Star Wars - Star Wars FAQ#3: "Seek and you shall find" - Page 2

***Strider*** · 11-06-2006, 07:35 AM

Yes, I guess GL did remember that line from the OT, so he decided Anakin was going "mechanical"

***Jerry D*** · 11-06-2006, 07:48 PM

LOL Alex!

Did Anakin/Vader need the breathing apparatus because his lungs were scorched in the battle with Obi-Wan, or was it due to something else? I read once where it said that Vader's spinal column was broken or something and had to be repaired, (which you could see in ROTJ when The Emperor used the force lightning on him) but I didn't see evidence of that kind of damage in the Obi-Wan/Anakin battle in ROTS. No matter what, though, Obi-Wan really did a number on Vader, so you could understand why Vader said "I've waited a long time for this" when he saw Obi-Wan again all those years later in ANH.

***Strider*** · 11-06-2006, 08:23 PM

Yes, the mechanical lungs/breathing system was because of what happened to Anakin on Mustafar. I guess he had to "breathe" those lava gases and the temps/gases burned or scarred his lungs beyond repair.

Originally, the breathing of Darth Vader was invented by GL concept artists for SW...the legendary Ralph McQuarry. He was told in the script that when Princess Leia's ship is boarded by the Imperial Stardestroyer, and Vader had to "cross the open space for a second without a helmet like the stormtroopers, GL told Ralph, well...give him some sort of breathing mask. What you see of Ralph's early conceptual drawings, that's how pretty much Vader ended up in the film. So GL added the reasons for Vader's condition later on in the scripts.

As far as I know, Anakins' eyes were also badly damaged, therefore the need for the optical enhancers in the helmet that you see turned on when he's being assembled in "Revenge of the Sith".

There was a lot of damage, not just losing limbs.

Part of being a Sith is enduring the pain you are forced to live with, and hoping/planning your revenge. In a way, Vader's hatred of Obi-Wan made him stronger in the force and made the pain more tolerable.

Alex

**BehrItAll** · 11-06-2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry D (View Post)

I read once where it said that Vader's spinal column was broken or something and had to be repaired, (which you could see in ROTJ when The Emperor used the force lightning on him)

get out! I never noticed that.
How can you tell?

**Cryostar** · 11-06-2006, 08:49 PM

Look at the points when he's being electrified and you can see his skeleton.

Another thing to remember, is that by the time ANH comes about, Vader has sustained a number of other serious injuries, which necessitated other "enhancements", to the point where by ROTJ, almost nothing below his chest was human anymore.

***Jerry D*** · 11-06-2006, 08:57 PM

Thanks Alex and Jerry.

Stephanie, I found this link which details Vader's injuries.

***Strider*** · 11-06-2006, 09:34 PM

Thanks for that link, that actually helped me out some

Alex

**BehrItAll** · 11-06-2006, 10:11 PM

Thanks for the link

Is very interesting
I never looked closely at the skeleton.

***Strider*** · 11-06-2006, 10:26 PM

Neither did I. But like Jerry pointed out, Vader had more procedures done between his first intial one to get him in the suit, till "Return of the Jedi".

**BehrItAll** · 11-06-2006, 10:32 PM

That site when into a lot of deatil.
Even mentioning the scar on his skull.

That poor bastard really ruined his life. All b/c he underestamated Obi-Wan.

***Jerry D*** · 11-07-2006, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BehrItAll (View Post)

That poor bastard really ruined his life. All b/c he underestamated Obi-Wan.

And overestimated his own power.

Every time Vader got further injured and needed more work, I could see Palpatine saying: "Lord Vader, what have you done now? These medical droids are costing me a fortune!"

And thinking: "I really need to find me a new apprentice that's in one piece!"

**BehrItAll** · 11-07-2006, 07:44 PM

That is true too, Jerry.

That would make for a great comedic fan fic.

**Cryostar** · 11-09-2006, 09:38 PM

And let's not forget that the power to manipulate the force is tied to your life force....being more machine than man greatly reduced Vader's ability to function within the force. In the end, only simple actions could be undertaken, I doubt he could even dream the future anymore.

***Strider*** · 11-09-2006, 10:42 PM

Here's the theory. Had Vader not been physically damaged, he would have unseated Sidious way before the events in ANH took place, simply b/c he would have been more powerful in the force and the dark side.

**BehrItAll** · 11-09-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cryostar (View Post)

And let's not forget that the power to manipulate the force is tied to your life force....being more machine than man greatly reduced Vader's ability to function within the force. In the end, only simple actions could be undertaken, I doubt he could even dream the future anymore.

I always wondered about that
In the OTs he was always saying that "The Emperor has foreseen"

he never seemed to see any visions.
so that all makes scense.