25 most heroic Star Wars moments of all-time
By Kara Hedash
5. Darth Vader saves his son
Movie: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Characters involved: Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine
The character of Anakin Skywalker was one of the most complex figures within the galaxy. His evolution in becoming Darth Vader was the focus of the entire sequel trilogy. Despite the awful things he accomplished after accepting the dark side, he slightly redeemed himself in Return of the Jedi.
Throughout the final movie of the original trilogy, Darth Vader assisted Emperor Palpatine in the supervision of building the second Death Star. At one point, Luke surrendered to his father with the intention of helping him come to the light side. Darth Vader took Luke to meet Palpatine where it became clear that the Emperor had plans to replace Vader with Luke. Palpatine tried to get Luke to accept the darkness but it caused Vader and Luke to enter in another lightsaber duel.
During the duel, Luke severed Vader’s hand and Palpatine ordered him to kill his father to take his place. Luke refused so Palpatine used Force lightning to torture him. Vader stepped in and killed Palpatine to save his son.
The action mortally wounded Vader, but he greatly redeemed himself in the eyes of Luke. Finally unmasked, Anakin admitted that were was good still in him, something that Luke believed about his father for quite some time.