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Post #533813

Author
TheoOdo
Parent topic
The Phantom Menace - Spence Edit
Link to post in topic
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/533813/action/topic#533813
Date created
8-Sep-2011, 7:58 PM

ben_danger said:

someone suggested ages ago that the neimodians wouldn't be "oh my god JEDI!" but more like "what the hell is a jedi?". knocking them out of the limelight, could make the galaxy seem larger, but also support han's later ignorance to the force.

I think that might have been one of mine. Here's the dialogue I'd offered at that time, somewhat revised:

Scene - Control room, Nute and Daultay talking to protocol droid.

Nute Gunray: What? Speak up, droid!

TC-14: The ambassadors for the Galactic Republic appear to be Jedi Knights.

Daultay Dofine: Jedi? Religious fanatics! We cannot trust their kind!

Nute Gunray: Indeed. You may deal with this nuisance however you like.

Daultay Dofine: However I like? That's unusually harsh of you ... (to TC-14) prepare the battle droids.

Scene - Later, Nute and Daultay talking to Palpatine's hologram.

Daultay Dofine: The ambassadors are Jedi, lord. But their ancient superstitions will surely be no match for our-

Palpatine: Viceroy, I don't want this slime in my sight again. This turn of events is unfortunate. We must accelerate our plans. Begin landing your troops.

Nute Gunray: And what of the Jedi?

Palpatine: Kill them immediately.

Nute Gunray: With pleasure, my master.

Scene - As Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon battle the droids, Nute and the Old Neimodian (Rune Haako) pace away from the view-screen.

Rune Haako: You underestimate the Jedi, Viceroy!

Nute Gunray: Why? Because I don't believe those legends? Seal off the bridge!

Rune Haako: The legends are true, sir!

Nute Gunray: More droids! For your own sake, do not fail me!

Rune Haako: Surrender is still an option...

Scene - Control room as Qui-Gon penetrates the blast-door.

Rune Haako: You see?! The Force is with them!

Nute Gunray (Uncertain): No! It's a myth!

Rune Haako: Your lack of faith has doomed us all!

Scene - Control room, watching Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon flee the destroyer droids on the view-screen.

Rune Haako: Now do you believe the legends, sir?

Conveniently, Nute nods to what Rune Haako is saying at this point, indicating that he may have had a change of heart and now recognises the Jedi's power.

If Haako is given the voice of an older male, it could suggest that he has dealt with Jedi in the past and has been impressed by them, further establishing them as a powerful and mysterious though misunderstood and somewhat forgotten order. This also plays into the theme of spirituality vs. attempts at technological domination from the original trilogy - the Viceroy is young and arrogant and believes in domination, strength and machine-like efficiency, whereas the older Neimodian is wiser and knows that there truly is some mysterious power the Jedi wield, even if he is uncertain what that power is exactly.