Neverhoodian said:
Have you read the comments section for any given Star Wars-related video on YouTube? A number of fans express such pro-Imperial perspectives, to the point where I get the uncomfortable feeling that some of them aren't joking. I mean, the films make it pretty darn obvious that the Empire and First Order are evil, yet apparently some people can't grasp that. I don't know, maybe it's cognitive dissonance resulting from trying to project post-9/11 world views onto a series rooted in WW2 imagery and themes.
Don't get me wrong, I love to indulge in the dark side from time to time with the Empire (Tie Fighter is my favorite Star Wars game), but I'm always mindful that they're essentially Space Nazis ruled by a cackling sadist with a monster face.
Oh, I stay away from YouTube comments in general, Star Wars or no, because of what you just said.
Now granted, I do believe that there can be good people in the Empire. Mara Jade was a prime example. I'm sure there are Stormtroopers out there that are decent people as well and just need a paycheck out on the barren planet that they grew up on. Twilight Company showed one of them. And I'm sure there are even those that truly think they're doing the right thing, but when faced with Alderaan, they realize "Maybe I am on the wrong side..." and start to doubt. I'm fine with all of that.
But a new campaign trailer was just released today and it made my skin crawl to be thinking I'm supposed to play as this woman. The way she smirks when she says "Hope", the way she jumps right in to the new missions, the way she's just ready to go out there and kill anyone who dares to even question the Empire. And her father is no better. And how much do you want to bet that Operation Cinder is a Scorched Earth policy, and she's going to be all too happy to burn entire planets to ash.
At the end, when he father says, "Go do what you do best," I couldn't help but think, 'And what's that? Murder people that just want to be free from your oppression and can't defend themselves?'
This is not a Mara Jade character. This is a Tarkin character, or an Emperor character. This is a woman who is evil, and believes that it's okay.