After reading a few most excellent entrys over at Moose Poodoo(http://blogs.starwars.com/moosepoodo/38 & http://blogs.starwars.com/moosepoodo/36), it got me thinking about Vader and his ultimate redemption by his son.

Anakin is lost and is slowly destroyed once he pledges himself to Sidious. He looses his soul when he kills the Jedi in the Temple. He looses his body when he attacks Obi-wan on Mustafar. And he looses his heart, after he's been reassembled into a machine, when he learns that he killed Padme. All that remains is Vader - his anger, his rage. He has nothing left to live for, but Sidious has even taken away his death - rebuilding him into a black tyrant - his charred, smouldering remains locked into endless existance.

I actually believe he knows the mistakes he's made. That in his desire to save Padme from death, turning to the Dark Side is what kills her. That Sidious has manipulated them all into destroying the Jedi and wresting power from the people. He knows what he's done is wrong - but he no longer cares. He also feels he has no other choice.

You don't know the power of the Dark Side, I must obey my Master.

Sidious has claimed control over more than just the galaxy - he now controls Vader. Vader no longer thinks he has the power to overtake Sidious - even in his agony over loosing Padme, he's only able to implode a few droids. He no longer believes he has the power - He has lost that too.

But then the unexpected happens. This hot-shot pilot - strong in the Force - takes out their new super-weapon. No doubt Vader has his spys - and they come back with a name - Luke Skywalker. Coincidence? But Padme died - and he assumed so had his child. Obi-wan, of course. That crafty old Jedi took his son and hid him - wise of him to do so. But his son now fights against him. But recall, Vader has great respect for the chain of command. When Ozzel comes out of hyperspace too close to the Hoth system - General Veers delievers the message with no concern for his own neck - Vader goes right for the top, the man who made the mistake. So in that vain, Vader doesn't blame Luke for his actions - no doubt Obi-wan has told the boy all sorts of things to turn Luke against him. Until now, Vader has had nothing to live for ... but his son. His child with Padme.

Those thoughts, those memories have effect on Vader - burried down, so deep no one could find it, was the last of Anakin Skywalker. News of a son awakens him - and Anakin will not go quietly.

That's why you couldn't destroy me...

At first, Vader is dominant - at last, he has a means to destroy Sidious - to revenge his false promises and deciets. Vader is still under the impression that the Dark Side is stronger - that it is the key to destroying Sidious. Windu couldn't do it, neither could Yoda - so the light side must not be the answer. The Dark Side must be stronger - and Vader still wants power. Now, to turn Luke - to use his weaknesses against him as Sidious had done to Vader so long ago. But once there - once in front of his son, watching him fight, defend, control his fear - Anakin starts to remember his mistakes, but Vader becomes frustrated.

He will join us, or die Master.

Perhaps he actually believed this statement when he made it - but he can never go through with it. His son! To the contrary - he actually comes to respect him. Luke controls his fear, maintains his focus - things Anakin could not do. So in a last ditch effort, Vader plays to Luke's love...

No, I am your father.

Those words ring in Vaders ears. Father. Something he never had - not really. The first one died. The second left him to die. And the third twisted what was left. The whisper that is Anakin Skywalker grows louder. He has a son! But Vader still has his selfish grip - turn Luke and destroy Sidious at last. Then, perhaps, he'll be free from Sidious.

I feel the conflict within you, let go of your hate!

But Anakin will be heard. Once again he finds himself torn between loyalties - Sidious, the Empire, his Son, himself. Vader wants to destroy Sidious and seize power. Anakin just wants his son. Perhaps they can work together and have both. But Luke is so strong - it will be difficult to turn him to Darkness. Ah, if only...

It is too late for me, my son.

It's too late for him to turn from Darkness - the things he's done can never be redeemed. All those Jedi, thousands of lives, Padme - he is trapped in the darkness, he has no choice.

Surely you know your father cannot be turned from the Dark Side.

By now even Sidious knows of Luke's hopes to bring his father back from the darkness. He probably also knows of Vader's conflict - but is banking on Vader's loyalty to protect him. Once again Sidious sits and watches his apprentice and possible future apprentice fight to the death. He figures that Luke will win - knowing that Vader is a shell of his former greatness. Sidious is confident of his hold on Vader - and that Luke, like his father, will turn.

I am a Jedi, like my father before me.

Vader has lost. The power of the Dark Side has abandoned him. His master has called for his death. Only Anakin remains. But Sidious is so strong...

So be it, Jedi.

Luke. His Son. His last tie to Padme - their child. Dying. He was too late to save his mother. He could not save Padme from his dreams. But he can save his son.

I have to save you.
You already have Luke.

Anakin Skywalker casts off the shadow of Vader. He lets go of his hate.
He lost his soul.
He lost his body.
He lost his heart.
He lost his death.

He gives the only thing he has left to his son - his life.