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Star Words: Episode VI, Part 11
Feb. 4th, 2021 09:03 amWith the adventure on Tatooine coming to a close, we return to the second Death Star and watch the Emperor arrive. The reception is even grander than the one that met Vader. Once again we note how Vader, otherwise so imposing and threatening, becomes passive and deferent in the presence of his Master. And this time he's not an oversized hologram looming over Vader. He's a stooped, ancient being who hobbles along with a cane. Oh, who else fits that description? Let me think...
Yes, the Emperor is the sinister version of Yoda, a chilling illustration that we should not allow appearances to deceive us. Within that frail-looking form resides an awful power, such that even the mighty Darth Vader bows before him. It's fascinating to me that Lucas created two striking, memorable villains within the same trilogy who couldn't be more different from each other. Vader towers over everyone, uses brute force. His booming voice is always serious, save a few instances of dark dry humor. The Emperor, meanwhile, cackles. He is positively gleeful in the practice of his evil. His greatest powers are mental, spiritual, metaphysical. Even his signature weapon, the lightning bolt, is completely different from the Force choke.
Well, let's look at their conversation. After a quick acknowledgement that the construction is now on schedule, the Emperor brings up "young Skywalker." For 1983 viewers, the question still hangs in the air. Was Vader lying, or is Luke really his son? Whichever, he is still obsessed with finding him. The Emperor assures him that Luke will come looking for Vader. And Vader will bring him to his Master so they can complete his turn to the Dark Side. The Emperor's confidence is quite unsettling, particularly with his final line.
"Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen."
Followed by the cackle. Quite shudder-worthy. Again, we see the dark version of Yoda's teachings. He explained to Luke that the Force could grant visions of the future. It seems the Emperor has exploited this power to manipulate events for his gain. We can, of course, doubt that his foresight is really that flawless, but in the very next scene we'll learn that Luke does in fact have good reason to seek out Vader himself. Other events will unfold with alarming similarity to the Emperor's predictions. If we add to that the way Palpatine rises to power in the prequels, it might seem that his victory is inevitable.
But. What else does Yoda say?? Always in motion, the future. Nothing is set in stone. One person's actions can shift everything. Anakin wasn't inevitably fated to turn to the Dark Side; that was his choice. And Luke will surprise the Emperor by making an unexpected choice.
Next, a bittersweet farewell....
Yes, the Emperor is the sinister version of Yoda, a chilling illustration that we should not allow appearances to deceive us. Within that frail-looking form resides an awful power, such that even the mighty Darth Vader bows before him. It's fascinating to me that Lucas created two striking, memorable villains within the same trilogy who couldn't be more different from each other. Vader towers over everyone, uses brute force. His booming voice is always serious, save a few instances of dark dry humor. The Emperor, meanwhile, cackles. He is positively gleeful in the practice of his evil. His greatest powers are mental, spiritual, metaphysical. Even his signature weapon, the lightning bolt, is completely different from the Force choke.
Well, let's look at their conversation. After a quick acknowledgement that the construction is now on schedule, the Emperor brings up "young Skywalker." For 1983 viewers, the question still hangs in the air. Was Vader lying, or is Luke really his son? Whichever, he is still obsessed with finding him. The Emperor assures him that Luke will come looking for Vader. And Vader will bring him to his Master so they can complete his turn to the Dark Side. The Emperor's confidence is quite unsettling, particularly with his final line.
"Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen."
Followed by the cackle. Quite shudder-worthy. Again, we see the dark version of Yoda's teachings. He explained to Luke that the Force could grant visions of the future. It seems the Emperor has exploited this power to manipulate events for his gain. We can, of course, doubt that his foresight is really that flawless, but in the very next scene we'll learn that Luke does in fact have good reason to seek out Vader himself. Other events will unfold with alarming similarity to the Emperor's predictions. If we add to that the way Palpatine rises to power in the prequels, it might seem that his victory is inevitable.
But. What else does Yoda say?? Always in motion, the future. Nothing is set in stone. One person's actions can shift everything. Anakin wasn't inevitably fated to turn to the Dark Side; that was his choice. And Luke will surprise the Emperor by making an unexpected choice.
Next, a bittersweet farewell....
