A Thousand Stars: Episode V, Part 26
Nov. 20th, 2025 01:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilMore strange scenarios from Luke's Jedi training. This is the second time Luke is pictured upside-down in this film, and not the last. Once again we're reminded of how all his preconceptions will be overturned in this episode.
Yoda is pushing him to extend his abilities beyond what he thinks is possible. Even in a discombobulated position, with the added weight of Yoda himself, he must learn to find balance, serenity in the Force. Granting him remarkable skills of telekinesis that, if you recall, he hadn't quite mastered in trying to retrieve his lightsaber on Hoth.
But Luke is still a long way from mastery. As Artoo beeps a warning, we see the ship sink. Luke's concentration vanishes along with the ship, sinking into the murk of dismay and doubt. (I have to highlight this quick glimpse of Yoda because it's hilarious, and easy to forget it's still just a puppet!) Then Yoda asserts that the same power of lifting rocks can be used to lift the ship. Luke is skeptical, only willing to give it a try without much conviction.
The sequence of Luke's attempt, dialogue-free, is mostly cuts between Luke's face and Yoda's. Incredible how much is conveyed just with Luke's struggle to concentrate and Yoda's attentive observation and subsequent disappointment.
Then, in response to Luke's claim that it's too big, Yoda embarks on an extraordinary discourse on the nature of the Force and how it transcends physical measures. Luke has learned not to judge Yoda by his size, hasn't he? As Yoda teaches, note how Luke is sitting beside him so they're roughly at the same height. Yet even after Yoda's compelling words, strengthened by the incredible quality of design and puppeteering that brings life to his expressions, Luke rejects the message. He stands, looking down at Yoda and dismissing his claims as impossible.
So Yoda has to teach him a different way. Wordlessly, as the music quietly builds in grandeur, he reaches out with the Force. Look at his hunched little body at the start. See him rise, and rise, and rise. The music swells, triumphant but never strident. Serene.
Luke, utterly astonished, has to physically touch the ship to assure himself it really happened. Even then he goes to Yoda and gasps that he doesn't believe it. Therein lies the root of his failure, for the Force user is nothing without conviction. And look at how he's standing in relation to Yoda now. Beneath him. No more looking down in contempt or disdain. He must be a humble pupil, willing to have unlearn what he has learned into order to be transformed as a Jedi.
Next time, sneaky shenanigans and the one person who isn't fooled...
Yoda is pushing him to extend his abilities beyond what he thinks is possible. Even in a discombobulated position, with the added weight of Yoda himself, he must learn to find balance, serenity in the Force. Granting him remarkable skills of telekinesis that, if you recall, he hadn't quite mastered in trying to retrieve his lightsaber on Hoth.
But Luke is still a long way from mastery. As Artoo beeps a warning, we see the ship sink. Luke's concentration vanishes along with the ship, sinking into the murk of dismay and doubt. (I have to highlight this quick glimpse of Yoda because it's hilarious, and easy to forget it's still just a puppet!) Then Yoda asserts that the same power of lifting rocks can be used to lift the ship. Luke is skeptical, only willing to give it a try without much conviction.
The sequence of Luke's attempt, dialogue-free, is mostly cuts between Luke's face and Yoda's. Incredible how much is conveyed just with Luke's struggle to concentrate and Yoda's attentive observation and subsequent disappointment.
Then, in response to Luke's claim that it's too big, Yoda embarks on an extraordinary discourse on the nature of the Force and how it transcends physical measures. Luke has learned not to judge Yoda by his size, hasn't he? As Yoda teaches, note how Luke is sitting beside him so they're roughly at the same height. Yet even after Yoda's compelling words, strengthened by the incredible quality of design and puppeteering that brings life to his expressions, Luke rejects the message. He stands, looking down at Yoda and dismissing his claims as impossible.
So Yoda has to teach him a different way. Wordlessly, as the music quietly builds in grandeur, he reaches out with the Force. Look at his hunched little body at the start. See him rise, and rise, and rise. The music swells, triumphant but never strident. Serene.
Luke, utterly astonished, has to physically touch the ship to assure himself it really happened. Even then he goes to Yoda and gasps that he doesn't believe it. Therein lies the root of his failure, for the Force user is nothing without conviction. And look at how he's standing in relation to Yoda now. Beneath him. No more looking down in contempt or disdain. He must be a humble pupil, willing to have unlearn what he has learned into order to be transformed as a Jedi.
Next time, sneaky shenanigans and the one person who isn't fooled...
