Highlights
- Attention to tiny details in Star Wars, like open ship doors, can provide insight into character behavior and plot twists.
- Starships are not just transportation in the Star Wars universe but also security risks due to lax door-closing practices.
- Even in a galaxy far, far away, forgetfulness can lead to adventure. Maybe it’s best for characters to keep spaceship doors open.
Tiny, arguably insignificant details in Star Wars are like the final dusting of paprika on a freshly deviled egg. It may not be the most important aspect, but the whole experience wouldn’t be the same without it. Today’s example is no different, albeit perhaps less of a smoky paprika and more of a subtle turmeric.
Star Wars wouldn’t be Star Wars without its beloved ships. They keep things fresh and interesting while acting as ways for characters to easily connect, all while looking super cool. While ships can technically exist in some form as part of basically any genre, there’s something special about seeing them in sci-fi. That’s not to mention how spicy things get if (or when) fan-favorite ships are finally seen in live-action. But enough about Ahsoka‘s Sabine Wren and Shin Hati. This is about spaceships.
Specifically, user papa_ganj on the Star Wars subreddit happened to notice a strange detail regarding the various starships in the franchise that, frankly, could constitute a serious security risk. In one of the many instances of fans picking up on things long-hidden in plain sight, it turns out that almost everyone in the Star Wars universe leaves their ship open without locking up when they leave. Take a look at subsequent marathons of the movies and shows. Exit ramps on nearly every starship remain down once characters disembark. Is it an oversight?
At first glance, it might seem like something the filmmakers wouldn’t deem necessary to show on screen. Of course, the ramps and doors eventually close on their own, right? This isn’t some forgotten David Lynch movie where a surreal “ramp closing” scene would play in its entirety every time. But looking at how some stories in the Star Wars universe have played out, it turns out that poor security measures are often the catalyst for any number of shenanigans.
“I assume the ramps probably just close automatically after they leave.
If they can make spaceships capable of FTL travel I doubt including automated doors would be much of a challenge.”
“Interesting point. I feel like it’s always closed when they return though, so perhaps they know it’s going to close so they just go about their business”
Take, for example, when Din Djarin is escaping Nevarro in The Mandalorian season 1. His contact, Greef Karga (played by the late Carl Weathers), manages to beat him to his own ship and wait inside, prompting a tense standoff. These are people seasoned in the bounty-hunting world, yet Din’s security on his ship is so lax that Greef can get on board with no problem. That’s not even to mention other instances like the Millennium Falcon, which now canonically holds the consciousness of the super-intelligent droid L3-37 after the events of Solo: A Star Wars Story. As one commenter pointed out, she must be livid at Han and Chewie constantly leaving her ramp open.
“L3 is very pissed off that Han and Chewie always forget to close the f***ing door when they leave.”
It’s one of those things that few notice on first watch but will now likely never be able to unsee, much like how stormtrooper armor is asymmetrical. Good luck forgetting that one. But hey, as far as the ships go, maybe it’s best that the characters continue being forgetful little scatterbrains. It’s an easy way to ensure fun stuff keeps happening.
The Star Wars saga is available on Disney Plus.
Source: papa_ganj/Reddit
Leave a Reply