Star Wars: Parallels I

STAR WARS

Parallels

"It's like poetry, it rhymes," is a famous, or infamous depending on your point of view, quote from Star Wars creator, George Lucas, during behind-the-scenes footage of The Phantom Menace. Regardless of your feelings towards that statement, it is indeed the approach he took with the prequel trilogy of films. The endeavor I am taking here is to attempt to draw some parallels between each of the trilogies. Mostly, this will be comparison by episodic position, but there will be others that are "out of position" later and some contrasts along the way, as well. [Legend: OT: Original Trilogy, PT: Prequel Trilogy, ST: Sequel Trilogy, ANH: A New Hope, TESB: The Empire Strikes Back, ROTJ: Return of the Jedi, TPM: The Phantom Menace, AOTC: Attack of the Clones, ROTS: Revenge of the Sith, TFA: The Force Awakens, TLJ: The Last Jedi, TROS: The Rise of Skywalker]

Position I (Episodes IV, I, VII)

Title: The first parallel between the OT and PT (which continued throughout) is in the episodes' titles. Episode IV is subtitled A New Hope and Episode I is subtitled The Phantom Menace. Both present abstract concepts and could refer to a character or to that character's primary contribution to the story's development. In ANH, it is Luke Skywalker, who indeed brings hope to the rebellion, while Palpatine is the unknown menace orchestrating evil in the galaxy. It is worth noting that other characters such as Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi, Han Solo and Chewbacca also bring new hope with them, but Luke is the intersecting point. Similarly, in TPM, Palpatine is only one of the two Sith, albeit the master and primary one, but it could be argued that the menace was phantomlike until the reveal to the galaxy that these enemies of the Jedi still exist. In contrast, Episode VII broke this convention with The Force Awakens. While the Force itself could be seen as more abstract, its awakening is an action, an element that is not part of the other two titles. It does maintain three words like the other two, however.

Beginnings: ANH begins on a rebel spaceship but soon switches to a desert planet (Tatooine) where a droid (R2-D2) is on a mission carrying information vital to the survival of the galaxy (Death Star plans). TFA begins on a different desert planet (Jakku) where shortly a droid (BB-8) flees, carrying information vital to the survival of the galaxy (missing portion of a map to Ahch-To, the location of Luke Skywalker). Please note the contrast that R2-D2 had purpose while Poe and BB-8 were merely desperate and unsure what the next step would be. TPM has a desert planet subplot, on Tatooine again, but there is no particular parallel in the respect of droid activities.

Zero to Hero (Desert Edition): In ANH, Luke Skywalker, the primary hero of the OT and a powerful Force user unbeknownst to him, is found on the desert planet Tatooine. In TPM, Anakin Skywalker, the primary hero of the PT and a powerful Force user unbeknownst to him, is found on the desert planet Tatooine. In TFA, Rey (eventually Skywalker), the primary heroine of the ST and a powerful Force user unbeknownst to her, is found on the desert planet Jakku.

Duels & Battles: Act II of ANH ends on the final lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, and Obi-Wan sacrifices himself for the younger Rebels and the Rebellion itself. The final climax of Act III (and the episode) is the epic space battle over Yavin IV with the Death Star bearing down on the Rebel Base, ready to annihilate the jungle moon. Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star, the goal of the battle, at the last minute with assistance from Han Solo & Chewbacca, saving the Rebel Base. This sequence includes the "trench run." The final climax of TPM includes both the final lightsaber duel between Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Maul and the space battle over Naboo. The goal of the space battle is to destroy the droid control ship to end a land battle on the planet below. In the end, Qui-Gon dies and Anakin Skywalker destroys the control ship, including its own miniature "trench run", just as the Gungans have surrendered, the last minute before likely execution. Somewhat sacrificial, Qui-Gon uses his last breaths to make Obi-Wan promise to train Anakin, whom he believes to be the prophesied Chosen One. The final climax of TFA includes the lightsaber duel between Finn & Rey and Kylo Ren and the battle over Starkiller Base. The goal of the battle is to destroy Starkiller Base, as it is recharging to fire on and annihilate D'Qar with its Resistance Base. This sequence includes a "trench run" homage. In the end, Starkiller Base is destroyed at the last minute, and Finn, untrained but having sacrificially engaged Kylo, is severely injured and nearly dies.

Endings: ANH ends on a celebratory victory ceremony with Princess Leia Organa awarding the heroes medals, bittersweet because of the earlier death of Obi-Wan. TPM ends on a celebratory victory ceremony with Queen Amidala gifting Boss Nass with the Globe of Peace as a public symbol of their continued alliance, bittersweet because of the earlier funeral of Qui-Gon. Just prior to the ending of TFA, the Resistance returns to base on D'Qar, victorious in the Battle of Starkiller Base. Many celebrate, but this is made bittersweet as Leia, Chewbacca, and Rey mourn the death of Han Solo.

Next week...Star Wars: Parallels, Part II!