thecolorsblend2 said:
The force field/radiation scanner thing never really bothered me. It's clear what the dramatic purpose was for; the in-universe explanation doesn't trouble me. It's esoteric high tech something-or-other that Naboo engineers obviously realized they needed in that corridor. It fits with the mise en scene established in other sections of the generator complex so I buy it. Don't take this as sarcasm or a flame, but if the lack of explanation is upsetting, I've got no argument for you. The fact that we're never told why ESB's carbon freezing chamber is raised so high up off the ground (aside from the production designer's requirements) or why the edges don't have guard rails (aside from dramatic license required by the script) never bothered me.
It's like the power coupling for podracer engines or visible beams of light coming from blasters. They work the way Lucas says they work because he says they work that way.
The force field/radiation scanner thing never really bothered me. It's clear what the dramatic purpose was for; the in-universe explanation doesn't trouble me. It's esoteric high tech something-or-other that Naboo engineers obviously realized they needed in that corridor. It fits with the mise en scene established in other sections of the generator complex so I buy it. Don't take this as sarcasm or a flame, but if the lack of explanation is upsetting, I've got no argument for you. The fact that we're never told why ESB's carbon freezing chamber is raised so high up off the ground (aside from the production designer's requirements) or why the edges don't have guard rails (aside from dramatic license required by the script) never bothered me.
It's like the power coupling for podracer engines or visible beams of light coming from blasters. They work the way Lucas says they work because he says they work that way.
I think it can be assumed that there are no guard rails on the carbon freeze chamber because the controls are manually operated (Vader uses the Force to manipulate it). If someone falls in, they can be pulled out. I imagine an Ugnaut is pretty careful around it (they seem to be the ones in the area most, if not all, of the time). I also imagine that it's up on that platform to keep people from accidentally falling in. You have to walk up steps to get near it. It's not like you can just wander into the room and fall in. Kind of like how there are no guard rails on big oil wells. You have to climb a ladder to get inside one. If you're climbing the ladder, you obviously don't want something slowing you down once you get to the top.
As far as blasters go, apparently you didn't pay attention when reading Shadows of the Empire. It's a finding beam. You don't actually see the real laser, even though it comes right after the beam. Yes, it's a lame ass explanation that wasn't needed. It was put in for the bit head EU fans that always ask how you can see a laser in space. Same goes for Luke cutting through the magnetically shielded door with his lightsaber (same book). An unnecessary explanation that's easily filled in by fans (lightsabers can cut through anything, so they can cut through that). That lovely book has been responsible for more bullshit explanations that we don't need than anything.
I don't need everything explained. But when something feels so out of place that I'm asking "What's that for?", then it needs to have some kind of explanation. Sound in space does not bother me. Visible lasers do not bother me. Those things are fantastical elements that I can let slip. If I didn't, I wouldn't be watching a lot of sci-fi.