Star Wars’ Outdated Plot Surprisingly Predicted Today’s Modern Life

The Star Wars Holiday Special may not enjoy widespread acclaim—George Lucas famously wished to obliterate all copies—but it surprisingly introduced a concept that resonates with today’s digital age. Released shortly after the groundbreaking A New Hope, this special is recognized for its unusual blend of humor and eccentricity. Over time, it has garnered a cult following, with numerous films now possessing lower audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes than the Holiday Special’s current rating of 25%.

Jon Bradley Snyder highlights a significant shortcoming of the Holiday Special: its overtly dated elements. Unlike the seemingly timeless feel of the original trilogy, the Holiday Special is characterized by its era-specific references and style. However, it did unveil crucial components of the Star Wars universe, such as the first appearance of the iconic Boba Fett and the introduction of the Wookiee homeworld, Kashyyyk. Additionally, it established a communications network that, in retrospect, appears essential to the overall Star Wars mythology.

The Holiday Special Introduced the Holonet

A Cornerstone of Star Wars Lore

In the Holiday Special, Chewbacca’s family—comprised of his wife, Mallatobuck; his father, Attichitcuk; and his son, Lumpawaroo—interact with the Holonet, their stand-in for the internet. They connect with well-known Rebel heroes like Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker while also indulging in various cooking and entertainment shows. This introduction of the Holonet marks a notable moment in Star Wars history, making the Holiday Special an unexpectedly significant contributor to the overarching narrative.

The Holonet: A Prophetic Concept

Star Wars and the Inception of the Internet

Bar patrons watch the HoloNet News in Star Wars Rebels

In the context of Star Wars, the Holonet plays an indispensable role. It serves as a vital communication channel not only for bounty hunters tracking their targets but also for citizens seeking updates on intergalactic events. Notably, both the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire utilized the Holonet for their communications, although it was frequently censored by the latter.

The relevance of the Holonet has only intensified over time. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the internet’s pivotal role in facilitating communication, with platforms like Zoom taking center stage. It is intriguing to observe that the concept of a robust communication network was foreshadowed within the Star Wars saga decades ago.

During the Clone Wars, a parallel system known as the CIS Shadowfeed was established by the Separatists, further emphasizing the importance of communication in the galaxy far, far away.

Remarkably, in an era where the internet is indispensable, the depiction of the Holonet continues to resonate. Chewbacca’s family engages with the Holonet not just to prepare for the Life Day celebration, but also to check on Chewbacca’s progress and alleviate their boredom during his absence. While the special’s execution might be considered unintentional, The Star Wars Holiday Special effectively showcases a version of the internet that is surprisingly relevant even today.