Curious Decisions in 'Star Wars': Unpackaging the Plot Points of Season 8

In the highly-anticipated season of a popular Star Wars show, Episode 8, we encounter a series of plot points that seem at odds with the established lore and strategic sensibilities of previous episodes and films. Central to this discourse are two incidents: the decision to use gravity-fed bombers and the apparent risk-taking decision of Leia Organa. Both scenarios raise questions about the tactical and strategic consistency of the narrative. Let's delve deeper into these curious decisions.

Gravity-Fed Bombers and Strategic Consistency

In Episode 8, Poe Dameron makes a critical decision to deploy gravity-fed bombers instead of the B-Wing bombers, which are already featured in Episode 6. This choice is puzzling for several reasons. The B-Wing bombers, with their advanced weaponry and greater firepower, should have been the logical choice to destroy the First Order dreadnaught. Poe's decision to rely on gravity-fed bombers, which have inherent limitations in space, raises questions about the strategic acumen of the main characters.

These bombers rely on gravity-fed systems and are designed to operate on celestial bodies with a gravitational pull, making them unsuitable for the space combat scenario. The fact that a large number of these bombers are destroyed highlights the inherent flaws in their design. The implication is that the writers of the show followed a narrative path that, while originally conceived in isolation, does not fit cohesively with the established lore of the Star Wars universe.

On the surface, the decision to use gravity-fed bombers makes little sense. In the Star Wars universe, technical sophistication and advanced weaponry are paramount, yet the bombers chosen for this pivotal battle are unsuited to space combat. This inconsistency might be retroactively explained through retcons, but the initial decision remains a plot hole that detracts from the narrative's coherence.

The Strategic Choice of Leia Organa

Another curious incident in the early Star Wars films, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (originally titled Star Wars), involves a critical moment of risk-taking by Commander Leia Organa. In this episode, Leia leads the Empire directly to Yavin 4, the location of the Rebel Alliance base, based on the hope that the technical readouts would reveal a fatal weakness in the Death Star’s plans. This decision exposes the Rebellion to significant risk, given that the Empire could exploit this weakness in a devastating manner.

Leia’s decision is indeed a high-stakes gamble. As a skilled tactician, it seems unconventional to lead a known trap with the expectation of success. Leia's actions demonstrate a level of optimism and faith in the rebellion’s chances, which, while admirable, appears to be a gamble with no clear tactical advantage. Given the information available in Episode IV alone, this decision lacks a solid strategic foundation. It is only through the later installments and retcons that her actions gain additional layers of significance.

Retcons and Narrative Cohesion

To justify these plot points, the Star Wars franchise has frequently turned to retcons and additional narratives. For instance, the concept of a "decoy mission" to lure the Death Star was further elaborated in subsequent films and books. Leia's decision to lead the Empire to Yavin 4 was initially presented without clear justification, but later explanations provided context and significance to her actions. Similarly, the gravity-fed bombers' role in space combat has been retroactively explained, although the initial decision to use them remains counterintuitive.

The complexity of the narrative and the reliance on retcons highlight the challenges of maintaining consistency in a richly developed universe. These inconsistencies, while sometimes perplexing, also add layers of intrigue and depth to the overall story.

Conclusion

Star Wars, with its elaborate world-building and intricate narrative, often faces the challenge of maintaining consistency across its various media. Plot points such as the use of gravity-fed bombers and Leia Organa's risky mission to Yavin 4 challenge this consistency. These moments can be seen as both story-moving devices and opportunities for further development through retcons. By acknowledging and addressing these inconsistencies, the Star Wars universe continues to evolve and captivate audiences.