Episode one, "Man and Machine," takes a close look at how robots are currently used to clean the house, walk the dog, and identify life in the rubble caused by an earthquake. It examines how droids will soon replace astronauts on dangerous spacewalks and act as flying R2-D2's to people living in space. And the future of artificial intelligence makes Darth Vader possible as scientists give prosthetics a mind of their own.
"Space Cowboys" is the title of THE SCIENCE OF STAR WARS episode two, which looks at high tech methods of mobility and communication. The show theorizes that in the near future hovercraft may be commonplace vehicles. Various other vehicles are still in prototype stages, but H2O cars and HyWire cars (hydrogen and by wire) are here today and equipped with technology able to "sense" traffic patterns or danger ahead. This episode poses the question of how tomorrow's hot rods might look.
The final episode of THE SCIENCE OF STAR WARS, "War, Weaponry and The Force" examines how "Star Wars" technology is changing the military. Not quite a clone army yet, but the Future Force Warrior (FFW-Army) and the Berkely Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX) are equipping fighters with Storm Trooper-like gear. Laser Blasters being tested by the US military are a directed energy weapon that uses a laser beam to send an electric charge to the target. The Close Quarters Shock Rifle projects an ionized gas or plasma toward the target, and it can neutralize a whole group of attackers, and kill their electronic ignition getaway systems at the same time. This episode also explores the culture of China's Shaolin monks, martial arts experts whose philosophy of harmony with nature has led some to call them "real life Jedi Knights."
ANIMAL ICONS: STAR WARS CREATURES
This show gives viewers a glimpse into the stories behind the unique and quirky creatures that define these epic films. From Ewoks to Wookiees to Boga, Star Wars movies have given us some of the world's most memorable fantasy creatures — aliens so vivid, they almost seem real.
Where did the idea for Jabba the Hutt originate? Did you know the character of Chewbacca was inspired by film creator George Lucas' family dog? ANIMAL ICONS: STAR WARS CREATURES unveils how these fantasy creatures were derived from actual animals found on Earth. Airing the eve of the premiere of the sixth and final film, STAR WARS: EPISODE III-Revenge of the Sith, the special features interviews with the actors, animators and creature designers, including George Lucas and stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. The program explores how Lucas transferred his breakthrough vision from script to the big screen and reveals the real-life origins of Lucas’ Star Wars menagerie.
Star Wars fans will recognize the distinctive voice of narrator Anthony Daniels, who portrays C-3PO. The only actor to star in all six Star Wars films, Daniels leads viewers through the stories of the films' creatures as shown in wall-to-wall footage from previous films. Audiences are also treated to footage from the highly anticipated Revenge of the Sith.