"No, Luke. *I* am your father." Why did we buy it?

Cafe Society
1

I was 9 years old when The Empire Strikes Back came out, and absolutely loved it. But during the climactic scene where DV tells Luke to call him Pa, I immediately thought, “No way. He’s just messing with Luke’s head to get him to join the dark side (and score some free cookies).”

Of course, we find out Darth wasn’t lying in the next movie, but I recall that everyone I knew – kids and adults alike – was sure that Darth was telling the truth. Why? It was always a mystery to me why so few moviegoers seemed to believe that this treacherous, wonderful villain was just lying to gain an advantage.

Was I just a jaundiced, cynical lout at the age of 9? Or am I wrong to think everyone bought Vader’s story?

2

They got like them force powers that let them know if it’s the truth.

By that time Luke had been taking advice from a ghost, so maybe it’s not so strange to him.
You think he would have a few follow-up questions about how he met his mother.
Wait, is that what that tv show is about? I wish.

3

I recall one reviewer who thought Vader was lying - his theory was that Vader was Luke’s older brother, who had killed Anakin.

4

That would have made for a MUCH better movie and more sense to how Luke brings balance to the force.

Even more conducive to the balance theory would have Vader live at the end of Jedi.

5

Yes, I thought so too.

6

Here is why I bought it.

1.Luke’s mysterious parental situation.
2.It was clear Beru and Owen knew way more than they were letting on, they also perked right up at the mention of Obiwan.
3.Vader was obviously intrigued as HELL about that pilot who “the force was with” at the end of ANH, in fact he spent all of ESB looking for this pilot like crazy beyond what even the Emporer gave a shit about.

Again Luke and Vader both knew something was going on there.

7

I remember not buying it at all. Between 1980 and 1983 I thought it was a lie.

8

In one of the making-of movies, James Earl Jones says he thought right away that Vader was lying (they didn’t tell David Prouse, he found out at the screening).

I like the older brother angle.

9

The Thulsa Doom Effect. Anything James Earl Jones says sounds inherently plausible.

10

He wasn’t, really.

11

:confused:

Not sure which comic you think you linked to…

12

Link works for me…The Argyll Sweater Jan. 31

13

Because it was good storytelling. It tied up a bunch of loose ends. And because it was made way too dramatic to be a lie.

14

Nope. Looks like hot links don’t work and you’re returning to a cached screen, methinks.

15

because Luke searched his feelings and knew it to be true

16

This ought to be a permanent link.

17

Thank you.
So much for my clever posting of a relevant comic. I’m so ashamed.

18

That’s all true – I guess my 9-year-old brain wasn’t adding up those clues.

[QUOTE=BigT]
Because it was good storytelling. It tied up a bunch of loose ends. And because it was made way too dramatic to be a lie.
[/QUOTE]

Also very true. In my defense, anyone watching the prequels would be taken off guard by good storytelling from George Lucas!

19

It nitpick: He just said, “No, I am your father.” He never said, “Luke, I am your father.” One of those frequently misquotes. :wink:

20

Play it again, Sam. We don’t need no stinking badges.