For the past few weeks I've been enamored with Kal Skirata. I really identify with Etain in some ways, and, like her, I wanted to like him. And if I met him, I'd probably want him to like me. He has a lot of great qualities and I admire what he does for his sons. But when I finished Triple Zero last night I was practically as mad as he can get (okay, so I wasn't going to kill anyone, but I was mad!!). As much as I respect Kal and even like him, when he went all crazy on Etain when she told him she was pregnant, I wanted kick him with great force in a very uncomfortable place. And I've only wanted to do that maybe 3 other times in my entire life. Never did, but sometimes boys are such jerks . . . . Sorry, I'm getting off topic. Before I really get into this rant, I'll make a few concessions to the object of my fury:

1) Yeah, Etain didn't think the whole pregnancy thing through. Even she admits that.

2) She should have given Darman a choice about becoming a father (which brings up an interesting discussion about the Force and birth control in the GFFA, but that's another blog . . . .).

3) She should have thought about the combination of genes her child would have, and how many people would be very interested in that combination.

4) She's a Jedi right? She's supposed to be wise and cautious, not impulsive.

You're probably thinking, "Jade, with all those concessions, you don't really have much of an argument." You're right - I probably don't. But I do have my opinion, and a few things that maybe, put together, make something of an argument. They don't excuse Etain, but I think Kal should have thought about them:

1) Answers to my concessions: You know what? I didn't think those things through. I doubt any other reader really did. It was a mistake. A dangerous mistake, but no different than other dangerous mistakes I'm sure Kal made over the years. Kal is much older than Etain and can't expect her to be perfectly wise, even if she is a Jedi. Nobody's perfect.

2) When Etain told Kal she was pregnant, I think his response, "Whose is it?" was waaaay out of line. He basically called her a selfish liar who doesn't really care about clones and their feelings. Who never loved Darman. Who messes around with anyone she can find and doesn't give a darn about anything but her own pleasure. That's low. And he darn well should have known that that wasn't true.

3) If Kal didn't put much stock into Jedi and their wisdom, he shouldn't have expected Etain to think things through at all. So basically he did think somewhat highly of her and her concern for the clones. He believed she really cared about them. Otherwise he wouldn't have held her to the standard he did. Now it could be argued that he would have held anyone to that standard because he loved his men so much, but I still think he thought better of her. He did admit that he liked her. He even called her ad'ika - child, son, daughter. The glossary says it's used affectionately. He didn't call just anyone that.

4) For Pete's sake, she's a pregnant woman! Go easy on her!

5) Mandalorians are supposed to be big on family, yes? Okay, well part of being a family is having understanding and gentleness. You forgive each other when you make mistakes. You love each other anyway. And the goal should be not to blow up at each other, but to talk things out calmly. And definitely to always remind each other how much you'll always love them, no matter what they do. Kal screwed up in this department. He tried to keep his rage under control - I'll give him that - but he didn't show much understanding, love, or gentleness. He didn't give much of a reminder that he still cared about her, even though he did say that he didn't hate her. He didn't show any forgiveness.

6) Kal talked about raising the child to know his heritage and stuff. I have no problem with that. I think it's good. I think the child will need a good father figure in his life when Darman isn't there. But he basically implied that Etain wouldn't get to raise him at all. That I disagree with. To me, it's no different than the Jedi taking children away from their parents, and the clones not having any at all. And what the heck makes Kal think he can handle a Force-sensitive child. I'm sorry, I don't care what he did for the Nulls - this is much different! I'm not saying the Jedi would raise him perfectly, but they know more about the Force than Skirata! The kid'll probably go to the dark side. *rolls eyes* Now if this is a joint parenting effort between Skirata and Etain, that's fine. But if it's just him running the show . . . nah, that's cruel. I have major issues with that.

7) One last thing. Skirata apparently had no problem with Laseema or Besany Wennen because they weren't Jedi. But doesn't Darman have the right to choose who he wants to fall in love with? Who he may want to have children with some day, even if the genetic material of said children is dangerous.? It seems to me that Kal doesn't want to give Darman that choice, and he's always been big on his boys having a choice. Granted, Darman didn't choose to have the child, but he might have one day. Would Skirata have chewed him out then about the genes like he did Etain? Call me crazy, but I'm sensing some unfairness . . . .

Hmmm, maybe I have more of an argument than I realized. Like I said, I'm not trying to excuse Etain's actions, but I do think that Skirata didn't respond as well as he should have. Maybe I'll like him again as I get into True Colors. Maybe some of my questions will be answered there. (No spoilers, please! ) I don't know. I hope I like him again. I hope everything works out well. But for now, I'm going to be mad, and I'm going to enjoy it.

MTFBWY even when you don't think things all the way through,
Jade