I've been thinking more and more about Yoda and Luke's first meeting on Dagobah. Yoda's decision to train Yoda came after an interesting series of events. First, Luke crashes on Dagobah. Then he sets up his camp and prepares to search for the Jedi Master. Next, Yoda arrives at the camp feigning to be someone else. Luke initially expresses annoyance at Yoda's arrival, but Yoda's revelation that he knows Yoda, that he can take Luke to him, and that is not far change Luke's mind about his new little green friend.

Finally, they arrive at Yoda's hut. Yoda still hasn't revealed his identity. Luke continues to get more and more impatient. Finally and dejectedly, Yoda states that he cannot train the boy. Then Obi-wan chimes in.

Like my last blog, this series of events takes on a new meaning now that the prequels are behind us. We know that it was Obi-wan, Yoda, and Bail Organa that devised a plan to hide the Skywalker children until they were ready. The children were the embodiment of hope of overcoming Vader and Palpatine.

So, what happened between Revenge of the Sith and The Empire Strikes Back that caused Yoda to lose faith in his plan? This was the big moment Yoda and Obi-wan had been waiting for. Luke was on Dagobah and ready for training. At least Obi-wan thought so. Did Yoda lose hope in defeating the Sith and the Empire? I have some thoughts.

First, Yoda states that he has watched Luke over the years. Undoubtedly, Yoda utilized the Force to monitor the growth of the boy. Yoda was not impressed with Luke's focus or dedication. Then, Luke arrives on Dagobah. Luke's initial meeting with Yoda would hardly impress a prospective employer.

Luke was impatient. He wanted to find Yoda, and he wanted to find him now. Luke was judgmental. He did judge Yoda by his size and appearance. Luke was arrogant. He wasn't even a Jedi, but had already determined that Yoda was beneath him based on his apparent unimportance due to his size and behavior.

Second, did Yoda sense fear or hate in Luke? Luke had plenty to want revenge for. The Empire after all did murder his Aunt and Uncle on Tatooine. Or, was there an absence of fear, awe, and respect for the Force that concerned Yoda? Luke was rushing into Jedi training head on without any real idea of what he was getting into. Luke thought being a Jedi was about being a warrior. Yoda quickly corrected him, "Wars not make one great!"

Third, was Luke the Skywalker Yoda hoped to train? "That boy is our last hope," said Obi-wan. "No, there is another," replied Yoda. Perhaps Yoda hoped to train Leia. On some level, it would make sense. Leia had focus. She had been a Senator. She had a sharp mind. She was already fighting the Empire with the Rebellion when Luke was brought into the fold.

Then, on other levels, Leia was a terrible candidate for Jedi training. She had been fighting with the Rebellion against the Empire. She was wrapped up in the Rebel's cause and not ready to take on the life and beliefs of a Jedi. She had witnessed the Empire destroy her home planet. Yoda must have feared her hate for Vader and the Empire and her potential desire for revenge. Not to mention she had developed a recent attachment for Han Solo...

Fourth, did Yoda simply lose hope in defeating the Sith? Anakin Skywalker was the chosen one. Yet, he failed the Jedi and turned on them. Anakin was as powerful as a Jedi came. What could Yoda and Obi-wan possibly teach Luke that would allow him to defeat Vader? More importantly, did Yoda fear training the next Dark Lord of the Sith to replace Vader or Sidious? Then again, what did he have to lose? The Empire already ruled the Galaxy. The Jedi were nearly extinct.

Fifth, was Yoda just feeling his age? Was he just not sure he had it in him to train yet another Jedi?

In the end, Yoda was convinced by Obi-wan to take on the task. His fears, if I have labelled them correctly, came dangerously close to being realized when Luke rushed off to rescue Han and Leia without finishing his training.

I can't help but wonder what Yoda, Obi-wan, and Luke would have done if Yoda had been resolute and refused to train Luke. Would Obi-wan have attempted to do it from the netherworld in defiance of Yoda? Would there have been an attempt to get Yoda to train Leia?

I believe Yoda really had no choice but to train Luke. I don't think it was possilbe to get Leia to Dagobah and for her to accept her destiny as a Jedi at that time. For all his greatness, Yoda was "human" and had his doubts and fears. He had to conquer them so they wouldn't control him. The fate of the galaxy depended on it.