Star Words: Episode IV, Part 12

[matril]

The first danger our friends encounter in Mos Eisley, it turns out, is not from the natives. They are stopped by a suspicious stormtrooper who has good reason to take note of the two droids riding in their landspeeder. When he demands more information, we are given our first glimpse of the famous Jedi mind trick.

"These aren't the droids you're looking for."

No flashy incantations, no dramatic commands. Just a few calm, quiet phrases, a slight wave of the fingers, and the stormtrooper is completely under his influence. Coming so soon after Vader's "lack of faith" moment, we are encourage to compare and contrast their use of the Force as a means of compulsion. Obi-Wan is gentle and non-violent. Vader is brutal and bullying. And yet....mind tricks are really kind of creepy, aren't they? The potential for abuse is quite alarming.

I have to wonder how widespread its usage ever was. Throughout the entire saga we only witness three Jedi performing mind tricks. Qui-Gon the maverick, Obi-Wan his former Padawan, and Luke -- just moments after we witness him force-choking a guard, so make of that what you will. Yoda, as far as I can tell, isn't the sort to rely on them. What about the Sith? Vader and Palaptine seem inclined toward more aggressive forms of mental warfare, but it's never explicitly explored. It makes for a lot of intriguing questions without easy answers. Is it ever justified to manipulate someone against their will, as long as it serves a greater purpose? Is it acceptable as long as the victim is clearly on the side of evil?

On a different note, I'm delighted with Luke's silent reaction to this whole exchange. First the wordless panic, then confusion as he turns to Ben, then astonished relief. A very memorable first lesson about the practical uses of the Force. And who among us hasn't fantasized of such an ability? Casually waving a hand at someone and commanding them as we please? It's certainly an entertaining thought, whatever the moral implications. Just don't try it out on a police officer giving you a speeding ticket.

Next, scum and villainy abound in the cantina....

Comments

[krpalmer]

In anticipating this moment (although I'd actually been wondering about the line being Obi-Wan's explanation "The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded"), I did get to amusing myself with contemplating that apparently hypothetical case of "starting in numerical order," and how Qui-Gon may make the "mind trick" obvious in trying to use it on Watto (establishing it's not an ever-convenient "out" for the protagonists), but had used it earlier in a subtle way on Boss Nass, perhaps to be noticed on further viewings and, as you pointed out, raise a question or two. I suppose I hadn't really considered how only three Jedi use the trick, although I can wonder if Yoda or anyone else was ever in a position where they "needed" to use it; Anakin seems aware of the trick and its limitations in the picnic scene of Attack of the Clones. (With that said, though, I'm reminded of having noticed someone who insists Luke wasn't "choking" the Gamorrean Guard but somehow just "scaring" him, the costume apparently being clumsy enough the recoiling reaction "just looked like choking." Still, even though I've brought that interpretation up I'm in no way opposed to "Luke is to be seen as skating on a thin edge here" counter-interpretations.)

[matril]

Judging from Luke's dark clothing in ROTJ and its association with Vader's look, I would be pretty certain he's meant to be seen as edging closer to the dividing line between light and dark. I'm surprised that motion could be interpreted as anything but a Force-choke.

I'd always seen Anakin's "oh, you're too smart for that" line in Episode II as a bit of flirting, but having encountered a highly objectionable interpretation that Padmé only falls for Anakin because he's unintentionally performing a mind trick on her (um, no. No, no, no.) I guess it's a helpful reminder that such mental manipulation isn't possible for a strong mind like Padmé's.