Originally posted by: Tiptup
Even as a kid, I had trouble believing that Lea was ever originally intended to be Luke's sister. I didn't understand the huge need for that kind of a plot development either, since it didn't add very much drama to the series. But, in a strange way, it kind of works in the RotJ plotline. Sort of like fate conspiring to defy the emperor. Plus, I loved that gorgeous music JW wrote for the Luke and Lea theme.
Even as a kid, I had trouble believing that Lea was ever originally intended to be Luke's sister. I didn't understand the huge need for that kind of a plot development either, since it didn't add very much drama to the series. But, in a strange way, it kind of works in the RotJ plotline. Sort of like fate conspiring to defy the emperor. Plus, I loved that gorgeous music JW wrote for the Luke and Lea theme.
Well, it is my understanding that several elements that were intended for the third trilogy that involved a 50-some-odd-year-old Luke passing the torch on to a new hero, elements that included Luke's sister and a final confrontation with the emperor, were incorporated into RotJ. I guess lucas decided he didn't have enough stuff to make a third trilogy or he just didn't want to do it and scrapped the idea. The element of Leia being Luke's sister plays a very important role in the plot, but it is introduced and handled so poorly throughout the movie until that point, it weakens the film. But when Vader learns of and suggests turning Leia to the dark side, it gives Luke that final step towards the dark side before finally rejecting it. This was necessary for the film, it's just a shame the element is a bit unbelievable and didn't really work so hot with the implied romance stuff in the previous two movies, but what can you do?