A Thousand Stars: Episode IV, Part 19

Star Wars draws its influence from a broad range of sources, everything from fairy tales to samurai legends, 1940s serials and westerns. And what's more characteristic of the classic western than a shoot-out between two bravos? So we get the Han-Greedo confrontation. I frankly don't care who "shot first;" it's really about who's the fastest draw. Clearly, that's Han.

But he's not standing alertly, hand poised obviously at his weapon. He's slouched in a corner, cleverly luring Greedo into dropping his guard. The audience gets to see Han's finger inching toward the trigger while the bounty hunter remains arrogantly ignorant. Until it's too late.

Then we get another indicator of the seediness of this locale, no dialogue necessary: the patrons briefly note the shoot-out, then return to business as usual. Dead bodies, whatever. Casual scum and villainy.

Next time, more weirdness in a city full of weirdos...