Star Wars: 5 times the Prequels changed views of the Original Trilogy

The main purpose of the Prequels was to provide a further backstory in the Star Wars Universe. The three films did just that.

The Star Wars Prequels have certainly seen their fair share of criticism over the years. However, the films give fans a further backstory into what leads to events that take place in the Original Trilogy.

Love them or hate them, the Prequels were necessary in the Star Wars universe if one enjoys further explanation. Here are five areas that the Prequels cover that change the way one looks at the Original Trilogy.

5. Order 66

When watching the Original Trilogy, you may wonder what times were like before the Empire. The Prequels show us there was a Republic filled with senators, and a Jedi order led by a council. That all changed after Palpatine’s rise to power, and the execution of Order 66.

Amid Order 66, most Jedi were eliminated because of the betrayal of the Clone Troopers set up by Palpatine. Several Jedi were able to escape, most notably Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, however this set up pure rule by the Sith with little challenge from any Jedi for years to come.

4. Palpatine’s rise to power

When watching the Original Trilogy, Emperor Palpatine’s origins may come to mind. The Prequels cover that showing Palpatine getting elected as Supreme Chancellor and then his power takes off from there.

In order to gain full control of the Republic and turn it into an Empire, Palpatine eliminates most Jedi through Order 66. With Darth Vader at his side, Emperor Palpatine then has full control of the entire galaxy.

3. The relationship of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi

In the Original Trilogy, Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke Skywalker about his father Anakin, however we don’t have that much detail on the friendship between the two Jedi. The Prequels do a great job in showing Obi-Wan train Anakin to become a Jedi.

Anakin and Obi-Wan have a great friendship, but of course that all changes when Skywalker falls to the dark side. The Prequel films show us the tragic end to the brotherhood of Anakin and Obi-Wan, leading to them dueling on Mustafar at the end of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.

Because of their fight on Mustafar, it changes the way you look at the battle between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan in Star Wars: A New Hope since we know about their past. Seeing what the two have been through certainly changes the perceptions of them in the Original Trilogy.

2. Why Anakin Skywalker fell to the dark side

When watching the Original Trilogy, we hear Obi-Wan Kenobi talk about how Anakin used to be a Jedi, but he eventually fell to the dark side. So, the question arises is why did Darth Vader fall? That question is ultimately answered in the Prequels.

It all starts when Anakin loses his mother. But, the main reason is his fear of losing his wife, Padme Amidala. So, he decided to join forces with Palpatine, as the soon-to-be Emperor convinced Anakin that together they could find a way to save Padme from death in child birth.

That swayed Anakin to learn the ways of the dark side. Of course, that failed, as Padme died in child birth. But, this gives us the history as to why Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. Anakin was once known as the Chosen One and a Jedi hero, but he turned into one of the most feared figures in the entire galaxy.

1. How Darth Vader sustained his injuries

When we finally see what Anakin Skywalker looks like under the Darth Vader suit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, he face is burned, and clearly he needs his mask to breath.

We learned how that happened in the Prequels.

As we see Anakin battle his old master, Obi Wan Kenobi, on Mustafar. Obi-Wan defeats Anakin, slicing off his former apprentice’s arm and two legs. From there, Anakin is burned in lava.

He survives, and with the help of Palpatine, is given the famous Vader suit. That suit is what keeps him alive. From this, we see why Darth Vader has such nasty injuries. It’s just so interesting that Darth Vader sustained these injuries at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Knowing how Anakin got the burns and needed the mask to breath changes the way you look at Darth Vader throughout the Original Trilogy.

There may be people that knock the Prequels. But, the films did give fans a lot of background information to further explain the story of Star Wars. The Prequels allow you to look at the Original Trilogy knowing how everything exactly formed. With that being the case, one can argue that the Prequels did a fantastic job.

Of course, it will always be a subject of debate amongst Star Wars fans.

Why Darth Vader’s death scene shows the true brilliance of John Williams. dark. Next

Let me know in the comments below if the Prequels helped further explain the story of Star Wars to you.

Home/Editorial