Is Speedway part of the series premiere of the new Star Wars television show, Pilot?
According to a new report from Deadline Hollywood, the No. 1 show in the nation’s largest television market is, in fact, connected to the new Star Wars series. The article also states that more than 150,000 people used to watch the episode each week in the early 2000s.
An Unmistakable Link
The link between the two shows is, as you might expect, quite compelling. The report indicates that Episode I: The Phantom Menace sparked the interest of many viewers in the show, leading to record-breaking numbers for the premiere. The article also states that the special connection makes sense given the film’s prominent role in the creation of the new series.
In the decade since the premiere of the first film, many fans have undoubtedly grown curious about the mysterious Obi-Wan Kenobi and his connection to Anakin Skywalker. The character was first introduced in the movie as the mentor and the father-figure to Anakin. Once Obi-Wan discovers his adopted son’s nefarious intentions, he takes it upon himself to train Anakin to be a Jedi Knight.
Though it’s been 10 years since Anakin’s training, the character’s connection to the Jedi still resonates with fans and could easily spark some curiosity about the Order itself. A growing number of people could discover the wonders of the Jedi and be inspired to join the Order, giving the show a possible ratings surge. Naturally, this would also make the show a potential moneymaker, as there are many products available for sale that feature the iconic symbol of the Jedi.
Why Has This Episode Stuck In Our Minds?
Though we might not know for sure, it’s quite possible that many of us remember Episode I: The Phantom Menace because it was a bit of a different kind of Star Wars movie. The first of the trilogy is often cited as one of the most influential films of all time, changing the way people view the series and the characters within it. It’s also a great example of the kind of films George Lucas loves to make, using a lot of computer-generated imagery (CGI) as well as practical effects (pratical effects are the effects that can be achieved directly on film).
Another iconic scene from the movie involved Darth Maul, a former Jedi who turned to the dark side. Though he was only in the film for a handful of minutes, the look and the design of the character, as well as the scene in which he appears, remain popular among fans almost a decade later.
It’s quite possible that many of us also remember Episode I because it was the first time we heard the familiar phrase, “May the Force be with you.” It’s also quite possible that we remember the iconic “Jedi mind tricks” scene, in which Obi-Wan first tricks Anakin into thinking he’s seen a ghost and then, later, into believing he’s defeated his master, Count Dooku. Many people cite this scene as one of the most memorable of the series. It might even be the most memorable of the trilogy, as it’s one of the few scenes that doesn’t involve either of the two main characters.
The link between the two shows is quite compelling, but it’s also quite possible that many viewers remember Episode I only for these reasons, making it a somewhat random choice to show up on many fans’ radars. It’s quite possible that many of us will discover the wonders of the Star Wars saga only through this show. Naturally, that means it will be quite the adventure. We might even call it, “The Original Trek On Steroids.”
Fan Theories Spruced Up With Fact
Though there are many intriguing elements to the story, it’s quite possible that some things will remain a mystery. That’s the beautiful thing about art. One of the reasons the original Star Trek was so successful was that it didn’t give much away. We get a glimpse of the Romulan Empire and the Borg, but much about the setting and the characters remain a mystery. Similarly, it’s quite possible that many of us will discover much about Obi-Wan and Anakin without even realizing it. Not everything will be revealed. It’s quite possible that some things will simply be implied, creating more intrigue and wonder.
Record Audiences In All Markets
The article also indicates that the premiere of Episode I: The Phantom Menace set a new record for the show, attracting an average of 23.8 million viewers per episode. It’s quite possible that many of these viewers discovered the show through the built-in audience of the film, making it a real eye-opener. Though the series didn’t quite match the film’s record-breaking audience numbers, it still managed to pull in around 7.7 million viewers per episode. The article also indicates that all three episodes of the show performed well, with the premiere drawing the most viewers and being the most talked-about episode since the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Naturally, it will be interesting to see how the show compares to the film, though it’s quite possible that the numbers won’t be as high due to the novelty of the story and the characters.
It’s quite possible that many of us will discover much about the Star Wars saga and be inspired to learn more. It’s quite possible that some of us will want to join the Order, as it was revealed in the premiere that Obi-Wan is, in fact, Count Dooku, leader of the Sith.
Naturally, this makes the character quite recognizable. It’s quite possible that many of us will be able to place Count Dooku on the big screen almost instantly thanks to his distinctive eye patch and because of his role in the destruction of the Jedi Order.
Connections To The Past
The report also indicates that the series is quite aware of its history, paying homage to the original films and even including some nods to events and scenes that didn’t make it into the movies.
One of the most interesting aspects of the article is the reveal that the creator of the new series, Jordan Horowitz, had the opportunity to pitch some ideas for the character of Obi-Wan. This is quite exciting because it indicates that the man had a lot of input into the project. Though the character is quite recognizable, it’s quite possible that much of what we see will be new, influenced by the brainstorming sessions that took place nearly a decade ago.
Is This The Next Big Thing?
Though it’s quite possible that many of us will discover the wonders of the Star Wars saga only through this show, it’s quite possible that many of us will want to learn more and be inspired to read the books or watch the movies. It’s quite possible that some of us will want to join the Order as Count Dooku, though there’s no word yet on whether or not he will be a series regular. Though much is missing, it’s quite possible that all of this will simply serve as a teaser for the larger story that will be told in the upcoming Disney+ series, The Mandalorian. We can hope so, at least. In the meantime, we can enjoy the ride. This is quite possibly the most intriguing link between two shows that we’ve ever seen.