Chefelf.com Night Life: Helena - Viewing Profile

This is precisely why I hate fanwank so much. Not only is it almost never convincing, but every attempt to explain away these unrealistic elements just ends up raising a dozen more questions. I would never have worried about stuff like (for example) the PT technology being so much more advanced than the OT, if it weren't for the legions of over-zealous fans coming up with bullshit 'explanations' for it. I'd honestly have a whole lot more respect for Lucas if he would just say, "Look, the new films were made in the 90s as opposed to the 70s, so of course they're going to look more advanced. Suck it up."

I agree with this. I think Lucas just believed that making Anakin and his mother slaves would automatically make the audience feel sorry for them, despite the fact that they live comfortably (as far as we can see) and don't appear to be badly treated. Anakin is well-fed, clothed, educated and apparently has plenty of free time to pursue hobbies and muck around with his friends, just like any normal kid. Okay, so he can't leave town without Watto's permission - is that really likely to be a big issue for a frickin' nine-year-old? Seems to me that he has a much easier and happier childhood than many kids in real life, despite being a slave.

And yes, tracking devices to catch runaway slaves would make a lot more sense than blowing them up. Which is probably why Lucas didn't think of it.

That's actually a pretty good idea, except that the original song is way too short to do it justice. Otherwise I'd probably have a go.

I would actually support this, with one important exception: KotOR. I don't care what else they do, but KotOR has to be in there somewhere (and it fits in perfectly well with the original movies, so that wouldn't be a problem). The rest of the EU can go to hell for all I care (though I know Chefelf and some other people here think the Thrawn trilogy is pretty good).

On the plus side, at least we understand now why the PT-era Jedi are such terrible fighters. "Master, I got my robe caught in my zipper again." "Not now, Padawan, I'm in mortal combat with a dozen Separatist battle droids."