OT Days of infamy

Yesterday was the 64th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which of course I don't personally remember. I have however visited the Arizona Memorial, easily one of the five eeriest places I've ever visited simply because of the silence and the still-leaking oil from the Arizona's wreckage. But I think every American ought to see it at least once in life.

On a more personal note, today is the third anniversary of my grandmother's unexpected death. But today the news is the 25th anniversary of the death of John Lennon, which I'm old enough to remember. Lennon was only 40 years old, still a young man, and was on the comeback trail with the newly-released Double Fantasy album after spending much of the '70s out of the limelight. I recall there was a tremendous amount of media attention given to the album. The night of December 7, I went with my mom to the drug store for something, and I saw several magazines on the stand talking about Lennon's comeback, including a cover story in Playboy. The next morning, I woke up for school and I saw on the t.v. news that he was dead, shot by some lunatic.

Lots has been said about the incident and about Lennon's legacy and all that. But I think what has been forgotten is the reason why so many people were utterly shattered at the death of a celebrity. It was the end of a fervent hope Beatles fans had held onto since the band broke up in 1970, and that was hope for a reunion. With Lennon gone, the chance to see the Fab Four together again disappeared forever. Sure there were hopes the remaining three would reunite, which were dashed by George Harrison's death in 2001, but without Lennon such a reunion would be have been incomplete. We'll never know of course if they would have reunited if they had another 5, 10, or 20 years. Lennon was a temperamental fellow and had only a short time before his death began patching things up with Paul McCartney. It'll always be one of those could've, would've, should've things.

You Son of a Sith!

Ever since the premiere of ROTS, fans have debated the veracity of Palpatine's insinuation that Darth Plageuis (or was it Sidious?) created Anakin by manipulating the midichlorians. The good news is no one is complaining about the midichlorians or Anakin's unusual origins anymore. The unfortunate news is those fans who wished for a bad seed Anakin now think they have proof he was the galactic Antichrist after all.

Unfortunate because I absolutely hate the idea. Bear in mind Lucas has never said definitively if what Palpatine said was true, partially true, or utter twaddle. His word is the only one that counts and in all likelihood, he will never say what Anakin's exact origins were. Nor in his mind do they matter; Papa George did say in an interview all that did matter was that Anakin fulfilled the Chosen One prophecy.

Nevertheless, the problem I have with the Sith creating Anakin is that it establishes Anakin's fall was inevitable because he was created by evil in the first place. This robs the character of the free will he exercised in his choices and thereby undermines the tragedy of the PT. It's bad enough some fans cast suspicion upon everything Anakin does, even his good actions. The idea the Sith created him reinforces that belief. After all, when at any point in the saga do the Sith ever do anything not in the service of evil?

In addition, it taints the entire Skywalker line. They're not just created by the Force, they're literally the children of the Dark Side. It's actually worse than the concept of original sin.

It also makes Qui-Gon look like a complete fool. He had the clearest vision of all the Jedi, a pure mystic whose ultimate master was the Force itself. He couldn't tell this vergence in the Force was created by the Dark Side yet knew right away Darth Maul had to be a Sith?

Well, you might be argue, perhaps Qui-Gon believed he could alter fate by giving the little Sithling three hots and a cot along with some Jedi guidance, but there's nothing in the film that suggests Qui-Gon knew about Anakin's origins beyond what he stated. Besides, why would Palpatine need to go through the time and trouble to lure him to the Dark Side if Anakin was destined to fall to begin with?

I'm sure others would argue that throughout the saga, the Sith always tell the truth. Certainly, Darth Vader told Luke the truth about his parentage. Count Dooku/Darth Tyrannus told Obi-Wan the truth about the Sith Lord Sidious controlling the Senate. But also bear in mind, Palpatine pretty much fibbed or skewed the truth throughout ROTS. Remember all of Palpatine's promises to save Padmé's life if Anakin turned? Or that the Jedi were plotting a coup? We know how much those were worth.

What is stated more than once in the PT is that Anakin's future was uncertain or clouded. Only Obi-Wan initially thought Anakin was dangerous. Anakin's uncertain future signifies that not only is his fate not pre-determined, his ambiguity results from the fact he was created by the Force itself. There are two sides to the Force, light and dark, and the potential for both lies with Anakin. How he turns out, which side he serves, depends entirely on his choices.

ROTS soundtrack nominated for two Grammys!

Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and Best Instrumental Composition "Anakin's Betrayal" (the song you hear in background during Order 66 and Obi-Wan's "you were the Chosen One" speech):

http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/release/publishing/news20051208.html

Unfortunately, we don't get to vote on this one.