How Close was Darth Vader to Joining Luke and the Light Side on Endor in Episode 6? (Legends)

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The Non-Canon Expert looks at the thoughts Darth Vader had both immediately prior and during his confrontation with Luke Skywalker on the Forest Moon of Endor just prior to taking his son to Emperor Palpatine on the Second Death Star, explaining just how close Darth Vader was to joining Luke and finding redemption back into the light at this point that preceded the return of Anakin Skywalker within the Emperor's throne room.
This is a Legends story for Darth Vader and the events of Episode 6: Return of the Jedi with information found within the Legends novels "Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader" and the Episode 6: Return of the Jedi novelization. I hope that you enjoy it!
Decisions by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/
A Dream Within a Dream by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: www.twinmusicom...
Artist: www.twinmusicom...

[@gwyndolin1536]

All you had to do was look at Vader's facial expressions during the conversation to see the conflict within in.

[@mobslayer211]

Alex BaBomb lol

[@honestjosh786]

LMMFAO not a typo

[@Warhammered]

Heh, funny. But on a serious note: Just look at Vader's body posture. That was telling about the conflict in itself.

[@stolasgoetia93]

@@Warhammered No kidding! Just look at how he reacts after Luke said. "Then my father's truly dead." How Vader acted after that was brilliant. Not only that but it was great acting from Prowse too. To convey such emotion without speaking and while your face is hidden behind a mask. Brilliant acting.

[@jadav1987]

Absolute shout out to James Earl Jones and David Prowse for their acting in this. You can see the regret and pain through the mask and the music interspersed with the mechanical breathing...hands down the biggest emotional punch (after I'm your father) in the original trilogy.

[@AmosTheTalented]

When Vader said, “It’s too late for me, son” I always felt he was saying that to convince himself more than Luke.

[@adrianb714]

That was not Vader saying that it was Anakin. He believes the horrible things he did made him unredeemable

[@stolasgoetia93]

"Then my father's truly dead." You can tell those words hit Vader like a train. But what I love about that moment is how even though his face would behind a mask you could tell how hard Vader/Anakin was emotionally hit. David and James did a masterful job acting without you seeing them.

[@krispalermo8133]

Acting through " body language," just the way the actor dropped his shoulders an lend back a little spoke volumes.

[@GokuInfintysaiyan]

I love the line “it’s too late for me... my son” Like he doesn’t believe in his redemption, because he knows just how far down the spiral he is. He killed Anakin, and Luke is bringing him back from the dead. It’s like Vader is crying for help but feeling dejected at the chance for it. An amazing scene from my favorite Star Wars movie

[@leonardmosca6852]

My sentiments exactly in Return of the Jedi that was one of my favorite scenes

[@stolasgoetia93]

@@krispalermo8133 Exactly.

[@scottmoore1614]

I remember seeing that amazing scene in a theater when ROTJ first came out. Of course, this is way before the prequels. We see and feel the human side of Vader for the first time here. A powerfully moving scene.

[@gabrieljenkins346]

Just here because the thumbnail has Luke’s lightsaber upside down.

[@TuberYouFan]

Thank you!

[@codygreen6285]

Gabriel Jenkins true true true

[@daltonroller2998]

Oh God, that’s gonna mess with me now. I cannot unsee it

[@George040270]

2:08

[@gabrieljenkins346]

EmperorNerd55 the blade is coming out of the pommel of Luke’s hilt, normally the blade comes out of the thin neck section.

[@WhosAlx]

“Vader would train him in the ways of the force with Sidious” Sounds like Vader forgot about a certain Sith Lord who had the same idea and lost his head.

[@arcanum1018]

He knew his son wasn't as conflicted as he had been when. He was younger

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

He was DEFINITELY having flashbacks when he was at Luke's mercy and Palpatine says "Good..."like oh Sith I have a bad feeling I know where this is going...

[@WhosAlx]

Grand Moff TFS Frieza voice: I feel like we’ve been here before. Have we been here before?

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

@@WhosAlx Frieza voice, "My God this IS happening again!'

[@moinmahmud6265]

And Vader was the man who ended said man

[@imperialistopinions2276]

This is still the way the Skywalker Saga ended, no question in my eyes

[@emilpeterson7034]

Dont forget. Rey Palpatine aka "skywalker" coverup won. Just change you name to a good one and you win. She made all the real skywalkers commit suicide. Pure Palpatine style!

[@SquirrelASMR]

@Anthony Karsten Tan yes legends still counts as canon to me

[@deadengineer6951]

789 isn't canon for all true fans so I guess even if stamped Canon on it really isn't anyways the Fans make the show

[@theboiswithmasks2469]

sequels are not canon imo

[@demonking86420]

@The Commission Darth Caedus > Kylo Ren

[@RyanTheDark]

Bet he thought of Padme saying something familiar years before that: *Come away with me. Help me raise our child. Leave everything else behind while we still can.*

[@darylsdesigns6679]

“Obi-Wan once thought as you do. You don’t know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master.”

[@chrisgioia8547]

Daryl Franklin, Jr. what I believe Vader was saying is that Sidious was too powerful too stop even if they joined together too fight him

[@lightray9573]

@@chrisgioia8547 nah he wanted Luke to join him because Luke had uninjured Anakins potential, with more training, Sidious would be outmatched especially if they 2v1 him

[@cpt_nate0327]

anyone notice how the lightsaber's blade is not coming out the correct side of the hilt? 2:09

[@ZacksRockingLifestyle]

I do now! Lmao

[@horrorfan1455]

I did too I Guess the artist wasn’t familiar with Lightsaber hilts

[@Mr.Momento]

Same

[@rockinHurley777]

Yes! How do they fuck that up lol

[@darrellhall6622]

Yes, I notice it right away.

[@Ben-xz3bo]

Vader: NOT YET

[@Ben-xz3bo]

Nana Painter palpatine guess I gotta do the thing again

[@CountDaedalus]

I bet Vader’s Sith eyes had turned back from yellow to blue during this confrontation.

[@mrschizo2837]

4:17 "Search your feelings *youngster"*

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

The sad way Vader says, "It is...too late for me...son." I think shows a deep regret and sorrow in Vader

[@sawbonesquad4876]

"No rivalry or secrets between them" Aww. So he really loved his son that much.

[@macwelch8599]

I believe he seriously considered it, but the Rebels would’ve executed Vader despite Luke’s protests

[@mssimomeschini3243]

Exactly, but if imperial navy decimeted rebel navy and win the battle, and accept a Vader emperor. He is propose a several reform pro rebel ideal e Leila second in life of succession. Only option maybe, but it's extremely improbably, save Vader's life and still a happy end for rebel.

[@thunderstudent]

Possibly, unless Vader, now Anakin made some sort of deal for his life. But he would still not be a free man, likely locked away in some remote part of the galaxy only known to Luke and others, spending most of his time alone.

[@darthcaedus9130]

They would've tried. Luke would stop them

[@Giescul]

Try executing Darth motherfucking Vader and tell me how that goes for you

[@Julian-pw5mv]

@@Giescul darth vader is powerful but the empire would have been shattered by that point, only existing in remnants, thus vader has no real supporters which means he would have to fight the entire new republic at the same time which even he cant do.

[@TheMugHoarder]

One of the things that hit me was the line "It's too late for me son". He sounds so defeated like he thinks that he is beyond redemption to himself. Although Luke might know some of the deeds Vader has done, Vader himself has done so much evil that he knows that he is a scar on the galaxy

[@red_menace1829]

Guys, we get it, the damn thing is upside down.

[@DinoDudeDillon]

Vader's priorities were with Luke the whole time. He was just in denial about that. Luke's existence broke down the walls he'd built in his psyche between the two personalities, Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader. He wanted Luke to join him as his apprentice, sure. But ultimately, he just didn't want to have to kill him like he killed Padme. When Luke refused to join him he was confronted with himself. Somewhere in him, he had a paternal instinct toward Luke. He just needed to be pushed into circumstances where he could no longer deny that about himself.

[@kitsunemetal]

Vader:oh boy i hope Luke doesn't know i killed the younglings.

[@agentzerored5255]

"Oh my Force! He's headed for the school!" 🤣🤣🤣 ~Charlie Hopkinson.

[@M0no]

Vader’s holding the lightsaber upside down

[@craigmcghee4]

Did you notice that when we see the picture of vader with lukes lightsaber ignited it was upside down

[@smiitchell3424]

wups

[@starwarsreadingclub]

I was wondering if anyone else would notice this! I only noticed it as I was uploading the video and regretted not being able to make an ending out of it. Nice catch!

[@smiitchell3424]

@@starwarsreadingclub we all make mistakes

[@onenerdygremlin]

@Lari was that really necessarily

[@SolaireFlair]

@Lari jokes are typically what we call "funny"

[@simonkawasaki4229]

2:02 lol, he is holding his handle upside down.

[@kilochampion787]

When you see the thumbnail and notice that Luke’s lightsaber hilt is upside down, I ask... how do you screw that up

[@whitewolf3051]

By smoking something fierce that makes one really high.

[@Chinny]

3:02 sidious has six fingers lol

[@konikonitrainerwill5969]

Its only on 1 hand as well,is that some kind of printing error in that art?

[@Sonnacs]

Can we all appreciate the lightsaber ignited from the pommel at 2:05

[@wesleymarshall6563]

@4:34 I really can't picture Darth Vader saying "Youngster."

[@Kpaxlol]

Imagine how he felt when he realized it's not just his son but also Padme's. Probably awoke old memories. Since the main pain that turned him came from losing her. And now he saw she left a son of theirs after her passing. He realizes he didnt lose everything like he thought.

[@DeathScepter]

Darth Vader gotten sick and tired in how Sidious treated him. Most Sith Lords would rather redeem and join the Jedi than Suffer under Sidious's heel or at least happily betray Sidious to the Jedi.

[@brianfiszman3179]

Most could have, none did. Not Maul, Tyranus. The closes case would be Asajj but it never came to that.

[@PapaEmeritus_4evr]

We the fans decide what is Canon not Disney. They can "suggest" what is and what isn't but in the end, we decide! To me, this is Canon.

[@justbeasty9095]

Sadly friend Disney kinda bought and owns it. Sooo y'know..

[@AntasmaTheBatKing]

I couldn't agree more, Master Skywalker.

[@PapaEmeritus_4evr]

@@AntasmaTheBatKing May the force be with you Antasma, The Bat King.

[@AntasmaTheBatKing]

@@PapaEmeritus_4evr May the Force be with you, too.

[@dying101666]

I always thought the light started to take hold at the end of the Empire Strikes Back.

[@lewskaanen812]

5:34 Luke did not NEED to be rescued from Palpatine's lightning. Luke intentionally allowed himself to be hurt by it to emotionally manipulate his father. Luke knew daddy's compassion for him would be Palpatine's undoing. Little Anny always put family first.

[@matthewschlosberg9923]

That’s bs he had no idea what force lightning was so he didn’t know how to counter it. He also looked surprised when vader saved him so it clearly wasn’t his plan

[@MrMan-vb7mg]

I can’t imagine the internal conflict instead Vader’s head during Return of the Jedi. Imagine being torn between two paths. Staying with a evil man who believes you are expandable or the son you’ve known only for a short time. The son who wants to help you and loves you. I love the depth there.

[@ryanm9105]

Thank you for not stretching your videos to reach the 10min mark. I actually try to avoid videos just over 10 minutes because I fear excessive padding/ads.

[@bleachedshadow9981]

“Anakin Skywalker is dead.” But whenever he has a son and has hope he calls Luke his son. Slowly but surely Anakin is coming back to life and not even Vader can control that. The two different people become one and it’s a power struggle like when Yoda has to face his dark self.

[@TeenWithACarrotIDK]

Does anyone notice how earth Vader on the thumbnail is holding Luke’s lightsaber and activating it upside down?

[@jamesmckinney6768]

Has anyone else realized yet that Lukes light saber is ignited upside down in Vaders hand at 2:20? Lmao 😂

[@falconwind00]

I believe when Vader mentions the power of the dark side, he’s not boasting. He’s actually saying he’s not strong enough to overcome it.

[@corvus3835]

I laughed so hard at the upsidedown lightsaber in the thumbnail 😂

[@Amonkai]

Laughed out loud when I saw the upside down lightsaber

[@roscoeblue3698]

Did anyone notice the lightsaber is upside down at 2:14 but still emitted 😂

[@soulreaver1983]

Outstanding amazing video thanks for yet another amazing Star Wars video!😎👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@airworthyimpact]

Fun Drinking game: Take a shot every time "Endor" is mentioned.

[@bluffcarrot380]

I love the way he says doubt 4:32

[@k1a2n3e41]

"search your feelings YOUNGSTER you know it to be true" loool the youngster part breaks Darth Vadors character a bit hahaha

[@mchughm16a4]

2:25 did anyone notice that luke's light saber was upside down?

[@vereen70]

I’m also pretty sure Vader understood the threat not only from the emperor, but also from the rebel alliance if they got their hands on him as well. Even If he and his son defeated Palpatine I’m sure both he and Luke knew the rebels would have hunted Vader down for his crimes against the galaxy, in addition to Luke for harboring him. Either way they where both doomed.

[@albertoswald8461]

I'll give you everything you said but when I heard Vader say, "It's too late for me.." in the theater I thought that there was an element of wistful regret in his response.

[@MultiJames95]

Or that it is possible that the ghost of Qui-Gon Jinn was guiding Anakin to his redemption, helping him in the conflict. Jinn foresaw Anakin’s future as Vader when he dueled with Darth Maul.

[@JefferyCheney]

2:15 TFW Vader is igniting the lightsaber....upside down??

[@cambamsuperman]

Go look at the thumbnail. Vader is holding Luke’s lightsaber upside down in the picture and the saber is coming out of the bottom of the saber handle

[@robhansen6553]

i contend vader wasn't actually redeemed when he threw palpatine over, he was the same guy who just seconds earlier taunted Luke into a blinding fit of rage. he merely wanted to save his son. I think he turned back when they took his mask off and he realized the lengths Luke was willing to go through in order to save his father. this ultimately touched his heart, and then he let go of the hate.

[@TheDarkSama]

Quick question how was Dart Vader be able to still wield a green lightsaber? didn't they use a stone that gives you the color bast on how you are with the force?

[@antimonitor4729]

No, It wouldn't affect a wielder could use it or not. It just because Sith are often using red lightsabers and jedi using other colors

[@KenzieWalker-h2c]

Sith need to undergo a process known as "bleeding" to turn a kyber crystal the iconic red, Vader had other things that required his attention and had no time to bleed Luke's green lightsaber crystal. Kyber Crystal's don't change instantly, it takes time and focus, neither of which Vader could devote at that time.

[@thepeskyone]

You you say that, then Vader's saber turned blue when he killed the emperor 🤦‍♂️

[@anotherhumanbeing3300]

The fight against the sith will never end as the force will always balance itself out and there will always be a Jedi for every sith that lives and vice versa the only way the cycle would end is if the force itself would become powerless to affect life at all or it itself being destroyed

[@dannyhuskerjay]

I think canon wise it’s hinted Vader was completely torn in this movie and he really did think of leaving with Luke on Endor to join the light again. But he was a slave to the dark side. I think I like that more as it’s more tragic and more powerful when he turns back . Beating the dark side and his former master .

[@krmass24]

Do a video about what the howling winds and evil energy release is when sidious is thrown down the shaft by Vader. Havent even seen the latest movie but heard he came back so was that him teleporting? Because in canon that was demonic winds and evil being destroyed. Now what is it :/

[@MySongOf_]

Supposedly when a very strong force user dies they die in a huge force of blue wind like that, emperor palpatine died then, however even in episode 9 it doesnt reveal how he survived, sadly you have to look up a video like this one to look up how he survived

[@jawstrock2215]

I dunno, Vader hearing Sidous says "Take your father's place, by my side" must have made Vader reconsider more then.

[@tron1007r]

That is one of the best scenes of any father son movie without a doubt.

[@ArteriusSaren]

Just imagine how quickly Rebels high command shit their pants if Luke bring Vader with him.

[@JohnnyCashFanatic]

Imagine if it had been Vader & Luke vs Sidious in the Death Star throne room

[@crystallakedood]

Did anybody else notice Luke's lightsaber is turned on upside-down in the comic?

[@bunnie12345]

That was awesome. Thank u .

[@algoraxmago1527]

Lol, grandma Luke at 4:36

[@edwardhuddleston1114]

I thought Vader had to hold on to his hatred just to stay alive The Darkside hatred was one of the things that kept him alive and if he hid let that go maybe he was considering that he would die if he joined the look in the light prior On Endor

[@mittensfastpaw]

I miss this but sadly Last Jedis taint was so bad the suits ruined Skywalker after. Johnson’s taint on Star Wars is now there forever.

[@AK-Drakoin]

@Mittens FastPaw Look at what complaining about the Last Jedi got us. We went from a movie doing something different having multiple introspective themes to an underwhelming ending that could have been the icing on the cake that brought the whole trilogy together.

[@mittensfastpaw]

@@AK-Drakoin Just because something is different does not mean it is better. The last Jedi tried extremely hard to be political and subversive just for the sake of doing so. Not because it would add anything to the movie. Plus Johnson himself said he thinks a good movie is one half the theatre likes and the other hates when leaving. That is horrible logic to go into making a movie. The suits intervened because the last Jedi was so awful it ran people away from Star Wars. So that even just an okay movie like Solo would do poorly at the box office for Star Wars. Only the Mandalorian has managed to bring some people back but they still swear off the movies now. JJ had a plan and Johnson ruined it just to do what he wanted. He is a hack and his movie was awful.

[@AK-Drakoin]

@@mittensfastpaw may I argue that doing something overly subversive is much more interesting and that by having such a strange way to tackle film making and content creating one can get an experience that all sides of the party can remember? As opposed to what we got afterwards which was predictable. Another statement you made bothered me aswell about how the last Jedi ruined the Skywalker saga. The plot points this movie has on the actual Skywalkers are the best part of the movie. This movie is either a slope spiraling downwards for some or a roller coaster rising high for others. Though which do you remember more from, The ride of skywalker or the last Jedi. Not only this but the possibilities that the last Jedi had originally brought to the table for a third movie was completely ruined. Does it matter to you that fans, who survived through the PREQUELS, were so off put by nitpicks and a few good critics of the film that they stopped watching Starwars and new content from this franchise they are so obsessed about? I know this is not good to say in an argument but that is pathetic. People got so worked up about it saying it ruined their childhood! Though I am curious, besides the argument of the 50 50 split of hating or loving the movie, can you explain to me more in depth why it ruined the Skywalker saga? Why it ruined Star Wars?

[@AntasmaTheBatKing]

@@AK-Drakoin I'LL tell you the long story short: IT RUINED ANAKIN'S REDEMPTION, HENCE HIS SACRIFICE WAS FOR NOTHING!

[@AK-Drakoin]

@@AntasmaTheBatKing or how about the whole entire sequel trilogy did that, not just one movie. All of them. None of them should have happened period for that specific reason.

[@Parents_of_Twins]

Empiral Trooper "Emperor we have a nice throne room for you overlooking the stars" Sidious "Any deep shafts that I can toss my Worther's originals wrappers into? You know I don't share Vader and he whines if he sees them." Trooper "Yes Emperor. One large shaft where you can toss your wrappers or someone if you desire" Sidious "Hmm that seems dangerous for my throne room. Send up some workers after I turn this Jedi and have it covered."

[@anakinskywalker2950]

That thumbnail is making me feel uneasy.

[@joethenotable331]

Hello There

[@darthambystoma1038]

General Kenobi

[@greengoblin5488]

You are a bold one

[@zioreturnsgaming]

Great video best out of the one's this year imo

[@Brownie-tg3nu]

That was basically Anakin on Endor. It felt like all the hate was out of him.

[@mourningstar11]

Just making sure im not the only one who noticed the upside down lightsaber

[@beaverswag6545]

2:19 so is luke's lightsaber double-bladed? Nice goof by the artist

[@wendigowithinternetaccess9651]

If vader turned to the light it would be interesting to see what changes he makes to his suit or if he keeps it the same, beings he needs it to survive.

[@avery8908]

There is actually a comic abt that, it’s called Star Wars Infinite: Return of the Jedi, his suit is basically the same except it’s white

[@wendigowithinternetaccess9651]

@@avery8908 awsome

[@albertortega7160]

The power of the Dark Side is absolute!!

[@nickipalmer2793]

i havnt even smoked yet but is lukes lightsaber upside down in Vaders hands @ 2:24 ? lol

[@kensmith2285]

I wonder if the artist forgot to realize that the lightsaber hilt is upside down, but maybe he did realize it's upside down lol

[@Quickscope-qb5ei]

Another great video as usual

[@78.BANDIT]

Wow...If you look at the picture of the comic where Vader is holding Lukes saber. Its been drawn upside down. And the blade comes of the bottom.

[@deaconschemper2745]

2:23 Vader is holding Luke's lightsaber upside down

[@TannerHarperReviews]

But what about Vader saying “it is too late for me, son,” when Luke pleads with him to run away from the empire in that scene?

[@andrewpaige1194]

I still think he either should have just let Luke strike the emperor down when Luke briefly gave in to his anger. When palpatine was saying “take your weapon and strike me down, and ur path to the dark side shall b complete”. Or just in case palpatine would have still somehow stopped Luke, if he sensed vader wasn’t going to defend him, he could have still “blocked” Luke’s strike, but let Luke “win” the clash, and not only have his strike follow thru and hit palpatine, but also push Vader’s saber into/thru palpatine, as well! That way IF palpatine SOMEHOW survived, it wouldn’t be just totally clear that vader betrayed him and tried to have him killed! I could imagine palpatine having a defense for Luke’s strike, if vader hadn’t defended him, but I find it hard to believe that he was ready to still defend himself when he sensed and even saw vader swinging to stop Luke’s strike!

[@sirewokthefirstidonthaveal2902]

Now this sounds very interesting

[@Graywolf335]

HAHAHAHAHA Luke's saber is upside-down XD

[@samdickenson5852]

Luke's ligthsaber blade is coming out of the pommel in the picture.

[@warrenrhinerson6373]

I just notice something, in the thumbnail Vader is holding the lightsaber upside down and the blade is coming out of the pummel

[@icebearplays7843]

I liked for ANAKIN Skywalker

[@theharpsichordofmozart4258]

If you look at 2:09 the lightsaber has been drawn upside.

[@tommievd9945]

2:05 ..... look at the saber lmao

[@BobbyB1928]

I think one reason was he was waiting to see who won at Endor. if the empire won, it wouldn't be a good idea to kill palpy cause it would create a power vaccum that would rip the empire apart.

[@MrRushWoods]

Hey Vader's lightsaber was ignited on the wrong side😂

[@dcspidey1218]

Lukes lightsaber is upside down when vader ignited it

[@urbexidiot]

When you're so powerful in the force, that you force the blade of the lightsaber out the wrong way

[@nathanirvine8611]

Good call did not notice

[@beffjezosgorilianaire3795]

One thing vader didn't consider; Had he and Luke teamed up down on endor whether dark or light, they didn't have to flee and "surely be hunted down by sidious and the empire." They would have just taken down the deflector shield, rebel fleet still shows up and boom there goes sidious and death star 2. Yea yea Disney retconned sidious survival, but his contingency plan would have still gone into effect and he would have still hidden away the next 30 years.

[@gabmacvlogs2232]

The thumbnail is showing Luke’s saber Upside down

[@cheshirekat3050]

I'm not surprised that Vader had little understanding of how to be a father. He had none of his own.

[@banop7794]

Luke’s Saber is ignited the wrong way…. @2:23

[@TheJuddly]

One day you otta say, “if not for meeee,.... for meee!!” Lol i know its stupid but it would be hilarious at least for me

[@cohenhenry7381]

You ever think what they talked about while on their way to the Death Star

[@pigtailedpetethepancakepen2781]

Lukes lightsabre is upside down in the thumbnail

[@indy1139]

2:19 im pretty sure lukes lightsaber is the wrong way round lol