Darth Vader was Always a Light Jedi
July 15, 1999

Perhaps the most interesting character in the Star Wars saga is none other than Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker. Most people would simply pass him off as a mean spirited, evil man that achieves redemption through his son before he dies. I disagree, however. Instead, I believe that Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker were always the same person. He was never totally evil, and the evidence is apparent in all three films of the original trilogy. He was simply a Light Jedi that lost his way, due to a traumatic experience when he was young and easy to manipulate.

Let us speculate, for a moment, what happens after the events of The Phantom Menace. Anakin Skywalker is the newly appointed Padawan learner of Obi-Wan Kenobi and fledgling Jedi Knight. Something must happen in this time frame, at least between Episodes II and III, that makes Anakin turn towards the Dark Side of the Force. We know for a fact that in Episode III that Palpatine declares himself Emperor and the Empire begins its reign of terror over the galaxy. We also know that the fateful duel between teacher and student occurs, leaving Anakin near death. What could have happened for these two friends to have them turn on each other? This is not apparent, as of yet; however, rumours are sprouting up with the theme of a "love triangle" between Amidala, Obi-Wan and Anakin. Also, there are rumours that describe how Anakin begins his journey into darkness after finding out his mother was killed by the Mandalorian warriors in their siege of Tatooine. Assume that these rumours are true, for the sake of building support for Anakin's traumatic experiences as a young Jedi. Naturally, one becomes angry when events like these happen. In Anakin's case, much like his son's, the anger is not controllable. He then accepts the Dark Side and becomes the right-hand man to the galaxy's most evil ruler.

Fast forward to Episode IV: A New Hope. The first time we glimpse Darth Vader, we immediately sense evil. Throughout the rest of the film, we assume Vader is the ultimate "bad guy", who will do nothing but try and thwart the efforts of the "good guys", i.e., the Rebellion. However, if one looks closely, you can see that Darth Vader is not entirely evil. The events preceding this film must be taken into account, though. For example, Darth Vader senses the presence of his old Master aboard the Death Star. If he could sense Kenobi all of this time, why didn't Vader seek him out and kill him? If Vader is as powerful in the Force as it was predicted (the "Chosen One", his high Midi-Chlorian count) he could have easily tracked his Master accross the galaxy if needs be. Vader didn't, however, and this is because he chose not to. He knew that Kenobi was his last link to his old life, and wanted to preserve it. When Obi-Wan approached Vader in the hangar for the final duel, however, Anakin/Vader knew that his master was ready to die. Vader didn't want to fight him, but when he went into this situation, he knew what the only outcome must be. Not once in the film did Vader ever express an interest to eliminate Kenobi. Furthermore, in the Battle of Yavin, Vader decides to take out the small fighters himself to prevent the destruction of the Death Star. After he destroys Biggs, Vader has a clear shot of Luke. He could have easily placed the laser bolts, much like Luke did with the reactor shaft. Instead, he gave Luke a "scratch", and let him finish the job. I have a feeling that Vader knew who the pilot of that X-Wing was, due to his strength in the Force.

In The Empire Strikes Back, the evidence is plentiful. Darth Vader tracks the Rebellion to the planet Hoth, and as a bonus stumbles upon the young lad who blew up the Death Star. Vader knows the identity of this boy, and the potential that he has to become a powerful Jedi. In his discussion with the Emperor on board his Star Destroyer, the Emperor says that Luke must not become a Jedi. Vader, though, says that Luke should be turned to the Dark Side and become an ally to them. In Vader's mind, though, he is formulating a plan to overthrow the Emperor with the help of his son. Vader does not want to kill Luke, even though he claims that if Luke cannot be turned, he will destroy him. This shows that Vader is more interested in speaking with Luke than simply killing him. In the final duel, Vader again expresses his concern for his son. He reveals his true identity as Luke's father, and that Luke must come to the Dark Side so that they may overthrow the Emperor and rule the galaxy together. We know that Vader had betrayed and nearly eradicated the Jedi, but here is the moment where we actually sense that there is good still left in Anakin Skywalker's tortured soul. Luke is shocked at the revelation, and naturally resists Vader's plea. When we see Vader aboard his Star Destroyer after the duel, trying to communicate with Luke, we most defnitely sense emotion in Vader. The fight itself was not supposed to happen, Vader merely wanted to talk with Luke. It was Luke who was eager to battle Darth Vader.

Finally, in Return of the Jedi, the confrontation between Luke and Darth Vader on Endor confirms his feelings for his son. He must bring him before the Emperor, only because he is forced to. Vader has been living under the commands of the Emperor for too long. However, as the meeting between the Emperor, Vader and Luke plays out, we soon see that Vader is torn between two sides. The only reason Vader fights Luke is because he is defending his master, as he has been told to do. Vader does not want to be in that position any longer, and these feelings become actions when he finally tosses the Emperor down the reactor shaft. This is when we realize Vader has stepped out of shadow, and into the light forever. Unfortunately, the battle has damaged Vader such that he cannot recover and continue to live as a free willed Light Jedi. At this point it becomes clear that Darth Vader was a Light Jedi all along, and all he needed was his son to make him see it. As Ben said in his discussion with Luke on Dagobah, he ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. Luke was the key to freeing his alternate persona.

It may be said that Darth Vader was a Light Jedi who turned to the Dark Side, and was redeemed by his actions to save his son. However, I believe that Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker was a Light Jedi the whole time, who was confused and weak due to his embrace of the Dark Side at such an early age. He knew what he was doing was wrong, and all the while his master stood by watching and commanding him. Once his son came back into his life, Vader knew what he had to do. It was simply a matter of when. And this moment happened to be when he destroyed the Emperor, once and for all.

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