Psychiatrist Breaks Down Star Wars Characters' Psyches | GQ

Psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr. Eric Bender is back to explore and break down the mental health and psychology of Star Wars characters, including Emperor Palpatine, Obi-Wan, Darth Vader, The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, Jawas, and Kylo Ren.
00:00 ... a psychiatrist looks at some patients from a galaxy far, far away
00:15 Emperor Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker
04:09 Obi-Wan and grief
05:58 Darth Vader... the narcissist?
10:36 The Mandalorian, trauma, and Baby Yoda
15:19. Who can Ahsoka believe in?
18:39 Jawas aren't kleptomaniacs
21:28 No one listens to Kylo Ren
Director: Christopher Smith
Director of Photography: Florian Pilsl
Editor(s): Jimmy Chorng
Host: Eric Bender
Executive Producer: Traci Oshiro
Producer: Kristen Rakes
Associate Producer: Sam Dennis
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Manager: James Pipitone
Production Coordinator: Daniella Resto
Camera Operator(s): Lisa Fryklund
Audio: Simon Gordon
Production Assistant(s): George Anderson
Covid Coordinator: Erica Beedle
Post Production Supervisor: Rachael Knight
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Rob Lombardi
Assistant Editor: Diego Rentsch
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[@juliegolick]

I love how you can tell this guy is an actual Star Wars fan, in addition to being a psychiatrist - he clearly knows a lot about the entire opus, not just a small segment of clips that the producers might have shown him.

[@Fadakar]

Yeah this went way beyond "I watched a few clips to get caught up."

[@Jemppu]

Even has a nuanced way of calling Jawa just that. Unlike the graphics, which read "Jawas".

[@larsheitger2187]

Are you guys serious? You can't be. This guy has watched Star Wars a maximum of once and was briefed by someone who actually knows what is happening in the SW community and the content

[@Fadakar]

@@larsheitger2187 my guess is you can't be if you're this upset 😂

[@larsheitger2187]

@@Fadakar only those who are are the ones who would be upset. He does know Marvel though, I'll give that to him though.

[@alexoalex2]

Please tell me wtf is going on in the mind of JAR JAR BINKS

[@Pratchettgaiman]

Nothing. Just vibes

[@bullsheets6151]

The omission of Jar Jar in this video just shows to me that there will in fact be a part 2.

[@shvrberi]

Very controversial

[@michaeloxendine178]

Isn’t it obvious?!? How he will further the will of the emperor and the dark side of the force. That’s what’s going through his head. Probably revenge related.

[@lajoyalobos2009]

Binks is the real Sith Lord!

[@oneannoyingwhiteguy]

Id love to see a sequel to this with more characters. Such as Han Solos fear of intimacy and attachment.

[@shaggycan]

There really isn't a lot to go on in canon now that they flubbed his origin story. That film was a hot mess.

[@TGIFrank]

@@shaggycan man just broke down the communal psychology of space scrappers that dress like lollipop guild monks and you think he can't find 5 minutes of decent Han Solo lore to breakdown? Check out his analysis of psychopaths in pop culture where he literally did a breakdown of Anakin's entire character arc.

[@shaggycan]

@@TGIFrank Anakin has way more source material, especially if you take clone wars into account. Solo has so little it's basically tea leaves time.

[@RCC_1]

Agreed! It would be really interesting if he talked about the cast of Rebels: Ezra, Sabine, Kanan, Hera, Zeb and even Kallus. They're all centred on past traumas due to the war and how they help each other. Or about Padme and her belief of justice in a cruel galaxy.

[@TGIFrank]

I was trippin on blue tiddy milk y'all apologies.

[@razzle2112]

it's actually brilliant once you realize in the Obi Wan series, Vader is more quick to anger and aggression because he's still rather young and impatient. In the original trilogy, Vader is more calm and collected (and apparently narcissistic) because he's older and matured. Very smart how they portrayed him the show

[@jawstrock2215]

Vader is also far more obsessed early on, specially toward the Jedi. The obsession makes him impatient.

[@franciscagaete6423]

crazy how palpatine grooming anakin is actually canon

[@funkdahmental]

TIL palpatine is a pedophile. Make sense

[@gwildordipkin6504]

I don't buy it, he never showed him his lightsaber.

[@CherryBlossomOhka]

@@gwildordipkin6504 lmfao

[@shaggycan]

Anakin/Vader is an incredible case to study. You first have fear, then anger on top of a broken personality brought on by loss. Then an almost assembled personality that is like a narcissistic scab over top of Anakin's shattered personality fragments.

[@TrapTech]

He was VERY MUCH narcissistic during the 2nd entry and Clone Wars. Very Arrogant and "Why Not Me-Ish", victim mentality if not acknowledged or scolded by the Council.

[@laurencewinch-furness9450]

The triumvirate at the head of the empire is basically the dark triad: Narcissism - Vader Machiavellianism - Palpatine Psychopathy - Tarkin (Palpatine also qualifies as a psychopath but his Machiavellianism is more prominent in the films)

[@saoirsedeltufo7436]

Not to mention the Jedi wanting him to repress his feelings instead of actually dealing with them (a great route for Sheev to groom him)

[@Odrikah]

@@TrapTech This is true. When Ahsoka tells him about her decision to leave the Council, he literally says "What about me?" He takes her disillusionment as an implication or insinuating that he somehow didn't do enough. Anakin cares about the people around him, but he still views everything through the lense of how those people relate to HIM. But he tries. Once he becomes Vader, he just feeds his worst impulses to the point where he can't even take someone talking out of turn.

[@masonhollis3753]

I like the real world explanation but in the universe it is just the dark side basically becoming its own person

[@CainP]

I love how he explains that Ben felt during his childhood with his parents especially when he felt betrayed by his uncle. It's not totally explored in the film that's why a lot of SW fans just thinks he's a moody teen.

[@David-ud9ju]

Ditto with Anakin. Obviously Kylo was Disney's fan service version of Anakin.

[@UnguessedGlory]

I've always characterized Kylo as an incel. And the psychiatrist's description of how kids internalize "badness" even without direct abuse/trauma, and how probably no one ever listened to Ben giving him any place to feel he belonged....well such a general explanation fits the making of an isolated young person (which for boys in a misogynistic culture) translates to an incel.

[@he96765]

​@@David-ud9juKylo is a better Anakin

[@julieporter7805]

This is why the Star Wars Universe needs a psychiatrist and a therapist. There are a lot of mental and psychological problems up there!

[@TheToxic35]

A consultant probably would greatly help the narratives as well!

[@itsasquid]

That makes me wonder: do therapists exist in the Star Wars universe?

[@julieporter7805]

@@itsasquid Imagine the killing that they would make if they did!

[@manlikeJoe1010]

Star Wars is literally just Gnosticism or Manichaeism added to futuristic tech. That's the entire structure

[@DandyMp]

Most of the characters are born with childhood trauma like being sold to become a slave or seeing their parents die protecting them.

[@chasestankievech]

Dr. Bender is someone that makes therapy welcoming and understanding. Always has great insight and comments

[@OtakuAnime01]

I’d like to see a psychological breakdown of horror icons. Freddy, Chucky, Jason etc

[@farahiccol3424]

YES

[@anasdomain9994]

There’s a KZbinr named evil eye he minds breaks it down like that about villains

[@tris3639]

god i’m so glad he talked about ben/kylo because so many people don’t know/forget why he turned to the dark side. it wasn’t just because he wanted to be like vader and stuff but han, luke and leia weren’t there to support and be the help (light) he needed to battle palpatine (darkness) in his mind since childhood. people just assume he’s an angry moody teenager who wants to destroy things but no, he was a neglected child who wanted attention and when he found it in snoke, was then taught the wrong way to express his emotions

[@ashblu3]

this.

[@leylaaydn7192]

He is 30 yo

[@thephantomfanboy]

Wasn’t in 6+ hours of movies

[@tris3639]

@@leylaaydn7192 trauma and healing has no age limit????

[@kai_winchester_66]

this

[@shaggycan]

17:25 "This isn't about you" those narcissistic traits were always there. All Anakin can think of is how he didn't fail her. Not what her needs are.

[@zenleek2129]

That alone wouldn't mean he's narcissistic. He doesn't want her to go, and anyone could feel that and try to convince her otherwise

[@thatrhcpfan1994]

If he hasn't already, I'd love him to analyse Boba, Maul, Han, Reva and Leia.

[@urmum9999]

Not reva

[@stvrmistic3700]

@@urmum9999 why not?

[@kaned5543]

I'd love a breakdown of Maul especially. He's an absolutely fascinating character.

[@Narrowdark]

@@stvrmistic3700 the character is poorly written.

[@stvrmistic3700]

@@Narrowdark why?

[@Veethran88]

I never thought about Anakin and Obi Wan's relationship that way. Qui Gon treated him like a son and Obi Wan having his paternal instincts kick in for Anakin. Builds on that tragedy.

[@chetmcgovern9985]

I love this guy, he's got the whole thing going for him. He knows his craft, he knows the lore, and he can explain them all in a way that people can understand. If he had a show, I'd totally watch it.

[@toobasaurus23]

This man is a truly skilled psychologist and a fan. He breaks down these themes and relationships in a transcendent and understandable way. Great video and content.

[@teajay74]

Love listening to Dr. Eric Bender's videos. He has such a gift for explaining complex psychological concepts in a simple way.

[@its_dey_mate]

I can't wait for an Andor episode breakdown with him. Practically all the characters in there can have an in-depth explanation for trauma, aspirations and such.

[@samuelturner6076]

I’m so glad they cover more than just the films and D+ shows. Having that deep delve into Asoka and focusing a lot on the Clone Wars stuff and even showing that is not only great for the psychological analysis (which is also great) but also great because it’s giving the animated media the respect it deserves. Far too often is animation seen by a more casual audience as “just for kids” or not taken seriously like live action stuff, so showing that these animated shows have just as much nuance and depth to their characters, and can tackle real emotions and the weight they hold is great.

[@SaucyLiving]

For years I thought the clone wars show was just a dumb cartoon that meant nothing. As an adult, I discovered that George Lucas himself worked on the show and that its all cannon. I gave it a shot and couldnt believe how good it was.

[@samuelturner6076]

@@SaucyLiving I’m glad you did. I hope you’ll give more animated media a chance because there’s tons of great stuff out there.

[@kaykaykay.0.0.0]

He didn't speak too much on the false accusations themselves though, and the trial

[@willfanofmanyii3751]

@@SaucyLiving The first six seasons are Lucas canon.

[@irina.tano.7]

I need 10 more of these, I would specially love an analysis on Padme and Leia

[@Parkjoonho18]

I always learn something new when this guy does his analysis.

[@sunnyschramm9650]

lol xD

[@eskaywai]

Woah... this is so cool. Incredible job. I think a deeper psychological look at the clones (Rex, Fives, Cody, and others) would be really interesting.

[@itsasquid]

The thing about Luke looking like he was about to kill Ben is that Luke acted very briefly out of impulse. He saw a potential repeat of Vader and out of instinct, ignited his lightsaber... And then quickly regretted it. Luke, especially early on, was someone who has always been impulsive and who had a huge weight on his shoulders with trying to restore the Jedi and also dealing with the knowledge that his father was once a famous Jedi turned into a genocidal maniac. While he grew over the years, that still doesn't mean he can't have a moment of relapse and that's exactly what the moment was for him. The film makes it pretty clear that there's two different sides to the same story and Ben isn't a very reliable narrator. I really wish that was made clearer when Dr. Bender was going over Ben's trauma.

[@aralornwolf3140]

Impulsive to _save_ friends and family... Ben is, by definition, family. Ben, in that scene was in his late teen years... this means that nearly 20 years have passed since Return of the Jedi. Thus Luke would have _grown_ as a person. Grown the patience required to train others in the ways of the force. Thus his "I saw him turn into another Vadar, so I tried to kill him" is... absolute BS.

[@harismurad8343]

The way he describe the characters, he is obviously a big star wars fan

[@ecnalreleam]

Thanks for briefly addressing the borderline aspects of Anakin, whole not demonizing those of us who are borderline.

[@teaNtoxin]

As someone with BPD, I could always relate to alot of how Anakin felt in Clone Wars (Animated) and how he reacted. It is funny how he says he was a teen since durning revenge of the sith Anakin is in his late 20s (and diagnosable lol)

[@Peef_Spogdar]

@@teaNtoxinhe was actually only 22

[@kai_winchester_66]

Ben Solo is an incredibly tragic character and it makes me sad 😭😭

[@randywoodworth5990]

As someone who's lost a lifelong friend since childhood to suicide, that's a grief and loss that stays with you the rest of your life.

[@mirandaskylar9094]

I would also like to point out that Palpatine had access to Anakin since he was a child. There are comics where Palps literally takes Anakin to a bar and manipulates him into a distrust of other authority figures

[@aceofaces0007]

To build further on Ben Solo/Kylo Ren, he grew up with a tremendous amount of expectation placed on his shoulders. He was the son of two legendary Rebel heroes, the nephew to a Jedi Master, destined to be the first of the next generation of great Jedi. Those expectations were such a heavy burden to place on young Ben's shoulders and he grew up feeling like a failure for not living up to these expectations. Combine this with the emotionally starved environment he grew up in, since his parents were spending their time either arguing with each other or focusing their attention elsewhere on their duties to the New Republic (Leia) or, in the case of Han, going back to his old scoundrel ways, and then Luke being less of a supportive uncle and more of a sterile Jedi Master (much like how the old Jedi order treated their younglings). What you get is an emotionally unstable Ben primed for manipulation by Palpatine via Snoke. This is why Kylo Ren described his younger self as "weak and foolish," why he has such contempt for Han as a coward who left and is an imposter hero, and why Kylo was fascinated with the idea of "killing the past" because under the old expectations thrust upon him, he feels he doesn't measure up, but by destroying those expectations, he believes himself to be free to decide what his future holds.

[@leylanagiyeva9061]

So he is basically a second Anakin

[@vksasdgaming9472]

@@leylanagiyeva9061 Not at all. He is much more of bipolar personality swinging between childlike tantrums and being cool and detached enforcer absolutely in control. Mask he wears is very much emotional crutch he needs to ward off anxiety. He is definitely delusional as well. His family also had mental illness in it (grandpa had serious case of borderline personality disorder) so it is not unlikely either. Luke and Leia were more grounded in reality, but even Luke was prone to acting rashly.

[@enriquesalvador9904]

Wow! Syril Karn doing analysis on his fellow Star wars characters!

[@ekuche8335]

Man I appreciate how serious he takes this.

[@naillil1003]

I’d love to see his analysis on the characters as they stand in The Clone Wars, as well as his analysis on the clones themselves

[@johnschmidgall4951]

Thanks again Dr. Bender. Your videos and insight are always a great treat and really appreciated

[@joshuapray]

I love this guy's breakdowns.

[@heimirjosefsson510]

This was awesome! I'd think Boba has similar issues to Mando. Losing his only parent and latching onto any family he can find.

[@ungabung05]

It would have been great to have a section for Darth Maul

[@joesetterfield9684]

Great video, loved Eric's evaluation and insight

[@MarkBenYehuda]

Dr. Eric Bender is so awesome! He seems like a very understanding person. Someone who can actually practice trade and offer his services to help a patient in need.

[@sierramccutchen3531]

I loved this analysis! so many insights

[@SaleemFrazer]

This guy gets Kylo Ren. And to add to his analysis, I think everyone should check out the official canon Rise of Kylo Ren series where you get more deeper insight on Ben Solo’s turn to Kylo Ren

[@rosetownstumpcity]

dr bender is an instant click... love seeing any of his videos

[@stephanschulz7898]

Cool and interesting video. Would be great to have more Star Wars characters analysed. Unfortunately I find the music a bit too loud and disturbing. Wanted to turn it down a couple of times 🤦

[@WestSideDonger]

11:05 I love the muted disgust he shows when he acknowledges that Grogu is also known as baby Yoda 🖤 #hisnameisgrogu

[@tamiwatchesstuff]

I really love that Dr Bender is narrating this video not just as a therapist but as a Star Wars fan. Pity that Disney didn't care to have therapists as consultants to develop the sequel trilogy characters' personalities.

[@zachrichardson8059]

"Like the field of electrical dreams" Delivered so casually, absolutely hilarious.

[@darkmaster2371]

This is so amazing. I want more!!!

[@JoshuaHenelyThornhill]

this man is the best !!! hope we get more videos out of him !

[@anxiousscribe]

This guy is the best! I always jump when I see these videos ❤️

[@solisgloria74]

Great explanations of these disorders!!!

[@Brianna58321]

Came for Mando stayed for the analysis

[@DCPatrol]

I always enjoy when he comes on, but that background music is loud and distracting

[@impoundedkota]

Thanks GQ, i was in a good mood, and you put me back in my place.

[@DuncanSmith]

that's cool that they got Syril to host this

[@teruphoto]

Can we talk about the psychological need for displaying a metallic bust of your own face in your office? 😂

[@TheOnlyLucatoni]

We need more of this dude

[@NoUploadJustComment]

There has to be more of these for Star Wars. Great video.

[@enriquehartmann8642]

This might be one of the best "about star wars/inspired by star wars" presentations I've seen. I would REALLY LIKE to see a similar breakdown of the other characters.

[@hermannhesse4182]

Ben Solo, you deserve happiness and peace bro

[@FoardenotFord]

Watching Kylo Ren’s therapy sessions with this guy would be better than the sequels

[@jackofalltrades1773]

If he hasn't done it yet I want to see him look at Rick Sanchez and maybe some other Rick & Morty characters. Especially the scene at the therapist's office. Some of Beth how she worships Rick and tries to please him at near any cost. And maybe Jerry with the scene where Rick tells Jerry that he's "a predator". There's a lot to unpack in R&M.

[@drewdriver9130]

I noticed the pancakes in season one beth uses syrup like rick does and . Morty also does summer follows her dad who has only butter but interesting ly when beth rejects Rick and embraces Jerry she changes to butter on pancakes I think

[@mollybrown3278]

If Luke would have just loved him and guided him Kyle would have been very different. I wish they would do something similar to marvels what if and show us Ben with Luke loving and guiding him and kind of explore just how different things would be. One thing I find intriguing about the concept of Ben not falling to the dark side is that he is essentially a prodigy. I also just love Ben Solo he deserved more and I guess that is what fanfic is for and that’s all we get

[@kylejohnson3889]

Someone say my name 😅

[@jlinblazin]

This guy is a true star wars fan like us! Love it. Love Dr Bender, keep these coming, love these!

[@renkinjutsushi9596]

hope you make more videos with dr bender, they are always fun and educating!

[@rockrollangel1972]

Grogu experienced Trauma also and he got attached to Mando and that is why he went back. They both need each other

[@RCC_1]

Correction: Disney got attached to the money Grogu produced and the best marketing decision was to leave him go and get him back, hahaha.

[@willfanofmanyii3751]

@@RCC_1 Especially when Filoni confirmed Season 2 was the end of the Grogu plot.

[@Alex-hm7nt]

I love Dr Bender on this series!

[@christophermedvetzsr.9184]

Love your show love it

[@petrichxr1711]

The Mando, Ahsoka and obi wan parts made me bawl my eyes out😭😭😭

[@AirbenderHawk]

Dr Bender's force is strong with him as he understood these characters to a T, both psychologically and spiritually. He's one guy to hang out during his therapy sessions.

[@annajamjam1383]

Great to see him back I like him :)

[@andrewbetzten]

Soundtrack during Mando v weird. Strange and offputting juxtaposition of cheery music and PTSD? Heads up.

[@robhardingpoetry]

Would’ve loved a look at Luke circa Last Jedi. It felt such a truthful portrayal of where that character could go.

[@arlocourt5304]

Love this video

[@JJW410]

I want to thank the GQ video editor for making the static transitions between cuts louder than an exploding star, just to keep me on my toes - really appreciate it, thanks 👍

[@verenicevasquez6976]

I'm in love with this man, OMG

[@capitanpitus954]

Love this dude

[@ayran1543]

I really want to see your reaction and perspective about Hannibal series, great content btw keep it coming please 😌

[@thecommentpolice]

up

[@jessicalukram74]

Yes I'd like to see that. I'm currently on season 3

[@munchcat]

I would love to see him do a breakdown of Mistborn characters, both Era 1 and Era 2 XD I know it might not be popular enough for GQ, but it would be a blast to see him diagnose Kelsier, Vin, Wax, and Steris!

[@kainicholson6834]

Very good content!

[@Optimusprime809]

Very interesting, this guy clearly knows his stuff, both for Star Wars and his profession!

[@user-js4uq9xh7y]

"Not necessarily get strangled by the Force" 🤣

[@bee-ke3ur]

Fave series 🙌

[@bahlders]

I could listen to this guy talk all day

[@AceHBK972]

Love this guy and wish he was my doctoral clinical supervisor!!!

[@ParanormalEncyclopedia]

I love Dr Bender's analysis. He's clearly a fan of Star Wars not just someone watching it to do a break down like this. That said I want to know the truth Doctor do you have a blue box and if you do can I take it for a spin?

[@SPY-ce8qf]

7:30 is describing my brother so accurately

[@AbsoluteS1th]

Here I am self diagnosing myself lol

[@ChromeHearts03]

That mando breakdown was my exact childhood

[@miketufaro5915]

Is anyone else shocked at how much mh stuff is in Star Wars? Also I had no idea cleptomaniacs felt guilt about steeling. Wow. I hope he does more Star Wars psychological videos

[@Andrew3455]

Fact that he analyzed the mindset of the Jawa is everything.

[@thealien_lookingthing7116]

8:27 Glad to know I’m not the only person that thinks that Anakin might have had BPD. I have BPD and he’s just too similar to me for him to Not have it y’know?

[@jackofalltrades1773]

Eric looks like a steampunk rock and roll artist.

[@cleverusername9369]

Good lord, the good doctor here has some bigass mitts.

[@massielgarcia2357]

😂😂

[@lagunacinematics]

Eric Bender sounds like a comicbook villain alter ego

[@enegmatixerebro]

Psychiatrist: Palpatine, he grooms children

[@Pablogd09]

make him breakdown the boys

[@isq9901]

The real beskar is the walls we put up between each other.

[@nellis9377]

Dr. Bender is the best

[@bhagwandevsidarstudio]

Very nice😄

[@TheGrimKnight]

Kylo Ren isn't a sith lord he is the leader of the knights of ren

[@eymiaimieme]

aaaand that’s why we need a ben solo show @starwars!!