Thanks for the review.

The conversation between the droids is basically just exposition to let the audience know where everyone is at the start of the movie. Because in this edit we've already seen Chewie, Lando and Leia there is no need IMO for the dialogue exchange. I also think the pacing is better without it.

The Emperor saying "my friend" in a menacing way is foreshadowing the end of the film where Palpatine betrays Vader. It's a very difficult scene to get right because there are so few lines of dialogue to draw from. It really has to be something from Jedi as McDiarmid's voice deepened markedly when he did the TESB lines and prequels.

I agree with your criticism of the Luke/Leia plot. I may end up putting the whole dialogue exchange in the Ewok village back in. It doesn't work at the moment.

I'm glad for the most part you enjoyed it. Thanks again.