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Empire Strikes Back Observation

post #1 of 88
1/6/08 at 12:40am
Thread Starter 
This is a SERIOUS observation, so I would appreciate only SERIOUS responses, even if there is the temptation to make jokes.

I was just watching Empire, and I realized that when Luke cuts off the Wampa's arm, he goes running frantically into the snow with his lightsaber on his belt. But considering how fast and clumsy he is running, what happened if he accidentally switched it on while fleeing? Is it not possible his thigh would rub against the button and he would accidentally castrate himself? And how ironic would it be, since he just cut off one of the Wampa's vital organs?
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post #2 of 88
1/6/08 at 12:43am
Since we backward humans have safeties on our primitive guns, I'd assume that a weapon as technologically advanced (yet still elegant) like a lightsaber would have a similar mechanism.
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post #3 of 88
1/6/08 at 12:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chavez
Since we backward humans have safeties on our primitive guns, I'd assume that a weapon as technologically advanced (yet still elegant) like a lightsaber would have a similar mechanism.
Nope, it's just the one button.

I believe the general assumption is that someone (a Jedi/Sith) with the skill and patience to construct and subsquently wield a lightsaber is also going to be someone that isn't retarded enough to allow it to "accidentally" go off and slice off their foot.

ETA - Regarding the OP, I'm pretty sure it was an editing issue that he even had it on his belt at all...he left the cave with the lightsaber in hand. During the transition, it was magically relocated to his belt. But to answer your question, sure it's possible. It's also something that was never an issue for any other lightsaber wielding character in the series and I think it's been the subject of much joking and hulla-baloo amongst fans.
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post #4 of 88
1/6/08 at 12:51am
This is a serious question?
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post #5 of 88
1/6/08 at 12:58am
I always assumed that some lightsabers required you to always have the "trigger" on for it to be ignited.
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post #6 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:04am
I just realized... why the fuck didn't Luke use that thing to stay warm? Silly, silly Luke...
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post #7 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexus-7
I just realized... why the fuck didn't Luke use that thing to stay warm? Silly, silly Luke...
Or, you know, the force, or some such shit.
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post #8 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:17am
Many red boxes in Don Piano's future, Yoda sees.
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post #9 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:23am
It would be like he was in a giant hot tub! Foolish, foolish Luke...
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post #10 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:27am
My question is why are the lightsabers just hanging off their belts, flopping around. What happened to the fancy clips from the Prequels? Watto didn't have a cell phone clip among all the junk he had?
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post #11 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:28am
I could have sworn in some prop guide there was a safety mentioned on at least one lightsaber. There have been so many different diagrams and such I wouldn't be surprised if one or more contradicted this, however. It's not like it matters, though, considering this is such an insane nit-pick in the first place.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexus-7
I just realized... why the fuck didn't Luke use that thing to stay warm? Silly, silly Luke...
He was probably more than a little freaked out by the situation, and was more inclined to run like hell then rationally assess the situation. Also, for all he knew there could be a whole slew more of the ambushing bastards waiting in the wings.
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post #12 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:30am
*edit to remove question Smeagol just dealt with*

Also, it's my understanding that most lightsabers (Vader's excepted, hence throwing the saber at the catwalk in Jedi) have a sort of dead man's switch so that they don't stay ignited if you drop them. Hence Obi-Wan was able to use Qui-Gon's (after it had fallen inert on the floor) to kill Darth Maul. Oh, God, why do I know these things?
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post #13 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:34am
We should all really stop now.

I feel like I'm getting my virginity back.
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post #14 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smeagol
He was probably more than a little freaked out by the situation, and was more inclined to run like hell then rationally assess the situation. Also, for all he knew there could be a whole slew more of the ambushing bastards waiting in the wings.
I know Mark Hamill was, anyway...you ever listen to the commentary during that sequence?

They made that guy run around in truly Hoth-worthy weather while they shot it from the doorway of the hotel.
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post #15 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:16am
I was hoping for a better observation, like why did the Empire see fit to torture Han..

Anyways, each Jedi builds his own saber (yes, Luke's was given to him) so if they wanted a safety then they can make one, hell, I even remember in one of the books that some sabers could have been only activated by the force.

I'm going to stop, I can now delete 3 woman off my list that I've slept with...DAMN IT....
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post #16 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Venkman
I was hoping for a better observation, like why did the Empire see fit to torture Han..
So that Luke would sense it and come to save them.

Next!
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post #17 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_Lohan
I always wondered with the Jedi/Sith never used the Force to switch off their opponents' lightsabers in the thick of battle.

Dude, c'mon. That's like asking "Why don't kidnapping victims just pull the keys out of the car's ignition when they're being taken away?"
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post #18 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai Mike
So that Luke would sense it and come to save them.

Next!
I'm glad somebody was paying attention.
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post #19 of 88
1/6/08 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Piano
This is a SERIOUS observation, so I would appreciate only SERIOUS responses, even if there is the temptation to make jokes.

I was just watching Empire, and I realized that when Luke cuts off the Wampa's arm, he goes running frantically into the snow with his lightsaber on his belt. But considering how fast and clumsy he is running, what happened if he accidentally switched it on while fleeing?
He'd become Luke Nowalker.
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post #20 of 88
1/6/08 at 8:26am
A better question might be and I'm hoping a fellow Chewer can answer this one for me, over what period of time does Empire occur ?

When you consider Luke was supposed to be learning to become a Jedi a process which in the prequels begins from the age of 5 he couldn't have been on Dagobah for more than a fortnight ?

Not looking to start anything with my question as Empire is my favourite movie ever it's just something that's always made me wonder.
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post #21 of 88
1/6/08 at 8:47am
Well, considering the distances involved between star systems, and the fact that the Millennium Falcon didn't have a functioning hyperdrive, the journey from the asteroid field to Bespin could have taken thousands to millions of years. Is that enough time for Jedi training?
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post #22 of 88
1/6/08 at 11:16am
I think the bulk of the training takes place between Empire and Jedi -- it's three years real time, and not really specified how much film time elapses. So Luke can head back to Dagobah while Lando and Chewie look for Han.
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post #23 of 88
1/6/08 at 11:30am
Easy answers: The Power ON button has to be pressed for 2 seconds continously to activate the blade.
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post #24 of 88
1/6/08 at 11:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smeagol
He was probably more than a little freaked out by the situation, and was more inclined to run like hell then rationally assess the situation. Also, for all he knew there could be a whole slew more of the ambushing bastards waiting in the wings.
Luke's such a bitch.

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post #25 of 88
1/6/08 at 12:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_Lohan
I always wondered with the Jedi/Sith never used the Force to switch off their opponents' lightsabers in the thick of battle.
First: Bad form. It's just not *done* that way. Midi-chlorian professional courtesy.

Second: Why the hell you think they'd spend all the time and effort to do the acrobatic/archaic fighting in the first place? It's COOL. You think one of those little "roger roger" droids could look half as cool? No. It's also why they don't pull out a freakin blaster and use the force to help them find their opponent's...um...exhaust port with their shot. It's not COOL to do it that way. No drama at all.

We clear on that point now?
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post #26 of 88
1/6/08 at 12:52pm
Yep, its a deadman switch. I learned this from reading older stories as well as an all-too-geeky familiarity with the official Stars Wars rpg from West End. A Jedi must concentrate to keep the blade ignited if they wish to throw it. Only a weilder of the Force can safely use the saber as an effective weapon as their control powers help to guide the path of the blade. A non-user of the Force would eventually slip and touch the blade to part of their body, likely resulting in their own death.
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post #27 of 88
1/6/08 at 12:59pm
I remember purists being absolutely outraged that Vader was wielding his lightsaber with one hand in Empire because "there was no way he could do that!"
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post #28 of 88
1/6/08 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson
I remember purists being absolutely outraged that Vader was wielding his lightsaber with one hand in Empire because "there was no way he could do that!"
Vader Force Choked a subordinate who wasn't even in the same room, IIRC, not even on the same fucking ship. Anyone who can make that leap and not the other, their issues go way beyond zealous nerdery.
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post #29 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:13pm
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post #30 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:19pm
How did Luke go from novice to full-fledged Jedi between the start of Empire and the end of Jedi, when he had basically about a week's training, tops, with Yoda in the middle of Empire, and never returned between the two movies?
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post #31 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:19pm
Maybe the button has a small biometric sensor of some sort as part of its assembly that makes sure it is a finger pressing the button so it doesn't accidentally go off?

I can't remember if anyone in the movies grabs someone elses lightsaber to use it which would indicate that the biometric sensor doesn't prevent someone else aside from the owner to use it (which seems like it would make sense).

That serious enough for ya?
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post #32 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:23pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you all for the input. There are some very good ideas in this thread. It seemed to me that if he was in a panic and running quickly, he wouldn't be worrying about safety buttons and stuff. It just seemed a very irrational thing to do, to wear it like that. But then again, Luke was very irrational and cocky, hence the whole storyline of him leaving Dagobah.
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post #33 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by harrybeanbag
Oh Devin Piano.
No, if I were Devin, this thread would be nothing but me saying, "I know everything about movies and you know nothing, so agree with me or I will insult you," or "This thread is so stupid and everyone posting in it is stupid," or "If you met me in real life, I would only think snarky comments instead of saying them, because I'd be too afraid of you hitting me."
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post #34 of 88
1/6/08 at 2:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vinquus
How did Luke go from novice to full-fledged Jedi between the start of Empire and the end of Jedi, when he had basically about a week's training, tops, with Yoda in the middle of Empire, and never returned between the two movies?
Midichlorians, duh.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KJ43
I can't remember if anyone in the movies grabs someone elses lightsaber to use it which would indicate that the biometric sensor doesn't prevent someone else aside from the owner to use it (which seems like it would make sense).
Han uses Luke's lightsaber like five minutes (screen time) after the scene we're discussing.
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post #35 of 88
1/6/08 at 3:19pm
You have to push it twice consecutively, like the trunk release on my car-lock keychain.
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post #36 of 88
1/6/08 at 3:20pm
Luke uses Anakin's in ANH, Obi Wan uses Qui-Gons in Phantom Menace, Anakin uses Obi-Wan's in AOTC, Anakin uses Dooku's in ROTS. Happens all the time.

As for Luke's training, who fucking knows whether it's canon or not, but in Shadows of the Empire, Luke spends most of his time prior to rescuing Han at Obi Wan Kenobi's house on Tatooine, studying his journals, and building his new green lightsaber.
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post #37 of 88
1/6/08 at 3:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai Mike
So that Luke would sense it and come to save them.

Next!
And because Vader got off on it. Remember, Han said, "They didn't even ask me any questions."

The best and correct answer though is bait.
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post #38 of 88
1/6/08 at 3:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Justin Clark
Vader Force Choked a subordinate who wasn't even in the same room, IIRC, not even on the same fucking ship. Anyone who can make that leap and not the other, their issues go way beyond zealous nerdery.

Why didn't Vader just use the force to convince Han to just turn the Falcon's engine off and stay put, instead of chasing him all over ther goddamn galaxy?
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post #39 of 88
1/6/08 at 3:56pm
Only works on the weak-minded.

Course, that begs the question of why he didn't use it on Chewie, if that's the case.
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post #40 of 88
1/6/08 at 4:09pm
Chewie would fuck him up.
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post #41 of 88
1/6/08 at 4:15pm
Yup, as powerful as Vader was, he killed Palpatine by simply chucking him down a shaft.
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post #42 of 88
1/6/08 at 4:32pm
"The whole movie is flawed. Like that lightsaber stuff. It only goes out yay high. How does it know when to stop?"
"Um...the force?"
"Man, that's your answer for everything."
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post #43 of 88
1/6/08 at 4:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vinquus
How did Luke go from novice to full-fledged Jedi between the start of Empire and the end of Jedi, when he had basically about a week's training, tops, with Yoda in the middle of Empire, and never returned between the two movies?
He did what any good student does, he consulted wikipedia. Also, thanks to this thread i've discovered that the batteries in my MasterReplica lightsaber are dead.
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post #44 of 88
1/6/08 at 4:44pm
Yeah, those suckers need JUICE.
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post #45 of 88
1/6/08 at 6:57pm
Go to Toys R Us. you have to push and slide the button to make the blade come out.

Here's a better observation. Who's running the cloud city now that Lando took off getting some Colt 45?
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post #46 of 88
1/6/08 at 7:11pm
Since Harvey Dent has left the city in the clouds, I'll tell you who...

Pat Hingle and Michael Gough are. All the while, being supervised by the guy with the robo-earmuffs.
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post #47 of 88
1/6/08 at 8:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KJ43
I can't remember if anyone in the movies grabs someone elses lightsaber to use it which would indicate that the biometric sensor doesn't prevent someone else aside from the owner to use it (which seems like it would make sense).
Obiwan uses Qui Gon's light saber to cut Darth Maul in half and also when the Jedi all rock up in Episode II to save Obiwan, Annikin and Padme on Geonosis (spelling ?) they are tossed 2 new light sabres by a couple of their rescuers.
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post #48 of 88
1/6/08 at 10:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai Mike
So that Luke would sense it and come to save them.

Next!
i knew that, geeez..what kind of nerd do you think i am! but that was never really explained in the film at all...
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post #49 of 88
1/6/08 at 10:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Venkman
i knew that, geeez..what kind of nerd do you think i am! but that was never really explained in the film at all...
You're kidding, right? I hope you're not the guy Lucas added that completely derailing Imperial shuttle transit sequence for.

- Luke senses Han and Leia are in pain at a city in the clouds.
- After being tortured, Han says that they didn't ask him any questions.
- Lando says, "They're after somebody called Skywalker. Lord Vader set a trap for hiim." Leia responds, "And we're the bait!"

I mean, really? Not to be a dick but that's not explained enough for you?
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post #50 of 88
1/6/08 at 11:36pm
Seriously, guys.

We're 3 pages in now.



Sorry, I just feel like the guy that tells his buddy "Dude, you've had enough to drink." But it secretly hurts him telling him that since he's having such a good time with him.
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