# Dissecting Star Wars, twenty years after **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 18, 2000, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055 "2000-02-18T21:18:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Inkz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Inkz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inkz)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/1 "2000-02-18T21:18:00Z")
Remember the lightsaber duel in Star Wars? Vader slices through Obie-Wan and the cloak falls to the ground, empty. Vader starts poking around the empty cloak with his toe. Was he perhaps expecting a little three-inch high Obie-Wan to jump out? Just thought I’d mention that. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/2 "2000-02-18T21:19:00Z")
“Who’za widdle Jedi Master? Huh? Who’za widdle Jedi Master?” ---
**Author:** ![Sake\_Samurai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sake\_Samurai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sake_Samurai)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/3 "2000-02-18T21:30:00Z")
You know those kooky jedi mind tricks! Although, I bet even a three inch Kanobi could kick Vader’s ass. * * * Yet to be reconciled with the reality of the dark for a moment, I go on wandering from dream to dream. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/4 "2000-02-18T21:36:00Z")
He was checking to see if Obi-Wan dropped his wallet before he vanishted. ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/5 "2000-02-18T21:49:00Z")
He was amazed at what happened. What did happen to the light saber that Obi was using? ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/6 "2000-02-18T21:59:00Z")
The light saber dropped to the deck too. What bothered me was when the droids were escaping from Capt. Antilles’ vessel at the beginning of the movie a couple of geniuses at the trigger of the star cruiser’s guns said “Hold your fire. There’s no life signs.” They should have known or at least have been told to expect that sort of thing, cause ideally the plans for the Death Star would be hidden in a droid’s memory. * * * “Though I hate 'em, I’ll defend to my death your right to use smilies.” Forward deployed until 18AUG00 ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/7 "2000-02-18T22:00:00Z")
God. That has got to be my all time geekiest post. * * * “Though I hate 'em, I’ll defend to my death your right to use smilies.” Forward deployed until 18AUG00 ---
**Author:** ![TheUnforgiven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TheUnforgiven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheUnforgiven)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/8 "2000-02-19T00:52:00Z")
No, no. I think Vader was familiar with the popular legend that if you kill a Jedi Master you will receive a pot of gold. Unfortunately for Vader, though, the legend turned out to be false. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/9 "2000-02-19T01:08:00Z")
OK, here’s my Star Wars question. I understand that Luke, once he understood about the Force, got better at it even before he went to see Yoda. But who cranked up Vader’s skills? In the first movie, he’s using the remote-control Vulcan Neck Pinch and taking crap from some loser station commander. By the time the Empire Struck Back, he’s sensing stuff from halfway across the galaxy and moving heavy machinery all over the gas mine with his mind! What, did he get a promotion or something? ## There. I hope I made the Chief feel better by being geekier than him. Livin’ on Tums, vitamin E and Rogaine ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/10 "2000-02-19T01:14:00Z")
Maybe he learned some things when he was in that meditation chamber thingummy. What I want to know is, how come Threepio mentions the princess on his second line in the movie, watches as Artoo gets some info slotted in by the Princess herself, then down on Tatooine, pleads ignorance about her. * * * **-PIGEONMAN-** [The Legend Of PigeonMan](http://www.hotkey.net.au/~guanolad/pigeonman/) - **Shadow of the Pigeon** - Weirdo of the Night ---
**Author:** ![Babar714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Babar714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babar714)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/11 "2000-02-19T04:34:00Z")
In the events leading up to the original trilogy, Vader and Palpatine hunted and killed the galaxy’s 10,000 Jedi, except for Yoda, Kenobi, and perhaps a select few others. Many Jedi have different mind tricks that they have developed over the years. Yarael (sp?) Poof, the gangly, long-necked, four armed Jedi Councilmember, for instance, put visions of his enemy’s worst fear in their heads. Vader was cautious for a good reason. You never know what to expect with them damn waskly Jedi. ---
**Author:** ![Babar714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Babar714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babar714)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/12 "2000-02-19T04:40:00Z")
Guano, that’s a good question. I’ll have to watch it again to see what your’e talking about. The answer to this question I do know: C3-PO was built by Anakin, and R2-D2 has met him, but why do neither of them know he’s Vader? Why do they not find it ineteresting that Luke has the same name as Anakin? Answer: The epic’s not over yet. Both droids will have a memory wipe after Phantom Menace, but I’m not sure when. I believe it’s in one of the expanded universe books. Go ahead, ask me anything about SW (except GuanoLad’s question) ---
**Author:** ![Lexicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ac8455/32.png) [@Lexicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lexicon)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/13 "2000-02-19T05:00:00Z")
Okay. What exactly is the Kessel Run, and how long is 12 parsecs in earth-time? I’ve always wondered what the big deal was about the Falcon making the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs. If you can answer this, I’ll be eternally grateful. * * * how did it start? well i don’t know i just feel the craving. i see the flesh and it smells fresh and it’s just there for the taking… VvvV ---
**Author:** ![Babar714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Babar714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babar714)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/14 "2000-02-19T05:03:00Z")
I can do that. I can find out what the Kessel run is, It’s a passage between two planets, I believe. But I have to check out my PM Insiders’ Guide to be sure. And I believer a ‘parsec’ is a real measurement. I’m not sure exactly on that one. But lemmie go check out that CD an I’ll get back to ya… ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/15 "2000-02-19T05:13:00Z")
**par-sec** _n._ a unit of distance equal to 206,265 times the distance from the earth to the sun, or 3.26 light years. From [http://us.imdb.com/Goofs?0076759](http://us.imdb.com/Goofs?0076759) > [@](#): > > **Incorrectly regarded as goofs:** Han Solo claims that the Millennium Falcon “made the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs” when asked how fast the ship is. Parsecs are a measure of distance, not time, and thus either he is wrong or is using some form of slang. Some reports have director George Lucas claiming that this was done deliberately to show that Han Solo didn’t always know what he was talking about. Other explanations have been offered, but they typically rely on material not presented in the film. * * * Your Official Cat Goddess since 10/20/99. _Thunder’s just a noise, boys; lightning does the work._ --C. Brock ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/16 "2000-02-19T05:13:00Z")
[This](http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001838.html) thread gives two possible answers to Han’s Kessel Run scenario: > [@](#): > > The official line is that it was intentional that Han Solo screw that up so we would know it was idle braggadocio. Right. > > = or = > > In Star Wars, the course you plot in hyperspace is of far more importance than your speed. Han Solo plotted a course that ran from Kessel to Corellia in only 12 parsecs which apparently was very dangerous because it sent him near a black hole. Needless to say, since he didn’t have to take a long looping course instead he did the Kessel Run in record time. * * * **Gypsy** : Tom, I don’t get you. **Tom Servo** : Nobody does. I’m the wind, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Nu\_Vo\_Da\_Da](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/97f17d/32.png) [@Nu\_Vo\_Da\_Da](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nu_Vo_Da_Da)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/17 "2000-02-19T05:17:00Z")
I think the real question(to go back to the OP) has more to do with the line “more powerful than you can possibly imagine”. I mean really, come on here. Since when was the ability to appear infrequently as sort of a ghost-like outline considered highly powerful? ---
**Author:** ![Babar714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Babar714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babar714)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/18 "2000-02-19T05:21:00Z")
Okay. So we know what a parsec is. Now, Kessel. All I could find was that Kessel is a planet somewhere between Nal Hutta, the Hutts’ home world, and Mon Calamari. This may be significant because Han is a smuggler, and the Hutts are all gangsters. The Kessel Run may be a passage smugglers use that is patrolled by the Empire or the Hutts. But I’ll consult the best Star Wars trivia source I know, my friend Rob. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/19 "2000-02-19T05:32:00Z")
I don’t buy the course-plotting explanation, because the context is _how good/fast the ship is_ not _how good (or crazy) the pilot is_ (to choose to/be able to run a course near a black hole). ---
**Author:** ![Lexicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ac8455/32.png) [@Lexicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lexicon)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055/20 "2000-02-19T05:42:00Z")
Hey, hey! I found it! It’s in a SW book. Near as I can tell, Kessel is the planet where they mine spice. And it is surrounded by black holes. So it is an ideal location for outlaws and the like. Han Solo, being a smuggler, would run through here to lose pursuit. Jabba even references this in the re-release of SW, when he says that he can’t have smugglers that dump their load at the first sight of Imperial something-or-other. Anyway, I think the Kessel run refers to navigating the cluster of black holes that surrounds the planet Kessel. * * * how did it start? well i don’t know i just feel the craving. i see the flesh and it smells fresh and it’s just there for the taking… VvvV [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissecting-star-wars-twenty-years-after/14055.md?page=2)