On The Gist, Slate’s Forrest Wickman explains the many layers that a casual visitor to the Star Wars universe might miss. He recently wrote the cover story “Star Wars Is a Postmodern Masterpiece” for Slate. For the Spiel, do the Iowa caucuses really matter? Today’s sponsors: Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate, starting at just $19.99, are a great last-minute gift, and double your berries for just 10 bucks. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. Bonobos. Discover the difference an expertly crafted, better-fitting wardrobe can make. For a limited time, all new customers can get 20 percent off their first order by going to bonobos.com/gist. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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