I saw a couple minutes of Jedi recently. I was born in 1973 and was part of the growing up with Star Wars generation. I've seen the films
10,000 times. Several years ago I sat down to play Star Wars Trivial Pursuit and won in two rounds (I would have done it in one were it not for a small
error). But like anything you've seen or done so often, it comes down a lot to the memories of who you were with on particular ocassions and the time
spent. For example, one of my sisters took me to see each of the original three films in the theater, even though the last one meant a long trip!
So now, I see this brief few minutes of Jedi, and I recall being back in undergrad at WVU from 1992 to 1996, sitting with my nerdy honor student peers
who also geek out for Star Wars, and we come to the scence where DarthVader announces his son Luke Skywalker is among the rebel unit that has tried to sneak
onto the forest moon of Endor, about which the new Death Star is orbitting and where the giant space station's shield generator is located.
The Emperor is surprised to learn about this and questions Vader's certainty...
"I have...felt him...my master."
"Strange, that I have not."
Someone chuckled. Obviously, in context Vader is hesitant to reveal he has sensed his son's presence through the Force because it may suggest he has
coflicting feelings and loyalities, but it kind of sounds like something else, doesn't it?
We get to the scene where Luke is explaining that he knows Vader is near because he has "felt his presence." Someone snorts. One of the kids, named
Brian, does a faux nanny routine, "OK, OK, yeah yeah, settle down."
Then we get to the scene where Vader takes Luke before the Emperor to become the dark lord's new apprentice. Now keep in mind, if you have seen the film,
that unless severely preturbed the Emperor talks in a soft voice with a beguiling quality. That quality, which can appear patronizing (as it was intended to
be in the context of the story), can also sound like the guy down the street tryign to lore kids with candy down to his basement to show them his private
collection of movies. And this quality is magnified in these scenes as the Emperor is trying to tempt and seduce Luke with the power of the dark side of the
Force. Yet it can also sound like he is trying to seduce him into something else (and swords, laser or otherwise, have always been an obvious phallic
symbol)...
(The following comes from BlueHarvest.net - in order to try to keep
filming secret, Jedi was produced under the name "Blue Harvest", just in case you were wondering about the name. Some emphasis added...)
Welcome, young Skywalker. I have been
expecting you.
Luke peers at the hooded figure defiantly. The Emperor then looks
down at Luke's binders.
EMPEROR
You no longer need those.
The Emperor motions ever so slightly with his finger and Luke's
binders fall away, clattering to the floor. Luke looks down at
his own hands, free now to reach out and grab the Emperor's neck.
He does nothing.
EMPEROR
Guards, leave us.
The red-cloaked guards turn and disappear behind the elevator.
EMPEROR (to Luke)
I'm looking forward to completing your
training. In time you will call me Master.
LUKE
You're gravely mistaken. You won't convert me
as you did my father.
The Emperor gets down from his throne and walks up very close to
Luke. The Emperor looks into his eyes and, for the first time,
Luke can perceive the evil visage within the hood.
EMPEROR
Oh, no, my young Jedi. You will find that it
is you who are mistaken...about a great
many things.
VADER
His lightsaber.
Vader extends a gloved hand toward the Emperor, revealing Luke's
lightsaber. The Emperor takes it.
EMPEROR
Ah, yes, a Jedi's weapon. Much like your
father's. By now you must know your father
can never be turned from the dark side. So
will it be with you.
LUKE
You're wrong. Soon I'll be dead...and you
with me.
The Emperor laughs.
EMPEROR
Perhaps you refer to the imminent attack of
your Rebel fleet.
Luke looks up sharply.
EMPEROR
Yes...I assure you we are quite safe from
your friends here.
Vader looks at Luke.
LUKE
Your overconfidence is your weakness.
EMPEROR
Your faith in your friends is yours.
VADER
It is pointless to resist, my son.
The Emperor turns to face Luke.
EMPEROR (angry)
Everything that has transpired has done so
according to my design. (indicates Endor)
Your friends up there on the Sanctuary
Moon...
Luke reacts. The Emperor notes it.
EMPEROR (cont)
...are walking into a trap. As is your Rebel
fleet! It was I who allowed the Alliance to
know the location of the shield generator. It
is quite safe from your pitiful little band.
An entire legion of my best troops awaits
them.
Luke's look darts from the Emperor to Vader and, finally, to the
sword in the Emperor's hand.
EMPEROR
Oh...I'm afraid the deflector shield will be
quite operational when your friends arrive.
Through the round window behind the Emperor's throne can be seen
the distant flashes of the space battle in progress.
EMPEROR
Come, boy. See for yourself.
The Emperor is sitting in his throne, with Vader standing at his
side. Luke moves to look through a small section of the window.
EMPEROR
From here you will witness the final
destruction of the Alliance, and the end of
your insignificant Rebellion.
Luke is in torment. He glances at his lightsaber sitting on the
armrest of the throne. The Emperor watches him and smiles,
touches the lightsaber.
EMPEROR
You want this, don't you? The hate is
swelling in you now. Take your Jedi weapon.
Use it. I am unarmed. Strike me down with it.
Give in to your anger. With each passing
moment, you make yourself more my servant.
Vader watches Luke in his agony.
LUKE
No!
EMPEROR
It is unavoidable. It is your destiny. You,
like your father, are now mine!
The Emperor, Vader, and a horrified Luke watch the aerial battle
fireworks out the window and on the viewscreens. Another Rebel
ship explodes against the protective shield.
EMPEROR
As you can see, my young apprentice, your
friends have failed. Now witness the
firepower of this fully armed and operational
battle station. (into comlink) Fire at will,
Commander.
Luke, in shock, looks out across the surface of the Death Star to
the Rebel fleet beyond.
Out of the window and on the view screens, the Rebel fleet is
being decimated in blinding explosions of light and debris. But
in here there is no sound of battle. The Emperor turns to Luke.
EMPEROR
Your fleet has lost. And your friends on the
Endor moon will not survive. There is no
escape, my young apprentice. The Alliance
will die...as will your friends.
Luke's eyes are full of rage. Vader watches him.
EMPEROR
Good. I can feel your anger. I am
defenseless. Take your weapon! Strike me
down with all your hatred, and your journey
towards the dark side will be complete.
Luke can resist no longer. The lightsaber flies into his hand. He
ignites it in an instant and swings at the Emperor. Vader's
lightsaber flashes into view, blocking Luke's blow before it can
reach the Emperor. The two blades spark at contact.
So, as these scenes are unfolding, the chuckling picks up, then at certain points (such as "the hate is swelling in you now", which the
Emperor says with a little too much pleasure and anticipation), the whole room just cracks up. Brian tries to nanny again, but it's no use, and with an
"F you guys" that trails off into laughter, we were just done.
