“America now has a choice between the former president’s nightmarish vision of national decline that only a strongman can fix and Harris’ optimistic vow that America is still a land of aspiration. But that dichotomy also points to a huge risk for Harris. Running a campaign rooted in hopefulness and good cheer at a time when many Americans feel demoralized and tired could backfire.” — CNN
Look, I get it. Emperor Palpatine is dead, again, and the First Order has scattered to rural Outer Rim diners to lick its turbolaser wounds over heavy mugs of blue drink. The new new hope is ascending in our galaxy far, far away, and that’s a great thing.
But is it really?
I mean, sure, we mustn’t forget the billions of voices who screamed out and were silenced as literal planets disintegrated before our very eyes, but this hope message everyone’s jazzed about… I can’t be the only one thinking it’s a bit of a risk, right?
Running a campaign rooted in hope at a time when galactic citizens feel exhausted from years of relentless star wars could backfire for the Rebels / Resistance / Republic / whatever they call themselves these days, is all I’m saying. After all, it’s not as if the moisture vaporators can work any harder simply because the Empire is no more. The Kessel Run didn’t magically shorten after Luke Skywalker Force-projected his way across space and time. And, despite what you might hope and think, Jar Jar Binks still exists.
Ultimately, I’m just asking questions, because a lot of this new messaging is heavy on hope but light on substance. Much like Master Yoda, actually, that ethereal Force ghost who, for all his supposed power in life, can’t even manipulate solid matter to put food on barren Tatooine kitchen tables. Like the Old Republic, he’s diminished and tired, and doesn’t light up a room like he used to—unless, of course, you meant literally.
At least when the Empire was a thing, we had choices. Light or Dark. Sith or Jedi. Now it’s all hope all the time, 24-7, which is nice, yeah, but when was the last time “nice” moved the needle—or lifted up an X-Wing?
But that Empire, man, with its land speeders, AT-ATs, and deep bench of ass-kicking bounty hunters—what a rush! And while the marketing behind both of its unfortunately named defense enforcement spheres may have been off—and honestly, I also don’t think anyone is denying we could have workshopped something a bit warmer than “Stormtroopers”—there’s absolutely no doubting the strength and security a fully operational battle station offers the galaxy. Like that Admiral Tarkin fellow once said, you can’t have a safe, secure Republic without breaking a few planets. That’s just how it is.
Speaking of how things are, life was a bit more ordered with the First Order in power, wouldn’t you agree? It’s right there in the name. To wit, in a galaxy of widespread restraining bolts, the droids don’t wander off or steal people’s secret plans. Roguish smugglers are encased safely in carbonite. Star Destroyers eject their trash effectively and on time before every hyperspace jump. As any sly Mandalorian would tell you, that’s just not the case now, is it?
Listen, the good guys must be cautious. If they misjudge the galactic mood, the entire New Hope platform could alienate folks, and come off as oblivious to their basic needs.
Honestly, can anyone even afford a pet Rancor anymore? I know I can’t, and that’s a damn shame.
