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This is the talk page for the article "Splinter of the Mind's Eye."

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Vader with Blue Saber?[]

On page 287, it seems to signify that Darth Vader uses a blue lightsaber during his battle with Luke and Leia. According to this quote:

"'No,' Vader assured him, 'no. You overestimate yourself child.' The Dark Lord drew himself up to his full, awesome height. 'I have finished playing with you.'

"Swinging his saber until it was no more than a blue blur in the dank air of the temple, he leaped straight up into the air. It was more than a jump, less than levitation. Out of th blue circle of energy he flung the saber.

"Instinctively--he had no time to think--Luke parried. The Force inherent in the thrown saber knocked Luke's out of his hand. Both weapons flew off to the right and lay, still gleaming, still activated, on the ground, near a dark circular opening that gaped back in the floor."

According to these paragraphs, specifically the middle paragraph, it seems that Vader is using a blue lightsaber. Did Luke and Vader switch sabers earlier in the battle somehow? I have looked but did not read of any such exchange. Or is the "blue blur, blue circle of energy" simply a mistake, or was Vader actually using a blue saber and not his traditional red saber?

I would say that it is a mistake. Thefourdotelipsis 10:06, 1 October 2006 (UTC)
I'd say it's an example of Hypertime. 64.180.93.200 18:46, 26 March 2009 (UTC)
  • Pomojema
    Considering the duel took place in Pomojema's temple, I am not fully convinced Luke and Leia actually fought the real Darth Vader. I suspect the Darth Vader the twins fought was a phantom or apparition similar to the Vader that Luke encounters in "The Cave" on Dagobah in "The Empire Strikes Back". My reasoning for this are three fold.
1: Pomojema is patterned after Cthulhu (thank you Alan Dean Foster), A god of madness and insanity (including hallucinations).
2: Luke was holding his Father's (Vader's) old blue Lightsaber during this battle. We do not know if any residual effects of Vader's ownership are in play here in the temple. If Vader was a hallucination, as I suggested, then Luke and Leia may have manifested the blue lightsaber based on Luke's own blue lightsaber not Vader's red model. Dreams and hallucinations draw from strange sources.
3: The true and complete powers of the Kaiburr crystal and its powerful red glow are not known. The prominent light in the Temple was red so ask yourself what a red lightsaber would look like anyway tinted by red light?
Perhaps the real question we should ask if Vader was there in the temple at all??? -- Frank V Bonura 13:14, September 15, 2009 (UTC)

Member[]

When luke was fighting the Coway and he was pinned down the first time, luke freed himself when he bit the creature's member. What exactly did luke bite?

  • I hope it's not what I think it is! LOL! Adamwankenobi 21:51, 13 October 2006 (UTC)
    • Yeah, that's what I thought.--Herbsewell 23:27, 13 October 2006 (UTC)
      • After reading a few more lines, I see that it clarifies that Luke bit the creature's hand. That would have probably been the biggest blunder in EU history for obvious reasons.--Herbsewell 17:45, 14 October 2006 (UTC)

C-3PO Inconsistency[]

There's a simple solution to this. The shut-down commands were probably part of the droid's hardware rather than the erasable software, a bit like Mara Jade's Imperial master command code in Imperial computer installations. All fanon, of course, but it sounds likely, doesn't it? Evir Daal 14:40, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

I think the question is how 3PO knew that Vader knew his shut-down commands. --68.39.117.153 17:08, 29 May 2008 (UTC)
  • Isn't it possible those codes were common codes for 3PO and R-series droids? I dont think every droid has a unique shut-down code. Maybe these commands are known by droid-mechanics, and that's why C-3PO wondered an imperial commander knowing them.Darth Morrt 20:44, 17 August 2009 (UTC)

Rising of the Empire dates[]

It's mentioned several times that the Empire rose 40 years ago (in 38 BBY, and not in 19 BBY). I think it should be mentioned in the BTS section. 217.76.148.146 19:07, 23 August 2007 (UTC)

  • Splinter is a good book, I've read it several times but nowadays it's a fine example of an anachronism. --Sompeetalay 09:03, 2 April 2008 (UTC)
    • Not unless the definition of "anachronism" changed in the last few years. QuentinGeorge 09:32, 2 April 2008 (UTC)
  • Several Expanded Universe sources agree with this older time line. I just wish George Lucas could have stuck to his original plan and not compressed/distorted the time line. I do think its a good idea to add this detail to the BTS section. -- Frank V Bonura 15:11, January 12, 2010 (UTC)

blue[]

perhaps it was the light that made it look blue. 24.14.113.0 00:16, 2 January 2009 (UTC)

Observation[]

This page currently says the book was first published in February 1978, but the one at Wikipedia and The Literal Star Wars Timeline both say 1978 March 1. Anyone have any idea of a better source for either date? --Andrew Nagy 05:38, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

  • My copy says February 1978 for the hardcover and April 1978 for the paperback. As far as my memory is concerned, I remember the novel on the bookshelves only about 6 months or so after seeing the movie in 1977. I think February is correct. -- Frank V Bonura 14:56, January 12, 2010 (UTC)

Non-official cover[]

Okay, why exactly do we need that non-official cover? Non-official image = fanart. I can show you dozens of "non-official" covers to Star Wars novels made by fans, should we put them all in as well? MauserComlink 11:09, October 8, 2009 (UTC)

  • I think this non-official cover is unlicensed releashe. For example in Hungary there are for unlicensed books, but they are not translations, but original or semi-original works. Darth Morrt 13:09, October 8, 2009 (UTC)
  • If its unlicensed, then its not official is it? If its not official, then it has no place here does it?-- Frank V Bonura 02:44, October 10, 2009 (UTC)

Recharging lightsaber?[]

There are several mentions in this book with Luke recharging his lightsaber. I remember he didn't want to use it too much in fear of the battery going down. I'm guessing this is just another inconsistency with this book? I've never heard of a lightsaber having to be charged up...--72.190.46.76 04:57, December 31, 2009 (UTC)

  • Protosabers required the wielder to wear a separate battery pack to power it. The lightsaber article might shed more light on this. OLIOSTER (talk) Imperial Emblem 05:03, December 31, 2009 (UTC)
  • A "Quick recharge port" is clearly labeled and called out on the photograph of Luke's (Anakin's) lightsaber prop (the blue one from 1977) as seen on page 8 of "Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary". This is the same lightsaber used in "Splinter of the Mind's Eye". I see no inconsistency whatsoever. I recall no reference to lightsabers being perpetual energy devices. To me that seems more nonsensical than a rechargeable model. -- Frank V Bonura 15:06, January 12, 2010 (UTC)
  • Thanks, Frank! I never realized this before (I've only been reading Star Wars novels for a year). I was reading Survivor's Quest the other day by Timothy Zahn, and Luke did mention something in reference to his lightsaber being charged (for anyone that's wondering). --Shemightbedani 15:13, January 14, 2010 (UTC)
    • Glad to be of service sir and thank you Shemightbedani for providing additional supporting precedences for the article. I suspect there are even more examples in STAR WARS literature but I suspect they would be better served in the Lightsaber article. -- Frank V Bonura 15:37, January 14, 2010 (UTC)
  • I'm not that sure about this matter. If lighsabers have such exigouos battery, authors sure would used that like Marvel uses the webbing supply of the Spiderman's web-shooters. Luke's lightsaber, as a regular lightsaber, have a diatium power cell: "Due to the power cell's natural recharging abilities (a recharge socket was usually required), it was ideal for a melee weapon such as a lightsaber. If assembled correctly, a power cell could last indefinitely and require no further maintenance from the operator [text from the article]." Perhaps the lightsabers sometimes needed a recharging, but not in the way it does in Splinter of the Mind's Eye. When Alan Dean Foster wrote the book, maybe Lucas didn't know for sure if he wanted a recharging lightsaber or a nearly unlimited energy supply for it. But, if the information in the diatium power cell is correct, the nature of the Splinter's lightsaber is now wrong and almost non-canon. Jedi Trastocat 14:27, August 30, 2011 (UTC)
    • Please be aware that if you keep erasing the past or declaring it "wrong", you might just lose the very reason we became STAR WARS fans in the first place in 1977. Also please note the older sources have even greater value than the new for they provide the foundation for elements to come. Please consider we are here to preserve not erase STAR WARS history in this article. You may also note the ancient lightsabers from the Tales of the Jedi story arcs had external power packs, with their respective power cables, because miniaturization of said power packs was not yet small enough to fit inside the hilt. The Expanded Universe began with "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" and Alan Dean Foster's contributions should not be ignored but logically built upon. The newer sources appear to be in error unless you are suggesting lightsabers are not devices but are some form of "magic wand" with a perpetual power source. -- Frank V Bonura 12:22, September 7, 2011 (UTC)

Retcon[]

Overall, hasn't this book been retconed because there are so many inconsistencies with this book and also whenever i go to the list of creature, ect under appreances when it lists Splinter of the mind's eye it says retcon. So, has this story been over all retconed? T-888 16:22, January 11, 2010 (UTC)

  • I'm sorry what inconsistencies are you talking about specifically? -- Frank V Bonura 14:51, January 12, 2010 (UTC)
    • Luke Charging his lightsaber,that's just one. I also belive that Leia Fights Vader am I right? T-888 16:50, January 13, 2010 (UTC)
      • HallaGazesAtCrystal
        OK I addressed Luke's chargeable lightsaber in the "Recharging lightsaber?" section above. Yes she does T-888, thus I also addressed Leia fighting Darth Vader in the "Vader with Blue Saber?" section above. I would kindly ask you to consult those two sections for more information please. Under the conditions in the temple of Pomojema, there is no way of knowing if Luke and Leia were fighting the real Vader or were fighting a phantom similar to the one Luke confronted in the evil cave on Dagobah. I think the evidence of the untrained twins gaining victory over "Vader" and the fact Vader's lightsaber was described as "blue" in color (see above for more) is a testament to the fact they were fighting a force phantom, a metaphysical manifestation (or avatar) of the god Pomojema, AND/OR the expression of the massive power of the Kaiburr crystal in the temple. Again I see no inconsistencies with this novel in this regard. All of this makes perfect sense and agrees with other sources. Above you said "so many inconsistencies", are there any more other than these two we should also address? -- Frank V Bonura 04:02, January 14, 2010 (UTC)
  • The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader confirms that the Vader that Luke and Leia faced in the Temple of Pomojema was the real McCoy and not a phantom.--Muuuuuurgh 05:58, January 14, 2010 (UTC)
    • Pomojema
      I would kindly like to remind you Muuuuuurgh that "The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader" is a "young adult" book (For Ages 8-12 as per Borders.com) put out by Scholastic publishing and by definition means the content of said book will be written at a "simplified" reading level (ages 8-12). What we are discussing here, I would hope, is the scope of a more "adult" level of understanding. I could not imagine how author Ryder Windham could have articulated this idea clearly in a "young adult" publication. I can't imagine Scholastic publishing a "young adult" book with content about a demonic god of insanity/madness. In light of this, I also wonder if Ryder Windham actually spoke to Alan Dean Foster on this topic prior to penning this text. As I am sure you know, Alan Dean Foster was/is a big H.P. Lovecraft fan and 'Splinter is but one of his crossover novels in the Lovecraft genre. I also wonder if Windham fully understood the Cthulhu/Pomojema dynamic/significance and the fact that this novel was a replacement story for "The Empire strikes back". In other words, both 'Splinter and 'Empire had a swamp planet that caused landing difficulties and had a secret location where the force was strong (temple of Pomojema likened to the evil cave). In spite of its "young adult" classification, I would be very interested to read the exact quote from the 2007 book, in context, if at all possible because of its possible relevance to this article. I would also be very interested to read the acknowledgments of the 2007 "young adult" book to see if Windham was citing the original 1978 novel or some other sources for his publication notes. -- Frank V Bonura 13:19, January 14, 2010 (UTC)
  • I have done some research on this book and found that Lucas gave Foster some of his original ideas for The First Star Wars and he made a more orginal story out of those little bits. After studying this I have come to the conclusion that they were fighting a spirit or phantom of Vader, like sort of a jedi test. On the other hand leia did not know she could use the force yet. T-888 15:16, January 14, 2010 (UTC)
    • Update: I found Alan Dean Foster on Facebook. I plan to field a few questions to him, on said topic, and report/quote his answers here if he is so inclined to respond. Lets hope so. -- Frank V Bonura 15:31, January 14, 2010 (UTC)

I hope so too. T-888 15:37, January 14, 2010 (UTC)

The wiki page incorrectly quotes Obi-Wan as saying he, "can no longer interfere." What he said in the movie was, "I cannot interfere."

Which Creatures?[]

"The Splinter Of The Mind's Eye share a very similar looking creature." Which creatures are we talking about please? -- Frank V Bonura 15:30, 2 November 2020 (UTC)

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