You know, I suspect that if these movies came out in sequential order rather than OT, then PT, people would see them as inferior but still decent films. The passion on this board amuses me. I certainly don't like the PT nearly as much, but I can still watch and enjoy them. In my mind, I can incorporate them into my personal Star Wars canon or disregard them, depending on my mood.

To keep with the point of the thread, I would like to comment on one particular aspect which I know has been criticized, but seems logical to me, especially in light of the EU and reality. As we know, power corrupts. Any power like the force would be so tempting as to be truly corrupting. In the Star Wars universe, I suspect that when the force was first discovered, most wielders found themselves utilizing it for evil. As Yoda said, the dark side is quicker, easier, more seductive. But it is not more powerful. As those who learned to use the force become more aware of its capabilities, they also realized that great discipline must accompany its mastery, else the user would fall to the dark side.

So now we get to the PT. The Jedi are an extremely rigid and disciplined group. They are indeed powerful force users, but only because they are willing to take years to master the good rather than days to master the evil. But at the same time, their rigidity contributed to Anakin's fall, their inability to detect Palpatine's growing influence, and it ultimately led to their downfall.

To sum up, I know most do not like the portrayal of the Jedi Order, but to me, it is actually a logical system for security that simultaneously leads to their demise. I like this idea. The dark side is not stronger, but the light is so difficult to master.