Like all Star Wars films, the final segment tells its story through visuals and music rather than dialogue. But the last exchange of lines is significant to, as a simple but perfect resolution to Han's character arc and his romance with Leia. As they watch the Death Star's destruction overhead, Han tries to reassure Leia that Luke got out safely. ( Read more... )

This entry happens to come at a very emotional time for me. My beloved mother-in-law is quite sick, after over a year of enduring cancer, and we don't anticipate that she'll be here much longer. So when I write about Luke saying good-bye to his father, it hits very close to home.

Anakin's final words are quite moving. You were right about me. Tell ( Read more... )

Gently Luke removes his father's mask. It's not exactly what you'd call a pretty sight underneath...but that doesn't matter. Anakin's eyes look upon his son this one time, and they are filled with pride and love. He is content to let Luke go. Alarmed, Luke insists that Anakin will come with him.

"I'll not leave you here. I've got to save you."
"You ( Read more... )

Luke's plea does not go unheard. After years of bondage, Anakin at last breaks the chains of the Dark Side and steps forward to rescue his son.

Brief aside -- why does this mark a return to good, when all he's doing is killing someone? Killing is violent and aggressive, right? Isn't that just another fruit of the Dark Side? Sometimes, yes. The ( Read more... )

The Emperor is none too pleased with Luke's decision, to put it lightly. If he's been denied the pleasure of luring another Jedi to the Dark Side, then at least he'll glory in a tortuous kill. He unleashes his nastiest weapon -- lightning summoned from his own fingertips. Not a quick, painless death. He prolongs it with vicious glee, pausing to ( Read more... )

And now we come to the crowning moment of the saga. This is the point of the entire story, the transcendent victory of good over evil. It does not come through fancy piloting or swordplay, nor through clever stratagems and ploys. It comes from nothing less than the integrity of the hero's choices, the staunch refusal to descend to the level of the ( Read more... )

Luke continues to resist Vader's taunts, but they're growing harder and harder to ignore. Though he keeps silent at the mention of his friends, his thoughts are deafening. And though he's hiding his physical form, those thoughts are clear as day to Vader.

(Brief aside -- I have to register my thorough dislike of the "interrogation" used by the Darth ( Read more... )

The tide has turned on Endor, thanks to Han's impression of an Imperial officer inside the walker. This will, in turn, bring hope for the Rebels battling the Death Star and the Empire's mighty fleet. But in the throne room, matters are still very bleak.

Luke is hiding, a wise way to avoid aggression. Vader is determined to draw him out, searching ( Read more... )

What a contrast this duel has to the first encounter between Luke and Darth Vader. In Episode V, Luke was a brash, callow acolyte in the Jedi arts, determined to prove himself and avenge the deaths of Obi-Wan and (he supposes) his father. He is the aggressor, refusing to back down even when it's obvious he is terribly outmatched. Vader goads him, ( Read more... )

Ewoks are dying, the brute force of Imperial weaponry is overwhelming, and Han's attempt to hotwire the door has the opposite effect. But then, bit by bit, the tide begins to turn. Chewie and a pair of Ewoks take over a chicken walker, and some ingenious handmade traps dispose of other walkers. The sheer numbers and creative determination of the ( Read more... )