Star Words: Episode V, Part 5
Jan. 23rd, 2020 04:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilNight is drawing near, and neither Han nor Luke have returned to the base. The rebel leaders must make the unfortunate choice to close the shield doors, preventing anyone from entering should they come back at night. It's interesting that Leia has no lines in this scene, but it revolves entirely around her. The officers keep their voices low to avoid her overhearing disturbing news; they appeal to her for permission to close the doors and only move forward when she gives a reluctant nod. Chewie lets out a moan of anguish as the doors shut, but Leia's silent, pained expression says more than anything voiced.
And then there's Threepio, viewing all of this with a droid's somewhat skewed perspective. Offering Leia the grim fact that Artoo's scanners haven't picked up anything, then hastily acknowledging his limited range as reason not to abandon all hope. And ever-so-helpfully pointing out the terrible odds of Luke and Han's survival...with another hasty caveat.
"Actually, Artoo has been known to make mistakes...from time to time..."
I just love this clueless protocol droid. He's about as comforting as a cold wet blanket. Leia reacts about as well as could be expected, rolling her eyes and walking away. Meanwhile, Threepio directs his hapless attempts at reassurance toward Artoo, pointing out that Luke is quite clever....for a human being.
This habit of generally misreading people's moods, and pointing out terrible odds at the worst possible moment, will become a sort of leitmotif for Threepio throughout the film, providing a touch of comedy and tension in the same line. It's especially interesting to see the role he inhabits as a solitary droid, since Artoo will be attached to a different storyline for most of the movie. It's primarily his interplay with Han that generates the most humor, though Leia and Chewie have their moments with him as well. Yet after all that, Threepio will still struggle mightily to understand the peculiarities of humans.
Next time, we return to Luke at last...
And then there's Threepio, viewing all of this with a droid's somewhat skewed perspective. Offering Leia the grim fact that Artoo's scanners haven't picked up anything, then hastily acknowledging his limited range as reason not to abandon all hope. And ever-so-helpfully pointing out the terrible odds of Luke and Han's survival...with another hasty caveat.
"Actually, Artoo has been known to make mistakes...from time to time..."
I just love this clueless protocol droid. He's about as comforting as a cold wet blanket. Leia reacts about as well as could be expected, rolling her eyes and walking away. Meanwhile, Threepio directs his hapless attempts at reassurance toward Artoo, pointing out that Luke is quite clever....for a human being.
This habit of generally misreading people's moods, and pointing out terrible odds at the worst possible moment, will become a sort of leitmotif for Threepio throughout the film, providing a touch of comedy and tension in the same line. It's especially interesting to see the role he inhabits as a solitary droid, since Artoo will be attached to a different storyline for most of the movie. It's primarily his interplay with Han that generates the most humor, though Leia and Chewie have their moments with him as well. Yet after all that, Threepio will still struggle mightily to understand the peculiarities of humans.
Next time, we return to Luke at last...
