Did Wedge call off sick?

Coyote · Jedi Knight Joined: Aug 15, 2004 Posts: 416

Interesting and controversial topic here. Wedge is one of the most popular charactors is the Original Trilogy. Why: Because he survived all three movies. Wedge was the little guy who made it through some serious battles, overcame the odds.
But the question I have is this: Did Wedge "chicken out" in the Battle of the Death Star? When his X-wing was hit should he have stayed with Luke and Biggs regardless? I think he did chicken out, he was a young kid, and having seen his fellow squadron mates get slaughtered, he lost his nerve.

As a side note. Do not bring up the explaination that came up later about Wedge not being about to control his X-wing. It was not in the movie, we saw no proof of this in the movie, in fact we saw Wedge join up with the Falcon and Luke then land safely on Yavin 4 after the battle.

fett_lover · Jedi Knight Joined: Sep 24, 2005 Posts: 347

Maybe he did "chicken out" and that was why he saw that he had to fore-go all his personal life, ie a g/f or a life, to lead Rogue and Wraith Squadrons, or it could be that he real could not control his X-wing....

(he did take misfits and people who would lose their pilot licenses if he did not recruit the for these squadrons)

All I know is that he made up for it in his future battles past the trilogy

jasconsolojediknight · Youngling Joined: Jan 30, 2006 Posts: 922

I say no. He figured he was doing what was right.

Coyote · Jedi Knight Joined: Aug 15, 2004 Posts: 416

jasconsolojediknight wrote:

I say no. He figured he was doing what was right.

Care to explain alittle? Why was it "right" to do what he did?

Krash · Jedi Knight Joined: Mar 20, 2004 Posts: 3495

Coyote wrote:

Care to explain alittle? Why was it "right" to do what he did?

I think it's a judgement call for Wedge, and there's really no "right" or "wrong" way to go. There's a couple different ways the scenario could have played out (but it makes for a good conversation). And from a storytelling perspective...it was just a way for Luke to be left alone so Han could come and save the day.

Here's my look at it: Wedge would be the kinda guy to follow orders, so when Luke tells him to get clear (because of his ship's damage) he would. If you and I are driving down the street (in a hurry) and you blow a tire...I'd tell you to pull over, rather then risk losing control and taking me out in the process. If Luke's attack run had failed, Wedge could have tried making another attack run. Why didn't he? hey...it's in the script, Luke makes the shot!

Perhaps, Luke expected some of the TIEs to break off and follow Wedge (evening the odds just a bit). It may have worked, had Vader not seen the diversion tactic and ordered his wingmen to "stay on the leader"

jasconsolojediknight · Youngling Joined: Jan 30, 2006 Posts: 922

Ok here why I think he figured it was the right thing to. Wedge seemed unsure of himself. He seemed confidant in his abilities but not in weather he was going to come out of the battle safe. At this time Wedge is only 17 this his first major battle against the empire. What 17 year old kid wound not be afraid of going up against the empire? Then hear its ok to leave from guy that only 2 years older then you and whom you might look up to for having escaped the death star with the princess.

Coyote · Jedi Knight Joined: Aug 15, 2004 Posts: 416

jasconsolojediknight wrote:

Ok here why I think he figured it was the right thing to. Wedge seemed unsure of himself. He seemed confidant in his abilities but not in weather he was going to come out of the battle safe. At this time Wedge is only 17 this his first major battle against the empire. What 17 year old kid wound not be afraid of going up against the empire? Then hear its ok to leave from guy that only 2 years older then you and whom you might look up to for having escaped the death star with the princess.

Wedge was a very good pilot, what a fighter could call a "natural". And yes I am sure he was afraid, he would have been crazy not to be. But he volunteered to join the Rebels, knowing full well he probably would not survive. I doubt wedge knew about Lukes age or any details of his escaping the DeathStar with the princess though. And this is Lukes first time in an X-wing also.

Coyote · Jedi Knight Joined: Aug 15, 2004 Posts: 416

Krash wrote:

Coyote wrote:

Care to explain alittle? Why was it "right" to do what he did?

I think it's a judgement call for Wedge, and there's really no "right" or "wrong" way to go. There's a couple different ways the scenario could have played out (but it makes for a good conversation). And from a storytelling perspective...it was just a way for Luke to be left alone so Han could come and save the day.

Here's my look at it: Wedge would be the kinda guy to follow orders, so when Luke tells him to get clear (because of his ship's damage) he would. If you and I are driving down the street (in a hurry) and you blow a tire...I'd tell you to pull over, rather then risk losing control and taking me out in the process. If Luke's attack run had failed, Wedge could have tried making another attack run. Why didn't he? hey...it's in the script, Luke makes the shot!

Perhaps, Luke expected some of the TIEs to break off and follow Wedge (evening the odds just a bit). It may have worked, had Vader not seen the diversion tactic and ordered his wingmen to "stay on the leader"

"Its in the script." don't count. Razz

Luke may well have figured that one of the Ties would follow Wedge. But Wedge would not last long with a damaged X-wing would he? So in a way Luke was ordering Wedge to his death. Wedge and Biggs only had to buy Luke a few more seconds so he could take the shot. Wedge leaving the trench cut Lukes protection in half. In HALF. Thats a major loss. I highly doubt that Luke thought anything about Wedge making a run if he and Biggs failed, it was now or never.
Wedge leaving the trench basically signed Biggs death certificate. And in fact it should have done the same for Luke, but of course then the Trilogy would not have been a trilogy would it? Wink

jedimasterElek · Youngling Joined: Feb 06, 2006 Posts: 133

ok no offense but dose it really matter, he lived luke destroyed the deathstar wedge destroyed the second. I think the main reason wedge left was that it was in the script.

Coyote · Jedi Knight Joined: Aug 15, 2004 Posts: 416

jedimasterElek wrote:

ok no offense but dose it really matter, he lived luke destroyed the deathstar wedge destroyed the second. I think the main reason wedge left was that it was in the script.

And I said that don't count.

If you want to join the conversation, fine, but don't try to kill it or I'll delete the post. Evil or Very Mad

Krash · Jedi Knight Joined: Mar 20, 2004 Posts: 3495

jedimasterElek wrote:

ok no offense but dose it really matter...

Technically, no. However, not too long ago, Coyote and I had a nice long conversation about this very topic on the drive down to Columbus for a COSI event. While it's easy to brush it off as "it's in the script" it was fun to share ideas/opinions back and forth...cause there's really NO right or wrong answer, it's just a matter of what would you do?

Think of this as SW's version of the "Kobayashi Maru" Cool

Krash · Jedi Knight Joined: Mar 20, 2004 Posts: 3495

Coyote wrote:

As a side note. Do not bring up the explaination that came up later about Wedge not being about to control his X-wing.

Just for clarification, when Wedge got hit...and told Luke "I can't stay with you" didn't that indicate that he'd lost control of the ship (at full throttle) and had to break formation? Again, there were options for him (but using my flat tire comparison) didn't that indicate lose of control of his starfighter to a degree?

Coyote · Jedi Knight Joined: Aug 15, 2004 Posts: 416

Krash wrote:

Coyote wrote:

As a side note. Do not bring up the explaination that came up later about Wedge not being about to control his X-wing.

Just for clarification, when Wedge got hit...and told Luke "I can't stay with you" didn't that indicate that he'd lost control of the ship (at full throttle) and had to break formation? Again, there were options for him (but using my flat tire comparison) didn't that indicate lose of control of his starfighter to a degree?

Ah a good point. Yes he said I can't stay with you, that does suggest he at least lost some kind of power, maybe an engine.
However was turning and running the best option? Could he not have tried to obstruct the Ties in some way? Slam on the brakes, something?

TheRandomMenace · Jedi Knight Joined: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 1886

I highly doubt Wedge wanted to leave Luke stranded on his own... in the briefing scene on Yavin IV there is a sense of unity despite the pilots' fear. I always thought Wedge was saying to Luke (in my own words, obviously), "Look, I'd like to stay here and help you out, but I've been hit, and rather than be an aid to you, I might be a liability if I hang around. I've got to go, best of luck."

jedimasterElek · Youngling Joined: Feb 06, 2006 Posts: 133

sorry guys im depressed lately i dint mean anything by it sorry