I’ll write a Star Wars-themed post after observing May 4th (affectionately recognized as Star Wars Day).  In 1977, as a 9-year-old boy, I watched Star Wars at the movie theater in Puerto Rico with Spanish subtitles, even though I barely knew how to speak English.  The movie stunned and even fascinated me; even back then, I knew it would make a lasting impression.  However, I did not anticipate Star Wars becoming a franchise and, dare I say, a pantheon.  Though strangely, this is precisely what I needed.

As a child, I would’ve described Star Wars as science fiction.  As I grew older, I realized it was closer to fantasy.  It had its type of swords and sorcery with light sabers and the Force.  The classic conflict of good versus evil anchors the story, and it starts with the onset of the first scene of the first film, Star Wars (A New Hope).  Darth Vader boards the smaller captured vessel and immediately dominates the scene.  His imposing stature in all black symbolically earmarks him as the villain.

This post includes many plot points about the movies.  Spoilers ahead!  Caveat Emptor.  Also, apologies for moving through plot points quickly.  😉

The Seduction of Anakin Skywalker

Shmi Skywalker, a slave, gave birth to Anakin Skywalker from what is cryptically described as a sexless conception, which sounds downright biblical.  As such, Anakin was born into slavery and served along with his mom, tinkering and fixing things.  A small team lands and breaks down on that planet (Tatooine); they include two Jedi knights and Queen Padme Amidala.  They discover him and his abilities, and manage to purchase his freedom.  Sadly, they are unable to similarly purchase the freedom of his mom, Shmi.

Young Anakin starts training as a Jedi.  As he matures, several events transpire.  First, he develops a budding romance with Padme.  Second, he develops a friendship with Senator Palpatine, who watches his development.  Lastly, he returns to Tatooine to see and possibly rescue his mom.  Tusken raiders abducted his mother, and he arrived in her final moments.  In a fit of rage and retribution, he slays them all, including the women and children.  His explanation, “They’re like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals.”

Palpatine explains to Anakin that, as powerful as the Jedi are, they do not have power over life and death.  Some possess that power, but not Jedi.  The answer to protecting loved ones, like his mother, is learning to wield this power.  Palpatine subsequently exploits Anakin’s grief and anger from his mother’s death, and starts to tempt Anakin to the Dark Side.  Between this and the perceived threat to Padme’s life, Anakin succumbs.

By the end of the prequel films, the transformation to Darth Vader is complete.

The Darth Vader we first knew

By the time of the first trilogy, the Darth Vader we knew had operated in this role for decades.  During the first Star Wars film, we don’t see Vader’s dedication to his master.  We start by watching his imposing figure in lacquered black, decimating anyone who opposes him.  It’s raw seething rage.  He doesn’t merely aim to win the conflict; the cruelty feeds his existence. 

We don’t see any traces of goodness in him.  He didn’t shoot the messengers; he strangled them.  Sometimes he may do this with his hands, though occasionally he may use the Force.  Whatever happened to amuse him.

He tortured Princess Leia, his daughter, though we didn’t know it at the time, in an unsuccessful attempt to extract information.  He then proceeds to obliterate her home planet, again to extract information, which ended up being false.

Darth Vader then proceeds to slay his old mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Though this lightsaber duel seems comparatively simple to others, it captures our imagination and unleashes the possibilities.  We observed Kenobi’s expertise with the lightsaber before this duel and watched in awe as they battled.  If Vader matched his skill, then he is truly a formidable foe.

In the subsequent movies, we discover that Darth Vader is merely a puppet to a much greater master.  Our minds are left to wonder.  If Vader was a diluted version of his master, what would Emperor Palpatine be like?  We only get subtle hints of the eventual darkness.

A conflicted Darth Vader makes good

In one of the final scenes in Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker defeats Darth Vader, though now we know him to be Luke’s father.  This is how that scene transpires.  Palpatine edges even closer to fully seducing Luke into joining him; all Luke needs to do is slay his father and join Palpatine.  However, he refuses.  In a final act of frustration and retribution, Palpatine looks to end Luke’s life, while he pleads for his father.

The moments that follow are cinematic genius.  Through the use of music, camera angles, and gestures, George Lucas is able to convey how Darth Vader is conflicted about the killing of Luke.  You can watch his body language; you can feel his hesitation and his struggle.  As he watches the destruction of his son, Vader abandons his decades-long loyalty to Palpatine.

He picks up his master and launches him over the edge to his death.  Just like that, Darth Vader reverts to Anakin Skywalker.  He eventually makes good.

Darth Vader or Anakin Skywalker?

While Star Wars is fantasy, we all want to believe that, given similar choices, we’d pick the right one.  Even given years of mindless devotion to one figure, surely there’d be the one event that will snap you from Darth Vader back to Anakin Skywalker.  Would it entail watching the death of your son?  Would it mean standing idly by while Palpatine kills him?

Entertain the following premise:
Donald Trump is Emperor Palpatine.  You’re Darth Vader.

He suggests something that you’d find appalling under any other circumstances.  He asks you to do something that violates your moral compass; however, you’ve been loyally following him for years.  That MAGA hat has become part of your identity.  What if your leader:

• Was sued for racist housing practices?
• Uttered the words “grab women by the pussy”?
• Uttered the words “Kung-Flu” during a rally?
• Was convicted of 34 felonies?
• Mocked a disabled reporter?

Are these compatible with your moral compass?  What would he need to do to finally cross that threshold for you?  Slip his hand up your teenage daughter’s skirt during family dinner?  What are you willing to do on his behalf?

• Coordinate death threats?
• Alienate your gay or trans loved ones?
• Stand idly by as your immigrant friends and neighbors are harassed?  Their legal status revoked?  Detained?  Deported?
• Attack the US Capitol building?

In a country with Darth Vaders with red MAGA hats, be Anakin Skywalker.