Our the for the month of October is “childhood fears.”

Movie night growing up was usually determined by what was on TV and not what we actually wanted to watch, so it was always a treat when something good came on. The favorites were the likes of Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones. All the classics. I don’t remember if we were ever considered too young for these movies, I think they just slowly became a part of our lives. I don’t remember watching any of them for the first time. I do, however, have a few specific memories of watching these movies when I was younger.

There were a few scenes that were too scary for little Nathan that would cause me to leave the room, like the guy that got his heart ripped out in Temple of Doom, or the Rancor pit in Jabba’s Palace. When Luke Skywalker and that poor Gamorrean Guard got dropped down that hole I was out of there. I would wait for the all clear from my parents and then go enjoy the rest of Return of the Jedi. The Ewoks were much less scary. I no longer find Star Wars scary, but I want to return to this scene, because I’ve had a new thought. The Rancor probably would have been just as scared of me as I was of him.

The Wookiepedia page, the online Star Wars Wiki, on Rancors lists them as ‘semi-sentient’ creatures. They originate from the planet of Dathomir where they live as a primary carnivore in the plains and grotto ecosystems. Rancors are frequently used in fighting pits across the Galaxy which has led to the belief that they are mindless killing machines (Wookiepedia is a deep dive that will suck the hours away. Did you know that the Gamorrean Guard that fell in the Rancor pit with Luke is named Jubnuk and has his own page?). Rancors are said to not be inherently vicious, so why was Jabba’s Rancor so aggressive?

The rancor in Jabba’s pit was named Pateesa. Gifted to Jabba by one of his cronies, Pateesa lived below the palace as a means to discourage unruly guests. Rancors are known to reach upwards of 4,000 pounds and 5 meters tall. Imagine a young elephant crammed into a hole beneath a building. Confused, hurt, and hungry, there was nothing to do but lash out. Surely intergalactic PETA would have something to say about these living conditions. We don’t know much about how Jabba treated Pateesa, but his handler was clearly upset at his death. Maybe there was a movement to free Pateesa, perhaps even from within Jabba’s ranks. Sadly, we will never know. Luke got to him before anyone else could help. Perhaps it was a mercy.

RIP Pateesa

?? – 4 ABY

Nathan Hilbrands

Nathan Hilbrands (’21) graduated with degrees in geography and environmental health and conservation. He is currently working for the Allegan Conservation District as a watershed technician. He enjoys collecting National Geographic issues that he rarely looks at again, playing disc golf a lot without improving, and trying new board games.