There are several things in the movie that let’s the audience know that some time has passed.
- Luke’s demeanor is very different, showing a shift in his character and maturity since we last saw him.
- He’ built a new lightsaber. That means hes tracked down the how-to guide and all the parts n pieces. Maybe you can do that in an evening, but I’m doubting it. He’s wearing Jedi robes/outfit indicating that he’s become more involved in the Jedi ways.
- Lando has infiltrated Jabbas palace to the point that he can walk around there freely and seems to have some sort of guard job. Luke & Co. knew where Han was being taken, but it’s not a place you can just walk into and do as you please. It would take time to work your way in and be accepted as part of the gang. That don’t happen overnight either.
- Yoda has gotten very weak and is about to die. No signs of that last time we saw him.
Just my thoughts. It’s cool if you disagree.
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A traumatic event can do that to you. The fight with Vader and even hearing what Vader said, certainly qualifies as a very traumatic event in my opinion.
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I don’t know what makes you think that Luke searched after ESB but not before. He had 3 years to try learn about Jedi and the Force. It’s hard to imagine, that he did not try.
And we don’t know if Obi-wan did not help him at all, prior to that scene on Hoth. But I see no reason to think that he did not.
I think he already had that chrystal, and skill to put a lightsabre together, but he had his lightsabre and didn’t need another.
Actually I read a book, probably non new canon, that deals with Luke trying to learn to build a lightsabre, and it is set prior to ESB. -
If well known criminal can vouch for Lando, and sure he has his ties to the underworld as a scoundrel, he can be hired on the spot. That is all it takes.
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Yes Yoda is what I thought first is the most problematic with a short time theory. But I know, unfortunately, that a couple of weeks is a lot more then people would think.