We’ve been accustomed to three year gaps between Star Wars films, however with three films already released and more in the pipeline, instalments have become an annual event. There’s also ongoing discussions regards the tantalising prospect of a long rumoured live TV series, finally becoming a reality. While waiting on the next Star Wars movie and possible live TV series, during these shorter downtime periods, how can you scratch your Sci-Fi itch? Well, we have the final few episodes of the excellent Star Wars animated series Rebels, or alternatively, if you enjoy your Sci-Fi in other flavours, the new Star Trek Discovery series is an entertaining watch.
Although fans of either Star Wars or Star Trek can become competitive when championing their respective favourites, if J.J. Abrams and Simon Pegg make the leap, there’s no reason why we fans cannot enjoy both too.
Whilst Star Wars is set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, and Star Trek set far into our own future, but despite their differences in theatre, whether subliminal, a homage or purely coincidental, comparisons appear to extend beyond more than just their first name.
Here’s a few similarities I’ve found:
Parental Loss
From Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars to Star Trek’s rebooted James Tiberius Kirk, each of these heroes have suffered the loss of one or both parents which has proved pivotal in their story development.
Survival Gear
The look may derive from practical real world desert gear, but with a Sci-Fi twist, however the similarities between Rey’s Jakku scavenging outfit and Captain Philippa Georgiou is uncanny.
Emperors
Both Star Wars and Star Trek Discovery series feature Emperors with human centric, alien excluding Empires.
Imperial Disguises
Star Wars through Rogue One, A New Hope, graphic novels and Star Trek Discovery, heroes have disguised themselves with their Imperial counterparts uniforms.
Spirit Communication
Force ghosts are the bearers of guidance for their Star Wars proteges. While Star Trek does not employ this encompassing force, the Vulcan mind meld however, has transcommunication capabilities, as demonstrated by Michael Burnham and Sarek in the episode ‘Lethe’.
Firing Up
Finally, this image first sparked my thoughts regards comparisons. The warming up hum of phasers in Star Trek Discovery episode ‘What’s Past Is Prologue’ conjured memories of the Old Republic Sith’s assault on the Jedi Temple.
So, what else is written amongst the stars? Why not comment below.