A while ago - maybe in August, I think - I posted about how, when I was a child, I was confused by Luke's confrontation with the Emperor. The Emperor said if Luke used his hatred to kill the Emperor, Luke would turn to the dark side. I didn't think that made sense, because up till then Luke had killed bunches of people without turning to the dark side. When I got a little older, I was tempted to call that just outrightly stupid. I had a different perspective on it the last time I watched the movie.
First, I have to say that it seems like I'm about the only person who thought Attack of the Clones had an interesting plot. (I'd like to rent the movie sometime soon to see what I'd think of it on a repeat viewing) Ebert said in his later review of Return of the Jedi that the most interesting characters in the Star Wars trilogy were those who reverbated most with the Force: Obi Wann, Yoda, and Darth Vader. I think the most intriguing character in Attack of the CLones is Palpatine. He has very little screen time, and every time he does appear, he's completely benevolent (with the exception of one scene near the end when he appears as Darth Sidious and palavers with Count Dooku) But he's behind every act in the movie. I think the possibility of a character that can pull off that kind of deception is very interesting. Imagine the discipline, ambition and patience that would require. The intellegence needed to put the plan together, and anticipate the actions of your opponents, while they don't even realize that they are your opponent. The complete lack of morality to have the intentions inherent in the project to begin with. I wonder if we'll ever learn how the Senator got the power of the Force without the Jedi being aware of it.
Anyway, back to Return of the Jedi. We didn't know much about the Emperor's personality from that movie, but know we do. He's one of the most manipulative characters in fiction. And this explains what he says to Luke. He's lying It's such a mundane thing, in a world filled with lightsabers, lightning fired from fingers, and mind control, to influence someone with something as simple as a lie. But it's totally in character for the Emperor.
And, he doesn't want to kill Luke, he wants Luke to change sides. The only way that'll happen is by Luke's own free will. What the Emperor was doing was playing off of doubts already in Luke's mind. Luke already knew his father turned to the dark side, so he must suspect the capacity for the same within himself. I think part of the Emperor's plan is that, by convincing Luke he has already started towards the dark side, it will be that much easier to make Luke actually join the dark side.
First, I have to say that it seems like I'm about the only person who thought Attack of the Clones had an interesting plot. (I'd like to rent the movie sometime soon to see what I'd think of it on a repeat viewing) Ebert said in his later review of Return of the Jedi that the most interesting characters in the Star Wars trilogy were those who reverbated most with the Force: Obi Wann, Yoda, and Darth Vader. I think the most intriguing character in Attack of the CLones is Palpatine. He has very little screen time, and every time he does appear, he's completely benevolent (with the exception of one scene near the end when he appears as Darth Sidious and palavers with Count Dooku) But he's behind every act in the movie. I think the possibility of a character that can pull off that kind of deception is very interesting. Imagine the discipline, ambition and patience that would require. The intellegence needed to put the plan together, and anticipate the actions of your opponents, while they don't even realize that they are your opponent. The complete lack of morality to have the intentions inherent in the project to begin with. I wonder if we'll ever learn how the Senator got the power of the Force without the Jedi being aware of it.
Anyway, back to Return of the Jedi. We didn't know much about the Emperor's personality from that movie, but know we do. He's one of the most manipulative characters in fiction. And this explains what he says to Luke. He's lying It's such a mundane thing, in a world filled with lightsabers, lightning fired from fingers, and mind control, to influence someone with something as simple as a lie. But it's totally in character for the Emperor.
And, he doesn't want to kill Luke, he wants Luke to change sides. The only way that'll happen is by Luke's own free will. What the Emperor was doing was playing off of doubts already in Luke's mind. Luke already knew his father turned to the dark side, so he must suspect the capacity for the same within himself. I think part of the Emperor's plan is that, by convincing Luke he has already started towards the dark side, it will be that much easier to make Luke actually join the dark side.
