Correcting some misconseptions about Star Wars

Misconceptions part two 

Perhaps some clarifications are needed to cover certain misconceptions about the Star Wars saga.

4. The Jedi and clones by themselves would eventually have defeated the droid army.

 

Perhaps we can assume that all protagonists and Republic citizens
bar Sidious and the Separatist military leaders (the individuals we see in the films are basically mercenaries who are unconcerned about any political motives and in some cases actually fund and supply both sides-see point  5)
believe in the vastly exaggerated size of the droid army. However, if we assume certain capabilities of all combatants we can see that both sides are similarly matched. In the very first episode of The Clone Wars TV programme, Yoda and a handful of clones defeat a battalion of droids. A character states that one Jedi is worth a hundred battle droids then ups that figure to a thousand. Obi-Wan Kenobi is arguably "worth" ten thousand battle droids. The clone troops, similarly, could be considered to be equal to forty battle droids.

Note: Super Battle Droids are more powerful than the regular models but also more easily confused and turned against their mechanical comrades. 

So, even early in the war the Clone Army by itself is worth fifty million battle droids. By the war's end they effectively outnumber them. Not only that, but it would be impossible for the droids to occupy every planet in the Republic, even if they numbered in the trillions. There are 1.2 million planets in the Republic proper (arguably a lot more but....meh, while the Empire counts over sixty million planets based on population)

Even small groups of lightly-trained but highly motivated insurgents could demolish an occupying army even just using rocks and bare hands. The regular battle droids (like Cylons) have weak necks, easily snapped from behind for example, and the actions of just one insurgent would be enough to distract around five to eight droids while more insurgents target supplies or infrastructure.

 

5. The Trade Federation is still part of the Republic.

 

It does not secede, instead it remains in the Republic while facilitating trade with Separatist and neutral systems. Its droid armies however do fight on Dooku's behalf.

 

6. Prequel isn't a real word.

 

The proper term is sequel or prelude.

 

7. George Lucas wanted to make films for twelve year olds.

 

Adults just happen to like them! Perhaps this is an obvious point, but it does need to be made in light of criticism, not unwarranted, of episodes 1 to 3. Yes, they could be made darker but this would alienate a younger audience new to Star Wars. Also, the preludes were pretty depressing anyway considering they all, individually and collectively, ended very badly for the Republic and Jedi so I think some levity, just like the ending of 'Empire, would have been greatly needed.

The films are about hope after all.
And chopping people's hands off.

8. Darth Vader is not second in command of the Empire.

There's no evidence that he is second in command of anything or anybody in the Empire apart from Palpatine. No military rank is ever given to Lord Vader other than that in episodes 5 and 6 he is given some authority (perhaps temporarily?) over part of the imperial fleet: specifically Death Squadron in Empire Strikes Back. He has some authority over imperial officers in A New Hope but as far as the Death Star "top brass" are concerned" he has no real authority. He is simply a specialist cum advisor cum representative of the emperor, perhaps occupying the same position/role Anakin was given in Revenge of the Sith.

As a Sith it would be unwise of Sidious/Palpatine to give his apprentice wide ranging powers in case Vader decided to overthrow him (in the conventional sense) in a military coup. Therefore, Vader would have no formal rank or role beyond a specialist or advisory capacity.

9. It's nothing to do with Trek.

Star Trek is a television programme (and numerous spin-offs) from the 1960's about a ship of exploration in the future and its randy captain. But it's really about westward expansion in North America in the nineteenth century.
Star Wars is set in an unspecified past and is about a sectarian civil war, ultimately between two religious factions or ideologies. Neither of which really permit sex or marriage.