Even after 45 years have passed since his first in “Star Wars: A New Hope,” Darth Vader is still regarded as one of history’s greatest villains. A little kid named Anakin Skywalker had nothing more in life than to become a Jedi, but he was corrupted by the dark side of the Force, turning him into the menacing villain of all time who would ultimately be proven to be a very complicated character. With what is arguably the most famous statement in movie history—you know the one—”The Empire Strikes Back,” the nature of genuinely peeling back the layers comes into play.
But given that “Obi-Wan Kenobi” is set to end its run on Disney+, that sentence prompts several queries that viewers might have or may not have thought to ask: Specifically, when did Vader discover that his son was alive and, moreover, when did he discover that Luke Skywalker was his son? Leia Organa, his daughter and Luke’s twin sister, who has also played a significant role in “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” is still left with the same unanswered question. These concerns have solutions in the “Star Wars” canon, and those conclusions may affect how we perceive both this programme and Vader’s conduct in general.
A Darth Vader comic holds the key
A few years after Disney acquired Lucasfilm, Marvel Comics started putting out “Star Wars” comics once more in 2015. This was done in an effort to maintain the brand as both businesses were housed under the same roof. Darth Vader, a book by author Kieron Gillen and illustrator Salvador Larroca, was one of the important titles in that original lineup. As we see when Darth Vader learns that Luke Skywalker is his son, an important turning point in “Star Wars” history occurs within the pages of “Darth Vader” #6. The events in this issue, which largely wraps up the first story arc of the series, take place between “A New Hope” and “Empire Strikes Back.”
It is important to keep in mind that at the end of “Revenge of the Sith,” Vader believed he had killed Padme and his kid did not survive. It’s also critical to note that he was unaware Padme was carrying twins. In relation to the Leia scenario, this will be relevant. The bounty hunter does, in fact, deliver the goods in the form of a name: Skywalker. However, this issue reveals that Boba Fett was dispatched on a mission by Vader to learn more about the Rebel pilot who destroyed the Death Star.
Vader is infuriated by this and clenches his hand, almost shattering the glass in front of him in the ship he is currently in. Flashbacks to the “Revenge of the Sith” climax are also shown, with Vader replaying the entire scene in his mind as a result of the new information. As if this weren’t plain enough, Gillen pushes the whole thing to the next level by having Vader actually state, “I have a son,” bringing his realisation to light in the most direct way possible. For the character and the entire franchise, this is a turning point.
But what about Leia?
His discovery that his son was still alive taught him so much. It clarifies how Vader came to know that Luke was his child and gives rise to the famous “I am your father” line from “Empire.” It also greatly contributes to the justification of his desire to convert Luke and depose Palpatine. In a word, convoluted best describes the nature of the Emperor and Vader’s relationship. Vader still believes that his bloodline vanished with Padme in the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” timeline, which takes place 10 years after “Revenge of the Sith,” leaving him with little choice but to turn to darkness. He then uses this hatred to rule the galaxy. He has no idea that Luke is living on Tatooine, his previous home, and growing up with Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. He also has no idea that Leia is a member of the Skywalker family. Vader had no idea how misinformed he had been about his family.
Vader, who believed Leia to be a traitor and a member of the Rebel Alliance, would learn the truth about Leia far later in the timeline than Luke, though. Luke, who is far more skilled in the ways of the Jedi, does not really meet his father again until the last confrontation in “Return of the Jedi.” Vader refers to his Rebel allies by saying “your feelings for them are strong” as the two are engaged in combat. However, he finishes with the always crucial phrase, “particularly for… your sister.”
In this scene, Vader discovers that he also has a daughter by reading his son’s thoughts at a crucial juncture. Tell your sister, you were correct, Darth Vader tells Luke as he is dying, alluding to Luke’s statement that he sensed good in his father despite the fact that he was co-ruling the Empire with Palpatine.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi of it all
Obi-Wan Kenobi, which features prominent roles for Leia, Luke, and Darth Vader, is forced to walk carefully because the “Star Wars” canon is quite explicit. Vader’s realisation that Luke was his son and that Leia was related to him were both realised at precisely the same time. It was several years after the events of this show, and that is quite significant. To put it another way, the show truly can’t imagine Vader forging any ties in this area because it would go against what is been established. Having said that, the show’s creators have made it abundantly apparent that they are respecting canon as it currently stands. That explains why Darth Maul isn’t the main antagonist of the programme as “Star Wars Rebels” marked the conclusion of his quest with Obi-Wan. It’s doubtful that these discoveries will be changed from how they currently stand. Stranger things have, nevertheless, occurred.
Disney+ is currently streaming “Obi-Wan Kenobi.”
