DuracellEnergizer

TheBoost said:

DuracellEnergizer said:

TheBoost said:

I disagree. ... I'd say reboots are the problem.

Truth is, though, I liked the original DC method of rectifying discontinuity in their comics: just say there are multiple universes with their own seperate histories. No reboots, no retcons, just different worlds. I wish the EU writers would get their heads on straight for once and adopt a similar multiversal framework.

But superheroes had a history of stories about popping in and out of alternate universes.

If Star Wars introduced a multiverse, I would once and for all quit the EU totally.

I'm proposing a multiverse as a means of resolving continuity issues. Interuniversal travel doesn't have to go with it.

TheBoost said:

I disagree. DC reboots have occasionally been useful when it comes to individual stories (I liked the mid-80s Superman reboot) but when it comes to their fictional universe making any sense, they don't help at all. I'd say reboots are the problem.

Like I said, "some", not a lot. It would've been a helluva lot worse if they had decided to make all these changes without any reboots, and come out with countless stupid retcons to try to explain away all the blatant discrepancies.

Truth is, though, I liked the original DC method of rectifying discontinuity in their comics: just say there are multiple universes with their own seperate histories. No reboots, no retcons, just different worlds. I wish the EU writers would get their heads on straight for once and adopt a similar multiversal framework.

There are a number or things I'd do differently. Instead of a new Death Star I'd come up with a new type of Star Destroyer, larger than a Super Star Destroyer, like this one:

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Eclipse-class_Super_Star_Destroyer

And I probably wouldn't have cast Ian McDiarmid as the Emperor. Don't get me wrong, I liked his performance in ROTJ (less so in the PT, but he still had a bit of charm there), but I would have taken Palpatine's character in a whole different direction.

The dark side is supposed to be seductive, yet Lucas never went and made any dark siders seductive themselves; they all looked old, or deformed, or stereotypically Satanic. I would have done the opposite. I would have cast a woman as Palpatine - preferably young and at least moderately attractive - and brought back Clive Revill to do Palpatine's voice. Instead of snarky and sarcastic, Palpatine would sound calm, sauve, and at times even genuinely remorseful. He would be this great dark father - mother? - figure.

I probably would have also replaced the Ewoks with Wookiees, or some other non-dwarfish race.

Mrebo said:

I don't think Maul can be developed more. He's evil because he's evil - just look at him.

I respectfully disagree. In the EU Maul was written as unwaveringly loyal and devoted to Palpatine, that he practically loved him as a father, and IMO it didn't come off as out of character or hamfisted at all. Any PT rewriter could utilize and empathize these personality traits; Maul can be more than just a cool looking gimmick.

What would I keep? That's a hard one to answer. There are elements/characters from the PT I felt had potential, or the potential for potential (XD) - that they could have been very good if they had been heavily thought/fleshed out, but are very, very weak as they are.

I'd keep Padmé, Qui-Gon, Maul, Dooku, and Grevious, but I'd heavily retool them, so much so that they'd only superficially resemble the originals.

As for what I'd keep intact (or relatively intact):

The dogmatic/legalistic nature of the Jedi. The idea that the Jedi, a less than perfect arrogance-fueled organization, practically set one of their own up for the fall is one with much potential, and sets the whole fall of Anakin, the destruction of the old Jedi Order, the rise of Luke, and the creation of the new Jedi Order in a whole new, interesting, and inspiring light.

Watto. I can't help but like him. I'd just make him more sinister - to make him more suitable as an antagonist.

The "deathsticks" scene. I love the exchange between Obi-Wan and Elan Sleazebaggano (that is a stupid name, isn't it) and Obi-Wan's nonchalant tone of voice and demeanour. I know a lot of OOT fans hate this scene, but other than the "Sleazebaggano" name, I just don't see what the problem with it is.

I like Dex. I don't like the CGI he's made of, but I like his personality. I'd definately stick him in somewhere.

And ... that's all I've got for now.

INT. CORUSCANT - HOTEL - AMIDALA’S QUARTERS - AFTERNOON


Anakin walks down a long hallway in a grand, regal hotel. He stops before the door to Amidala’s chambers, which is flanked by two guards.


GUARD : May I help you, son?

ANAKIN : I’m Anakin Skywalker, a friend of Amidala’s. Can I speak with her?

GUARD : I’m sorry, but she will see no one at this time.

ANAKIN : But you can give her a message, right?

GUARD : Of course.

ANAKIN : I’m going to the Jedi Temple to start my training, I hope ... and I might not see her again ... and ... I just wanted to say goodbye ... and that I’m sorry for her loss.

GUARD : I’ll be sure to deliver the message to her.


Anakin thanks the guard, then turns around, leaving through the way he came. As he does so he comes close to bumping into Qui-Gon.


ANAKIN : Qui-Gon!

QUI-GON : Anakin ...

ANAKIN : What are you ...?

QUI-GON : I ... (looking over Anakin’s shoulder at the guards standing beyond) came to ... to pay my respects to the Princess.

ANAKIN : She’s ... she’s not taking any visitors.

QUI-GON : I see ... What about messages?


ANAKIN : Messages?

QUI-GON : Messages.

ANAKIN : (looking back at the guards) Yes, yes, she’ll take a message.

QUI-GON : Alright then. (cont’d) See you later, Skywalker?

ANAKIN : Yes ... see you later.


Without further word Qui-Gon walks past Anakin and over to the guards to deliver his condolences. Anakin looks after him a moment, his brow creased with thought, then he turns and continues on his way.


EXT. CORUSCANT - JEDI TEMPLE - ARCHIVE LIBRARY - AFTERNOON


Obi-Wan and Anakin enter the Jedi archives of the Temple. Throughout the grand room stand countless shelves and computer terminals. A number of Jedi Knights and Padawans browse through the archives, looking for information.

Obi-Wan leads Anakin through the chamber, who tries to shrink and make himself inconspicious.


ANAKIN : Is it okay for me to be here?

OBI-WAN : The archives are restricted to non-Jedi. However, I have made an exception for you this one time.

ANAKIN : Why did you bring me here?

OBI-WAN : I have something to show you.


Obi-Wan and Anakin make their way past the terminals, where they find two Jedi having a conversation. One of the Jedi is named Jocasta Nu - a middle aged woman dressed in gold-and-grey robes, with her hair tied up in a tight bun. She is the Chief Librarian of the archives.

The Jedi turns to the new arrivals.


JOCASTA NU : So, Obi-Wan Kenobi ... this is the guest I was told about.

OBI-WAN : Yes, Master.

JOCASTA NU : To see the Statue of the Chosen One?

OBI-WAN : Yes.

JOCASTA NU : Go right on ahead. I believe you know the way?

OBI-WAN : I do, Master.

JOCASTA NU : (studying Anakin) There is a resemblance, isn’t there?


Her statement perplexes Anakin, but Obi-Wan leads him away before the young man can ask her what she meant.

The Jedi Knight leads Anakin down an aisle, eventually coming to a far wall. There - standing over them - is a massive metal statue. On the base are engraved strange hieroglyphs. The figure itself is human, garbed in armour, robes, and cloak, holding over its head an ignited lightsaber.

The features of the statue’s face match those of Anakin’s exactly.


OBI-WAN : It was shaped by a Jedi prophet in the earliest days of the Order. It is made out of Mandalorian iron, which is how it has been able to remain intact all these countless millennia.

ANAKIN : It looks - it looks like me!

OBI-WAN : Yes, it does indeed, Anakin.

ANAKIN : Who is it?

OBI-WAN : The writings on the base speak of a time when a period of peace would give way to a period of war, when a great darkness would settle over the galaxy. It says that a son with no parents would be found under the light of two stars and chosen to combat the darkness. With his brother - which could be interpreted to mean his ally - he would confront the evil and conquer it. Doing so he would become one with the Force and restore order, bringing balance. (turning to Anakin) You never met your biological parents, and Tatooine is located in a binary star system.

ANAKIN : You think ... you think I’m this guy? You think I’m this Chosen One?

OBI-WAN : I do.

ANAKIN : C’mon ... that prophecy is so vague anyone could meet its criteria. I’m only a kid.

OBI-WAN : A kid unusually strong with the Force.

ANAKIN : The Force - what is that anyway?

OBI-WAN : A living energy field which gives us our power.

ANAKIN : I thought Ashla -

OBI-WAN : I’m afraid the information your friend Nebar Foxis gave you on our Order wasn’t quite accurate.

ANAKIN : (cont’d) Okay, so I have this Force ... So do a million other beings then. How do you know one of them isn’t this Chosen One?

OBI-WAN : Look at the statue, Anakin.

ANAKIN : So what? In this galaxy there’s bound to be someone who looks a lot like me - and this statue - a lot of someones, actually. How can you know I’m the one?

OBI-WAN : It’s a feeling I have. I can’t explain it to you in any other way that you’ll understand.

ANAKIN : It’s not smart to always trust your feelings, you know.

OBI-WAN : It is the way of the Force to trust our feelings. We’re taught that from the very beginning.

ANAKIN : Well ... I’ll admit you know more about this than I do.

OBI-WAN : Already open to receiving wisdom, are you? That’s good. Very good. Work on that.

ANAKIN : Sure ... you’re the Master.

OBI-WAN : (cont’d) The darkness mentioned in the prophecy ... it may have nothing at all to do with the Cloners. This darkness may in fact centre around the Jedi assassin.

ANAKIN : You think he could be a threat to the galaxy at large?

OBI-WAN : Possibly - especially if he is only one of many.

ANAKIN : You mean like an organization of evil Jedi?

OBI-WAN : Precisely.

ANAKIN : But wouldn’t you Jedi have noticed them? Wouldn’t the Force send you a vision or something?

OBI-WAN : Darksiders are shrewd. They very well could have escaped our notice. (cont’d) If this Jedi is in allegiance with a dark side organization, then the Force be with us. Not since the days of the Sith have we faced such a threat.

ANAKIN : The Sith?

OBI-WAN : The Sith were the enemies of the Jedi Order at one point thousands of years in the past ... (cont’d) They were once noble Jedi, brothers in the Force. But they chose to explore the mysteries of the dark side of the Force. They were corrupted.

ANAKIN : Were they - ?

OBI-WAN : They were expelled from the Order, and eventually had to be exiled, forced from the Republic. They were sent out into the unknown, where it was believed they perished. They didn’t. They found their way to the homeworld of a primitive race - the Sith, from whom they took their name. (cont’d) The fallen Jedi conquered the Sith and in time interbred with them, creating an empire, an empire of Sith. This Sith Empire found its way back to the Republic. (cont’d) The Sith brought nothing but death and disaster, corrupting anything they didn’t destroy.

ANAKIN : But they’re gone now?

OBI-WAN : Exterminated. In the last days of the Sith Wars. Suicide.

ANAKIN : You must be thankful.

OBI-WAN : Indeed I am.


They both take one final look at the statue, then leave.

Darth Bizarro said:

"A fictional universe where different stories controvert one another is not one that can long survive, as has been demonstrated over the years by various franchises which—taking little measure to ensure congruity—plummeted."

I don't know, DC comics has done a pretty decent job staying afloat.

Yeah, but DC has always used reboots to bring some measure of sanity to their chaos. The EU hasn't done anything like that yet; they just keep churning shit out, stamping it all with a CANON mark, coming up with contrived retcons whenever something new contradicts earlier material in a vain attempt to make it all work.

greenpenguino said:

Title: It's from a scene in Doctor Who, where the master gases a room full of people and one guy says 'You're Insane!' and the master gives a thumbs up.

Reading this after looking at your new title has me ROTFLMAO

Put Captain Solo in the Cargo Hold said:

Badass doesn't imply quality. One could argue that 300 is badass, but that film is bad on so many levels, Leonidas' famous line can't save if from being awful.

At least the transvestite Goa'uld makes it hilariously awful.

EXT. CORUSCANT - SPACE


The Akkadian drops drop from the ink black of space into the world’s atmosphere, plowing through the clouds in a steady descent.


EXT. CORUSCANT - CITYSCAPE - DAY


The starship flies over the massive lanes, bridges, and towers of Coruscant. Countless teeming people can be seen below in the distance.


INT. CORUSCANT - AKKADIAN - COCKPIT - DAY


Anakin looks out the viewport, examining the city beyond with his eyes.


ANAKIN : Coruscant ... the capital of the Republic ... it’s one big city! Wow!


EXT. CORUSCANT - SENATE LANDING PLATFORM - DAY


Supreme Chancellor Valorum, with several guards and the Jedi Master Jard Dooku, stands waiting on the platform. Dooku is a towering man in his sixties, with trim beard and black hair turning grey at the temples.

The decrepit Nabu spacecraft lands on the platform, and the hatch pops open and lowers. Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Colonel Organa and Amidala descend the ramp, followed by Organa’s men and the Princess’s bodyguards, as well as Anakin and Tarpals.

The Jedi bow before Valorum and his entourage. Obi-Wan greets Dooku, embracing him.


JARD DOOKU : It is good to see you alive and well, my friend. I feared the worst for you and Qui-Gon.

QUI-GON : It is good to see you again, Master.

JARD DOOKU : (turning to Qui-Gon) Qui-Gon ... Obi-Wan has kept you safe. I couldn’t be more pleased.


Obi-Wan turns to Amidala, and brings her forward, presenting her to the Supreme Chancellor.

OBI-WAN : Chancellor, this is Princess Amidala Naberrie of Nabu. I am sorry to say neither her parents nor her siblings could make the trip with us.

VALORUM : It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty. Accept my condolences in regard to your poor loved ones. It is indeed a great loss.

AMIDALA : Your words are appreciated, Chancellor Valorum.

VALORUM : I am sorry to say, however, that there is more bad news to bear.

OBI-WAN : More?

VALORUM : (to Obi-Wan) We received word from Federation emissaries ... Theed has been destroyed.

AMIDALA : What!?

VALORUM : A global restriction on food has also been put into effect. (cont’d) They have said that unless the Princess returns to Nabu and gives herself up her people will die.

AMIDALA : No ... no ...


In utter horror Amidala sinks to her knees, and begins to sob silently. Tears roll down her eyes, and she begins to pound the ground below her in quiet rage. Her bodyguards hurry to help her.


VALORUM : We must get her inside - quickly.


Amidala utters a heartbreaking cry as her bodyguards pull her to her feet. The group quickly leaves the area, walking briskly over toward a waiting transport.


EXT. CORUSCANT - JEDI TEMPLE - DAY


A grand, unique building towers over the surrounding buildings in the neighbourhood, its spires reaching up to touch the Coruscant sky.

A taxi cruises up to the Temple, slowing to a stop. Three Jedi - Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Dooku - climb out of the vehicle and it zooms off, leaving them standing before a series of stone steps. The Jedi begin to walk up the steps toward the main entrance.


JARD DOOKU : There is little chance the Senate will allow a second armada to be organized and sent to Nabu. The Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is full of greedy, squabbling delegates who are only looking out for themselves, their own home systems, and the systems that bring them profit. There is no interest in the common good. No civility, only politics. It’s disgusting.

OBI-WAN : Chancellor Valorum seems to think there is hope.

JARD DOOKU : The Chancellor has little real power. He is mired down by baseless accusations of corruption. A manufactured scandal surrounds him. The bureaucrats are in charge now.

OBI-WAN : What options do we have?

JARD DOOKU : Only a hand from above can help us now.


INT. CORUSCANT - JEDI TEMPLE - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - DAY


Obi-Wan stands in the centre of a stately room, Qui-Gon beside him and a semi-circle of twelve Jedi Masters sitting around him. Mace Windu is the senior Jedi, with Yoda on his right and Micah Giiett to his left.


OBI-WAN : ... He wielded a lightsaber and was undoubtedly a skilled Force user - a dark side user.

MACE WINDU : A fallen Jedi.

OBI-WAN : That we encountered each other on Tatooine is no coincidence. He is involved with the Nabu crisis in some way.

MICAH GIIETT : Possibly an assassin on the Federation’s payroll.

YODA : Mercenaries the Neimoidians are. Employed by this darksider, perhaps?

MACE WINDU : Possibly. This wouldn’t be the first time a Dark Jedi has tried to seize control for himself during these hard times.

YODA : Hard to see, is the dark side. (cont’d) We must discover who this assassin is.

MICAH GIIETT : I sense he will reveal himself again.

MACE WINDU : This attack was with purpose, that is clear, and I agree the Princess was the target.

YODA : You must stay with this Nabu Princess, Obi-Wan. Protect her.

MACE WINDU : We will use all our resources here to unravel this mystery and discover the identity of your attacker ... May the Force be with you.


Qui-Gon turns to leave, but stops when he sees Obi-Wan remaining in place.


YODA : Obi-Wan, more to say have you?

OBI-WAN : With your permission, my Master. I have discovered an anomaly.

YODA : An anomaly, you say?

MACE WINDU : In the form of an individual?

OBI-WAN : A boy ... unusually strong in the Force. His features match those of the statue’s exactly.

MICAH GIIETT : The statue ...?

MACE WINDU : You’re referring to the prophecy of the one who will restore order to the galaxy ... You believe it’s this boy?

OBI-WAN : I don’t presume ...

YODA : But you do! Revealed your opinion is.

OBI-WAN : I request he be tested.


The Jedi Masters look to one another, nodding before turning their attention back to Obi-Wan.


YODA : Your request is that he be trained as a Jedi?

OBI-WAN : Finding him was the will of the Force. I have no doubt of that. There is too much happening here ...

MACE WINDU : Bring him before us then.

YODA : Tested he will be.

skyjedi2005 said:

Nice to know the writer of that game is writing the Darth Revan novel

Drew Karpyshyn : I wonder what defining characteristics I'll give Revan in this new novel?

Hmm ... how about the ones I gave Darth Bane and Zannah!

Constructive Criticizer : But Drew, neither Bane nor Zannah had a personality. They were

pretty much bland, depthless, evil-for-the-sake-of-being-evil

stereotypes!

Drew Karpyshyn : Exactly! It's a great idea! I'm going for it!

Constructive Criticizer : But -

Drew Karpyshyn : Now, I need to think of a plot ... the meat of the story ... You got any

ideas, C.C.?

Constructive Criticizer : Well, there's -

Drew Karpyshyn : I know! Revan goes off in search of a lost holocron ...

Constructive Criticizer : I'm outta here.

Drew Karpyshyn : Wait! I need your opinion on what Revan's Super Sexy Secret

Apprentice's lightsaber colour should be! I've narrowed the possible

choices down to red and blood-red!

*Door slams*

Indeed he does :nod:

xhonzi said:

I just finished the Knights of the Old Republic comics. Some might remember some comments I made about them earlier- when I read the part that crossed over with the Legacy comics I was reading at the time. My comments were basically- "It's very goofy, and Alf seems to be a main character". Having read the entire series, I have to say I lightened up on it somewhat... but everyonce in a while they would make references back to the older Tales of the Jedi/Knights of the Old Republic comics and the difference in tone was staggering. Last I read them, the Tom Veitch (and to a lesser degree, Kevin J. Anderson) Tales of the Jedi comics were like a serious film. And the new KotOR comics more like a decent Saturday morning cartoon, not entirely aimed at kids. It pains me to think that these comics are related in any way, so I mostly revert to thinking of them as separate chronologies.

And yes, I did sneak in a fond memory of the Tales of the Jedi series in there. I thought they were really good at the start and to the degree that KJA took over they suffered. But still better than what's coming out now.

I can't help but love the TOTJ comics. Sure, the art wasn't always the best and some of the dialogue hokey, but I loved the feel of the stories ... I loved that ancient feel to it ... I like how the Jedi were presented and I love how the Sith were developed - so much so that I consider Veitch the true creator of the Sith, not Lucas.

It's a shame the KOTOR comics don't capture that same feel. As far as post-PT EU goes the series is pretty good, and I actually like it, but it just doesn't compare. It's supposed to take place only a couple decades after TOTJ, but the style of everything - from the ships to the buildings - looks more PT/OT in appearance. And the Jedi and Sith - while not as bad as the PT-era versions, still have that prequel-taint on them.

Sigh ... I can't help but think that the KOTOR comics (and all of the EU, for that matter) would have been so much better in a PT-less universe. No more Darths, or Padawans, or younglings, or limited lightsaber colours ...

INT. SPACE - NUTE GUNRAY’S PERSONAL FLAGSHIP - CORRIDOR


Gunray runs down the passage, panicked with sweat running down his forehead. He stumbles as he reaches the door to his chambers, falling to his knees. He scrambles back up to his feet, opening the door with a low cry before slipping inside.


INT. SPACE - NUTE GUNRAY’S PERSONAL FLAGSHIP - NUTE GUNRAY’S PERSONAL CHAMBERS


Gunray runs into the room, collapsing against the holographic projector. Maul’s image is already being projected, his larger-than-life eyes burning down on the Neimoidian.


MAUL : You’re late!

NUTE GUNRAY : I ... came as fast as I could ... My Lord. I ... am no athlete.

MAUL : (enraged) Do not speak up to me! Never speak up to me!

NUTE GUNRAY : My - My Lord ...! Forgive me!

MAUL : (cont’d) Send a message to the Senate on Coruscant. Do it right away!

NUTE GUNRAY : Message? What message?

MAUL : Until Naberrie returns to Nabu and surrenders to our custody, her people will suffer and die. Tell them!

NUTE GUNRAY : Suffer ...?

MAUL : As of now food is forbidden to the Nabu populace. You will have their homes and marketplaces raided, leaving them nothing.

NUTE GUNRAY : Raid ...?

MAUL : And have Theed destroyed.

NUTE GUNRAY : Destroyed!?

MAUL : A warning of what will come to the rest of her people on every day she is away from home.

NUTE GUNRAY : It is such a drastic move ...

MAUL : You will obey me! You will obey, or I will kill you where you stand!

NUTE GUNRAY : I will obey! I never said I wouldn’t! Please, pity me!

MAUL : (disgusted) You are beneath pity. Now stand up and do your duty.


The hologram fades away, and the Neimoidian collapses completely, fainted.


INT. NABU - THEED PRISON - PALPATINE’S CELL - DAWN


Dantius Palpatine lies sleeping upon his bunk when a contingent of Federation B1 battle droids lead by an orange EV supervisor droid deactivate the destructive holding beams of his cell and storm in, pulling him down and forcing him awake.


PALPATINE : What - what’s going on?

ORANGE DROID : Political prisoners are to be transferred. You will be coming with us.


A pair of droids grab hold of the Vizier’s shoulders, hauling him to his feet. As they pull him out into the cell block, Palpatine sees other palace servants being herded out of their cells with him.


EXT. NABU - THEED - DAWN


Contingents of battle droids and Neimoidian soldiers march through the streets, making their way from their posts to waiting carriers and platforms. Once every trooper has climbed aboard, the Neimoidian craft lift off and depart Theed, leaving for farther regions.

Soon, all the Federation troops are gone, leaving the city silent. Soon, the silence is broken by the sound of a sole bird tweeting.

The townspeople tentatively poke their heads out their doors and windows. Cautiously, they step out of their homes, and begin to explore. They find no trace of the Neimoidian forces.


EXT. NABU - THEED - TOWN SQUARE - DAWN


Several citizens begin to fill the marketplace. They look around, exploring their surroundings. Slowly, smiles break out over their faces.


CITIZEN #1 : They’re gone ... the Federation is gone ... the Neimoidians have left!


The people erupt with cheering. They sing and dance as the revelry grows stronger. Some begin to cry with laughter and happiness.


CITIZEN #2 : We’re free, we’re free, we’re free! Nabu is free!


The celebration is broken, however, when a low droning begins to fill the air. The laughter and singing dies down as the droning moves closer and grows loud. They freeze in terror as a bomber appears over the horizon, and passes over, throwing its shadow over the city below. The townspeople scream as a weapon is released from the bomber.

The ship pulls up and away to safety as the bomb detonates, and Theed disappears in a bright flash. The powerful shockwave plows over the buildings and uproots the earth, turning everything into a churning fiery mass.

A mushroom cloud billows upward into the air, blocking out the rising sun and turning the blue sky black.

I've got mixed feelings on the subject. On one hand I'd like to see a cleaned up version with all the imperfections in the special effects and colouring fixed, and on the other I think a film should be upheld as an artifact of the time it was made in, which means keeping all of its qualities - warts and all - intact.

Of course, I've never been a fan of either/or mentality, so ...

EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - COURTYARD - AFTERNOON


Anakin, Obi-Wan, Shmi and Beru stand together outside the dwelling giving their farewells. Owen sits with Amidala and Tarpals in the landspeeder before them, a dour expression on his face.


BERU : The life of a moisture farmer isn’t much, but we wish you could stay, Nik. (cont’d) It’s your decision, however, and I want you to know I’ll support you all the way.

ANAKIN : I ... (looking at Shmi) I have to go.

BERU : It’ll be hard getting used to you not being around. You’ve become like a brother to me, Anakin.


Anakin and Beru embrace, drawing together in a tight hug.


ANAKIN : You take care of Owen, now, you hear? Without me around you’ll be the only one around to keep that anger of his in check.

BERU : (laughs) But who’ll be there to keep yours?


They separate. Anakin turns to face Shmi.


ANAKIN : Well ...

SHMI : Well ...?

ANAKIN : Mom, will I ever see you again?

SHMI : What does your heart tell you?

ANAKIN : I hope so ... yes ... I guess.

SHMI : Then we will see each other again.

ANAKIN : I ... will become a Jedi and will come back and show you everything. I’ll make you proud of me.

SHMI : Anakin, I’m already proud of you. You’re my son.


Shmi puts her hand on Anakin’s shoulder and plants a kiss on his cheek. Tears begin to run down his face.


SHMI : No matter where you are, my love will be with you. Now be brave, and don’t look back.

ANAKIN : I love you so much.


Anakin turns and walks off, leaving for the parked landspeeder. Shmi and Obi-Wan exchange glances as he follows after him. They climb in the speeder as it roars to life.

The vehicle races off, leaving Beru and Shmi to watch as it disappears into the horizon.


EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT MESA - AFTERNOON


A probe droid races out of the desert sands up to the Sith Lord Maul, who stands beside a hovering speeder bike under the hot suns. The machine makes a series of beeps and whistles before departing, taking off in a new direction.

Maul climbs atop his speeder bike, revving the engine as he follows after the droid.


EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - AFTERNOON


Panaka’s men unload the hyperdrive from the landspeeder’s flatbed and carry it along toward the open hatch of the Akkadian, with Qui-Gon using the Force to take most of the tremendous weight off the device. Amidala walks alongside the Jedi apprentice.


QUI-GON : Welcome back, Princess.

AMIDALA : It’s good to be back.

QUI-GON : I trust you had a good night?

AMIDALA : A wonderful night, Qui-Gon. I slept like a baby.

QUI-GON : (smiling) Good, that’s good.

AMIDALA : And you? Did you sleep well?

QUI-GON : I slept the sleep of the ancients.

AMIDALA : (grinning) And that’s even better.


Anakin and Obi-Wan climb out of the vehicle. Owen looks up at both of them, his face expressionless.


OWEN : (to Anakin) He’ll ruin you.

ANAKIN : You know me, Owen. If you can’t trust Obi-Wan then you can at least trust me.

OWEN : I know you all too well, Anakin. That’s how I know you’re making a mistake.

ANAKIN : (angry) What’s that supposed to mean?

OWEN : There’s a trillion Wattoes and Sebulbas out there, and each one of them are worse than the genuine articles. (cont’d) You’ve always been impatient and you always will be, and your damned impatience is going to get you in a fix you won’t be able to get out of. You’re reckless.

ANAKIN : You’re wrong Owen, and I’ll prove it to you. I’ll show you how wrong you are.


Anakin turns away from the Jedi and his brother, following Qui-Gon, Amidala, and the bodyguards to the ship. Owen turns his sights on Obi-Wan, his eyes burning with cold fire.


OWEN : Kenobi ...

OBI-WAN : Yes?

OWEN : If my brother dies because of you ... I swear I’ll kill you myself.


Without further words Owen starts the speeder back up and makes a U-turn around the Jedi, heading through the sand back toward the moisture farm. Obi-Wan watches the speeder go, then turns and begins walking toward the ship after Anakin.

The Jedi then notices a movement out of the corner of his eye, and out of instinct draws his lightsaber and, activating the weapon, slashes downward. A probe droid flashes with an explosion of sparks, and its severed halves fall to the ground.

Anakin notices the disturbance and stops as he steps into the ship, turning to the Jedi.


ANAKIN : What is it?

OBI-WAN : Probe droid. Very unusual. Not like anything I’ve seen before.


A dark figure on a speeder bike suddenly appears from out of the desert sands, bearing down on the Jedi. Maul springs from the seat of his bike, somersaulting over Obi-Wan’s head as a red lightsaber blazes to life. Obi-Wan spins around, blocking the crimson blade as Maul attempts a killing blow.

Anakin freezes, staring transfixed as the battle grows heated, the two combatants striking at one another with their lightsabers.


OBI-WAN : Anakin, get inside! Take off! Go! Go!


Obi-Wan parries one of Maul’s blows as Anakin comes to his senses and disappears aboard the Akkadian.


INT. TATOOINE - AKKADIAN - CORRIDOR - AFTERNOON


Anakin races down the corridor of the ship until he comes to the hatch to the cockpit. He opens the door, where he finds Captain Panaka with Amidala sitting at the controls.

ANAKIN : Obi-Wan’s in trouble. He says to take off. Now!

CAPT. PANAKA : Who the hell are you?

AMIDALA : A friend ... (cont’d) We’d better listen to him.


Panaka activates the Akkadian’s systems, and begins to take the ship up off the ground.


INT. TATOOINE - AKKADIAN - COCKPIT - AFTERNOON


CAPT. PANAKA : Where is he? I don’t see him.

ANAKIN : Turn around!


Panaka swivels the craft around, until the sight of two figures duelling with lightsabers in a cloud of sand enters the viewport.


ANAKIN : Over there! Fly low!


EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - AFTERNOON


Obi-Wan parries a blow from Maul’s lightsaber, and makes a quick riposte. The Sith blocks the Jedi’s blade. Maul locks their blades together, using all his strength to then force Obi-Wan back.

The Sith Lord kicks Obi-Wan’s legs out from under him, and the Jedi Knight collapses to the ground on his back. Using the Force, Maul calls Obi-Wan’s lightsaber to his hand, bringing his own blade to the Jedi’s throat. With a malicious grin, the Sith raises the crimson lightsaber over his head.

The shadow of the Akkadian then falls over them, distracting the Sith. Obi-Wan uses the Force to push Maul back away from him, retrieving his lightsaber as he leaps to his feet. The Jedi springs upward once the ship moves close enough, leaping up onto the open hatch. Maul recovers, and leaps up after Obi-Wan, catching hold of the edge of the hatch. Obi-Wan quickly kicks the Sith in the jaw, causing him to fall back to the ground below.

The hatch slowly closes, and the Akkadian rises upward. Maul climbs back up onto his feet, retrieving his lightsaber, staring after the Akkadian as it shrinks to a point in the sky and disappears.


INT. TATOOINE - AKKADIAN - CORRIDOR - AFTERNOON


Obi-Wan collapses, exhausted and dripping with sweat. Anakin, followed by Qui-Gon, come out and find him propped up against the hatch.


ANAKIN : You okay?

OBI-WAN : I think so ...

QUI-GON : What is it? Why did we take off early? What happened?

ANAKIN : He was attacked.

QUI-GON : (shocked) Attacked? Attacked by whom?

OBI-WAN : I don’t know ... but he was trained in the Jedi arts. My guess is he was after the Princess.

ANAKIN : Do you think he’ll follow us?

OBI-WAN : We’ll be safe once the hyperdrive is installed and we’re away, but I have no doubt he knows our destination.

QUI-GON : (to Anakin) Who are you?

OBI-WAN : Qui-Gon Jinn, meet Anakin Skywalker.

ANAKIN : Nice to meet you. (cont’d) You’re a Jedi too, right?


Qui-Gon exchanges glances with Obi-Wan.

Warbler said:

Originally posted by: ricarleite

Originally posted by: PSYCHO_DAYV

Originally posted by: ricarleite
No way. It would have been brilliant, not... creepy and boring like Spielberg's.

HAVE YOU SEEN 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY ??? THAT ENDING WAS RATHER BORING.

Boring?!?! That movie is a masterpiece!! I've seen it several times, and it was never boring at all!

I wouldn't say that the ending is boring, but it is an ending that I can't get. It's too convuluted for me.

Dave travels in his pod to the giant floating monolith, which is actually a stargate, and gets transported a million light years to some interstellar zoo. There in the zoo the aliens observe him, watching him age through the years, before transforming him into some kind of elevated space god.

Of course, I had to skim through the actual book to get the actual meaning behind the ending.

INT. TATOOINE - WATTO'S SHOP - DAY


Watto is taking inventory of the parts in his shop as Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Owen enter the shop.


WATTO : So, you’ve finally come for your - (seeing Anakin and Owen) You! You killed Sebulba and Craetorius! (to Obi-Wan) It was you who helped them!

OBI-WAN : I protected them, yes.

WATTO : (angry) Yeah? Thee wanna get on my bad side too?!

OBI-WAN : It has come to my attention that these two young men owe you a large sum of money. I am willing to settle their debt for them.

WATTO: Ha! Why thee getting yourself involved with them? They're strangers to you.

OBI-WAN : Anakin will be leaving with me once my ship is fixed. I'd prefer his family be secure once he's gone.


Anakin is perplexed by the news.


OWEN : (to Anakin) What's he talking about?

ANAKIN : I don’t know.

OBI-WAN : (cont'd) Well, Watto? Is it a deal?

WATTO : I'll take your credits outlander. (cont'd) Can't see why thee'd want a low-rate farmer tagging along at your heels, though.


EXT. TATOOINE - MOS EISLEY - JUNK DEALER PLAZA - DAY


The three men leave Watto's shop. Behind them follow four droids carrying the heavy hyperdrive.


OWEN : I want to know what you were talking about in there, Kenobi! What were you saying about Nik going with you?

ANAKIN : What were you talking about, Obi-Wan?

OBI-WAN : There’s no point in deceiving you any longer ... (cont’d) You were right about me, Anakin. I am a Jedi Knight of the Republic. I have decided to take you with me, like you asked, if that is still your wish.

OWEN : What!? What is this nonsense?! (to Anakin) What is this all about?!

ANAKIN : Last night we were talking ... talking about how I wanted to join the Jedi.

OWEN : What!? We're not little kids anymore. We`ve got no time to play games or fantasize about stars and battles and all that crap, Anakin! We've got a farm to run! (cont'd) I told you! I told you it was a kriffing mistake to get involved with this - this goddamn lunatic!

OBI-WAN : Anakin has great potential, Owen. I will do what I can to get Anakin accepted for training.


Enraged, Owen attacks Obi-Wan, grabbing him and pushing him up against the speeder. The four droids carry the hyperdrive to the backside of the vehicle, where a flatbed is attached to the rear. The droids load the hyperdrive onto the flatbed and begin to secure it down.


OWEN : Kriffing freak! You did this! You put these damn fool ideas in his head!

ANAKIN : Owen, stop it!

OWEN : (to Anakin) You're not leaving with him, dammit! You're not!

ANAKIN : That's not your choice to make! Owen, let him go!

OWEN : (exasperated) Fine!


Owen releases Obi-Wan. Muttering to himself he jumps into the speeder's cockpit, bringing the engines to life. Obi-Wan and Anakin exchange glances, then enter the vehicle themselves. Owen pulls back the throttle, and the speeder zooms off down the street.


EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - COURTYARD - MORNING


The speeder pulls up to the house's entrance. There, in the door, stand Shmi and Beru. They climb out of the vehicle.

Beru goes to greet Owen, but he brushes past her, entering the house without acknowledging her.


OWEN : (incredulous) Anakin's going to be a Jedi!


INT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - LIVING AREA - MORNING


Owen, Shmi, and Beru enter the room, where Tarpals and Amidala sit at a table playing a game. They both look up as Owen begins to rant.


OWEN : I can’t believe this. I can’t kriffing believe this! Dammit!

BERU : What?

OWEN : Remember that talk last night about Jedi? Turns out Anakin is right - Kenobi’s one of them! And now he’s put ideas into his head! Anakin wants to leave, leave and go on a crusade and swing a laser sword around and get himself killed!

Anakin and Obi-Wan enter the room. Shmi turns to her other son.


SHMI : Is this true?

OBI-WAN : It is, Mrs. Lars. (cont’d) Anakin has something ... a quality that makes him a prime candidate for training. I promise you I will do everything in my power to convince the Jedi Council to induct him into the Order.

OWEN : There's a war going on out there, Anakin ... don't get yourself caught up in it. It has nothing to do with us ... (shaking his head) I can't believe you're doing this.

ANAKIN : I'm no farmer, Owen ... I have to move on.

OWEN : The farm won't work itself.

ANAKIN : Our debt to Watto is paid. You can earn enough money to get back on top again. With me gone there'll be one less mouth to feed anyway.

BERU : Wait - You paid Watto off?

OWEN : The one good thing the wizard's done for us.


Shmi puts her hand gently on Anakin's shoulder. He turns to her.


SHMI : Anakin ... is this what you want?

ANAKIN : Yes, Mom ... it is.


The room goes silent. Wordlessly, Owen storms off, pushing Obi-Wan out of his way as he leaves the room. Anakin sits down with Tarpals and Amidala, joining them in their game.

EXT. TATOOINE - SPACE


A dark starship, the Scimitar, drops out of hyperspace. The arrow-shaped craft approaches the desert planet.


EXT. TATOOINE - DESERT - DAWN


The Scimitar drops down, landing on a low hill overlooking three distant settlements. The dark ship's hatch opens, and the Sith Lord Maul steps out. Maul is quickly followed by three hovering probe droids. The droids disperse, moving out to survey the cities, as Maul begins to examine the horizon through a pair of electrobinoculars.


EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - COURTYARD - DAWN


Five swoop bikes shoot across the landscape, coming to a stop at the Lars homestead. On the swoops are five of Watto's hired henchmen, including the Dug Sebulba.


INT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - OWEN & BERU'S ROOM - DAWN


The whine of the swoop bikes wake Owen and Beru from their sleep. Owen quickly throws the covers off, jumping up and walking over to the doorway.


BERU : Whu - ? Owen ... what is it?


Without saying a word Owen exits the room, leaving his bewildered girlfriend behind.


EXT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - COURTYARD - DAWN


Watto's men climb off their swoops as Owen steps out the front door. Their leader, a disfigured Zeltron, unholsters his blaster as they walk toward him.


OWEN : What do you want?

ZELTRON THUG : Watto's come to collect his due.


The Zeltron pulls the trigger, blasting Owen in the shoulder. The moisture farmer collapses to the ground with a cry. The thugs ignore Owen as they step over him, entering the house.

An invisible force then suddenly hits them, pushing them all back, hurling them across the courtyard. Obi-Wan steps out of the house, unlit lightsaber ready in his hand.


OBI-WAN : You will be leaving, regardless of any business you may have with the Lars.


The thugs cautiously get back up. Their eyes focus on the Jedi, their fingers eager to pull out their weapons.


ZELTRON THUG : The Lars owe a debt to Watto. They've been loose with their payments, so now he's gonna take the farm - the farm and the ladies, too.

OBI-WAN : The women are not yours to take.

ZELTRON THUG: Now that ain't true, is it? See, Watto's got the influence to do whatever he wants, so he gets whatever he wants. Girls have a way of making money, and Watto can take advantage of that. (cont’d) The girlfriend's gonna do some hard, sweaty work to put some peggats in the old bird's account. The mother too, probably. She's going to seed, sure, but she's still got some bounce left in her.

OBI-WAN : I see that there's little point trying to dissuade you. You are obviously set in your ways.

ZELTRON THUG : Quite right, stranger ...


The Zeltron pulls a second blaster, pointing the barrel toward Obi-Wan's face. The Jedi's blade blazes into life, and the Zeltron's arm and throat are slashed away in one swift spin. Sebulba opens fire on him, and the Jedi deflects the bolt back at the Dug, cutting him down.

Obi-Wan uses the Force to wrench the blasters away from the remaining thugs, tossing the weapons far across the courtyard. In fear they retreat to their swoops. The vehicles roar to life, and they quickly move off, zooming off across the landscape.

The Jedi's lightsaber is deactivated and returned to his belt as Anakin, Beru, and Shmi exit the house, attracted by the commotion.


BERU : Owen! Owen ... are you all right? You're not hurt too badly?


Beru crouches down beside her injured boyfriend, examining his wound. Ignoring her Owen gets back on his feet. He approaches Obi-Wan, astonished and enraged.


OWEN : What have you done!? You'll bring disaster on us all! We're going to be in so much trouble!

OBI-WAN : You were in trouble to begin with.

OWEN : Damn fool ... you're gonna kill us! We're all gonna die because of you!


Anakin slowly approaches the two fallen adversaries, peering down at their dead bodies.


ANAKIN : Kenobi ... Watto's not going to be happy about this.

OWEN : That's it Anakin! Tell him! Tell this ... tell him what he's done to us!

OBI-WAN : I will deal with the Toydarian.

OWEN : (taken aback) You will?


Without further explanation Obi-Wan leaves the brothers, walking off towards the parked landspeeder.


OWEN : What's the fool up to now?


Owen and Anakin quickly follow after the Jedi Knight.

A: Turn it into a space station.

Q: What's black, white, and refers to itself as "us".

INT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - GUEST ROOM - EVENING


Amidala lies in the Spartan room’s only bed, her eyes closed peacefully in sleep.


ANAKIN : (O.S.) Amidala ...


The soft voice registers on Amidala’s ears, and her brow slightly creases with a small frown.


ANAKIN : (O.S.) Amidala ... Amidala!


Amidala’s eyes crack up, and she sees a shadowy figure standing in the open doorway of her room. She pushes herself up on her elbows, squinting to get a better look at the figure.


AMIDALA : Who is that? Anakin? Anakin Skywalker? What time is it?


The figure takes one step forward, allowing the sparse light in the room to fall upon his face. A slight smile creeps upon Anakin’s face.


ANAKIN : Come ...


AMIDALA : What? What is it?


Anakin says nothing more, gestures for her to follow, then steps out and disappears from view.


AMIDALA : Of all the ungodly ... (cont’d) I’m coming, I’m coming.


Pulling the covers back, the Princess climbs out of bed and starts after the boy.


INT. TATOOINE - LARS HOMESTEAD - ANAKIN'S ROOM - EVENING


Anakin lays prone upon his bed, his hands behind his head. He is sound asleep, snoring lightly.


AMIDALA : (entering the room) All right! What is it?

Anakin springs up in sudden surprise, awakened by her loud voice. He looks around the room and spots Amidala, who is standing in the open doorframe, her arms crossed over her chest with one foot tapping with impatience.


ANAKIN : Hi.

ANAKIN : (exasperated) Hi. Now what is it?

ANAKIN : What?

AMIDALA : I’m not in the mood for games, Skywalker. You called me over here for something, so what is it?

ANAKIN : I don’t know what you’re talking about.

AMIDALA : Yeah, right. (cont’d) Look, you’d better have a good reason for disturbing me in the middle of the night ...

ANAKIN : Hey, c’mon! I’ve been here asleep! I didn’t wake you up! You must have imagined it - dreamed it up or something! I haven’t moved from this spot since I went to bed!

AMIDALA : (Nonplussed) Just dreamed it up ... or something.

ANAKIN : Yeah.

AMIDALA : Or maybe you’re a sleepwalker.


Amidala shakes her head slowly, then walks over to a chair. She drops down into it, releasing a heavy sigh as she brushes her hair back from her eyes.


AMIDALA : Well, I can’t go back to sleep. I’m wide awake now.

ANAKIN : (checking his chronometer) It’s after midnight. There’s not much you can really do ...

AMIDALA : Would you like to talk?

ANAKIN : Talk?

AMIDALA : Yes, talk.

ANAKIN : What about?

AMIDALA : About anything, anything at all. (pointing toward the wall opposite to her) Why don’t you tell me what’s with your droid?


Anakin looks over to where she’s pointing. In the far corner of his room stands an inactive protocol droid. The droid is incomplete, missing plating.


ANAKIN : You mean Scrappy? He's just a protocol droid I'm putting together out of some scrap I stole from behind Watto's shop.

AMIDALA : (astonished) You stole him?!

ANAKIN : I stole the parts he’s made of. (cont’d) It’s not like the bird was going to put them to any good use. Half his junk just sits there until it rusts, anyway, then he throws it out.

AMIDALA : Well, I don’t condone it.

ANAKIN : I’m not asking you to, sister.

AMIDALA : (cont’d) What’s he for?

ANAKIN : I’ve been meaning to give him to Mom to help her with chores around the house, but I haven't found the right parts to get him working good yet. (cont’d) He doesn’t even have a vocoder.

AMIDALA : He works though?

ANAKIN : A little bit. Moves and everything. But he can’t do any labour - nothing with his hands. (cont’d) They’re corroded pieces of junk.

AMIDALA : Let me see him work. Go ahead - turn him on.

ANAKIN : I’m not sure -

AMIDALA : He’s not dangerous, is he?

ANAKIN : Not really, no ...

AMIDALA : So go for it.


Anakin sighs, then gets out of bed. Amidala climbs up out of her chair to follow him across the room to the motionless droid. Anakin reaches behind the automaton, pressing a button set into it’s body.

Suddenly the droid’s photoreceptors light up, and the machine explodes to life, spasming violently. Anakin moves to restrain the agitated robot. Before the droid can damage itself Anakin deactivates it, making it motionless once again.


AMIDALA : He's a jittery thing, isn't he?

ANAKIN : He's afraid of us. I've tried communicating with him, tried calming him down, but he never responds. I suppose there’s something wrong with his circuitry or programming. Once I learn more about VerboBrains I’ll figure it out.

AMIDALA : I think he's wonderful, Anakin.

ANAKIN : Really? Thanks ... it's Amidala, right?

AMIDALA : That's right. Amidala Naberrie.


Anakin leaves Amidala and the droid, jumping back onto his bed, putting an arm behind his head.


ANAKIN : Nice name - cute. Makes me think of the name of some queen or princess in a story book or something. “Queen Amidala Naberrie - Empress of the Moons of Iego”!

AMIDALA : I actually get told that quite a lot.

ANAKIN : Really?

AMIDALA : Well, not really. (cont’d) Maybe sometimes.


The two giggle at that. Anakin then spots the aquamarine pendant clasped around her neck.


ANAKIN : That’s a nice stone you have there.

AMIDALA : (looking down at the pendant) My pendant?

ANAKIN : Yeah. Is it genuine?

AMIDALA : Yes. It’s been in my family for generations. (cont’d) We have a tradition - the stone must always be handed down to the firstborn of each new generation. It was my mother’s until she gave it to my sister Sola.

ANAKIN : Your sister? Then why ...?

AMIDALA : They ... She died.

ANAKIN : I'm sorry ... I ...

AMIDALA : It's a long story, and I ... I don't want to talk about it.

ANAKIN : That's okay ... I don't need to know the details ... (cont’d) It’s a very beautiful pendant.

AMIDALA : I see you have a pendant of your own.

ANAKIN : (looking down at a small wooden pendant secured around his neck) This? I carved it from a japor snippet. It’s nothing special, really.

AMIDALA : (yawning) I - I think my sleepiness has finally caught up to me. How about we call it a night?

ANAKIN : Sure. I’ve got to get up early, anyway.

AMIDALA : Goodnight, Anakin.


Amidala turns to leave, stepping through the doorway.


ANAKIN : Goodnight ... Queen of Iego.


Amidala stops, turning to face him, and gives him a silent grin. Anakin gives her one final wave, then puts his arms behind his head, and within moments is asleep.

Amidala leaves the doorway, moving on her way back toward her bedroom.