An interpretation of the OT
Posted: 2002-10-21 11:58am
An intepretation purely in terms of the Empire versus Rebellion issue, and exactly why the Empire lost.
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Number one thing to remember before we get started: The Emperor is the Empire. With the Emperor dead, and no clear line of succession ... oh shit.
The Rebel fleet an Endor was the ENTIRE Alliance fleet (canon radio drama). I've heard a few times on this board "the rebel fleet was so small, if the Empire was so big, how could they have been a threat?".
Answer: they weren't a big threat. Look at the events of A New Hope. Does that look like a really threatening Rebellion to you? They were a thorn in the Empire's side, nothing more.
The major issue for the Empire in the OT is the hunt for Luke Skywalker. In comparison, the Rebellion was a minor issue.
Evidence:
- Let's just pretend that somehow Obi-Wan goes to the Death Star by himself to retrieve the plans, rescue Leia, and deliver the plans to the Alliance. Vader will kill him. But let's just pretend that Han manages to rescue Leia on his own, and delivers the plans. The Death Star is on its way to Yavin via the tracking device.
- Who's going to make the shot to destroy the Death Star? It was an impossible shot for a targeting computer: and Luke accomplished it through force instincts alone, obviously. Yes, Han Solo saved Luke from his father, but it's not like Han could've made the shot.
- "We have a new enemy, Luke Skywalker ... He could destroy us"- Emperor Palpatine identifiying the magnitude of the threat in Empire Strikes Back
Therefore, in my opinion the entire Battle of Endor trap was set up to kill two birds with one stone.
Of primary importance:
- Turn Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side. The destruction of the Rebel fleet and the death of his friends on Endor would be enough to let his anger take over. It almost worked.
Of secondary importance:
- Get rid of the Rebellion.
If Luke hadn't managed to turn his father back to the Light:
- The Emperor would have lived, and escaped. The destruction of the DS2 would've been a mere drop in the ocean- just like the first.
I don't agree that the reason the Empire was defeated was because the Emperor was pre-occupied with the Skywalker family drama. The reason the Emperor was killed was because he overestimated the hold he had over Darth Vader. As long as Luke Skywalker lived, he was the only thing that could stop the Empire- i.e. the Emperor and his Sith Lord. This was demonstrated dramatically in A New Hope. All else was secondary- the Skywalker 'family drama' was of utmost importance to the survival of the Empire.
Whaddya reckon?
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Number one thing to remember before we get started: The Emperor is the Empire. With the Emperor dead, and no clear line of succession ... oh shit.
The Rebel fleet an Endor was the ENTIRE Alliance fleet (canon radio drama). I've heard a few times on this board "the rebel fleet was so small, if the Empire was so big, how could they have been a threat?".
Answer: they weren't a big threat. Look at the events of A New Hope. Does that look like a really threatening Rebellion to you? They were a thorn in the Empire's side, nothing more.
The major issue for the Empire in the OT is the hunt for Luke Skywalker. In comparison, the Rebellion was a minor issue.
Evidence:
- Let's just pretend that somehow Obi-Wan goes to the Death Star by himself to retrieve the plans, rescue Leia, and deliver the plans to the Alliance. Vader will kill him. But let's just pretend that Han manages to rescue Leia on his own, and delivers the plans. The Death Star is on its way to Yavin via the tracking device.
- Who's going to make the shot to destroy the Death Star? It was an impossible shot for a targeting computer: and Luke accomplished it through force instincts alone, obviously. Yes, Han Solo saved Luke from his father, but it's not like Han could've made the shot.
- "We have a new enemy, Luke Skywalker ... He could destroy us"- Emperor Palpatine identifiying the magnitude of the threat in Empire Strikes Back
Therefore, in my opinion the entire Battle of Endor trap was set up to kill two birds with one stone.
Of primary importance:
- Turn Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side. The destruction of the Rebel fleet and the death of his friends on Endor would be enough to let his anger take over. It almost worked.
Of secondary importance:
- Get rid of the Rebellion.
If Luke hadn't managed to turn his father back to the Light:
- The Emperor would have lived, and escaped. The destruction of the DS2 would've been a mere drop in the ocean- just like the first.
I don't agree that the reason the Empire was defeated was because the Emperor was pre-occupied with the Skywalker family drama. The reason the Emperor was killed was because he overestimated the hold he had over Darth Vader. As long as Luke Skywalker lived, he was the only thing that could stop the Empire- i.e. the Emperor and his Sith Lord. This was demonstrated dramatically in A New Hope. All else was secondary- the Skywalker 'family drama' was of utmost importance to the survival of the Empire.
Whaddya reckon?