I don't remember what I thought when I first saw this scene from ROTS at the movie theater. After all that was almost 3 years ago. Neither do I remember what I felt at the time, but I have been reflecting on this still for the past 2 months in hopes that this entry will have some significance to me and maybe to others who read it.

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What does this scene mean to me, what this scene shows and was it necessary?

We all know the reasons Anakin had to wear that mask but remembering the proverb "no evil deed goes unpunished" other reasons come to mind. As sorry as I feel for him and as much as I understand the reason behind his decision for turning to The Dark Side, after Anakin's treachery against all the beings who believed in him, I say he got what he deserved.

His face hidden from the LIGHT...the same LIGHT that once made him a powerful Jedi.

The lowering of that mask covering his once handsome face signifies the end of his life in that LIGHT and the beginning of a life in DARKNESS. A mask can magnify the wearer's personality and Anakin's disposition after his defeat on Mustafar was rage, shame, pain. The clincher is when he learned of Padme's death which added grief and emotional suffering. All the more reason to be the villain he became following his turn. The Dark Side he wanted...the Dark Side he got, in more ways than one. He was trapped in a dark place, in a dark mask...a constant reminder of his new self. His reward.


How does the scene affect the Saga? Evil people are not pretty. The whole Darth Vader get-up is appropriate, especially the mask and his breathing which made Anakin's role in the The Dark Side credible. The mask gave him the liberty to literally "get away with murder". Few beings in the galaxy knew his real identity and that made it easier for The Dark Side in him to let loose. No face...no conscience...no shame.

In addition, I believe the mask also hid his true feelings which was to his advantage, at least when it came to his dealings with the Emperor. When watching ESB and ROTJ I've often imagined what his face would show about his feelings if he wasn't in that mask.

In the ESB scene when the Emperor tells him "I have no doubt that this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker...He could destroy us" Vader responds "He's just a boy..." Note the tone in his voice. What would his face have shown if it could have been seen?

At the end of ESB after DV tells Luke "I am your father", after the Falcon jumps to light speed with Luke and Leia, something DV didn't expect, we see DV just looking out to space then turning, looking again and walking away never saying a word. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

In ROTJ...the scene on the Death Star where the Emperor tells him: "And now I sense you want to continue your search for young Skywalker". Imagine that irritating voice just grinding on his last nerve. DV turns his head to the Emperor and is silent for a few seconds as if thinking "give it a rest old man".

Also in ROTJ when Luke gives himself up to DV to be taken to the Emperor. After the Troopers take Luke away DV is staring out at the stars. His face could have shown him thinking what AM I doing. He's MY son.

Most faces show emotions. Our faces show when we're in pain, happy, sad, etc. All of these scenes could have been interpreted differently just being able to see DV's face...his true self.

Remember this is just my imagination and my point is while that mask helped transform him to do evil, it also hid any true feelings he had toward the Emperor. Could that be one of the reasons the Emperor never saw his own fate?

What would I have changed in that scene? Nothing could have been changed. Any change would have to have been before Anakin was injured and defeated by Obi-Wan and we know that was not possible.

Padme's words just before her death: "Obi-Wan there is good in him...I know there is still...." The good she knew was there but we would never see until he redeemed himself. All because of that mask.



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