Tag: Queen Amidala

Analysis of Star Wars: Queen Amidala

Posted on by CV Whitfield

I heard an interesting theory that Queen Amidala was an SJW – a Social Justice Warrior. I found this hilariously inaccurate.

First lets start with some simple definitions courtesy of the internet:

Social Justice (noun) – justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.

Social Justice Warrior (noun) – a person who expresses or promotes socially progressive views.

Just with these simple definitions, there’s nothing that would point this ideology toward Queen Amidala of the Naboo. For one, I don’t recall Queen Amidala having issues with the Galactic Senate as she wanted to redistribute the wealth of rich businessmen (another thing she’s angry about! why not businesspeople or businessfolk?) and powerful politicians. Nope. Don’t recall that. Oh, it was because Queen Amidala wanted to stop the consumption of Shaak (yes, this is a real creature on Naboo raised for its meat). I think I recall her addressing the Senate on how this eating of meat causes toxic masculinity on those from Naboo and must be stopped. Nope. Second thought, I don’t recall that either. Oh, I know! It was that she insisted that all the future rulers of Naboo must be women! Yeah, that makes since. After Amidala, there was Queen Jamilla and after her, there was Queen Apailana. Yes! That must be it. Although according to canon there was a King before Queen Amidala, I’m sure she straightened that ship and made sure no more men ran Naboo. Perhaps this was the case as the canon does not refer to any other male leaders during and up to the time of the Galactic Empire. Just for the record, this is never stated on screen that Naboo went to a matriarchy society.  

Just the common sense definition of a Social Justice Warrior (or Activist) is someone who wants to change the society in which they live. This isn’t usually political or government level but a cultural change. The acceptance of not eating a certain food, the acceptance of a broad gender rule, or someone who wants the society to stop misusing animals.

Queen Amidala in no way expressed these views during the Prequel Trilogy. She was against an illegal blockade of her planet. This was completely a political move by the Senator from Naboo. Although we don’t understand that directly, we know that it was a way to give power to Palpatine and be sympothized to win the election of Grand Chancellor of the Republic.

The folks that say Amidala is a SJW also like to characterize that the entire Rebellion was a group of Social Justice Warriors. I find this just as ridiculous. The Rebels were not fighting for social change. They were fighting against a oppressive government. Okay I will concede a little…maybe 3%… that one could say fighting an evil tyrant and retorting freedom to the galaxy is a form of social change. Yet, just because I can understand the thought process doesn’t make it correct.

This is just the SJW trying to convince everyone that the term is not a bad thing but a good one. See, that’s what this person that I heard this from actually tried to convince me of. Hog Wash! Don’t be conned by it. The internet usually defines SJW as a bad definition of someone. Not a good one.

Analysis: know the diffference of terms. Don’t bend one into another. Fighting for societal freedom is in most regards the freedom of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. This incorporates many different beliefs and cutlture practices. Social Movement Organizations (the institutions of the SJW) often try to push their political correctness on the whole. Examples can be PETA wanting a society that survives by not eating animals or animal products. Since there is nothing legally wrong with eating meat, this is considered a social activism. Do the lines blur? Maybe and could. That’s what’s usually the scary part.

In conclusion: Queen Amidala was not a SJW. Nor was the rebellion. Why? Because the man that created the characters and the story never defined it as so. It was merely a political story about tyranny and freedom – a classic story of good vs. evil. The Star Wars universe is so big, I doubt that one person would be able to change the societal views of millions of different species and cultures…..but what do I know!


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Losing Faith…. pt. four.

Posted on by CV Whitfield

The new Star Wars Prequels are not terrible. The movies don’t deserve hatred or fan outrage. Yet, I do wish they had been slightly different. Being a child in the late 70s and early 80s, I was the perfect age to enjoy the Original Trilogy. I also had 15 years of adult years, college study and personal imagination to overthink the next chapter.

The Force in the Prequels was simply forgotten. When it came time to explain important things, expand on the mythology, we simply didn’t get them. Almost like George couldn’t answer them himself (odd since this was his world – his creation). Or maybe he just didn’t want to revel his hand. Now, I’m not stating I needed more such as how or why it worked (so I definitely don’t want Midichlorians). Actually keeping it vague actually works for the story. But, why does Obi-Wan and Yoda disappear to the Force in the Original Trilogy but no one in the Prequel Trilogy does? This was a critical misfire for the saga. Yes, at the end of Revenge of the Sith, we get one line of dialog to “wrap” that mystery. But why wasn’t this slowly developed through the entire Prequel Trilogy. Why wasn’t the audience shown the Jedi more in tune with the Force? (not just using its magical powers) With Anakin, Qui-Gon should have just felt the Force stronger than he’d ever felt it before within Anakin. Instead of testing his blood, he should have told Obi-wan “There’s something about this boy! I’ve never felt a vergence of the Force like I have with him.” “Even around Master Yoda?” “Not even Master Yoda!” Their surprise is the cinematic story telling. Concluding in a test similar to the one Anakin got in front of the council, we, as an audience, know that Anakin is Force sensitive. He would and did perform tasks that are beyond that of an average Padawan. But still raw! (not the Rey syndrome!) Qui-gon’s original Force insight of Anakin would make sense with what we know from the OT: “I feel a presence I’ve not felt in a long time.” “It was a 1000 voices all screamed out in terror at once.” “Search your feelings.” “Leia is my sister.” – “Your insight serves you well!”.

Queen Amidala of the Naboo should have been a true royal monarch. There’s nothing wrong for a royal Queen ruling a world or people in a fantasy story. Actually, it would have made more sense. It would have been a positive look at a monarchy style government. Besides, the government of the galaxy is a democratic Galactic Republic with representatives of each member planet working together for a greater good. Well until, it became corrupt and open for an evil Emperor to take over. More important it would have stay true to George’s original story element of Anakin marrying a young queen. With some slight tweaking, Amidala would still get mixed up in the action as a Padme decoy. I always thought it would have been more powerful to see how Naboo suffered once the Empire formed and Amidala had to go into hiding. (maybe I’ll go into more details at some point). Secondly, Amidala wouldn’t die at the end of Revenge of the Sith. Naboo would fall to Imperial control. The Royal family would be imprisoned or forced into hiding. That scene in ROTS, where Yoda and Obi-wan decide to go into hiding, it should have included Amidala. Yoda asks, “what should we do with children. They are a threat to Anakin?” Bail Organa volunteers, “We will adopt the girl (smiles at Amidala), we’ve always wanted to adopt a girl. Your majesty, you will serve as her Nanny on Alderaan and you’ll be safe there.” Yoda questions, “what about the boy?” Obi-wan offers, “to his family on Tatooine. I will go and watch over him.” This also doesn’t deviate the facts we already know. Leia would have memories of her real mother because she was her nanny. Young Padme would still die young but thats a story for another time.

Easy fixes and the story wasn’t drastically changed. It doesn’t impact the sadness at the end of ROTS nor does it cause issues in wrapping up the Prequel Trilogy….

to be concluded….

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