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I know in the database we state there was a shield over Alderaan, but I have to wonder if today's scriptwriters know that...

Soontir C'boath wrote:I know in the database we state there was a shield over Alderaan, but I have to wonder if today's scriptwriters know that...

It is the only logical reason to build a Death Star, as otherwise fleets can do the same job quite easily.

Adam Reynolds wrote:

Soontir C'boath wrote:I know in the database we state there was a shield over Alderaan, but I have to wonder if today's scriptwriters know that...

It is the only logical reason to build a Death Star, as otherwise fleets can do the same job quite easily.

Then the question becomes, do today's scriptwriters know that? Writing scripts for Hollywood doesn't tend to require a lot of thinking about the unspoken technical ramifications of what you write, to say nothing of what others have written before.

Probably not, but the technical elements are always problematic in SW regardless. At some point you almost have to ignore canon in favor of your own personal ideas on what is more interesting.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/11/21/ro ... hield-gate

“You can see the blue sheen surrounding the entire planet,” Rogue One co-producer John Swartz says. “The shield gate is the security. As Imperial ships and cargo comes through, it punches a hole in the shield so they can pass. The gate officer gives clearances as they give out their call signs.”
(...)
In these shots, you see Rebel X-Wing fighters during the movie’s critical battle — attacking and breeching the gate as it skims the surface of the shield, opening a doorway into the planet’s atmosphere."

So they can close the "gate"and it's mobile if I understand it correctly.

eMeM wrote:http://www.ew.com/article/2016/11/21/ro ... hield-gate

“You can see the blue sheen surrounding the entire planet,” Rogue One co-producer John Swartz says. “The shield gate is the security. As Imperial ships and cargo comes through, it punches a hole in the shield so they can pass. The gate officer gives clearances as they give out their call signs.”
(...)
In these shots, you see Rebel X-Wing fighters during the movie’s critical battle — attacking and breeching the gate as it skims the surface of the shield, opening a doorway into the planet’s atmosphere."

So they can close the "gate"and it's mobile if I understand it correctly.

Well, that seals the deal on planetary shielding (while the effects were more subdued in ANH:SE, they were mentioned in TFA as well).

In Catalyst there is a planet in the Corporate Sector protected by a planetary shield, likely a much weaker model than would be expected on a core world, considering an ISD and a few Venators managed to bring it down, although it's not clear how much time it took them, possible even several weeks.

eMeM wrote:In Catalyst there is a planet in the Corporate Sector protected by a planetary shield, likely a much weaker model than would be expected on a core world, considering an ISD and a few Venators managed to bring it down, although it's not clear how much time it took them, possible even several weeks.

That's why planetary shields would be most useful when supplemented by defensive ships or surface artillery. It's would be much harder for an attacker to batter a shield down if they're getting shot at the entire time.

It's possible that the shield over Echo Base would have fallen after hours or days of sustained bombardment, but Vader's fleet may simply have not had that kind of time.

We also don't really know much about shield failure modes. Could've been brute-forcing the shield risked getting leakers, and multimegaton hits on or around the base make it a tad bit harder to capture Skywalker alive.

"Tell me you have a backup plan."

Batman wrote:We also don't really know much about shield failure modes. Could've been brute-forcing the shield risked getting leakers, and multimegaton hits on or around the base make it a tad bit harder to capture Skywalker alive.

Is there any evidence that Vader made his intention to capture Luke known to his officers prior to his chat with the Emperor? IMO, General Veers was merely reporting to Vader that the shield could "deflect any bombardment" based on his assumption that their primary objective was to the destroy the rebel base.

Galvatron wrote:

Batman wrote:We also don't really know much about shield failure modes. Could've been brute-forcing the shield risked getting leakers, and multimegaton hits on or around the base make it a tad bit harder to capture Skywalker alive.

Is there any evidence that Vader made his intention to capture Luke known to his officers prior to his chat with the Emperor? IMO, General Veers was merely reporting to Vader that the shield could "deflect any bombardment" based on his assumption that their primary objective was to the destroy the rebel base.

There used to be sources that claimed this, as I believe the radio drama did, but it really doesn't fit the need for a Death Star.

Either way, the theory that an orbital bombardment of the rebel shield would run the risk of destroying Vader's prize is just that: a theory. It's also a theory that the Imperials could precisely calculate the firepower necessary to collapse the shield and, if they'd had enough, do so without singeing a hair on Luke's head.

Well, I don't know how to link here from Facebook, but pictures surfaced today (for me) of Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa in a cameo in Rogue One. Looks pretty decent. I'm happy they're carrying on the continuity from Episodes 2 and 3 with that, as well as the actress for Mon Mothma.

Here you go.

While he isn't a Senator in the Republic and perhaps a faction leader within it, he is still a Senator in the Empire and the leader of one of the most prosperous core worlds. The idea that his wardrobe took a hit is stupid.

Remember, lots of creators talk theme, not in-universe facts.

At this point he's already passed off his position in the Senate to Leia, so he is in fact no longer a Senator.

Rogue 9 wrote:At this point he's already passed off his position in the Senate to Leia, so he is in fact no longer a Senator.

Plus, he's trying to stay out of the limelight. He's probably already under suspicion as a Rebel sympathizer and being noticed on some out of the way planet wouldn't look good. Even if he's only among Rebels, he doesn't need to be taking chances on the possibility that there are spies among their number. He's part of the leadership of one of the stronger planets, and as such the Empire is going to be keeping a firm eye on his actions.

Especially if the people of Alderaan (not to mention the rest of the galaxy) have been less prosperous under the new order, Bail may not want to be seen dressing as ostentatiously as he did in the good old days.

NecronLord wrote:Remember, lots of creators talk theme, not in-universe facts.

This is of course the out of universe reason to do so, but the actors excuse was in universe. Both reasons are stupid. Anyone in any position of power in a planetary government, let alone a core world, one that probably rules a mini empire of colony planets and systems in its own right, is in a rarified strata of social class and means unheard of on our real life ball of dirt. The idea that any distinction between the luxury of dress for Bail Organa would be noticeable to us ground bound savages is ridiculous.

Rogue 9 wrote:At this point he's already passed off his position in the Senate to Leia, so he is in fact no longer a Senator.

Had he? As far as I can tell the only chronological date of this happening was within 1BBY. Has some source made this explicit?

Galvatron wrote:Especially if the people of Alderaan (not to mention the rest of the galaxy) have been less prosperous under the new order, Bail may not want to be seen dressing as ostentatiously as he did in the good old days.

All sources, legends now of course, tell us Leia grew up in the lap of luxury. That she rebelled against what we would consider bog standard uppity royal shit, actually. They also like to tell us about how much of a utopia Alderan was in every respect (probably so stupid people will be more aghast at its demise).

The only plausible explanation in universe is the low profile thing, but that is NOT the explanation given by the actor.

Patroklos wrote:

Rogue 9 wrote:At this point he's already passed off his position in the Senate to Leia, so he is in fact no longer a Senator.

Had he? As far as I can tell the only chronological date of this happening was within 1BBY. Has some source made this explicit?

Of course he had; Rogue One is set mere days before A New Hope, and I'll be shocked if it doesn't end with the transmission of the Death Star plans to the Tantive IV. So the only two ways he hasn't are if he literally made Leia a Senator the day before she was captured, or if she straight up lied to Vader's face about the extremely verifiable fact of her status as an Imperial Senator.

Mere days? We know it ends mere days before ANH. Do we know the entire arc of the plot takes place in the same space?

Patroklos wrote:All sources, legends now of course, tell us Leia grew up in the lap of luxury. That she rebelled against what we would consider bog standard uppity royal shit, actually. They also like to tell us about how much of a utopia Alderan was in every respect (probably so stupid people will be more aghast at its demise).

The only plausible explanation in universe is the low profile thing, but that is NOT the explanation given by the actor.

Alderaan may have been a nice place to live even during the dark times, but 20 years of Imperial domination no doubt left its mark in some way. In the old EU novel, Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader, there's an exchange between Bail and Vader regarding an anti-Imperial protest on Alderaan that foreshadows a grim future for that peaceful world:

Vader listened to the sounds of the crowd for a moment more, then turned to regard Organa.

“Why do you permit this?” he asked.

Organa’s restless eyes searched for something, perhaps a peek at the man behind the mask. “Are such demonstrations no longer permitted on Coruscant?”

“Harmony is the ideal of the New Order, Senator, not dissension.”

“When harmony becomes the standard for all, then protests will cease. What’s more, by allowing voices to be heard here, Alderaan saves Coruscant any unmerited embarrassment.”

“There may be some truth to that. But in due time, protests will cease, one way or another.”

It seems a certain Grand Moff can be glimpsed in this TV-spot: