1550: Episode VII

2015-07-13T15:06:00Z

Shefehs: Removed the "multiple Cueballs" tag, since the multiple Cueballs are really just background

{{comic
| number = 1550
| date = July 13, 2015
| title = Episode VII
| image = episode_vii.png
| titletext = The Lord of the Rings sequel, set years after the Ring hubbub has died down, is just Samwise discreetly creeping back to Bag End to finish dropping the eaves.
}}

{{Incomplete|First Draft}}

==Explanation==
''{{w|Star Wars: The Force Awakens}}'' (also known as ''Episode VII''), directed by {{w|J. J. Abrams}}, is set to premiere in December 2015. This comic foretells the plot of the movie, based on a quote from the first film in the series.

In ''{{w|Star Wars (film)|Star Wars}}'' (''Episode IV: A New Hope''), {{w|Owen Lars}} tells his (step-)nephew, {{w|Luke Skywalker}}, to clean two newly purchased droids:

:'''Uncle Owen:''' Luke! Take these two over to the garage will ya? I want 'em cleaned up before dinner
:'''Luke:''' But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!
:'''Uncle Owen:''' You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done. Now, come on. Get to it.

One of the droids happens to be {{w|R2-D2}}, and the attempt to clean him reveals a message which sets in motion the events of ''Star Wars'' episodes IV, V and VI, where Luke plays a crucial part. In this comic, Luke returns to {{w|Tatooine}} to finish the errand that was interrupted. The final frame, listing the director of the movie, is an apparent beginning of the {{w|closing credits}}, suggesting that the preceding frames comprised the entire movie.

The title text alludes to {{w|Samwise Gamgee}} being similarly interrupted (by {{w|Gandalf}} and a quest to save the free world) in his eavesdropping outside {{w|Bag End}} in the beginning of the ''{{w|Lord of the Rings}}''. It is a pun, taking the word "eavesdropping" literally as if it referred to a chore of dropping windowsills. In fact, "eavesdrop" as a verb is a back-formation from the noun "eavesdropper," which derives from the archaic noun "eavesdrop" as the area of ground under a window (where rain would drop from the eaves). An eavesdropper is one who lurks, possibly under a window, to listen in on a conversation. In the Lord of the Rings, it is implied that Sam had been trimming the hedges when he overheard the conversation between Frodo and Gandalf and crept closer to listen rather than completing his chores.

In both cases, the issue of collecting power converters and Sam's gardening duties were left unresolved in their respective stories. The joke is that those are the only unresolved issues or at least the most pressing. In fact they are among the least interesting issues left that could serve as fodder for a sequel.

==Transcript==
[Black background, lettering in the style of the Star Wars logo]
Star Wars The Force Awakens

[Building in the desert, two men in the background, one running in front of the building. Next to the building is a sign]
sign: Tosche Station

[Hooded man standing next to R2D2]
Hooded man: Hello

[closeup of hooded man. The man has a mustache and a beard.]
Hooded man: I'm here for those power converters

[Black background, white letters (to resemble movie credits)]
Directed By J.J.Abrams

Title text: The Lord of the Rings sequel, set years after the Ring hubbub has died down, is just Samwise discreetly creeping back to Bag End to finish dropping the eaves.
{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:LOTR]]
[[Category:Star Wars]]

1550: Episode VII

2015-07-13T15:03:08Z

Shefehs:

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

1550: Episode VII

1550: Episode VII