Infodroid, I accept your challenge and will present a detailed alternative to your suggested version of events:
And CC, I have some issues with your dialogue regarding Uncle Owen. The dialogue suggests that Anakin and Owen had some type of relationship, which was never touched upon in the Prequels and therefore becomes confusing to the viewer. Same with talk of a "damn-fool idealistic crusade". When did that take place? During the Clone Wars? And if it did, how did Owen know about it? See what I'm saying?
I understand where you're coming from as this is a major nitpick of fans. I see it going this way though: Obi-Wan is explaining to Luke that Owen didn't hold with Anakin's Jedi ideals, and also "Obi-Wan's damn fool idealistic crusade." In my version Ben couples those together, but we can assume he's talking about wanting to train Luke as a Jedi (thus saving the galaxy) and that's what Owen called it, hence Obi-Wan's sarcastic tone. I cut "thought he should have stayed here and not gotten involved," the biggest continuity error, IMO. "I wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn't allow it." One, I changed "your father" to "I" which is actually the case. I see no problem with the line now. Two, there's a twenty year gap between RotS and ANH, surely Ben and Owen have discussed Luke in the timeframe.
I would also like to sugest trying to work in some of Luke and C-3P0's conversation about Ben while searching for Artoo in the landspeeder, from the Radio Drama; it sets up some history between Luke and Ben so we know this isn't the fist time they've encountered one another. This could be told in the longshots as they race through the desert. What about the other changes in my version? "My father didn't die in the wars..." and "What happened to the Jedi?(or something like it)?
That is what you would do. Here is what I would do.
I think there is no real problem in regards to this storypoint in ANH and ESB; RotJ is what messes things up. When I edited that RotJ script with Radio Drama lines, I also changed up the order of things, as well as writing a new opening crawl. This, for me, would solve the issues created by Obi-Wan and Yoda deceiving Luke and Vader telling him the truth. What that would mean for this project is that the major story flow would stay as-is in the OT; what we are now discussing in particular, would become obsolete. Here's my proposed opening crawl and a roadmap of signifigant changes that would be made:EPISODE VI
RETURN OF THE JEDI
A final, climactic confrontation in GALACTIC CIVIL WAR looms near. The Empire, desperate to extinguish the ever-spreading flame of rebellion, has hastened construction on its second, even more powerful Death Star.
Recognizing if completed this ultimate weapon would spell certain doom for the Alliance, the Rebellion has organized a preemptive strike against the armored battle station, preparing to go into battle with or without several of their key leaders, who on Tatooine have masterminded the rescue of Han Solo from the clutches of the vile gangster, Jabba the Hutt.
Having returned to the Dagobah System, Luke Skywalker is facing his final trials to become a Jedi Knight. Luke is eager to complete his training and join his friends in the effort, but has unanswered questions for his dying Jedi Master that could shatter his reality and alter the course of galactic history…
-First scene of Vader arriving on Death Star II as is.
-Wipe to Dagobah. Edit Luke and Yoda's dialogue. Scene as is until:
Luke: But...the training?
Yoda: No more training do you require. Already know you that what you need.
Luke: Then I am a Jedi?
Yoda: Luke, when gone am I, the last of the Jedi you will be. The force runs strong in your family, pass on what you have learned. Do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your father's fate you will.
Luke: Master Yoda... is Darth Vader my father?
Yoda: Rest I need, yes, rest.
Luke: Yoda, I must know.
Yoda: Your father he is. Told you did he?
Luke: Yes.
Yoda: Unexpected this is. And unfortunate.
Luke: Unfortunate that I know the truth?
Yoda: No! Unfortunate that you rushed to face him, that incomplete was your training. That not ready for the burden were you.
Luke: I'm sorry.
Yoda: Luke...there is another...Sky...walk...er.
-Luke/Obi-Wan scene as is (for now anyway). Btw, I am aware Luke has his black glove on during these scenes, but the way I see it hardly noticable clothing continuity is a small price to pay for the greater good of the story. It could also be assumed it was for his hand, like Anakin in RotS, and he removed it on Tatooine, only to have it damaged and require a covering yet again.
-Wipe to Emperor arriving on Death Star II. (This transition works really well with Obi-Wan's last line, "...but they could be made to serve the Emperor."
-Wipe to Tatooine with droids approaching Jabba's palace. Story flow as is (there will of course be many asthetic changes to this sequence). Luke's late arrival and the confused plan can be interpreted as him having to finish his training the the Rebels not being able to wait any longer, so they spring a plan to rescue Han and get back to the fleet and plan the attack on the Death Star II.
-It would be really nice to have the deleted sandstorm scene, as it presents at least SOME kind of resolution to the Han/Lando situation that was desperately needed in the film. The radio drama addresses this in a great scene with the two on the Falcon, which of course is impossible to duplicate. And that's another point; not once in RotJ do we see Han flying the Falcon. Shame. Maybe we can do something about that, a rear cockpit view of jumping into hyperspace perhaps?
-Luke would of course just meet the crew "Back at the fleet," already having dealt with his business on Dagobah in between movies and in the opening of this one.
-Wipe to first Throne Room scene on Death Star II. (This transition works really well with Vader's mention of "...a Rebel fleet massing near Sullust?", we then get to see that fleet.)
-Wipe to Rebel Alliance meeting, film continues as is (with appropriate asthetic alterations throughout).
Shuffling the basic story structure of the beginning of RotJ would not only greatly strenghten the film, but also account for the numerous nitpicks presented by its original form. Most importantly in my mind, is Luke actually completing his training on Dagobah with Yoda, and finding out about Anakin. Yes, it is a stretch to believe Luke went for almost a year without mentioning it to Yoda, but it is much more believable than him not even going back in a year, not just to complete his training but to get some answers. I think my new opening crawl does a lot for the story as well. It has been pointed out that the other 5 episodes' crawls all open with important galactic happenings. RotJ? "Luke Skywalker has returned to his home planet of Tatooine to..." yeah, not so much. If you look at things with an open mind, this version of events deals with most of the issues that were botched or confusing in the original:
-A second Death Star? So fast?
-The rushed plan to get Han, Luke's late arrival. (sort of)
-Desperate to rescue Han before having to get back to the Rebel fleet.
-Luke completing his training and discovering the truth about his father.
-Making the film flow together much better instead of feeling like Episode 6A and Episode 6B.
These alterations already go a long way in making RotJ a much more satisfying conclusion to the Star Wars saga. I've had these ideas for a while, and am very happy to finally have a place to share them. Hopefully you'll agree with the general concepts I've presented here. For clarification, this is not taking into account any change to ANH or ESB in regards to the revelation of Luke's parantage, and is going off of the original, official events of Episodes IV and V.
One last thing, it was suggested THIS thread become the ""Bible Thread." Based on how the discussion is turning, I would agree.