oh man then i guess you are disappointed right about now...
the internet is all up in arms about "aw the handguards are DUMB, blah blah blah..." its all over facebook. i think its awesome! the saber, not the whining.
::)
So think about this when it comes to the whole "hand-guard" design. The blade itself is clearly very rough and erratic. And if you listen to the narrative it details that "There has been an awakening".
Lucas was HUGE into the whole Knights of the Round Table and Excalibur mythology. The "one" blade. He was also big on other mythologies. Holy Grail etc. Look at all of his films. There is an aspect to all kinds of mythological and historical references. I know Lucas isn't directing, but his team are still in control of the Holocron and what is/isn't Canon. I am sure his dreams are still influencing where the stories are going to some degree or another.
What if the awakening was the "One" lightsaber so to speak. the first of its kind. do you imagine that they would be the weapon they are now? no. the first ones would be much rougher. Much more uncontrolled. Why then can't you look at the hand-guards as vents for excess "energy" to be released to allow a more controlled blade. :) that's how I am looking at it.
If this was the One blade and its power was dependent on the wielders use of the force this would explain that “There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?†“The dark side…and the light.". Maybe that whole series of words was about the blade. Not a "person".
So if this is the One blade it could not only be an Excalibur type of blade but also a "Holy Grail". Once found it's wielder guided the blade to the "side" it was for. Dark or Light.
But this is just my ramblings. :)
This is the kind of fun I've been having with both EP VII and SW Rebels this past few months. dang it's a great time to be a Star Wars fan.