Originally posted by: Commander Courage
Right THX, that's just what I suggested:

The "reveal" had problems even as it was played in the OT -- not only did it make Ben a liar in ANH, but as he and Yoda train Luke and then watch him leave for Bespin -- why don't they tell him? He's their only hope (Leia ain't gonna take over where Luke left off). If they told him on Degobah, Luke may have stayed -- he would definitely be better prepared for the eventual revelation. But they don't tell him because it would screw up the "reveal."
Now THAT'S an idea. That would indeed be an ideal time to reveal the truth. Plus, there would be no need for out of place flashbacks to explain Obi-Wan's ghostly voice. It deals with a lot of my issues with RotJ as well; it took a YEAR to go back to Dagobah to get an answer as to Vader's identity? Obi-Wan NEVER appeared to Luke during that time to offer any kind of explanation or at least remind him to get back to this training? (I have more RotJ ideas on how to deal with those and other related issues, but those are for another time.)Very interesting concept here. Thoughts?

We were all posting at once and I think mine got lost in the shuffle so I'm glad you mentioned that again.

And yes MTH, you need to start that Episode I thread ASAP!

You know what, CC? I did miss this point when you posted it.

This is an interesting way of making Obi Wan honorable -- if we can't figure a way for Ben to come completely clean in ANH, then this becomes my second favorite tack. Ben could be made (as I believe TDH suggested) to avoid the issue altogether by simply not lying to Luke and making up a story about a pupil named Darth Vader who betrayed Luke's father. Until Degobah, Luke would have heard that his dad was a Jedi and that he died. Then, in Episode V he could hear the whole truth as he trains. It could be used to make Luke's "failure at the tree" about this revelation. Then he gets a vision about his friends and rushes off to save them -- and to face Vader, his father. This doesn't go well, but in Episode VI we see how it wisens Luke. He feels the good hidden in Vader and carries on to victory using this secret weapon.

This change would also tie Episode VI much better into the fabric of the Saga by keeping Ben honest, preparing Luke to sense good in Vader, and making his development arc more clearly into becoming the chosen one's redeemer.

But I consider this a "second best" idea to actually working out the Ben's Hut scene and reworking ANH along these lines. Still-- great idea, Commander.

Edited to add -- Re: the Episode I thread; I was working on starting one when I realized it might be prudent to do a "Star Wars Saga Ranch-Edit Bible" thread first. There we can hash out all the issues that crop up when we start talking about cutting one of these episodes to shreds. Like, I want to kill Nute Gunray -- but that affects Episodes II and III. If 3 of us are going to edit Episode I together, then I think we need to all get on the same page for the WHOLE SAGA first. Does that make sense? If so, I'll start that thread right away.