The Right (and Wrong) Way to "Redeem" Space Fascists

Space Fascism is one of those big topics in sci-fi, from Helldivers to Starship Troopers. There's nothing easier than beating up a big evil empire full of conformity and evil, nor is there better social satire than one. But something happens sometimes where we create fascist villains and have to ask "Can they ever be better people?" Like with all things, there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. In this video essay, I will discuss the idea of redemption and fascist characters. Not all of these characters are strictly speaking fascists, but they all push the boundaries of how evil and wicked an evil overlord can be before we try to redeem them. And...why do we want to redeem them? By the way, the worst person in this video? He ain't in the thumbnail.... Thumbnail ‪@thecrimsonender‬ Editing Waverunner Special Thanks to ‪@HidinginPrivate‬ Chapters: 0:00 “Did You Have Fun? Did You Get Everything Out of Your System?” (Steven Universe, White Diamond) 3:24 Creators Seem Determined to Fix Evil People (Historical Fiction, Game of Thrones, Dracula) 6:21 Yes, even Shadiversity Does This (Shadow of the Conqueror) 6:56 People Love a Redemption Story (But Not Steven Universe’s Redemption?) 7:38 Space Fascists and the Power of Sci-Fi Allegory 8:56 You Are Not Immune to Propaganda 10:33 Fascism as a Cultural Force and Unlearning (She-Ra, The Walking Dead) 12:15 Darth Vader’s Redemption (Star Wars) 13:02 Redeeming Soldiers of Evil Empires (Peridot, Baldur’s Gate 3, Gundam) 16:55 Anakin Skywalker’s Fall into Fascism 19:54 Umberto Eco’s Ur-Fascism and Star Wars 22:01 Vader Never Rejects Fascism in His Lifetime 24:16 Let’s Talk About Frieza (Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super) 30:19 We Have an Easier Time Believing a Bad Person Can Be Slightly Less Awful (Frieza, Injustice, Frank Miller) 33:02 Muad’Dib, Paul Atreides (Dune) 34:57 White Diamond, Leto II, and Evil Immortals 36:21 The Conflict of Steven Universe isn’t Fighting Fascism 36:47 These Writers are NOT Fascist Sympathizers (Rebecca Sugar, George Lucas, and Lily Orchard) 39:45 Why Do We Keep Telling These Stories? 41:09 Dance Party and One Last Jab at Lily Orchard