First off, I want to start by saying that this article is inspired by an e-mail I received a few days ago. It brought up an interesting aspect of the movies which I haven't thought off and I figured I'd dignify it by posting as a blog entry where everyone can read his interesting thoughts and my response. Here's what seperatist had to say

I was watching ROTS the other day and I had an epiphany of sorts. I am surprised it hasn't been brought up before on this site, so I guess that's my motivation for this e-mail. After defeating Count Dooku, Anakin pauses during his and Palpatine's escape to aid the unconscious Obi-Wan despite Palpatine's goading to make haste and that there is no time to help Obi-Wan. Ignoring Palpatine, Anakin [commits] one of his few light side acts and rescues Obi-Wan from certain death. Yes, I am one of those who believe that Anakin was a Sith all along, but let's not get into The Prophecy just yet. Back to my point of Anakin saving Obi_wan despite Palpatine's goading. Is this not the single most important act in ALL of the movies PT and OT? Your thoughts?

Indeed, seperatist does make a good point here. If Anakin had given into Palpatines orders it would've meant a whole different storyline where the Emperor had total control and Anakin would be very unburned.

I think that if Anakin had succumbed to Palpatines orders it would've ment that his descent to the dark side would have speeded up and Palpatine would've have gone around the complicated route of openly putting a spy in the Jedi Council. Luke and Leia would be under Imperial so the there would be no hope but what is interesting would be Padmé's role within the Rebellion. She clearly didn't approve of the Empire and that would've lead to a rocky relationship, to say the least. Alas, that remains to be speculation.

What I think is interesting is that Lucas dots the movies with several actions that could change the course of the whole storyline.

In Episode I it's the encounter (yes, I'm serious) with Jar Jar
In Episode II it's Anakins and Padmé rescue mission (for several reasons)
In Episode V it's Lukes vision
In Episode VI it's Luke handing himself over

Of course there's several other incidents and it's debatable what changes how much but this is what I think. My ideas might change over several viewings. Who knows?

As you might have noticed I left out Episode III (because I agree with seperatists observation) and Episode IV because this is the point I'm getting to.

I think the vital point of the whole story is the Imperial officer that decides not to shoot down R2s and 3POs escape pod. Because from there Luke starts his whole adventure as the New Hope which will end in the fall of the Emperor, the Redemption of the Chosen One and the Return of the Jedi.

Of course, one can then debate that this wouldn't be possible if Anakin hadn't saved Obi-Wan who was saved by Bail Organa who took Leia to Alderaan who had to Death Star plans on the Tantive IV who was intercepted by Darth Vader and that in turn wouldn't happen if Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan tried to blast the Queen of Naboo off the planet and so on and so on.

So my conclusion is that every pivotal moment relies on the previous one(s). It goes around in some kind of weird circle that still somehow makes sense.

Put Yoda's tab on my bill.....

Thanks. He's running short on the credits