2. The Anakin & Luke Connection/Turning Vader Back
So knowing all we know about Anakin Skywalker from Episodes I through to III, and then seeing all the similarities to Lukes path in Episodes IV and V, it cant be a stretch to say that seeing Luke in a dark robe and giving gamorrean guards heart attacks at the start of Return of the Jedi is vastly improved because of the prequels. T hink about it for a second: if you watch Star Wars in number order and forget the prequels came after the original trilogy, seeing how dark Luke is represented at the start of Episode VI has to make you think he could be turned to the dark side just like his father. Id argue there was enough in the original trilogy to make you think it was possible around about the time Luke gets marched into the Emperor's throne room on the Death Star II and, of course, in the back and forth dialogue between Palpatine, Luke and Vader. Lucas may get a lot of flack, but hes pulled a hell of a trick with this one. By the end of the second act in both trilogies, both Anakin and Luke have lost the trust of the Jedi. The truth has been hidden from them, or they have been kept at arms length. Both have made steps fuelled by emotion and both have lost limbs in battle (of course, with Luke this is very much to highlight hes becoming more like his father). So why were their fates so different? On one hand, you could say Anakin saved Luke from following in his path. He stops Luke killing Palpatine out of anger and, of course, Anakin stops Palpatine from destroying Luke, but really its to do with support and friendship and once again, love. Anakin really has no support. The closest he gets is Padme, who has to remain a secret and Obi-Wan, whose loyalties lie with the Jedi order. Luke has Han, Leia, the Rebellion, Obi-Wan, Yoda and ultimately even his father. Lukes ballsy defiance towards Palpatine at the end of Return of the Jedi becomes an even stronger moment after seeing the prequels. Lukes anger has been pushed when Vader threatens his sisters safety. His desperation in unleashed as he breaks Vader down and takes off his hand. Luke could now do anything to protect his sister and his friends and take even take the easy path of forgetting them all and joining Palpatine (to overthrown him from the inside, as is the Sith way). He doesnt. Luke knows his decision would affect many. Sure, he underestimates Palpatines power but ultimately this is all enough to trigger Anakin back to the good side. Theres a big argument against the inclusion of new dialogue but the noooooooo of giving up to darkness at the end of Episode III becomes the noooooooo of defiance in Episode VI. Thematically at least, it works. Luke has taken the same path as his father and now hes achieved everything that Anakin couldnt and even managed to save his father as well. This may have already been there in the original trilogy but all the elements in the prequels have strengthened our understanding of this even further, making Star Wars a better saga and Luke a better Jedi.