Star Wars: the Force Awakens Forensic Teaching About Patricide

Books and Media References (e.g., the Oedipus complex, the Werther effect). This 1. The Night Of. From http://www.hbo.com/the-night-of. Ac- aspect is evident from publications in scholarly jour- cessed November 3, 2016 nals discussing how to use Star Wars in clinical inter- 2. Maslow, AH: The Psychology of Science: A Reconnaissance. Cha- 1–3 pel Hill, NC: Maurice Bassett Publishing, 2002 actions as well as for teaching. 3. Farrell HM, Drogin EY: Comparing psychiatric and psychologi- Star Wars films predating The Force Awakens have cal ethics in forensic practice. Ethics Med Public Health 2:27–35, been used to discuss forensic themes ranging from 2016 pedophilic grooming to objectivity in diagnosis, psy- Michelle Joy, MD chopathy, and malingering.1–3 In addition, Star Kenneth J. Weiss, MD Wars allows one to analyze how culture, religion, and Philadelphia, PA tradition can influence forensic evaluations. For ex- Disclosures of financial or other potential conflicts of interest: None. ample, in the Star Wars universe, Qui-Gon Jinn’s behaviors are not necessarily unusual for one who follows the Jedi religion, but in the real world, they can be used to demonstrate pedophilic grooming be- Star Wars: The Force Awakens haviors.3 Qui-Gon woos the young Anakin Sky- walker (Darth Vader) away from his mother and Forensic Teaching About friends after ingratiating himself to Anakin’s mother. Patricide He tells Anakin how special he is (Jedi powers in the Written by Lawrence Kasdan, Michael Arndt, J.J. Abrams. Force), encourages him to keep secrets, and after Based on characters created by George Lucas. Directed gaining the trust of Anakin’s mother, engages in by: J. J. Abrams. Produced by: Lucasfilm Ltd. and Bad physical closeness, as symbolized by Qui-Gon’s tak- Robot Productions. Release: December 18, 2015 ing Anakin’s blood to determine a midi-chlorian count. Late adolescent Obi-Wan Kenobi can also be The iconic space opera Star Wars has realized great used to demonstrate aspects of grooming, in that he is popularity for almost 40 years, growing outside of its another young blond former child victim (padawan) original medium to incorporate toys, games, books, being used to aid in grooming his replacement by nor- and plays. The popularity of the Star Wars universe malizing Qui-Gon’s behavior. shows no sign of waning, with The Force Awakens As a quick review, other characters used to teach surpassing a billion dollars at the box office, making forensic concepts include: the cold-blooded Jabba it the third highest grossing movie of all time. At their the Hutt who demonstrates classic features of psy- heart, the Star Wars films follow the structure of chopathy1; Yoda may be used to demonstrate char- many classic mythologies: the “hero’s journey” (a acteristics of malingering, with his intentional mis- term coined by scholar Joseph Campbell, who him- leading of others regarding his physical abilities self was influenced by the works of Carl Jung), even (appearing frail preceding the Count Dooku lightsa- while taking place in a galaxy far, far away. Although ber duel) or his personality (appearing simplistic and nominally following the inner machinations of galac- naive when first meeting Luke in Dagobah swamp) tic wars, the Star Wars films follow three generations to have others underestimate him (for secondary of tragedy in a gifted family. The concepts of good gain); Jawas can teach about kleptomania, since they and evil are represented by the underdog individual repeatedly steal unneeded shiny objects of little value (the Rebellion, Resistance, the lone Jedi) fighting and have (noisy) gratification subsequent to building against authoritative forces (The Trade Federation, tension, such as in stealing R2D23; and Han Solo can The Empire, The New Order, The Sith), which of- be used to discuss the importance of objectivity in ten results in the characters’ embarking on journeys diagnosis or evaluations, as it relates to the infamous of self-discovery where they learn about themselves, “who shot first” dilemma in Greedo’s death2 (was it love, forgiveness, and living with the consequences of self-defense or murder?). their actions. The Star Wars universe has reached Thus, the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an such a level of acceptance in the cultural zeitgeist that excellent jumping-off point from which to discuss characters and situations from it can be used as short- previously unexplored forensic concepts or topics hand to teach about human interactions and mental such as patricide (killing of the father). Bourget and illness in a way similar to other cultural references colleagues4 noted that early explanations for the act 128 The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Books and Media of patricide were Oedipal, in that the identified mo- Kylo Ren attacks a computer console after learning his tivation for the murder was a defense against inces- attempts to recover the map were unsuccessful or when tuous desires or hostility. Although past scholarly he has a tantrum after Rey escapes. In addition, one can works regarding Star Wars examine Oedipal themes argue that Kylo Ren’s behaviors border on psychotic, (such as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader’s relation- based on his soliloquies to the remains of his grandfa- ship), the conflict is almost always approached from ther’s helmet. It may also be argued that Ben Solo had the clinical perspective of how to resolve the complex delusional ideas about becoming as powerful as his for improved mental health rather than as an exam- grandfather. The Force (versus psychotic disorder) may ination for the motivation to commit a crime. In be considered here, similar to how it was in his Uncle addition, it may be better to use The Force Awakens as Luke’s generation before (e.g., hearing voices, seeing a fictional example to teach forensic concepts regard- dead people, newfound religious beliefs, and beliefs that ing patricide, because much of the limited research he could manipulate people’s minds and control their on patricide is applicable to the case of Ben Solo’s thoughts and actions).2 The family history is also sug- (also known as Kylo Ren) murder of Han Solo. gestive of personality disorders: Ben’s father (Han) is Whether the reader falls into the camp of those considered by some to have antisocial personality traits, who believe that Ben Solo was struggling with his his mother (Leia) may have histrionic traits,2 and his decision to follow the First Order when he killed his grandfather Anakin demonstrates characteristics of bor- father on the bridge,5 or the camp of those who be- derline personality.1 lieve that Kylo Ren was on the bridge slyly, tearfully Ben Solo has (metaphorically) characteristics similar pretending to need his father’s help to draw him to those of other patricide offenders, in that he is a closer, there is no dispute that it was an epic scene. young single male (under 30), has mental illness (typi- The lightsaber wound alone was lethal, but Han then cally psychosis), with comorbid alcohol or drug abuse literally fell into oblivion. Although it is a fictional (Dark Side addiction), who stops his treatment (e.g., scene meant to build dramatic effect, it contains the leaves training with Luke), and has a history of (poten- hallmarks of many real acts of patricide. Either the tial) legal problems (e.g., violent tendencies resulting in lightsaber or the fall alone would have done the job, property destruction). The two common characteristics but one could argue that having both occur was ex- Ben Solo is lacking are being unemployed (after all, he cessive or overkill. Excessive violence is common has a steady job with the New Order) and living with his among men who kill their fathers, highlighting the victim. In the Quebec study, two-thirds of patricides in-depth personal nature of the act, the degree of (64%) occurred with motives stemming from psycho- emotion involved, and the view of the attacker that sis.4 The Canadian sample also found that two-thirds the act is justified.4 (67%) of male parricide offenders had delusions, in- Ben’s journey to the Dark Side has already occurred cluding two with Capgras delusions (misidentification; by the time we meet him in The Force Awakens, with his believing their parents to be imposters).4 Other delu- rejection of his family (mother, father, and uncle) before sional themes were found in a smaller study of 10 pat- the act of patricide is committed. The rejection even ricidal sons; “A few of these men thought that their goes so far as his changing his name from Ben (an as- fathers were trying to control them, either through evil sumed homage by his parents to Ben Kenobi, also vibrations or having supernatural power” (Ref. 6, p 42). known as Obi-wan) to Kylo Ren. He is blindly seeking In addition, many juveniles who kill their fathers have power and influence, while simultaneously rejecting his experienced childhood abuse.7 Fathers were often de- family’s values by being involved with the First Order. scribed as abusive, domineering, and cruel.8 Similar to Although in real life there is no true Dark Side, there is Ben’s actions, the majority (91%) of patricide offenders the very real and seductive call of illicit drugs (which, act alone, and most (88%) adult patricide offenders are much like the Dark Side, further cloud one’s mind, male.7 An American study found that offenders most offer quick solutions, affect relationships, and alter be- often used guns (60%), with knives being the second haviors). By the time Kylo commits patricide, we have most common weapon (22%).7 Meanwhile, the Cana- already seen him commit other acts of violence.

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