And this concludes the original trilogy of Star Wars, as we watched Star Wars Episode VI : Return of the Jedi on Wednesday.
In this episode, I could not help seeing Darth Vader as someone who is afraid of his master, and obeys mostly for fear of being eliminated as the Emperor has great power. It is interesting to see how he came to become "softer" when he found out about Luke, and while he still tries to get Luke to join the Dark side, it is not something he truly wishes for his son to do. At least the way I see it, it looks more like Vader hopes to defeat the Emperor with the help of Luke eventually. Granted, Vader may not be completely good at that time, but this is the good part of him that speaks. Luke tries to convince his father that there is still good in him, though Vader sounded like he paid it no mind, until Luke was led away by the Clones, mentioning that his father was truly dead, judging by Vader's words. Vader did not answer to that, and yet, even though we cannot see his face, it felt like he might have had a look of regret on his face then. A thought, perhaps, a doubt, that he is actually as bad as he himself thought in the first place.
As Luke is finally brought to the Emperor, he refuses to heel to the Emperor's attempts to make him feel hate and anger, and watches as the Rebel fleet endures a difficult assault from the Empire's forces. He eventually grabs his light saber but is blocked by Vader when he tries to attack the Emperor. Vader and Luke fight, although Luke says from time to time that he wishes not to fight his father. Vader knows how to bring Luke's anger up, and mentions that if he would not join them, perhaps Leia will. He was able to read through Luke's feelings and figure out that his sister was still alive, and Luke immediately went on the offensive, slashing repeatedly at Vader, eventually cutting off his hand which he was holding his saber with. After doing so, refusing to join the Dark side still and realising his mistake in reacting with anger, the Emperor decides he has to die, and starts shooting Luke with electricity which he probably draws from the Force itself. Vader walks up closer to the Emperor as his son is suffering, and he watches, while Luke begs for his Father's help. Eventually, and with what strength is left in him after the battle, Vader grabs the Emperor and throws him down into a deadly fall, killing the Empire leader. From then on, Vader was good once more, and we could say he was back to being Anakin, though this redemption came at the price of his life. He later asks to see his son with his own eyes, and admits to Luke, who wanted to save him, that he was already saved, thanks to Luke.
His dead body, still in the Vader armor, is then burnt like they would a king of old times, which I found was a really nice touch, a fitting ending for a great character.
Although I still wish he could have lived, buuut I guess it's better than him dying as a villain.
This was a really interesting way of watching the Original Trilogy, and I understood a lot more than when I watched it long ago...looong ago. xD
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