When I started this project I was hopeful that I would find the answers to a number of questions that have been nagging at me since 1977. Turns out, really, that the only questions that were answered satisfactorily were questions I would not have been asking if I’d paid better attention when I watched the films the first time through. I think much of Star Wars will remain a mystery. And since it’s the mysterious aspect of the story that I enjoy most, I’m pretty satisfied.

However, I did reach a few conclusions.  Some of these statements would seem pretty obvious to even a casual student of Star Wars, some might seem controversial, and some will likely turn out to be stupidly wrong.  Still, after giving the films a close look, it appears to me that:

• The droids are to be viewed as human characters
• Perhaps both droids’ memories will be wiped some time before Episode IV.  Certainly Threepio’s will be.
•  There will be an 18-20 year gap, never explained, between Episode III and Episode IV.
• Beru and Owen think Anakin is dead -- they don’t know he’s Vader
• In a blatant embrace of situational ethics, Ben flat-out lied to Luke when he told Luke about his father.
• The Force could be described as a religion, but really it’s a secular/biological phenomenon that Muggles like Tagge misunderstand. 
• Using the Force, Ben has seen his own destiny -- he walks through the events of ANH as though he really is following a script.  Even Vader knows they’re destined to duel, and that he is destined to defeat Ben.
• The term “Darth” is a (Dark) Jedi’s given name (like Tom, Dick, or Buffy); it’s not a title. 
• Luke finds Dagobah familiar simply because over the years the Force has been revealing this important part of his destiny through dreams.  Maybe.
• Vader employs deception and misdirection when talking with the Emperor about Luke.
• Yoda will take over for Qui-Gon Jinn, and continue Ben’s training in Episode II.
• Anger, fear and aggression comprise the Dark Side of the Force.
• Using the Force to attack equates to using the Dark Side.
• Artoo and Yoda know each other, perhaps indicating that Artoo’s memory was not wiped.
• The moral lesson of Star Wars is that we control our own destinies.
• Size doesn’t matter
• In Episode II or III Anakin will rush off recklessly to help his friends just as Luke did in Episode V.
• Vader’s line, “I Am Your Father,” will come as no surprise to future audiences.
• The Dark Side equates to evil.
• Yoda knows about Leia, but until Yoda tells him, Ben doesn’t know.
• Vader possibly is complicit in Luke’s escape at the end of ESB.
• Lucas teaches that the difference between right and wrong depends on your point of view.  The difference is not absolute.
• In Episodes II and III, Anakin will not learn the full details of the birth of his children.
• The children of Han and Leia Solo would make fine principal characters for Episodes VII, VIII, and IX.
• Goodness is the absence of hate, and hate comprises anger, fear and aggression.
• In Episodes II and/or III we will see Anakin embrace the Dark Side for a noble purpose: as a means of saving his friends.
• Vader goes to his death willingly -- he knows it’s his destiny.  So let’s see…he’s born of a virgin, nobly sacrifices himself, saves the world, and rises again.  Hmmm….
• Plot threads that are never resolved:

1) Anakin doesn’t acknowledge his droids at the end of ROTJ.
2) Leia’s aptitude for the Force is never explored.
3) Others?

My in-depth review of the films was a lot of fun.  So what if my "discoveries" are not particularly profound.  It’s a great way to pass the time until Episode II, and I'd recommend the exercise to anyone who likes the films. 

Bill Anderson
7/15/01