Tag: star wars

“So this is how liberty dies… with thunderous applause.”

From: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Padme Amidala

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote initially comes from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. It is the final movie of the Prequel Trilogy and sets up the events which will lead to the Original Trilogy.

The quote comes from near the end of the film. Palpatine has managed to sow fear throughout the Galactic Republic and declares himself as Emperor in the guise of reining in all of the threats. Padme Amidala (played by Natalie Portman) sees this act as it truly is, people willing to give up their freedoms for this supposed security, delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Most dictatorships only happen when people declare their willingness to give up their freedoms for whatever reason. In fact, they might not even realize it and cheer on their new dictator as they believe that’s what’s right for them.

“Somehow, Palpatine returned.”

From: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Poe Dameron

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote initially comes from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Produced by Disney via Lucasfilm, this was the last entry of the new trilogy.

The quote comes from the start of the film. The First Order begins to rally after it is discovered that the Empire‘s previous leader, Emperor Palpatine, is still alive. The Rebels manage to retrieve this bit of information, which Poe Dameron (played by Oscar Isaac) relays to the group in one of the most unnatural sounding lines ever.

Geek wisdom: If there’s a fire in your house, you concentrate on putting out the fire and not what caused the fire in the first place. Sometimes, it’s more important to recognize what problem is happening in the present and solving that. Only after it’s done should you try to figure out the cause.

“Who’s the more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?'”

From: Star Wars (specifically Episode IV)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Obi-Wan Kenobi

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from, what else, Star Wars. Specifically, it comes from Episode IV, the first film in the film franchise. Honestly, do I even have to tell you what Star Wars is now?

The quote comes from the middle of the film. The Millennium Falcon is trapped in the Death Star. Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford) comments he can’t get off the space station because the tractor beam that pulled them in will just get them if they try. Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Alec Guinness) then states he’ll be able to deactivate the tractor beam. Han Solo calls him a fool, which is when Obi-Wan retorts with the quote.

Geek wisdom: Be careful of who you idolize and choose to follow. Not all role models are good role models and not all leaders are good leaders.

“You have the ring. And I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Now, let’s see how well you handle it.”

From: Spaceballs

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Dark Helmet

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the 1987 Mel Brooks comedy parody Spaceballs. A clear satirical take on Star Wars, Spaceballs generally follows the plot of the sci-fi epic but done in a much more silly tone, poking fun at sci-fi tropes.

The quote comes from near the end of the film. Dark Helmet (played by Rick Moranis) stops Lone Starr (played by Bill Pullman) from pushing the self-destruct button on Spaceball One/Mega Maid, which is in the process of sucking off all the air from the planet Druidia. Dark Helmet then activates his Schwartz, a ring analogue version of Star Wars’ lightsaber. Lone Starr activates his Schwartz and this is when Dark Helmet delivers the quote before the two get into a comedic battle with each other.

Geek wisdom: Having anything, be it a talent, skill or object, is useless unless it’s, well, used. If it’s not, then there’s no point of having that talent, skill or object.

“That is why you fail.”

From: Star Wars (specifically, The Empire Strikes Back)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Yoda

The story behind the quote: I have posted a lot of quotes from Star Wars and, more specifically from The Empire Strikes Back. Even more specifically, from that scene when Luke Skywalker is training with Yoda on the planet of Dagobah. Even though I have done so, I still have another one!

While Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) and Yoda are training, Luke’s X-Wing sinks into the swamp bog. Luke does try to lift it up using The Force but, believing it’s too big, he gives up and fails. Yoda, however, does manage to raise it up and even place the X-Wing onto solid ground. Luke exclaims he cannot believe that Yoda could do it. This is when Yoda delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: If you do not believe in yourself or if you immediately tell yourself something is impossible, then there is no way you’ll ever try your best at it. You have to throw all your effort into something, especially something difficult, if you want to succeed.

“The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.”

From: Star Wars, specifically Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Supreme Councilor/Emperor Palpatine

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Star Wars series. More specifically, it comes from Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the final chapter of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) is talking to Supreme Councilor Palpatine (played by Ian McDiarmin) and Palpatine tells the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise who managed to use the Force in ways like reviving the dead. When Anakin questions this ability, Palpatine delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There are actually two pieces of Geek Wisdom we can pull from this quote. The first one is the Dark Side of the Force/evil may seem like it’s unnatural but it actually is. Everyone of us has this “dark side’ inside of us and the reason it seems unnatural is because we’re not supposed to acknowledge this side. We have to be aware that everyone is capable of evil.

The second piece of Geek Wisdom is about death and how it is a natural part of life. We have to accept that all life will eventually end.

“This is the way.”

From: The Mandalorian

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: The Mandalorian and other Mandalorians

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from The Mandalorian. The Mandalorian is a series made by Disney and is set in the Star Wars universe. The series focuses on a bounty hunter who belongs to the Mandalorian race and his adventures throughout the galaxy.

The quote is uttered several times but it is first said during the third episode, The Sin. The titular Mandalorian returns to his Covert with a horde of Beskar steel, payment for the bounty of The Child (AKA Baby Yoda). While The Armorer uses most of the Beskar steel to reinforce his current armor, the Mandalorian requests that some be left over for “the foundlings,” the orphans of war. The Armorer agrees as the foundlings are the future. This is when she, as well as the other Mandalorians, say the quote.

Geek wisdom: A person has to stand for something in his life. It has to be something he strongly believes in and, even in times of strife, he or she must stand by that central core belief.

“I know what I have to do. But I don’t know if I have the strength to do it.”

From: Star Wars: The Force Awakens 

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Kylo Ren/Ben Solo

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote initially comes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This is the first entry in the latest trilogy of the franchise.

The quote comes from near the end of the film. Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford) confronts his son Ben Solo (played by Adam Driver), who has adopted the Sith moniker Kylo Ren. Han pleads with his son to come back to him. Ben/Kylo is hesitant because he is unsure of what to do. He delivers the quote before stabbing his own father.

Later on, in The Rise of Skywalker, the concluding film to this trilogy, there is a scene that does mirror the events. This time, it has Han Solo returning as a memory of Kylo Ren. Kylo Ren then says the exact same line before choosing to shun the Dark Side.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, the thing that is right for you may be the hardest thing to do. It will take great courage and strength to follow your heart because there are going to be consequences to your actions. But if it’s the right thing to do for yourself, then it’s the right thing.

“In my experience, there’s no such thing as ‘luck.'”

From: Star Wars (specifically Episode IV)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Obi-Wan Kenobi

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from, what else, Star Wars. Specifically, it comes from Episode IV, the first film in the film franchise. Honestly, do I even have to tell you what Star Wars is now?

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Luke Skywalker is performing lightsaber training but fails. Obi-Wan Kenobi tells him that he’s relying too much on his eyes and should just give in to the Force. The old Jedi Master puts a helmet on Luke to cover his eyes. When he successfully deflects the laser blasts from the drone, Han Solo, who had been watching the entire event, calls it luck. This is when Obi-Wan delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There is indeed randomness in the world, both good and bad. Events will happen without notice and all of a sudden. It’s what we do with these moments that will determine our “luck” though. Do we take them as opportunities or as hurdles?

We make our own luck most of the time.

“Only a Sith deals in absolutes.”

From: Star Wars, specifically Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Obi-Wan Kenobi

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the Star Wars series. More specifically, it comes from Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the final chapter of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

The quote comes near the climax of the film. Anakin Skywalker (played by Hayden Christensen) is confronted by Padme Amidala (played by Natalie Portman). He sees Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Ewan MacGregor) and thinks that Padme has betrayed him and starts Force choking her. As Anakin rants that, by conquering the galaxy, he has brought peace to it. Anakin then tells Obi-Wan that, if his former mentor isn’t for his side, then he must kill him. This is when Obi-Wan delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We live in the world where most people actually do believe in absolutes and partisan views. A lot of people do think that the world is black and white. Their thoughts are the only good things now and any other point of view that differs from what they’re thinking is wrong and must then be evil. But we don’t live in a world of black and white. The Sith basically believe that anything else other than how they view the universe must be snuffed out as there is no room for negotiation.

While we’re on this, Obi-Wan’s statement may seem hypocritical but it really isn’t based on the circumstances. Obi-Wan is only fights back once he realizes that Anakin isn’t willing to negotiate or talk things through. He has no choice in the matter. On the other hand, Anakin does have a choice to discuss his point of view with Obi-Wan or to simply agree to disagree. But he cannot as he must destroy any opposition.