Editing 1550: Episode VII

{{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==
===Star Wars background===
''{{w|Star Wars: The Force Awakens}}'' (also known as ''Episode VII''), directed by {{w|J. J. Abrams}}, is the upcoming seventh live-action film in the {{w|Star Wars}} franchise. The franchise features some of the most well-known science fiction films of all time, and several of the highest-grossing films of all-time. The primary films consist of a trilogy released between 1977 and 1983, and a prequel trilogy released between 1999 and 2005. The highly-anticipated prequel trilogy (and particularly the first film) was heavily criticized by many and considered poor in comparison to the original trilogy. Further, creator George Lucas has been criticized for decades over his constant "tinkering" with the films, frequently amending them even after their release. Notably, he revisited the original trilogy starting in the 1990s to use the advents in computer graphics to replace or add special effects to the films. As a result, many consider George Lucas to have made many negative contributions to the film franchise since the original trilogy was released.

The upcoming film is the first since the rights to the franchise were sold by Lucas to the Disney Company. The film has also been entrusted to producer/director J.J. Abrams, who in 2009 produced and directed the highly acclaimed (although still highly criticized in certain circles) ''{{w|Star Trek (film)|Star Trek}}'' reboot. As such, the new ''Star Wars'' film is as highly anticipated, or more highly anticipated than the prequel trilogy, and has a strong buzz around it. Much of the early buzz surrounded the nature of the new film's plot: For example, whether it would be a prequel or a sequel, and whether it would feature any of the original cast/characters.

The weekend prior to this comic's release, Abrams and others involved in the film appeared in a panel at San Diego Comic-Con to unveil many important details about the film.

===The comic===
In this comic, Randall foretells the anticipated plot of the new Star Wars movie, which he has based on a quote from the first film in the original trilogy.

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 ({{w|R2-D2}} nad {{w|C-3PO}}), to which Luke complains that he had other plans:

:'''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. 

Ultimately, while cleaning the droids, Luke discovers a message which leads directly to almost all of the events in the original trilogy.

Luke's line in this exchange is among many well-known and oft-quoted lines from the films. This line in particular is often quoted as an example of how Luke is initially portrayed as a whiny teenager. By the end of the {{W|Return of the Jedi|''Episode VI:Return of the Jedi''}}, Luke has grown into a mature and powerful Jedi, completing his transformation though the original trilogy.

In Randall's vision of Episode VII, Luke finally returns to {{w|Tatooine}} years later with R2-D2 to finish the (incredibly simple) errand that was interrupted. Luke's phrasing "I'm here for '''those''' power converters" may even be a suggestion that he had possibly called ahead and reserved or ordered the power converters before the events of Episode IV and was only now getting around to picking them up many years later.

The action takes all of three cells of the comic, and is framed by what appears to be the opening and {{w|closing credits}}, suggesting this uneventful scene comprises the entire film. It is clear that this might possibly be the most boring event that could have formed the basis for a film, given all of the material available to Abrams (including the films, various animated TV series, expanded universe books, and video games, among others). That said, there is something to be said that Abrams might consider such a plot to be worth filming (if not basing the entire film around) simply because it is a callback to a memorable "loose end" from the original trilogy, which could make many fans happy to see resolved or even just referenced. These types of references are often included merely as "easter eggs" for hardcore fans, rather than as the basis for the plot of the film.

The title text alludes to another fantasy franchise, ''{{w|Lord of the Rings}}'', and how {{w|Samwise Gamgee}} was similarly interrupted from a menial task (by {{w|Gandalf}} and a quest to save the free world) in his eavesdropping outside {{w|Bag End}} at the start of the first film. The title text takes the word "eavesdropping" literally as if it referred to a chore of dropping eaves.

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. When Gandalf catches Sam in the act, he exclaims, "I wasn't dropping no eaves sir!".

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]]