are only two that are actually useful though:

1. Clone Wars: About 2 hours worth of short cartoons that end right before the events of Episode 3 begin. These are really good

2. The Clone Wars: A longer cartoon series also set between Episodes 2 and 3. 

So go right ahead and binge away!

"May the force be with you!"