TV’s Frink said:
No, it’s how George Lucas imagined a young man would express unrequited love. Unfortunately Lucas can’t wish away his bad dialogue or crap directing.Lucas didn’t write the romance. He hired another screenwriter for that. Don’t blame George for it.
Even if that’s true, George looked at what this other writer wrote and approved. I’m not sure which scenario is worse… And either way, George is to blame. He had total control.