For 27 yrs. I've been wrong re. Return of the Jedi

[MenByMckenn]

Let me explain, my two boys ages 7 and 5 have just started into the Star Wars stories. They haven’t seen all the movies but enough of them to know the stories by the episodes. The other night at supper my 7 yr. says “Dad why is it called Return of the Jedi?” So (being the expert I am) I answer it’s because Obi-Wan and Yoda were the last two Jedi’s left, and then Obi-wan let himself lose the fight with Darth Vader and then Yoda dies just because he’s so old. But before he dies he tells Luke that he is the last Jedi left after he faces Vader.”
Then my boy looks at me and says” I think it’s because Darth Vader turns back to the good side to kill the emperor before he kills Luke.” “And that makes it the Return of the Jedi.”
I sat there stunned. This had never occurred to me. To make matters worse, I’m pretty sure He’s right- has everyone else known this and it’s just me that missed it?

[bobtheodd]

That is a posability.... Lucas has never said anything about the title and the meaning of it(at least to my knowledge) so maybe. Its kinda crazy sometimes what a young child's mind will come up with, some insight that you'd never thought of.

[leafman343]

Nooo! Don't say that! Lucas might hear you and change the film with CGI!

I always thought it was Return of the Jedi because the Jedi were nearly wiped out and then the Sith lead Empire was overthrown. Meaning that the Jedi would be safe to return to protect the galaxy

[Wesr]

lol. lucas changes his story so many times he's got brown eyes from all the BS. i'm on a forum for replica props and SW and lucas are always hot topics and most of them towards him, his reissues of the films, and the prequels aren't kind.

[EDarthT]

I have thought this before, however I don't think Lucas would have been THAT clever, Originally Return of the Jedi was going to be known as REVENGE of the Jedi (a title that later returned for revenge of the sith). The revenge part was changed to return as revenge is not in keeping with the jedi way. Now I realise this is probably common knowledge but I think this shows that Lucas wasn't talking about Vader returning as a jedi.

[MenByMckenn]

Thanks, guys. I've enjoyed reading your feedback.
Bob- yeah, leave to a small kid to make you look at something you thought you knew inside and out in a new way.
leafman-I'm with you on this one too, ENOUGH of the cgi and go back to stop motion and models.
Sep. - IMO I tend to look at the prequels as "loosely based on" the 4 , 5 and 6 episodes.
dartthomas- I also knew about the whole revenge of the jedi thing but you gotta admit my son's got some kind of logic there.
Thanks agian guys!

[EDarthT]

The logic of kids has always amazed me!!, they take something and flip it tottally on its head to look at it from a viewpoint you never even knew existed and the honesty, so many funny/ embarassing moments.

[A Common Enemy]

You're kid's a genius...

I've...never thought of it that way...

[Dagger]

His explanation makes a lot of sense. I always thought the way you did, but that sounds like a great explanation.

[therapist]

Wow give your kid a high five from me. That is excellent logic.

[sinigang]

you got a bright padawan in the making

[Mighty Puundragon]

That is a good theory especially for someone so young.

I have always believed that the "Return" part was form the time Yoda died to Luke bringing down the Empire, there technically were no Jedi. The Return to me was Luke becoming the first in the new line of Jedi following with his and his sisters offspring. Then of course the Jedi Academy Luke starts.

[Golden Wolf]

I Had to read this again. and bump it up again .

[terryzom]

I thought at first you were going to say you'd been wrong about this film being the worst of the original movies

Seriously, it is amazing what young minds can come up with. It's one of those things that spins your head as a parent! I thought when I was younger that it referred to Luke, especially with the original release trailer for Revenge of the Jedi, but as I got older I thought it more general.

[MenByMckenn]

Wow, look at my old thread going! As a side note, FYI my son who came up with the idea is named Luke!