In the climactic chapter of the original Star Wars trilogy, 1983’s Return of the Jedi, there is a touching scene between Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and a dying Darth Vader aboard the Death Star on one of its hangar bays. During this heartfelt conversation, following Luke successfully redeeming Vader — revealed to be his father in the previous chapter, The Empire Strikes Back — by pulling him back from the dark side of the Force, Vader asks that his helmet be removed so that he can look upon his son for the first time without it. A moment later, Darth Vader’s death plays out and Luke is able to drag his lifeless body on board the nearby ship.
Added to the power of Darth Vader’s death, and suggesting the chaos that will arise in the universe following the Emperor’s death, is the sound of laser fire, which, according to Star Wars fan theory, is likely from Stormtroopers and Imperial Officers killing each other in an effort to get on board one of the few remaining escape shuttlecrafts. It’s not dissimilar to the end of 1997’s Titanic, where passengers are desperately trying to get on lifeboats before it’s too late.
What Would Have Happened if he Lived?
Thanks to Luke’s influence, Darth Vader broke free of Emperor Palpatine’s hold on him and, as noted, had that moment of redemption. At the same time, he essentially needed to die as a result of the atrocities he committed as Anakin Skywalker (see the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, especially 2005’s Revenge of the Sith, to get an idea of what those atrocities were). But what if instead of Darth Vader’s death, he actually had the chance to live?
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The Emperor was presumably dead (though the 2019 film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, would beg to differ), with Luke having refused to give in to the dark side of the Force. Those elements could have led Vader to find the strength to rejoin the light side of the Force and seek redemption. If so, this could have moved things on to a period of reconciliation for his past actions and provide the opportunity for him to try and make amends.
If still redeemed by Luke, it’s likely he would have nonetheless faced prosecution by the Rebel Alliance and the rising New Republic, which could have attempted to imprison or exile him to a distant location where he could do no further harm. Of course, given his advanced Jedi/Sith abilities, what could they really hope to possibly do if he disagreed with their decision?
Perhaps he could atone for the past by helping Luke and the new Jedi Order rebuild the galaxy and restore piece, Anakin becoming a mentor to future Jedi or training new Force-sensitive beings. Conversely, he would likely have continued to struggle over his past, leading to ongoing conflicts within himself, suggesting that there was always the possibility of a “relapse” of sorts and future betrayal, leading him to creating a new faction of the Sith and ultimately taking the Emperor’s place.
His daughter, and Luke’s sister, Leia (Carrie Fisher), likely would have been reluctant to stand in alliance with her biological father for fear of its impact on her political aspirations. However, her abilities in the Force may have helped her determine whether or not he was truly redeemed and, if he was, there was the possibility he could have met his grandson of the sequel trilogy, Ben Solo (Adam Driver).
Conjecture, of course, is always fun, but as it is, the redemption and death of Darth Vader stands as one of moviedom’s great moments.