Star Wars: Another Political Take on the Empire

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image(Credit): Senator Amidala from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. (Starwars.com)

While the libertarians at Reason magazine have their view of the imperial story-line in the Star Wars television series Andor, the liberal folks at Mother Jones magazine have a whole different take on the Star Wars universe.

In an article last month titled “How Star Wars Reveals Conservatives’ Authoritarian Fantasies,” we read about how some Republicans are showing support for the brutality of the Dark Side as illustrated in Andor. For instance, it quotes former Mitch McConnell adviser and GOP operative Scott Jennings defending the Empire’s elimination of Alderaan in the original Star Wars movie, stating:

I think some could argue that it was warranted, given their rebellious activities. I mean, he defended the Empire against unelected hippies and violent protesters.

You can see the entire Mother Jone’s YouTube clip here.

This is not an encouraging thought at this point in history. In an interview, George Lucas himself said the rebel alliance came from his reading of history and his understanding of the Viet Cong battle against the American empire. He saw the rebels as anti-authoritarian. He also thought of the American rebels as they fought Great Britain, the largest empire in the world.

Supporting the Evil Empire is more or less the same as voicing support for the wannabee Russian empire as it attacks democratic Ukraine. I think we all can do much better than to stoop that low.

Either that, or soon we will also be quoting the line “So this is how liberty dies.”

Video: Andor Versus Star Trek

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Credit: Reason Magazine.

If you are watching the Star Wars series Andor on Disney+, you are well aware of the dark workings of the imperial bureaucracy as it crushes the spirit of its citizens.

Reason magazine, always a proponent of less government, has created a fun video that highlights the realistic nature of the bureaucracy in Andor versus the overly-optimistic Star Trek universe where competence and teamwork save the day every time.

I am not saying the Star Trek universe lacks bureaucracy. In fact, more often than not the Enterprise crew is breaking those rules to accomplish their mission. Yet the sheer incompetence of both the rebels and imperial overmasters in Andor is noteworthy, and it that way all the more human.

Take a look at the Reason video yourself and make up your own mind.

Enjoy.

Tatooine-like Exoplanet Spotted by Astronomers

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Image (Credit): A binary sunset on Tatooine. (Disney/Lucasfilm)

With the Star Wars series Andor back for a second season, it is only appropriate that astronomers believe they found a Tatooine-like exoplanet. You may remember Tatooine as the planet where Luke Skywalker spent his youth.

The exoplanet is located about 120 light-years away and orbits two brown dwarfs (also called failed stars because they failed to ignite like a regular star and therefore have low luminosity). As noted below, binary star exoplanets have been found in the past, so this is not unprecedented.

Here is the abstract from the study, Evidence for a Polar Circumbinary Exoplanet Orbiting a Pair of Eclipsing Brown Dwarfs, if you want to read more:

One notable example of exoplanet diversity is the population of circumbinary planets, which orbit around both stars of a binary star system. There are, so far, only 16 known circumbinary exoplanets, all of which lie in the same orbital plane as the host binary. Suggestions indicate that circumbinary planets could also exist on orbits highly inclined to the binary, close to 90°, polar orbits. No such planets have been found yet, but polar circumbinary gas and debris discs have been observed, and if these were to form planets, then those would be left on a polar orbit. We report strong evidence for a polar circumbinary exoplanet, which orbits a close pair of brown dwarfs that are on an eccentric orbit. We use radial velocities to measure a retrograde apsidal precession for the binary and show that this can only be attributed to the presence of a polar planet.

Of course, the Tatooine in Star Wars was in a galaxy far, far away. Hence, this are not the exoplanet you are looking for.

Television: Season Two of Andor

Posted on by onespaceman2000
Credit: Disney+

Finally, after two and a half years, Star Wars: Andor is returning to Disney+. The second season, premiering on April 22, will also be the final season, but that’s okay. I am just glad it’s back.

The season two trailer is all you need to become invested in what is the best of the Star Wars spin-off television series. And if you need to catch up, you will want to watch this recap of season one.

Andor is by far the most adult of the Star Wars series, consistent with Rogue One, which became one of the best Star Wars movies after the original three films.

Critics are already raving about season two, such as this statement by Erik Davis from Fandango:

I have watched the entire second season of ‘Andor’ and it is as good, if not better than the first. From an epic opening Tie Fighter heist to a finale that left me in tears, this show has it all. Hang on cause the last six eps are all bangers. Absolutely loved it.

Be prepared to want to watch ‘Rogue One’ immediately after finishing ‘Andor’ – it truly sets up that film and expands upon the characters and stakes in some emotional ways. Just getting to watch Andor and K2 on a mission again meant everything to me. The cast crushes it. The sets are incredible. Star Wars fans will adore this and all the classic lore explored. Big recommend for me!

All of this is proof that the owners of the Star Wars franchise have the ability to produce quality TV. We just need to hold them to this standard going forward.