  If I had been responsible for the production of ROTJ, the PT, and the ST, I would have taken a bold Sharpie and written across my forehead in reverse "AS CONSISTENT AS POSSIBLE, IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE, WITH ANH AND ESB!!!!" so that it would be the first thing I see every morning. But hey, I shouldn't expect guys who frequent a site titled 'ORIGINAL TRILOGY' to understand that. ;)
  Back to first principles. 'Science FICTION' is forward looking, 'Science FANTASY' is DECIDEDLY BACKWARDS looking. It's about rooting itself in the legendary and mythical PAST. "A long time ago...." The moment someone starts thinking "Ooh, we need to portray a better future!" he/she has FAILED SPECTACULARLY.