The Original Trilogy Constructive Criticism Thread

[fireproof78]

Leia is a political "leader", a politician. She is not a political "officer". She is one of the leaders of the Rebel Alliance. Rieekan is not only one of the founders and leaders of the Rebel Alliance, he was definitely one of the Alliance's military leaders and the commander of Echo Base.

No offense, but we have no canonical evidence to base such an assertion. He is a military commander, and that's all we know from on screen evidence. Leia's position is one of authority, as almost all of the staff defer to her decisions, and her orders, save for Han Solo.

The Alliance is a different military organization, and not as organized as contemporary mlitary forces. Leia, by all actions, is de facto leader of Echo Base.

 

[LJones41]

No offense, but we have no canonical evidence to base such an assertion. He is a military commander, and that's all we know from on screen evidence. Leia's position is one of authority, as almost all of the staff defer to her decisions, and her orders, save for Han Solo.

The Alliance is a different military organization, and not as organized as contemporary mlitary forces. Leia, by all actions, is de facto leader of Echo Base.

It has already been verified on Wookiepedia that Rieekan was THE COMMANDER of Echo Base . . . and no one else. Leia was visiting the base at the time.


I guess many fans will use the argument of the Alliance being a "different military organization" to explain Luke's participation in the Battle of Yavin without any military training. I have never encountered so many excuses for the flaws found in one group of movies in my life.

 

[fireproof78]

It has already been verified on Wookiepedia that Rieekan was THE COMMANDER of Echo Base . . . and no one else. Leia was visiting the base at the time.

As much as I like Wookiepedia, it isn't the final say so on Star Wars matters. As seen on screen, Princess Leia is issuing orders to Echo Base personnel, including the final evacuation order. So, she functions in the chain of command. Otherwise, she could be tried for treason to the Alliance for unlawful orders, abandoning military equipment, among other things.

I guess many fans will use the argument of the Alliance being a "different military organization" to explain Luke's participation in the Battle of Yavin without any military training. I have never encountered so many excuses for the flaws found in one group of movies in my life.

I think the Prequels win out on that one

 

[Ithekro]

The Rebel Alliance is a collection of resistance cells, paramilitary organizations, and some planetary governments united in an effort to restore the Republic. Its military does not have uniformity across all sectors of space. Its Navy is a hodge-podge of whatever they can get their hands on, and their means of production are small.

Based on how the Alliance cell structure works, and what Leia is doing, the observation is that Princess Leia Organa is the head of her Rebel cell, which includes the Base on Hoth. Rieekan is the base commander, but she is the equivalent of the theater commander over him. That makes her the superior officer in the room traditionally. Rieekan is tasked with based defense, since it is his base. Leia is responsible for everyone there as it is her cell. She leads the evacuation efforts so that Rieekan can defend the base as long as they can so they can get the most number of people out through the Imperial blockade. Leia was going to try to be the last one to leave...if she even considered leaving, since it took Solo to finally get her to go. She seemed prepared to stay in the command center giving orders and holding out until Vader arrived and either be captured and die for the Rebellion.