What Questions Do You Want Answered in RotS?

[MrAnderson]

Why was Luke or Leia or both not left with Yoda or Obi Wan to train fully on becoming a Jedi to defeat Vader and Palpatine?

That would have made sense, to be honest. For them to be both trained as Jedi.

The only answer I can think of was both Obi-wan and Yoda were disillusioned with the Jedi order as it was falling... and so sought refuge. It still doesn't excuse either one for being derelict in their duties. Both Luke and Leia could have been powerful Jedi - Luke caught on pretty quick to rudimentary Jedi skills while they were heading for Alderaan, while Leia seemed able to use Jedi skills instinctively (picking up Luke's psychic distress call at Bespin), and yet neither one was trained even though the PT explicitly mentions the younger you start the better the training.

I just think the death and destruction of the War and the Jedi was too much for either one of them. Yoda probably blamed himself for not seeing the folly of the Jedi way (at the time), and not being able to sense the Sith Ascendancy in clearer detail, so he retreats to isolation in an attempt to 're-aquaint' himself with it. Obi-wan, after 'killing' Anakin, and maybe Padme indirectly (perhaps she was caught in the crossfire, which may be the impetus for the duel...), probably thinks to himself "I such as a teacher" and simply retreats into isolation in a remote corner of the galaxy where no-one would be hurt or caught in between if hunter-killers come after him.

This STILL doesn't explain why the twins were separated. They (Vader and Palpatine) didn't know Anakin had offspring to begin with, so separating them to 'protect' them is a stupid excuse. If they had been sent to isolation then they could have been trained in secret. Why does Ben give Luke over to Owen? Why does Leia go to Bail Organa? These are questions that are in sore need of answering...

One other possibility is that the twins weren't separated by choice, but by necessity. For some reason. Maybe they were attacked and had to split up?

Well, we'll find out next year I guess...

I just figured that neither Yoda or Obi Wan ever felt that they would be guarunteed safe enough to have the twins with them. If Vader or the Emperor had decided to hunt one or the other of them down then the disaster would have been compounded further if the twins had been found as well.

[Knife]

Mostly, I just want to know about the whole 'some Jedi disappear and some don't when they die' thing.

Obvioulsy, I want to know what specific thing drives Anikin over to the darkside. Perhaps Padme comes to her senses and divorses him, perhaps Anikin thinks the Jedi are plotting to 'remove or take away' his illegal child, perhaps he thinks Obi is having an affair with his wife.

[JME2]

Since I'm such a huge fan of Ian McDiarmid, I hope we get more answers about the background of Palpatine / Sidious (not all the details though).

Cloak of Deception gave us his political background. As for his Sith training, either ROTS will answer that or another novel/comic/fanfic will fill in the gaps.

[Galvatron]

If I were handling things, I'd make Anakin's fall more a matter of his ideology coming into direct conflict with that of the Jedi. Fed up with the Republic's bureaucratic ineptitude and corruption, he rebels against the order and embraces the dark side of the Force as the means to achieve a noble end: peace and order.

[Rogue 9]

Mostly, I just want to know about the whole 'some Jedi disappear and some don't when they die' thing.

My personal theory is that when a Jedi's lifespan has been prolonged past its natural limits by the Force, the body disappears. When this is not the case, the body remains. Yoda would in all likelihood have died a natural death long before any of the movies if the Force had not sustained him.

[Knife]

Mostly, I just want to know about the whole 'some Jedi disappear and some don't when they die' thing.

My personal theory is that when a Jedi's lifespan has been prolonged past its natural limits by the Force, the body disappears. When this is not the case, the body remains. Yoda would in all likelihood have died a natural death long before any of the movies if the Force had not sustained him.

Tis a good theroy, akin to something I read about 'attaching' themselves to some on so when they die, they can look after em. Like I said, tis one of the few 'technical' questions I do want answered.

[Galvatron]

My personal theory is that when a Jedi's lifespan has been prolonged past its natural limits by the Force, the body disappears. When this is not the case, the body remains. Yoda would in all likelihood have died a natural death long before any of the movies if the Force had not sustained him.

Then why did Obi-Wan disappear? The prequels indicate that he was at his natural age in the OT, assuming he wasn't already much older than he looked in TPM.

[Rogue 9]

My personal theory is that when a Jedi's lifespan has been prolonged past its natural limits by the Force, the body disappears. When this is not the case, the body remains. Yoda would in all likelihood have died a natural death long before any of the movies if the Force had not sustained him.

Then why did Ob-Wan disappear? The prequels indicate that he was at his natural age in the OT, assuming he wasn't already much older than he looked in TPM.

I dunno. Cancer or something? Force-healed after some near-fatal injury or other? I know its not perfect.

[Elheru Aran]

My personal theory is that when a Jedi's lifespan has been prolonged past its natural limits by the Force, the body disappears. When this is not the case, the body remains. Yoda would in all likelihood have died a natural death long before any of the movies if the Force had not sustained him.

Then why did Ob-Wan disappear? The prequels indicate that he was at his natural age in the OT, assuming he wasn't already much older than he looked in TPM.

IIRC, there's been this theory floating around awhile-- I don't remember who thought it up, but it makes a lot of sense to me. The basic idea is, when in deep concentration upon the Force, Jedi are capable of becoming not entirely physical, partially composed of the Force itself. If they are killed during this meditation, their body simply dissolves, consumed by the Force; this also explains Palpatine going boom at the end of ROTJ. While this theory has some problems, it explains a lot of other things (for example, Obi-wan might've been engaged in Battle Mediation during his final duel with Vader). Tis not the whole thing though... if I remembered where it came from (some thread here in SDnet actually, IIRC), i'd supply the source happily...

[Crown]

IIRC, there's been this theory floating around awhile-- I don't remember who thought it up, but it makes a lot of sense to me. The basic idea is, when in deep concentration upon the Force, Jedi are capable of becoming not entirely physical, partially composed of the Force itself. If they are killed during this meditation, their body simply dissolves, consumed by the Force; this also explains Palpatine going boom at the end of ROTJ. While this theory has some problems, it explains a lot of other things (for example, Obi-wan might've been engaged in Battle Mediation during his final duel with Vader). Tis not the whole thing though... if I remembered where it came from (some thread here in SDnet actually, IIRC), i'd supply the source happily...

If it was from SDnet, then it was probably me from this thread;

My theory; In order for Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to move that fast they needed to 'take on' huge quantities of Force energy. Imagine that a Jedi walks in 2 worlds, our reality and the Force. When a Jedi 'silences his mind' he can hear the will of the Force. 'So it controls my actions?' 'Partially, but it also obeys your command.' In the above scene we are given a direct example of command over the Force other than telekenisis. Here a Jedi uses the Force, not to move physical objects not conected to them, but to 'impower' themselves. So here is the crincher; 'Strike me down Vader, and I will become more powerfull than you could possibly imagine.' What if, the translucancy is due to the fact that a Jedi is drawing so deeply on the Force, at such tremondous levels to apply it on himself, that he is nearly becomming one with it? However because he has yet to relinquish his hold on his physical form, he can come back from the brink.

It would explain the 'traslucense', wouldn't you say? Also I should point out that this theory is pleasing to all of you, because I have my own reason's for suggesting it. Shhhh But does it make sense?

There is more in the thread proper.

[Solauren]

Here's what I want answered:
How does Padme die?
How much was the 'birth' of the Empire embraced by the galaxies population?
How effective are Stormtroopers/Clonetroopers against fully trained Jedi?
Who was born first, Luke or Leia?

and finally....

Why doesn't Palpatine capture Padme to use as a bargaining chip to control Vader should the need arise? Or rather, did he, and she's hidden in a stasis booth on Coruscant somewhere......

[Meest]

Mostly, I just want to know about the whole 'some Jedi disappear and some don't when they die' thing.

Obvioulsy, I want to know what specific thing drives Anikin over to the darkside. Perhaps Padme comes to her senses and divorses him, perhaps Anikin thinks the Jedi are plotting to 'remove or take away' his illegal child, perhaps he thinks Obi is having an affair with his wife.

I always thought that they foreshadowed this with Anakin saying one day he will learn to stop people from dying. Would be cool if he actually tells Yoda before his fall or Yoda teaches him. Or Anakin finds it in one of Yoda's holocrons without permission.

[Stofsk]

I just figured that neither Yoda or Obi Wan ever felt that they would be guarunteed safe enough to have the twins with them. If Vader or the Emperor had decided to hunt one or the other of them down then the disaster would have been compounded further if the twins had been found as well.

Except that neither Vader nor the Emperor knew Anakin Skywalker had offspring. Which means Padme hides her pregnancy in ROTS. So 'secrecy' is already being used as a defence against the Bad Guys. Now, to your point about Yoda or Ben not being close to either one should hunters come a'knockin' that fails given that Luke and Ben were in close proximity to each other (and it was implied in the movie at least that they've met before, even if Luke didn't know Ben Kenobi was indeed Obi-wan Kenobi).

So if Luke was being 'guarded' by Ben, why wasn't Leia being equally guarded by Ben or Yoda? They're brother and sister. It makes no sense to 'break them up' just to protect them since no-one knows they're Anakin's children. They've already got an important advantage, and that is secrecy. Ben and Yoda can train them in isolation, when they're young, and jumpstart the Jedi Order with TWO fresh and powerful knights rather than hedging their bets on one. Yoda says in ESB "There is another..." But who the hell is going to train her? He's on death's door and Ben is already dead.

[JME2]

Perhaps both were originally set to be on Tatooine, but got seperated. Maybe Obi-Wan was sexist in his choices - who knows? ]You have to admit though, hiding Luke on Tatooine was a stroke of genius; after all, there's no reason in hell Vader would come back to the planet that held so many bad memories for him (also another reason for getting the ISD's out of orbit ASAP).]

In any event, ROTS will hopefully provide the answers we seek.

[Dorsk 81]

<snip>

Also, why the hell would she be hidden with Bail Organa, he's a politician, spending lots of time on Courascant, where his adopted daughter may come to stay with him, where the Emporer or Vader many possibly sense her.

And that raises a good question, how come Vader could sense Luke was strong with the Force while he was chasing him down the Death Star trench and there was space between them, yet he couldn't sense Leia in the Force and he was standing less than a meter in front of her?!

[Galvatron]

And that raises a good question, how come Vader could sense Luke was strong with the Force while he was chasing him down the Death Star trench and there was space between them, yet he couldn't sense Leia in the Force and he was standing less than a meter in front of her?!

Because he was actually using the Force, perhaps?

[Dorsk 81]

And that raises a good question, how come Vader could sense Luke was strong with the Force while he was chasing him down the Death Star trench and there was space between them, yet he couldn't sense Leia in the Force and he was standing less than a meter in front of her?!

Because he was actually using the Force, perhaps?

I always assumed Luke didn't actually use the Force till he aimed and fired the proton torps, as we already know he's "not a bad pilot" himself, even before he starts using the Force properly with Obi, I attributed his flying skills to talent rather than the Force

[Stofsk]

Perhaps both were originally set to be on Tatooine, but got seperated.

Then why was the separation permanent?

Maybe Obi-Wan was sexist in his choices - who knows? You have to admit though, hiding Luke on Tatooine was a stroke of genius; after all, there's no reason in hell Vader would come back to the planet that held so many bad memories for him (also another reason for getting the ISD's out of orbit ASAP).

Hiding Leia in the same place would have also been advisable.

Also, why the hell would she be hidden with Bail Organa, he's a politician, spending lots of time on Courascant, where his adopted daughter may come to stay with him, where the Emporer or Vader many possibly sense her.

EXACTLY! Tattooine is the perfect place to hide the twins, as it's the one place where Vader would least want to return to. So why was Leia put on a Core world where she would be much 'closer' to the Emperor and Vader and thus in greater risk?

The ROTJ novelisation simply mentions that they were separated at birth to protect them, but I've already pointed out how that's dumb. (incidentally, the ROTJ novelisation mentions Owen as being Obi-wan's brother, at least my copy does... page 79 for any who're interested in verifying) The odd thing is to protect Luke they make him a live the life of a pauper. To protect Leai they make her live the life of a... princess. Can anyone see a problem with this?

[Galvatron]

I always assumed Luke didn't actually use the Force till he aimed and fired the proton torps, as we already know he's "not a bad pilot" himself, even before he starts using the Force properly with Obi, I attributed his flying skills to talent rather than the Force

Young Anakin unconsciously used the Force when he pod-raced. That's why he was so good at it.

Same principle applies to Luke in the DS trench run.

[Dorsk 81]

Young Anakin unconsciously used the Force when he pod-raced. That's why he was so good at it.

He can't have been that good if he only ever won/finished one race.
Qui Gon must have sensed Anakin through the Force when he wasn't using it, that or he made an assumption.

Vader also sensed Luke on the shuttle in RotJ and Luke wasn't using the Force, apart from sensing Vader. Luke also sensed Vader on Endor when they must have been some distance away, more than the shuttle or the trench at the very least.

[Vympel]

Except that neither Vader nor the Emperor knew Anakin Skywalker had offspring. Which means Padme hides her pregnancy in ROTS.

Modify that- Anakin knew she was pregnant, he didn't know they children were alive. To suggest that Anakin didn't know she was pregnant (you can't hide that sort of thing from your SO, especially when almost 9 months is up) is just- no.

[Stofsk]

Except that neither Vader nor the Emperor knew Anakin Skywalker had offspring. Which means Padme hides her pregnancy in ROTS.

Modify that- Anakin knew she was pregnant, he didn't know they children were alive. To suggest that Anakin didn't know she was pregnant (you can't hide that sort of thing from your SO, especially when almost 9 months is up) is just- no.

ROTJ novelisation says the reverse: page 79, Ben tells Luke "When your father left, he didn't know your mother was pregnant."

ROTS might come along and contradict lower-tier canon, but there's nothing established yet that suggests Anakin knew Padme was pregnant. Given he was off fighting the Clone Wars she may have been impregnanted just before a long campaign. She gives birth before they see each other again.

Or... maybe he rapes her as part of the dark side spiral he goes down, and she runs away fearful of him - carrying the twins inside her and he not knowing she's become pregnant. Obi-wan finds out and confronts Anakin. Fight ensues. Jesus, that's so disturbing to contemplate...

[Galvatron]

He can't have been that good if he only ever won/finished one race. Qui Gon must have sensed Anakin through the Force when he wasn't using it, that or he made an assumption.

The Force is what enabled Anakin to pod-race at all. No other humans had the reflexes to pull it off...

Anakin Skywalker is the only known human capable of handling the extreme speeds of Podracing. His small frame allowed him to sit in the tiny cockpit, and his superhuman reflexes gave him the advantage he needed to keep up with alien competitors better suited to the sport. Anakin's reflexes were actually the product of Force-intuition -- the boy could see events before they happened, and respond to them in kind.

And until TPM, his pod racer wasn't up to snuff. He didn't lack the necessary abilities, just the hardware.

Vader also sensed Luke on the shuttle in RotJ and Luke wasn't using the Force, apart from sensing Vader. Luke also sensed Vader on Endor when they must have been some distance away, more than the shuttle or the trench at the very least.

I assume Jedi always exude a presence in the Force that can be sensed by others, unless they're experienced and skilled enough to conceal it.

[JME2]

I assume Jedi always exude a presence in the Force that can be sensed by others, unless they're experienced and skilled enough to conceal it.

Palpatine's concealing of his Dark Side powers helps to support this.

[Bob the Gunslinger]

The Midichlorians. It was said that would be explained. But they seemingly forgot about it except for one line in AotC. I want to know, damn it. A firm explanation.

Even more important: what is this prophecy about the Force being out of balance? How does Anakin or Luke bring it back? Where does the prophecy come from?

This all probably ties right into the Midichlorian virgin birth, so we should get both answers... hopefully.