When Darth Vader first examines Luke’s green lightsaber in Return of the Jedi, it feels like a turning point. Most of us remember that moment as part of Luke’s attempt to reach his father, to pull him back from the dark side. And yes, it’s true that Anakin Skywalker doesn’t fully return until the Emperor unleashes his lightning on Luke.
But here’s something you might not have known. Before the duel. Before the Death Star. Vader had a vision—one that showed him Luke’s lightsaber, and what it might mean. And when he finally holds it in his hand on Endor, that vision comes rushing back.
Vader’s Vision Before Meeting Luke on Endor
This story comes from Star Wars Legends, specifically The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader by Ryder Windham.
We all remember the moment in Return of the Jedi when Vader meets Luke on the forest moon of Endor and brings him to the Emperor. Just before they leave, there’s a quiet moment where Vader examines Luke’s newly built lightsaber—the green blade, the craftsmanship—it clearly leaves an impression on him.
But according to the book, this wasn’t the first time Vader had seen it.
Before that meeting, Vader had a powerful vision through the Force. He saw himself and Luke standing together in his castle on the world of Vjun, having already defeated the Emperor. They were side by side, not as enemies, but as master and apprentice—ready to reshape the galaxy. But the vision quickly turned dark, and what followed would weigh heavily on Vader’s mind as he faced his son again.
Vader also noticed something strange: Luke had a new lightsaber and a cybernetic hand, replacing the one Vader had severed on Cloud City. As the book describes: “A new lightsaber, Vader thought. And a new hand. Silent as a shadow, Vader moved forward into the room.”
For a moment, it looked like Vader’s deepest wish might come true—a future where he and his son rule together. But then, everything twisted. From the shadows came a familiar laugh. The Emperor wasn’t dead.
Vader’s thoughts raced: “Why won’t you die?” But the laughter echoed louder. Luke turned to him in fear. “He can’t be alive! Father, help me!”
The voice of the Emperor grew more intense, overlapping with Luke’s scream. Vader’s vision turned to chaos, the sound of his son screaming tangled with Palpatine’s laughter. And just before he could make sense of it— “WHY WON’T YOU EVER—?” he shouted—Vader awoke.
Looking back, this vision mirrors the final moments of Return of the Jedi. When Palpatine unleashes Force lightning on Luke, we see Vader hesitate, conflicted, shaken. It’s in that moment, as Luke cries out in pain, that the vision begins to come true.
The Echoes of Vader’s Vision Marked the Beginning of His Change
We all know the moment—Luke, writhing on the floor, lightning ripping through his body as the Emperor unleashes his full power. And Vader… just stands there. Watching. Waiting. But in that silence, something begins to shift.
The screams echoing from Luke weren’t just cries of pain—they were familiar. They matched what Vader had seen in his vision. The same torment. The same desperation. The same voice, begging for help.
In that moment, the vision and reality blurred. The son burning in Vader’s dream was now screaming before his eyes. And for the first time in a long time, Vader didn’t feel like a Sith Lord. He felt like a father.
From The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader:
“Vader watched Luke curl into a fetal position as the Emperor hurled an even more staggering wave of lightning at his victim. Vader had no doubt that Luke was about to die. His son screamed.
Not just my son… or Padmé’s son… but my son… who loves me.”
That was the turning point. Anakin Skywalker awoke. Drawing on what little strength he had left, he made his choice—not for power, not for glory, but for love. He grabbed the Emperor and lifted him high, lightning arcing wildly. It no longer mattered what the prophecy said or what the Sith demanded. What mattered was saving his son.
“It took all of his remaining strength to seize the Emperor from behind, lift him off his feet, and carry him to the open elevator shaft. The wretched Emperor continued to release lightning bolts, but they veered away from Luke and arced back to crash down upon him and his insurgent apprentice.”
And just like that, the Dark Lord was gone. The Jedi returned.