Star Words: Episode IV, Part 12
Jun. 6th, 2019 02:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilThe 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....
"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....
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Date: 2019-06-06 11:09 pm (UTC)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.