Star Wars: Blogs | Oboe-Wan's Hive of Scum & Villainy

Oboe-Wan's Hive of Scum & Villainy

by: Oboe-Wan

date posted: May 29, 2007 7:36 PM

Legacy of Boredom

Last night the History Channel aired: Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed. I'm sorry, but what a snore-fest.

I love Star Wars. If I didn't I wouldn't care so much. But who are these "scholars" dissecting the movie? Oh sure this guy teaches classics at this ivy league school & this guy teaches mythology at this university, but why didn't we see more of Kevin Smith? Or Stephen Colbert? These are the guys who speak for the fans, well they at least speak on "my" behalf, you guys are obviously free to decide who sounded more like you on that show!

There were many things that totally made sense : The Hero's Journey especially concerning Luke & Anakin, the feminine hero, the pirate/cowboy, the witnesses. Many of the mythological parallels worked great for Anakin, Padme, Luke, Leia, Han, C-3PO, R2D2, Shmi, whatever. But they lost me as soon as they started to try to rationalize Jar-Jar's role as the innocent fool or whatever they called him. Puhleeze. Jar-Jar was GL's lame attempt at "attracting young kids" nothing more than a marketing scheme. Jar-Jar did not "grow up" through the PT, he was phased out because the fans complained & given the "honor" of having voted for the Clone Wars as a comment on how much we hated him - like we needed more of a reason.

Hubby-Wan promptly fell asleep during the 2nd hour of the show & I began flicking through the channels during commercials wondering if there was anything else on to watch. By the time the show had ended, I was ready for The Daily Show & Colbert Report. I did not watch The Tech of Star Wars that aired afterward, although I did see a few minutes of the Ion Propulsion system. Now I hear I should have watched this show instead, but whatever. I'll be back for the reruns & I'm sure it will be included in the next Special Edition bonus disc.

In true History Channel fashion, all the fun & life & spontaneity of our favorite films was sapped & stored in little casks like in The Dark Crystal. I have the book concerning Star Wars & mythology (I believe it's called "The Power of Myth" but I'm too lazy to dig it out of the box in the garage where I know it's being stored right now...) which I bought way back in 1998. Luke is truly a mythological hero. Anakin shows us what happens when the hero's journey goes wrong.

It was cool to hear scholars talking about Star Wars as if they've actually seen it more than a few times to help out with the documentary, but I don't buy for a second that they are actual fans. Most of what they had to say we already knew, I guess that's why Hubby-Wan passed out so early. I was hoping for some insight, but instead I cracked open a book & read while listening with one ear during the last 1/2 hour. And 2 hours was way more than was necessary to get the points across.

Do we think that there was anyone turned on to Star Wars last night from seeing this show? I dare say not. I missed the flash & excitement of "Empire of Dreams". I'm not afraid to say that I didn't enjoy last night's presentation. I'm glad I watched it, bummed I missed the 2nd program, and will probably be happy to see it included in my next bonus disc.

On a related note, Kevin, Stephen, if you're here in sw.com world, please email me! I swear I'm not a maniac contrary to some of my postings & of course me being the founder of "Axe Murderers Anonymous" means nothing...

http://blogs.starwars.com/oboe-wan/158

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gencrs
Technical Manuals from The GFFA

date Posted: May 29, 2007 7:54 PM

It's interesting that you wrote about this because I am watching a repeat of the episode right now. So far, there are a couple of the things I like, and they are just starting the "Jesters and Sidekicks" (title?) right now. I do agree on your thoughts about who they picked to talk about the mythology. I like the opinions of the filmmakers, like Wheldon and Jackson, or the other non-filmmakers like Colbert. Thanks for the blog.

Obviously, I'm not paying too much attention to the show if I'm commenting on blogs

	leia19886 Someone get this big walking carpet out of my way ...
date Posted: May 29, 2007 7:55 PM I'm with you. More of Kevin would have been really cool. The second thing they should have done was only make it an hour. Two hours was too much.

Sarlacc-Pitt
Slowly Digested Over A Thousand Blogs

date Posted: May 29, 2007 9:27 PM

*hurls lightsaber*

Just kidding... I really liked the show, although I agree with you on the points you made about some of the comparisons... they were really stretched. All in all, though, I loved it. As for all of the scholarly people, I thought that it was a different way to go as far as analyzing things, instead of just having all of the same celebrities who comment on every SW special.

Oh, and the SW tech was cool!

Son of a Bith
The Cantina Corner

date Posted: May 29, 2007 9:37 PM

The stuff was a rehash of stuff I already knew. Joseph Campbell, archetypes, blah blah blah. I did like the part where they analyzed the political contexts of the films though. It was cool seeing Joss Whedon say the Emperor's speech in ROTS gave him "a real sense of dread." And my mom busted out laughing when they showed Anakin giving his "If you're not with me..." line, then cutting to George W. Bush with his "If you're not with us..." line.

Still, it dissapointed me that they didn't mention Carl Jung, because he is the guy who started writing about archetypes in the first place! And a Freudian analysis of the films would've been cool. Lightsabers as phallic symbols, the opera house scene looking like fertilization...

	The Stooge Star Wars Joke-A-Day
date Posted: May 29, 2007 10:06 PM Didn't see it, but I heard some comments similar to yours... ah well. I just hope the History Channel isn't doomed to repeat itself... whatever the hell that means.

ketal13
HanAnWan

date Posted: May 29, 2007 11:18 PM

I feel much better now. Way up here in the land of the Canucks our History Channel did not show either of the SW programs!! A truly sad comment on our Country if I must say so myself.

Anyways, I'm sure I still would have enjoyed the show because I like listening these unstarwarscultured people analyzing the trilogies as if they really know all about them, then I can sit there all smug, thinking that I probably have 5 fewer degrees than these so called experts, but I know sooo much more. MU-WAH-AH-AH-AHHH (it's my first evil laugh. How'd I do?)
And now I'm off to find my own snoring husband...

	Rogueish W.I.E.R.D.
date Posted: May 30, 2007 3:57 AM I was going to add something like "Hey, the whole Star wars franchise is getting boring." but when I have a reverse attitude in a few weeks or so and start liking SW again, you'd throw that line back in my face. Cyberistically speaking of course, cos we don't actually meet or chat, we just swap text on a screen. So I won't type it.

	DJ Maul: Got Feet? DJ Maul's Dancin' Cantina Party
date Posted: May 30, 2007 4:44 AM Kevin Smith has a page on My Space and of course his own website and is VERY interactive with his fans, so look him up there. I havent seen the special yet, may watch it later this week; I always appreciate an HONEST review though....lets see if I agree or not.

	rj_peters Memos from the Imperial Finance Department
date Posted: May 30, 2007 6:18 AM I've never been into the scholarly discussion of Star Wars. I recorded the special, but I'll probably go through it rather quickly. Each time I hear the words "Joseph Campbell" or "myth", I'm going to jump ahead 30 seconds. I should be done in about 4 minutes.

	TheBothanBoy The Curious Bothan's Life Size Blog Archive
date Posted: May 30, 2007 6:35 AM Snore fest indeed. I was general excited to watch this as with anything with Star and Wars in same sentence. It put some things in perspective. Not sure quiet what to say now..ur..ooh a butterfly.

JediMelindaWolf
Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.

date Posted: May 30, 2007 6:41 AM

Hi O-W!

I didn't see all of the episode. I have to admit I liked what I did see. I enjoy hearing what non-fans have to say about SW, their take on it, what bits and pieces they might find interesting on which to comment. What I find most fascinating is that, even with non-fans, everyone can agree that SW has made it into the cultural psyche in one form or another. On the way home from the airport last night, my hubby commented that the weekend sermon at Church revolved around SW!

Now that's something!

MTFBWY

Oboe-Wan
Oboe-Wan's Hive of Scum & Villainy

date Posted: May 30, 2007 8:04 AM

Yes, the political analysis was interesting - because SW is so well written it can be used to parallel just about any political situation (kinda like LOTR!). The whole "If you're not with me you're against me" thing was interesting... kinda sad, kinda bone chilling.

In all, I was excited to see something SW related on a "non-entertainment-based" channel, it was cool to hear intelligent people commenting on the movies as if by having these people talk about it gives some sort of validation to the movies: "see? All those fans can't be crazy, these smart people think it's ok!"

Oboe-Wan
Oboe-Wan's Hive of Scum & Villainy

date Posted: May 30, 2007 8:10 AM

Obviously, I'm not paying too much attention to the show if I'm commenting on blogs
Ha! you just proved my point perfectly!!

Two hours was too much.
it really was...

some of the comparisons... they were really stretched.
I decided that some of the comparisons w/the PT were stretched to the point of me laughing (the Jar Jar thing especially), the OT worked better IMO w/the mythology. BUT it was cool to hear all the stuff about Anakin's comparison to the fallen angel which is why is immolation was on Mustafar... THAT was cool.

Oboe-Wan
Oboe-Wan's Hive of Scum & Villainy

date Posted: May 30, 2007 8:11 AM

And a Freudian analysis of the films would've been cool.
Would've been WAY cool. That could be a whole show in & of itself!

whatever the hell that means.
beep beep beeeep bodoweep beeeeeerp

MU-WAH-AH-AH-AHHH (it's my first evil laugh. How'd I do?)
Perfect! "Axe Murderers Anonymous" meet in room 205 every Tuesday @ 10pm. Bring a dish to pass.

you'd throw that line back in my face.
I'm not like that.... because sometimes I feel the same way...

Oboe-Wan
Oboe-Wan's Hive of Scum & Villainy

date Posted: May 30, 2007 8:11 AM

I always appreciate an HONEST review though....lets see if I agree or not.
Just don't hate me if you don't agree.

I should be done in about 4 minutes.
Maybe less...

Snore fest indeed.
wipe your chin, you're drooling....

everyone can agree that SW has made it into the cultural psyche in one form or another.
In the end, I think that was the overall message of the show & it would be absolutely correct!

	Irwin03 CDS: The Art Side of the Force
date Posted: May 30, 2007 12:06 PM Yeah, they did stretch some stuff. The most interesting part was the music, which I have on my MP3 player anyways.

	JediPug1 Like My Father Before Me
date Posted: Jun 03, 2007 7:42 PM I'm with you, Oboe. It was pretty dull.... I've heard all that Hero's Journey stuff on any number of other SW docs. This one didn't add anything new at all. BTW, sorry I'm behind on your entries, but I know you understand... finger thing and all.

	jediileia There is No Death; There is the Force
date Posted: Jun 08, 2007 4:52 PM I haven't watched it yet-- I TiVo-ed all the SW documentaries that were on... But I don't think any documentary could compare to Empire of Dreams (also TiVo-ed and put on a DVD...hehe) which actually piqued my interest in SW a couple of years ago! But, is The Legacy Revealed worth watching at all if I know all of that Romantic hero stuff?

	FAN4YRS A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Jun 30, 2007 5:51 PM I completely agree with your take on that program. It was BORING! Proof that anything taught the wrong way can make you think it's dull.

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