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ESB Obi Wan scene

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In the scene where Luke is about to leave to Bespin, Obi wan says he doesn't want lose Luke like he lost to Vader on Mustafar. But did he really mean that as he more or less abandoned Vader to burn up and die instead of killing him for good? He also says he wouldn't help Vader fight Luke, which is odd as he helped Luke destroy the first Death star. How does one interpret that scene given Ben's inconsistency in essentially abandoning Vader to die a slow roasting death?

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It makes sense if you do the most reasonable thing... i.e. ignore the prequels.

真実

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Carthage said:

In the scene where Luke is about to leave to Bespin, Obi wan says he doesn't want lose Luke like he lost to Vader on Mustafar.

1) He didn't lose to Vader.
2) He never mentioned Mustafar.

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 (Edited)

Careful, now... you might give GL ideas for the next Special Edition version.

“That Darth Vader, man. Sure does love eating Jedi.”

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imperialscum said:

It makes sense if you do the most reasonable thing... i.e. ignore the prequels.

For once I agree with imperialscum. Dispense with any and all attempts to fit round pegs in square holes; the prequels aren't worth the effort.

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 (Edited)

He meant lost him to the Dark Side, when he left him half-burned it was too late already so...

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He definition-ed 1 Vader, he didn't definition 3 and especially not definition 2.

1. be deprived of (a close relative or friend) through their death or as a result of the breaking off of a relationship.
2. become unable to find (something or someone).
3. fail to win (a game or contest).

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In 1980 it wasn't canon that Obi-Wan let Anakin/Vader burn to death and walk away. That element was written as Episode III was in production back in 2004.

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There are two ways to approach your question:  1) To pretend the prequels don't exist; 2) to answer your question based on the events depicted in the prequels.

1) is relatively straightforward.  You can imagine a really dramatic and psychologically complex relationship in which Obi Wan failed his friend in some important way; or 

2) There is actually dialogue in the duel that addresses this issue somewhat.  When Ani and Obi are floating around on the lava-capture droids in the Ep III duel, Ani says something (I forget what) and Obi says: "I have failed you, Anakin." I interpreted this as Obi-Wan blaming himself for his failure to properly instruct, indoctrinate, and mentor Anakin.

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Also, Obi-Wan doesn't say that he won't help Luke, but that he can't. In other words, Obi-Wan is now only a ghost and not able to directly affect the living world. Obi-Wan really stresses that Luke will be alone in his fight against Vader—alone and untrained. Yoda looks shocked when Luke thinks a moment and says, "I understand." 

A minor point, but an interesting one. :)

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