20

How does Captain Phasma type her password to deactivate the shield protecting Starkiller Base when she is wearing thimbles on her fingers?

Looking good, Captain Phasma!

5
  • 17
    Very well, thanks for asking.
    – CBredlow
    Mar 24, 2017 at 18:17
  • 6
    I can't help but think your question reminds me of something... Mar 24, 2017 at 19:22
  • 7
    Back up... Why would wearing thimbles on her fingers prevent her from typing a password? They might make it harder for her to touch type, but I don't see why they'd physically prevent her from pushing keys.
    – jamesdlin
    Mar 24, 2017 at 21:28
  • 3
    Large keys and a lot of practice. Mar 25, 2017 at 1:16
  • 3
    I sometimes see women with long nail extensions working as cashiers, sometimes even on touchscreen computers. I don't know how it's possible, but I'm quite sure thimbles are less of a problem.
    – b_jonas
    Mar 25, 2017 at 15:35

2 Answers 2

19

Because she doesn't type to do it (in the film)- it appears to be a dial / handle.

Finn never indicates she should type in a password, he simply says:

                        FINN
          You want me to blast that bucket off
          your head? Lower the shields.

                      CAPTAIN PHASMA
               You're making a big mistake.

                      FINN
                     Do it.

You can see that there is no standard keyboard on this particular control panel

enter image description here

4
  • You hear several beeps and boops in the background, indicating that it took more than just pulling a level.
    – Valorum
    Mar 24, 2017 at 18:11
  • 9
    the beeps and boops aren't necessarily directly related to her actively disabling the shields but could be feedback that the process is starting / completed. Good find in the novel though
    – NKCampbell
    Mar 24, 2017 at 18:13
  • 1
    But... If it's just a lever.... Why don't they just pull it themselves? O.o Mar 25, 2017 at 9:43
  • 5
    @thedarkwanderer They don't know which lever it is. Mar 25, 2017 at 13:11
18

This is addressed in the film's tie-in novelisations. Apparently the lowering of the shield was accomplished by pushing buttons rather than typing commands on a keyboard.

Chewie backed him up with a roar.
As Phasma pushed a few buttons, Finn looked at Han. “Solo, if this works, we’re not going to have a lot of time to find Rey.”

The Force Awakens: Finn's Story

The sequence did not require extensive typing.

He planted Phasma at a console and ordered her to initiate the deactivation. When she refused, he pressed his blaster harder against her helmet. “Do it.”
She did. A few keystrokes were all it took to bypass the automatic systems and start the sequence to shut down the shields.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens: A Junior Novel

2
  • might be worth seeing if Pablo would weigh in to resolve the potential conflict between novel and film
    – NKCampbell
    Mar 24, 2017 at 18:33
  • 6
    Hm. Typing a password that's no more than say... 10 or 12 characters seems to fit the description of "push[ing] a few buttons" or "a few keystrokes".
    – jpmc26
    Mar 24, 2017 at 18:55

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.