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4) The Sith. One of Lucas' most fascinating inventions, and one of his least explained, even in the official databank, which threads the needle by introducing details not in the first five films.

Most viewers probably know the Sith represent the Force's dark side, though it isn't clear why or how.  We know they come in pairs — a master and an apprentice — so we can trace the Sith lineage.

At first, Darth Sidious is the master and Darth Maul the apprentice; after Maul is killed, we can presume Count Dooku (Darth Tyranus) becomes the new apprentice.  Under the two-at-a-time theory, you have to presume that Tyranus is somehow killed if Sidious takes Anakin under wing and transforms him into Darth Vader.

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The Sith are so crucial because they help explain Vader's motives.  But nowhere is it clear why the Sith are so peeved at the Jedi and the Republic. (Even the databank says the Sith order "self-destructed.")

"At last we will have revenge," seethes Darth Maul. Revenge for what? That implies the Jedi subdued the Sith, but nothing in the films confirms that.

Odds: 7 in 10.

5) Vader's ambitions. When Vader finally learns that he has an heir, he sets out to convert Luke to the dark side.  What else does he want to accomplish?

"We can rule the galaxy as father and son," he offers Luke.  This presumes Vader expects to supplant Emperor Palpatine. Will Vader assassinate him? Seems unlikely. Is Palpatine arranging a succession plan? Maybe, but the Emperor's role in "Jedi" was so muddled that you can't be sure.

It's plausible that once Vader discovers he has a son, he wants Luke to go the Sith way. And we see Anakin angry that Obi-Wan has held him back, and filled with rage over his mother's death. How does this translate into a thirst for galactic domination?

Odds: 8 in 10. Absolutely essential to understanding Anakin's downfall.

6) Jedi training.  We know from Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan that a Padawan learner must complete trials in order to become a full Jedi. We know Anakin bristles at Obi-Wan's schedule.

Why, then, is Luke's Jedi training so haphazard? In "Empire," he hangs with Yoda on Dagobah, learns basic Force skills and then cuts short his training to dash off to Cloud City.

Yet when "Jedi" starts, he seems to have mastered his Jedi might. Back on Dagobah, the Little Green One tells him, "No more training do you require." Then Yoda retrenches and says Luke must face Daddy Darth before he can be a real Jedi.

In the post-Republic years, does Yoda excise the Padawan bit? And why does Luke have to face his father?  Seems beyond the scope of the usual trials.

Could we get a ruling on exactly when and how you become a full card-carrying Jedi?

Odds: 2 in 10. We'll be too busy watching Anakin bristle.


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