{"id":856,"date":"2024-06-24T19:56:54","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T19:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/?p=856"},"modified":"2024-06-24T19:56:54","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T19:56:54","slug":"plot-holes-and-star-wars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/?p=856","title":{"rendered":"Plot holes and “Star Wars” …"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“Telling stories” is a euphemism for “lying.”

“Lying<\/a>” obviously requires a “lie<\/a>” to build around – with the definition of “lie” (the third definition from Merriam-Webster: “to make an untrue statement with\u00a0intent<\/a>\u00a0to deceive”) being the relevant point.

Not that INTENT is required. SO it is POSSIBLE for someone to “tell a story” that is not true, and not be “lying.”

“Telling tall tales” has probably been a kind of “sport” to rascals, rogues, and tramps as long as there have been “rascals, rogues, and tramps.” Maybe a form of good-natured “right of passage” – e.g. think “wide-eyed novice” listening intently to “grizzled veteran” telling “stories” that get more and more “factually challenged.”

IF at SOME point the “grizzled veteran” passes a point where the “wide eyed novice” gets the joke – then everyone laughs. The “novice” isn’t as wide-eyed and is on their way to “veteran” status. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(of course if “wide-eyed novice” DOESN’T get the joke – then, well, that is a different problem)

“Campfire stories” take on a general form. SOMETIMES there is a kernel of truth – i.e. “legends” are born in the “additions” to the TRUE story. It is probably in those “additions” that we can track “cultural value changes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Art reflects …<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Does life imitate art, or does art imitate life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the answer is, well, “yes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can quickly get lost in definitions – e.g what is “art?” How about if we agree that “art REFLECTS an IDEAL of life.” Art must be “created,” which requires a “creator” — i.e. the “art” reflects the character of the “artist”\/creator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creativity is allowing oneself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.<\/p>Scott Adams<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Since the “artist” does not exist in a cultural vacuum the “art” ends up reflecting the society in which the artist lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plot and Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The difference between “plot” and “story” is that “plot” requires causality.

e.g. “A” happens, then “B” happens, then “C” happens is a “story” but NOT a plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If “A” happens, then “B” happens BECAUSE of A, and then “C” happens because of “B” (or “A” or “A&B” – depending on just how complicated you wanna get) – THAT is “plot”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Someone “telling stories” will have a “plot” but there will be intentional “plot holes” testing the listener’s level of gullibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

e.g. grizzled veteran: “There I was – just me and my horse, supplies running out, horse almost dead. Suddenly, I was attacked by a gang of 40 cut-throats that would kill me just for my boots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I shot the nearest on in the leg, jumped on my horse and headed up the mountain. Now, those cut-throats were REALLY angry and were threatening to bury me up to my neck and leave me to die. SO I managed to find a small cave where they could only get at me 1 or 2 at a time – let my horse go and waited for them to find me. I was down to just 3 bullets and my knife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure enough, they found me, and then …”

wide eyed novice: ” … and then?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

grizzled veteran: “well, I died of course” (laughter, insults, etc)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(and when that former wide-eyed novice has become “grizzled veteran” they will probably tell the same story to the next batch of wide-eyed novices …)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stories …<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If everyone involved KNOWS the story being told is just a “story” then the audience can willingly engage in “suspension of disbelief” and just enjoy the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The required amount of “disbelief” will obviously vary based on genres. The folks “performing” aren’t “intentionally” trying to deceive they are engaging in “storytelling.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

e.g. the audience at a performance of Hamlet doesn’t ACTUALLY believe that they are watching a “Prince of Denmark” wrestling with the fact that his Uncle may or may not have murdered the former King (Hamlet’s father). Hopefully, the audience puts aside “critical thinking” and plays along with the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obviously the folks putting on the performance try their best to be convincing. The highest praise that can be given to a “working actor” MIGHT be that they are ALWAYS “convincing” no matter what role they are playing.

(fwiw: playing “Hamlet” is considered a test of an actor’s acting ability – this is probably why you see so many “famous movie stars” attempt the roll. I have seen a LOT of versions of Hamlet – and most of them are “ok.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I’m watching “Hamlet” and I think “that is so and so TRYING to do Hamlet” – then that qualifies as an “ok performance” — but if I forget that it is “BIG NAME” playing Hamlet, then that is “VERY good” performance … and moving on)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Random thought: Strange Brew (1983)<\/a> borrows plot elements from Hamlet – catching the “Hamlet” references elevated the movie from “cute buddy comedy” to “funny at multiple levels” – and yes, INTENTIONAL plot holes-a-plenty …<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Star Wars plot holes …<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I have been re-examining WHY I loved the original “Star Wars” trilogy. In part this is because of the “fan reaction” to the latest “Star Wars product.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apparently others have done this “re-examination” as well. One such re-examination was trying to point out “plot holes” in “Star Wars” (1977)<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In particular they didn’t like the fact that if the “Empire” had blown up the “escape pod” at the beginning the movie ends there. i.e. blow up the escape pod with R2-D2 and C-3P0 and the story ends there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BUT that is NOT a “plot hole” – yes, the movie turns on that point BUT it also helps establish that the “Empire” are the bad guys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scene could easily have been taken out – but it serves a “storytelling” purpose. The “Empire” is the “evil authoritarian organization” – notice that the anonymous characters WOULD have blown up the “escape pod” IF they had detected “life forms.” i.e. the anonymous character’s (lack of) action illustrates that “fate”\/luck is gonna be part of the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Fate” interferes throughout “Star Wars” – with “Stormtrooper’s” marksmanship being another great example (e.g. they are extremely precise when shooting at “not major characters” but can’t hit anything important when “major character” is involved)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, if the movie was trying to be “gritty and realistic” then “fate interfering” might constitute “plot hole.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also like to point out that R2-D2 in the “Star Wars universe” is an “agent of fate” or the “finger of the divine” — apparently immortal and all-knowing. Seriously, notice how many times R2 is instrumental in things “working out” for the heroes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure, R2 get “blown up” a lot – but always returns good as new. If “Star Wars” was hard core science fiction THAT would be a HUGE plot hole – but since it is a space fairy tale set in a galaxy far, far away, just part of the suspension of disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BUT if you want to talk about REAL plot-holes – I have always been (mildly) bothered by the fact that after the heroes escape the Death Star – and KNOW they are being tracked – that they (apparently) go straight to the Rebel Base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By this point George Lucas has done a masterful job of storytelling – and the fact that the Empire easily tracks the heroes to the Rebel Base – setting up the climactic battle – is easily overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ok, Leia tells Han they are being tracked – Han doesn’t believe her, but even if there is a slight possibility of them being tracked then they should logically have gone ANYWHERE else except the Rebel Base.

THEN when they are far away from danger AND the Rebel Base – they could have easily transferred the data as required. Or maybe find the tracking device – and send it ANYWHERE else than the Rebel Base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“You’re going to need a bigger boat.”<\/p>Chief Brody<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The “Battle of Yavin” is kind like the oxygen tank exploding at the end of Jaws (1975)<\/a>. If the audience has to THINK about it, then it becomes a problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we have been guided along properly then we are probably “all in” on that plot hole. The plot hole goes completely unnoticed and even gets cheered when told by “expert storyteller.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I suppose “storytelling 101” always starts with some form of “show don’t tell” – if the “plot” requires 120 minutes of talking heads then you are telling a much different type of story that if you have “action”\/pause\/more action\/short pause\/etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

none of this is a secret. The audience expectations on the ratio of “drama” to “relief” is determined by genre — if you are doing “romantic comedy period piece” then long periods of “talking heads” is expected, BUT if you are doing “space fairy tale” then keep the “talking heads delivery exposition” to a minimum …<\/p>\n\n\n\n

it is the genre, silly …<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I’m also fond of pointing out that their is plenty of room for different stories and genres – but trying to fit “agenda” into “genre” is almost always a recipe for commercial failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

random thought: a famous “hamburger chain” started offering salads back in the late 1980’s. I think they were responding to “market demand” for “healthier” options. They are a world wide operation that regularly introduces new items to their menu – so offering salads wasn’t a “bad” idea<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the funny thing was that those “hamburger chain salads” could be LESS healthy than the “regular menu” (with salad it is usually the “dressing” that becomes the problem – which had a lot of fat and calories …)

the same chain sells a “fish sandwich” – that is very popular but definitely NOT the “healthy option”

HOWEVER “hamburger chain” never lost sight of the fact that their core product is “meat and potatoes” – they make $$ selling hamburgers and fries<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOW imagine that the “hamburger chain” powers that be decide to turn the menu over to someone that HATES hamburgers and fries – or thinks that “salads” are why people go to “hamburger chain” – well, things aren’t going to go well<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the “new menu maker” might blame the customer for them NOT wanting to eat bad salads instead of hamburgers – but that is not gonna change the customers preference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“New menu maker” will almost certainly get bombarded with criticism from lovers of “hamburger and fries” – and sales\/profits will plummet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course the folks that hired “new menu maker” will defend their decision – but that just means that THEY are (probably) the franchises (REAL) problem not the “new menu maker” and certainly NOT the fans …<\/p>\n\n\n\n

if you want another “movie franchise” example – compare and contrast the first “Matrix” (1999) with “Matrix Resurrections” (2021) – notice the difference in the ratio of “action” to “exposition” … <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Telling stories” is a euphemism for “lying.” “Lying” obviously requires a “lie” to build around – with the definition of “lie” (the third definition from Merriam-Webster: “to make an untrue statement with\u00a0intent\u00a0to deceive”) being the relevant point. Not that INTENT is required. SO it is POSSIBLE for someone to “tell a story” that is not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business","category-movies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=856"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":860,"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856\/revisions\/860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iterudio.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}