A Thousand Stars: Episode I, Part 37
Sep. 22nd, 2022 10:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilThe Gungan/battledroid battle might only be a distraction, a ruse to draw away the bulk of the Viceroy's protection, but there's still a lot of meaningful imagery here.
Much like the Ewok battle from Episode VI, this provides a stark visual contrast of nature vs. technology. But the contrast is even more severe, as our heroes are literally fighting emotionless machines. On the other hand, their methods are not so primitive as the Ewok's. I love the unusual technology Lucas envisioned for them, glimpsed earlier in their underwater city. It has a curiously organic feel that's different from anything we've seen before in Star Wars films, primarily based on shields that repel violent attacks but give way at gentle pressure. That in itself presents a fascinating metaphor.
Their army uses beasts of burden rather than entire mechanized transport, and there's something deeply evocative about their most common means of attack, the "boomas" that resemble giant blue balls. It's a curious melding of tech and nature, modern and what we think of as primitive. The only other thing I can think of that fits that description is the lightsaber.
Of course, this sort of army does have certain disadvantages. Once the soldiers figure out they can slip softly through the shield, they do plenty of damage. Eventually even the massive shields are destroyed from within, paving the way for some truly brutal attacks from the droid army's major hardware.
Like the Ewoks, the only way to turn the tide of battle is by using the enemy's own technology against them. In this case, that means destroying the droid control ship. Now, this Achilles heel of sorts might seem like a major design flaw -- and it is, and that's why the Empire will favor stormtroopers rather than battledroids -- though you can see the advantages to it as well. It's very well suited for a mercenary, cowardly organization like the Federation, who would prefer to control the battle from a safe, removed distance. Besides, the likelihood of someone infiltrating the control ship and blowing it up from the inside was insanely low. Not quite destroying-the-Death-Star low, but still the sort of victory only made possible by the Force.
Padmé's plan wasn't even dependent on successfully destroying the ship; they made provisions for it but knew it was more likely the Gugans would have to serve as a sacrificing force until the Viceroy was captured. Boss Nass knew the risks; his people were committed to play their part. Also like the Ewoks, they were determined to fight for their home, no matter the odds. The battles provide lovely bookends for the saga.
Next, a silent study in character....
Much like the Ewok battle from Episode VI, this provides a stark visual contrast of nature vs. technology. But the contrast is even more severe, as our heroes are literally fighting emotionless machines. On the other hand, their methods are not so primitive as the Ewok's. I love the unusual technology Lucas envisioned for them, glimpsed earlier in their underwater city. It has a curiously organic feel that's different from anything we've seen before in Star Wars films, primarily based on shields that repel violent attacks but give way at gentle pressure. That in itself presents a fascinating metaphor.
Their army uses beasts of burden rather than entire mechanized transport, and there's something deeply evocative about their most common means of attack, the "boomas" that resemble giant blue balls. It's a curious melding of tech and nature, modern and what we think of as primitive. The only other thing I can think of that fits that description is the lightsaber.
Of course, this sort of army does have certain disadvantages. Once the soldiers figure out they can slip softly through the shield, they do plenty of damage. Eventually even the massive shields are destroyed from within, paving the way for some truly brutal attacks from the droid army's major hardware.
Like the Ewoks, the only way to turn the tide of battle is by using the enemy's own technology against them. In this case, that means destroying the droid control ship. Now, this Achilles heel of sorts might seem like a major design flaw -- and it is, and that's why the Empire will favor stormtroopers rather than battledroids -- though you can see the advantages to it as well. It's very well suited for a mercenary, cowardly organization like the Federation, who would prefer to control the battle from a safe, removed distance. Besides, the likelihood of someone infiltrating the control ship and blowing it up from the inside was insanely low. Not quite destroying-the-Death-Star low, but still the sort of victory only made possible by the Force.
Padmé's plan wasn't even dependent on successfully destroying the ship; they made provisions for it but knew it was more likely the Gugans would have to serve as a sacrificing force until the Viceroy was captured. Boss Nass knew the risks; his people were committed to play their part. Also like the Ewoks, they were determined to fight for their home, no matter the odds. The battles provide lovely bookends for the saga.
Next, a silent study in character....
