(In moviemaking parlance based on how its presented; Luke’s being real murderous in reality.)
RogueLeader said:
Yeah. The music during that scene is very heroic, but if you think about it, him threatening Jabba with death, and then killing all of his minions doesn’t exactly scream “the Jedi way”. But I think it serves the story.
What IS the Jedi way though at this stage in Star Wars history? I don’t think it’s anywhere near as defined as it was later in the PT but even there the Jedi have no problem cutting down anyone they consider an enemy that is a continued threat to them or their charges. Yoda has taught Luke “A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, NEVER for attack” yet where do you draw the line when your friend’s lives are at constant risk during a staged rescue where it’s chaotic with blaster fire going everywhere and things happening inside Jabba’s barge that you’re unaware of but you know some of your colleagues are in there, potentially fighting for their lives?
Sometimes the best defence is a strong offence and when you’re surrounded by murderous scum themselves who are only intent on killing you and your friends, it doesn’t leave many options on the table. I think Luke’s actions are exactly what you describe them as - heroic in defence of his friends. Once on the barge he doesn’t personally go hunt down and slaughter all of Jabba’s minions, instead just holding them off as Leia swings the deck cannon around. He does then fire it into the barge, but everyone on board IS an enemy and he needs to disable the barge in order to ensure they can get away without continued pursuit.
I think you can say that there is a little darkness in Luke here though since he casually force chokes two guards and is wearing all black like his father and in direct contrast to his white farmer clothes in ANH. You might even say his clothes show a transition from the white innocent naivety of ANH to grey in TESB that shows he is now somewhat tainted by loss and world experiences and he goes to full black in ROTJ after feeling his friends being tortured via the force, learning the most monstrous and evil man in the galaxy is his father, having his hand chopped off and choosing suicide over joining or being captured by Vader, then finally at the end celebration the top flap of his shirt is undone, showing it to be white underneath and that there was always and still is hope and light inside Luke despite the darkness shown on the outside and that he started heading towards in ROTJ. But ultimately his heart is in the right place and his actions during the rescue are all directed at ensuring he can get all of his friends out alive.
Also, glad to hear Ady that Boba will remain dead and I fully agree with what you say about bringing back dead characters. It not only cheapens their deaths but the deaths of any future characters because you start thinking “are they actually gone or will they just be brought back whenever it’s convenient to the writer?”.