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A Rebel's Ramblings

by: FAN4YRS

date posted: Feb 28, 2008 1:34 PM | updated: Feb 28, 2008 1:46 PM

Could It Ever Be That Nice?

If I live to be 100 and retain my memory I think my lasting impression of "Star Wars" will not be the droids, aliens, Jedi, or even the Force. It will be the ease of which Han Solo was able to fly across the galaxy.

For an entire galaxy at war, it was a pretty trusting place; and not much paperwork.

Think about what it takes JUST to travel to another country here on Earth: passports, two forms of ID. I went to Canada in 2004 and they wanted to know my business there and what hotel I was staying at!

OK, maybe Han and Chewbacca were flying around illegally, but to some degree, this is even more impressive. I mean, think about it. If you get pulled over merely for speeding the police officer takes your license and knows how many previous tickets you have had and when got them. In a GFFA it seems that the system doesn't have that complete or perfect a memory. Basically, until you blow up a Death Star you're not really on the radar.

Furthermore, crime, outside of the war, must have been nil or at least, largely non-violent. Consider this: Obi-Wan Kenobi takes young, naive, helpless Luke Skywalker into a bar looking for a pilot. Kenobi doesn't ask for a background check, or demand and then contact a list of references. Yes, the Force was with him, but what proof did Ben really have that Han and Chewbacca weren't slavers who would not only sell R2 and 3PO, but he and Luke as well?

So we have a galaxy where the government turns a blind eye to minor infractions and where most people are generally trusting and to be trusted.

OK, there's a war on. Sure, it's not as good as the days of the "Old Republic", but let's face it, it's better than the current reality. Moreover, whatever they used for fuel must have been pretty cheap, because everyone seemed to be doing interplanetary travel. Right now, light crude is $102.65 (4:46PM EST). I doubt Han ever faced those prices.

Another "beauty part" of it (as I like to say) is that Han Solo is not a scientist. He is not a politician. Heck, in the traditional sense he's not even an astronaut. Yet, he and his Wookiee friend are able to get from Bespin to Tatooine faster than we can get from Ohio to California. "Star Trek" is about how the government will use technology, but embodied in Han, Chewbacca, and Lando is how everyday people will.

So, what's my point? I guess it's simply that the "Star Wars" galaxy--as presented in Episodes IV-VI doesn't seem like a bad place for the average bear to live (unless you're an Ewok, I guess). Freedom of flight, freedom to trust other people (something I think we have lost in the last twenty years), and a "Big Daddy Government" (if I may steal a line from "Corner Gas") that isn't putting chips in everyone.

I guess, ironically, it can all be summed up with the words of a henchman of Kahn's from "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn": "We have a ship, and a means go to where we will." Or, "Yay, 'Star Wars'!"

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	comandercody9 New game ideas and other random stuff
date Posted: Feb 28, 2008 2:07 PM I see your point and it's a very good idea, but how do we know Obi didn't ask for a pilots licence from Han? Maybe it was even going to be in the movie but they cut it out at the last minute to save time.

FAN4YRS
A Rebel's Ramblings

date Posted: Feb 28, 2008 2:21 PM

First, cool avatar, I haven't seen that one before.

Second, yes, I realize that some of these things may have happened "off screen", but still, could you imagine trusting someone you just met enough to "drive" you to another planet? I mean, ANYTHING could have happened. At the very least, it shows that even though Han was in a tight spot, with Jabba, he didn't turn around and rob Ben and Luke; he actually DID his job.

	comanderbly That's Impossible. Even for a Computer.
date Posted: Feb 28, 2008 2:38 PM I think the lack of licenses and formality plays into the old west feel in the OT films. People go where they want and do what they please because the Galaxy is so big. Great blog! This entry reminded me how much freedom have in the GFFA, so many possibilities.

	gold5 I lost Tiree, lost Dutch!..or How I learned to stop worrying and love the Death Star.
date Posted: Feb 28, 2008 3:42 PM To be fair though, Tatooine was a world under Hutt control even in the OT. The Empire paid it little attention unless they had to, which is why the smugglers liked it there. Everywhere else our heros were harassed or had to go through red tape non stop. Of course then you have the OT EU (comics, books, etc.) that probably do lend to your original point.

gold5
I lost Tiree, lost Dutch!..or How I learned to stop worrying and love the Death Star.

date Posted: Feb 28, 2008 3:51 PM

Basically, until you blow up a Death Star you're not really on the radar.

Of course you are right about how did Ben know he could trust Han. Did the force guide him or was there something else. Obi-Wan had experience dealing with shady characters and under the table dealings as we see in ATOTC or maybe it was the dealings between the Jedi & the Wookies in the Clone Wars that assured him. We may never know for sure I guess.

"Star Trek" is about how the government will use technology, but embodied in Han, Chewbacca, and Lando is how everyday people will.

That sums it it up very nice!

FAN4YRS
A Rebel's Ramblings

date Posted: Feb 28, 2008 7:39 PM

I guess I do remember reading someone that Wookiees were generally known to be trustworthy, but that word "generally" can get you every time. I still say that the people of a GFFA are just not as devious as us. Let's face it, even when Leia was being held prison her dress stayed a prestine white, which says to me she wasn't breaking a sweat; they weren't doing much torture.

	The Stooge Star Wars Joke-A-Day
date Posted: Feb 28, 2008 8:27 PM I'm with ya. Han Solo would run from a traffic ticket! Another reason he's the man.

	FAN4YRS A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Feb 28, 2008 9:11 PM I didn't mean he'd run from it (although, probably), but I meant that he did things that were way more serious than that (like killing Greedo and leaving his dead body in a bar) and he still managed to travel freely throughout the galaxy.

Cousin Itt
You don't know how to fix the hyperdrive...!

date Posted: Feb 29, 2008 6:02 AM

Great Blog!!!

The Empire is typical of others that have gone before - ie Romans, Ottomans, Holy Roman Empire, Germans and the British. You can't be everywhere controlling everything (no matter how technology progresses). Bigger Empires = bigger problems and the more reliant the dictator's is on others doing his bidding - that is where corruption sets in, blind eye's are turned & lawlessness abounds.

Moreover, whatever they used for fuel must have been pretty cheap, because everyone seemed to be doing interplanetary travel. I'm sure that they would have found something more renewable than our fossil fuels.

	BlueX-WingPilot The Starfighter Docking Bay
date Posted: Feb 29, 2008 3:28 PM Moreover, whatever they used for fuel must have been pretty cheap, because everyone seemed to be doing interplanetary travel. Very good point, gas prices on this planet are getting crazier every day! Great blog.

	FAN4YRS A Rebel's Ramblings
date Posted: Feb 29, 2008 4:37 PM Yes, I heard that light crude went to $103 overnight (last night, 2/28/08) which is the highest it has EVER been. In case anyone here is a US senator, representative, or presidential candidate: THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO DRILL ITS OWN OIL AGAIN. Thank you.

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