"Normal" people trying to sound like they are SW experts

Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve overheard, or been part of a SW conversation where somebody was trying to sound like they were an expert on some aspect of SW and you just had to bite your tongue? (or you could have corrected them. I don’t really care enough to)

I’ve got three:

In college sometime between the release of Ep 2 and 3, I overheard a conversation between two people, and one was complaining about how the prequels sucked and the other was all like “Well, that’s the story that George Lucas wrote in the original novels.” and “Jar Jar Binks was in the original book.” SSSIIIGGHHHH

Also around this time, a co-worker was talking to me about the movies and didn’t think Palpatine was the Emperor despite them both being played by the same actor because his name was never stated in RotJ (again, this was before RotS). I actually DID correct him in this case, but he wouldn’t believe me. “How do you know his name was Palpatine? You’re just making that up.” “I dunno. How do I know the braided hair on Boba Fett’s shoulder is Wookiee hair? It’s just stuff SW geeks know.” I never did get to say I told you so, since he stopped working there ('twas a theater. Free movies, baby.) It’s also funny to think that this conversation would never have happened in the age of smart phones.

And most recently (and the most head-shaking), just before the release of TFA, a current co-worker was telling me that the only reason James Earl Jones didn’t perform as Darth Vader was because he quit after a day of wearing the costume, and he said this with utter conviction. He also said Luke Skywalker was going to go dark because that’s what happened in the books, and the new Star Wars movie was based on them. Maybe if I liked the guy enough I would have corrected him, but no…not gonna go through the trouble.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with not knowing about that stuff, but I wish people wouldn’t try to sound like they do. It’s like when you go to the zoo, and suddenly everybody is an animal expert. 😛 Maybe it’s because I don’t look or sound like a typical dork, but it sure is amusing. Makes me wonder how many times I’ve bought some BS from somebody who actually didn’t know what they were talking about…

With some of the “experts” here, I think I prefer normal people.

TV’s Frink said:

With some of the “experts” here, I think I prefer normal people.

Oh, me too. Definitely. I had to find a concise way to get the theme across through a thread title. Normal people are awesome.

Normal people get things wrong all the time. Especially the young ones who grew up with the prequels.

Dek Rollins said:

One of my older brothers told me that someone he was talking to said something to the effect of “George Lucas already has the scripts for episodes 7 8 and 9 written.” This was back in like, 2007.

I was told the same thing back in 1999 or so.

Dek Rollins said:
I’ve been the “expert” several times (on here too; I’m sure you remember, Frink 😉), but in the times coming to my head now, I honestly thought I was remembering my facts correctly (or I stated my being unsure). But I do have a little story to add:
One of my older brothers told me that someone he was talking to said something to the effect of “George Lucas already has the scripts for episodes 7 8 and 9 written.” This was back in like, 2007.

While “already having the scripts” is probably a little too far it seems like he did indeed have enough story for 9 or 12 movies to begin with. But more likely as notes, ideas and outlines and such, than actual scripts.

My dad insists he saw an early draft of Ep 7 in 1964.

I’ve never come across people like this in the real world, but online? Most certainly.

Friend asked to borrow “the first Star Wars” so I gave him A New Hope.
He came back a while later, he wanted The Phantom Menace.

DuracellEnergizer said:

I’ve never come across people like this in the real world, but online? Most certainly.

I know very few people in real life that want to discuss anything related to Star Wars.

I’m known as a sports guy in real life. Very few people are aware of my Star Wars sickness.

Handman said:

Normal people get things wrong all the time. Especially the young ones who grew up with the prequels.

And Old farts like me who get things wrong on a regular basis.

But I do get some things right eventually.

When i was in elementary school i remember first hearing from a friend of a friend that there were books for Eps 1-3 and 7-9, and that the ending books got weird with Luke destroying planets and starships with his mind.

I still don’t know what that information was based on, i am assuming it was EU stuff, but i have never been into the EU so i don’t know.

Smart move.

DominicCobb said:

Dek Rollins said:

One of my older brothers told me that someone he was talking to said something to the effect of “George Lucas already has the scripts for episodes 7 8 and 9 written.” This was back in like, 2007.

I was told the same thing back in 1999 or so.

Give Lucas a few hours and he will deliver finished scripts for 7-8-9 (even 10-11-12 if you offer him a cup of coffee). Not good, but finished. But if you want a STAR WARS quality script, he needs 4 years/10 hours of work per day. I would very much like to read the synopsis of the ST he “sold” to Disney in 2012… I’m pretty sure it’s American graffiti with x-wings and tie-fighters (like R1 is Divergent with x-wings and tie-fighters…).

MalàStrana said:

R1 is Divergent with x-wings and tie-fighters

Nice to know you’ve seen it.

TV’s Frink said:

MalàStrana said:

R1 is Divergent with x-wings and tie-fighters

Nice to know you’ve seen it.

I can spoile you the end if you want.