In the wake of the next installment of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which has obliterated box office records with the most profitable opening weekend in history, I’ve decided to re-watch Star Wars episodes 1-6. Unlike many die-hard Star Wars fans (which I am not), I declined to rush through the saga in marathon fashion. Instead, I took my time watching over 2 week period. The idea was not only to re-experience the magic of Star Wars, but also to beat the crowds by watching The Force Awakens weeks late. To the latter end, I failed, but to the former. . .

A few years, ago, I stumbled across the Machete Order for Star Wars, and I decided to give it a go this time. The Machete Order hacks the Star Wars storyline by providing an alternative viewing order aside from the traditional Episode Order vs. Release Order. The Machete Order includes Episodes IV, V, and VI, then jumps to Episodes II and III before coming back around to VI. Episode I is completely left out because the creator of this viewing order (along with plenty of fans) have deemed it irrelevant.

Having experienced Star Wars through the Machete Order, I can say with confidence that it provides a superior and more poignant tale. It keeps one of the most intense reveals in cinematic history completely intact. Watching Star Wars in Episode order completely ruins the fact that Darth Vader is Luke’s father. However, if I were a new viewer, I would be just as invested in Anakin’s story. Obviously, for those of us who grew up watching Star Wars, we already know what happens in IV-VI, and that spoils any reveals that the prequels might have. Episode order spoils that Vader is Luke and Leia’s father, but a new viewer would not know that Anakin was destined to fall the the dark side. Additionally, George Lucas has made Release Order problematic by unnecessarily inserting Anakin as a force ghost at the end of VI.

Placing Episode III right before Episode IV is an excellent choice. Episode III is devastating, brutal, and sad. We see Anakin seduced to the dark side through a culmination of conspiring factors. A tragic character, he betrays and destroys all that he loves in the name of saving it. This fallen Anakin/Vader is juxtaposed with the older Anakin/Vader struggling with the dark side and ultimately choosing the light. Seeing his redemption immediately after his downfall makes the story more interesting and emotional because the viewer becomes profoundly invested in Anakin’s character in a way that is not possible watching IV-VI first.

One caveat that I would make to the Machete Order is to reintroduce Episode I into the narrative. I’d put it right after Episode V. A lot of people say Episode I is unnecessary – and it certainly is the worst Star Wars film. But if I were a new viewer, jumping straight into Episode II would leave me confused. Episode II offers no backstory for any of the characters. Who are these people? Where do they come from, and how did they become important to the story? Oh, he’s Anakin? Why is he so obsessed with Padmé for evidently no reason? Who’s that annoying alien? Episode II makes very little sense without Episode I before it. While I’ll admit that Episode I isn’t up to snuff with the rest of the series, I’m not arrogant enough to decide it just doesn’t matter.

So, if you’re going to re-watch Star Wars – or watch it for the first time – watch it in The Machete Order + Episode I. That’s IV, V, I, II, III, then VI. Then go out and see The Force Awakens! It’s marvelous.