- Post
- #325782
- Topic
- "The thought of not being with you, I can't breathe!"
- Link
- https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/325782/action/topic#325782
- Time
@ Negative1
All of the OT is based on dichotomy, so all references to the political scene are there to expand upon the evil and undemocratic nature of the Galactic Empire. Although a backdrop which adds fullness to the setting, the references to imperial politics are not necessary to understand the plot of the film. In the PT they are. It's vital to the plot that we understand that Amidala wishes to discuss a treaty with the Viceroy in order to eject the Trade Federation from her planet. That's her motivation in returning to Naboo. It's not a particularly interesting motivation, but there you have it.
Contrast that with Luke's motivation in destroying the Death Star; all his friends, and probably himself also, will die if he doesn't and the universe is doomed to endure constant tyranny, terror and genocide on planetary-scale for centuries to come. What would happen to Naboo if they didn't succeed? They'd, in all probability, have to wait for a commission to confirm that a droid army had indeed occupied Naboo and then hear from the Queen that she was forced to sign the treaty under threat of death, at which point it is rendered void and the droid army is expelled from Naboo with the assistance of the Republic.
Scenario 1.) The universe is doomed. Scenario 2.) Naboo has a bad day.
Also, the lines you picked out are character building. It informs us, first of all, of Darth Vader's name and also tells us that the white-robed woman is a politician, a royal and a sympathizer of the Rebellion mentioned in the opening crawl. It informs us that Vader is "bold" and that Leia is "merciful". Honestly, Negative1, you seemed to have picked out the only line in which the Imperial senate is mentioned, next to Tarkin's informing the other imperials that it's been destroyed which is there to further solidify our understanding that the Empire has no respect for even it's own spurious vision of democracy.
Whereas "now let's discuss a treaty" is hilariously anti-climatic, after a scene of lightsaber-fighting and shooting. It's rather like the line from the Da Vinci code "we need to find a library!". It's just so...bleh.