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Stupid Vader Question

Posted: 2004-09-21 08:58pm
by Stravo
I know this is a stupid questioon but I needed confirmation about something from those more in the know EU wise.

Is the fact that Vader was Anakin Skywalker a publically or at least well known fact in the Empire during ANH era?

Barring any revelations that we may get in Ep III how did Luke know that Vader's name was Anakin? In the films it was just a a fact that he knew, never explained nor was it explained in the novelization AFAIK. Owen's fear about Luke being too much like his father doesn't jibe with what we've seen in Ep II (Yeah Anakin was a booding child but no reason to be so glum about Luke being too much like his dad) and EPIII spoiler: we know that Anakin does not return to Tatooine in Ep III since I think it is well known that the only scene shot in Tunisia involved Obi Wan and an infant. So he couldn't have frightened Owen at that time. End of spoiler

So what's the deal? Is it a secret? If so how did Luke find out and what's up with Owen's attitude?

Re: Stupid Vader Question

Posted: 2004-09-21 09:09pm
by Executor32
Luke was likely told his father's name, Owen simply bent the truth a bit and said he was a freighter pilot rather than a Jedi. As for his attitude, Obi-Wan probably told him what happened and why when he dropped Luke off with Owen and Beru.

Posted: 2004-09-21 09:12pm
by Knife
I don't know how widely it was known, but in SotE, Xixor knew Vader's old name was Skywalker.

Who's your daddy Luke

Posted: 2004-09-21 10:06pm
by jawbertsc
I vaguely remember someone telling Luke if he was half the pilot his father was he be a great pilot. I think it was the radio version of ANH but I am not sure. I dont thing one should blame uncle Owen for not being honest its hard to keep them down on the farm after they become Jedi :)

Re: Stupid Vader Question

Posted: 2004-09-21 10:22pm
by Rogue 9
Stravo wrote:I know this is a stupid questioon but I needed confirmation about something from those more in the know EU wise.

Is the fact that Vader was Anakin Skywalker a publically or at least well known fact in the Empire during ANH era?

Barring any revelations that we may get in Ep III how did Luke know that Vader's name was Anakin? In the films it was just a a fact that he knew, never explained nor was it explained in the novelization AFAIK. Owen's fear about Luke being too much like his father doesn't jibe with what we've seen in Ep II (Yeah Anakin was a booding child but no reason to be so glum about Luke being too much like his dad) and EPIII spoiler: we know that Anakin does not return to Tatooine in Ep III since I think it is well known that the only scene shot in Tunisia involved Obi Wan and an infant. So he couldn't have frightened Owen at that time. End of spoiler

So what's the deal? Is it a secret? If so how did Luke find out and what's up with Owen's attitude?
Obi-Wan's spirit mentioned Anakin Skywalker's name on Dagobah, I think. Not sure, though. Or was that in his hut on Tatooine while he was still alive? Hmmmmm... *Detests being cut off from my copies of the movies while at school.*

Posted: 2004-09-21 10:25pm
by Stravo
I'm almost 100% certain that the first time we hear Anakin's name is when Luke says: "I accept that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father."

Posted: 2004-09-21 10:27pm
by Illuminatus Primus
Stravo's right; but general knowledge was not had; I think someone would've told Luke if it was general knowledge.

Xizor is special since he runs the second largest spynet in the galaxy.

Posted: 2004-09-21 10:58pm
by Fleet Admiral Blair
As far as the vast majority of the galaxy is concerned Anakin died on that lava planet after a fight with Kenobi

Right?

And Vader was just some mysterious tool of Palpatine

Posted: 2004-09-21 11:53pm
by Lord Poe
Stravo wrote:I'm almost 100% certain that the first time we hear Anakin's name is when Luke says: "I accept that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father."
No, check ROTJ after Yoda dies. Obi-an says Anakin's name. Something like, "..when that happened, he ceased to be Anakin Skywalker..."

Posted: 2004-09-22 12:31am
by Rogue 9
Ah, that was it. "He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man who was your father was destroyed. So what I told you was true. From a certain point of view."

Posted: 2004-09-22 12:37am
by Stravo
Essentially answering my question about Luke's knowledge. I haven't fired up ROTJ yet.

Posted: 2004-09-22 07:53pm
by President Sharky
Obi-wan also says, "Anakin was a good friend, but I was amazed at how strong the Force was with him", in the ROTJ Dagobah conversation.

Posted: 2004-09-22 10:36pm
by Praxis
Stravo wrote:I'm almost 100% certain that the first time we hear Anakin's name is when Luke says: "I accept that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father."
In ANH Obi-wan said something about how Darth Vader killed his father. I'm also fairly certain he coined the name Anakin in that conversation, but maybe I'm wrong.

Posted: 2004-09-23 12:19pm
by VT-16
You´re wrong, the name Anakin was never uttered until 1983, in ROTJ. In the 2004 DVD-version of ESB his full name is mentioned, but only by the Emperor. It was not there in the 1980-version.

Posted: 2004-09-23 01:10pm
by CaptainChewbacca
VT-16 wrote:You´re wrong, the name Anakin was never uttered until 1983, in ROTJ. In the 2004 DVD-version of ESB his full name is mentioned, but only by the Emperor. It was not there in the 1980-version.
"Anakin" was definitely in ESB, I've seen the 1985 tape I don't know how many times. Watch the ghost scene with Obiwan on Dagobah, he says it a few times.

Posted: 2004-09-23 02:02pm
by VT-16
I think you´re confusing the ghost-scenes in ESB and ROTJ. In ROTJ, Obi-Wan´s spirit sits down with Luke and talks about his father. In ESB he only appears to warn Luke of the dangers of facing Vader. He never mentions Anakin here, only in ROTJ.

Posted: 2004-09-23 02:07pm
by Stravo
CaptainChewbacca wrote:
VT-16 wrote:You´re wrong, the name Anakin was never uttered until 1983, in ROTJ. In the 2004 DVD-version of ESB his full name is mentioned, but only by the Emperor. It was not there in the 1980-version.
"Anakin" was definitely in ESB, I've seen the 1985 tape I don't know how many times. Watch the ghost scene with Obiwan on Dagobah, he says it a few times.
He most certainly does not. The only time we heard the name Anakin in the OT is ROTJ. Obi Wan NEVER sits with Luke on Dagobah and speaks to him in ESB. He stands with Yoda and urges Luke to stay when he preps to leave. That is the only time Obi Wan appears on Dagobah in ESB.