Opinion on Catch-Phrases <MedStars>

I have been reading these EU novels for quite some time - in fact, I think I've read all but Jedi Trial and I'm in the middle of MedStar II at the moment..

I have a problem with the way certain books incorporate real-world (you and I) phrases into the stories.. I think it destroys the image of the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

The most blatant example I can see is on Page 53 of MedStar II: Jedi Healer. Right after I-Five won a big pot in the doctor's games of Sabacc, it was asked "What does a droid need with credits anyway" to which he replied "Didn't I tell you, I'm off to see the Sorceror of Tund to buy a heart and a brain?"

First off, that line would be cheesy if it were in the context of the real-world, but to put such an obvious reference to the GFFA equivalent of the Wizard of Oz sickens me.

MedStar II also had the line about "The Breakfast of Champions". (Jos talking to the young doctor..)

I know other Star Wars books have done this in the past - if I dug through my collection I could find the line about "..in other worlds long forgotten, these animals would resemble cats..."

In all fairness, the duology is decent (but dry) and these authors are good (Shadows of the Empire, Shadow Hunter). I can understand that it has to be tough to come up with what would have been catch-phrases in the GFFA, but don't you think it should be a bit more different than 'Thats why I make the BIG credits'? (Merit to Den, Page 29 MedStar II)

Let me know!
Rob

 

'Sorcerer of Tund' was actually from in Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu. Here is the entry from CUSWE:

"Sorcerers of Tund
an allegedly ancient and mysterious brotherhood of magicians from the Tund System, these overly flashy sorcerers clothed themselves in distinctive charcoal-gray robes and turban-like headgear that covers everything but their eyes. Their race was unknown, since no one outside the brotherhood has seen one without their robes on. The Jedi Knights knew of the Sorcerers, who called their connection to the Force magic. The Jedi Council of the ancient Old Republic chose to allowed the Sorcerers to continue their dabblings in the Force, provided that they didn't turn very far down the path to the Dark Side. In the aftermath of the Battle of Ruusan, the Sorcerers were all but forgotten. What no one realized is that, near the time the Empire was born, the Sorcerers were wiped out, and the planet Tund reduced to a glowing ball of ash, by Rokur Gepta. Gepta continued to spread rumours and stories about the Sorcerers, to keep his mystique valid. Emperor Palpatine even became interested in the Sorcerers, believing that their religious teachings were based on ancient Sith doctrines"


But I agree that the heart and brain reference is a bit corny.

 

It just seems like a convenient point of reference for that phrase though..

But, where did the heart and brain reference come from then? You don't think that sounds a little too much like the Wizard of Oz?

Good memory with the recollection..

 

It's supposed to be an in-joke. I assume you also caught the referance to 'Salta' holding up the world, and Epoh Trebor (Robert, nay Bob Hope, anyone?) at the show?

Just ignore it if you don't like it.

 

It didn't bother me in the slightest. It's always fun to find these things...

 

Don't forget the Cassandra reference, Kwenn.

And if they were supposed to be serious, I'd have a problem with it. But it's mainly supposed to be ironic humor, and it works well at that, I think.

Also, if they can develop the same basic language as us, why not have similar idioms?

 

Let's not forget that it was the MOVIES that started this trend...

Or did anyone here NOT catch the Ewok/Tarzan battle cry?

 

man, I could sure go for some topatoes right about now...

 

I personally do not like them. Snoil doolb really annoyed me in the Cestus Deception. The author should not be trying to plug his own work in a Star Wars story.

 

Why not? It's harmless advertising; and producing a SW book does wonders for introducing them to your own works.

 

Um, it's a book based on a children's movie. Lighten up.

 

It didn't bother me in the slightest. It's always fun to find these things...

I second that. I thought it was funny that there was all these little Earth-jokes. The Sorceror of Tund one was my favourite.

 

I loved that Epoh Trebor theme song was "Appreciated Remembrances" lol If you didn't get that joke you are definitely a youngster...

 

I actually think these things are great fun. I mean, the Pangalactic Gargleblaster! And the Star Trek references! Nothing like a good laugh.

 

I liked the phrases in Medstar. Not only were they funny but they didn't take me out of the story in the slightest. In fact it actually helped me relate to the characters more because it made it seem like they're more like us.

 

Dark Rendezvous has a movie with an actor portraying Yoda called "Jedi!" in which the hero fights Tholians, which is the name of a Classic ST villain.

In Jedi: Yoda, Yoda says "Greatly exaggerated, are rumors of my disguise." In Yoda: Dark Rendezvous, Anakin says, "reports of Master Yoda's Death were greatly exaggerated." Hmmm, seems rather redundant--dejavu! I guess Jedi are big fans of Mark Twain, and like applying Twain quotes to Yoda.

 

that's one of my favorite Twain quotes

 

these kinda things used to be fun, but latley the EU seems saturated with them. Medstar had a few to many, and CD's Doolb Snoil was beyond unbearable.