STAR WARS

Owen hates Ben. Why?

Luke obediently informs Owen about R2-D2 claiming to belong to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Owen about shits. He is close to anger (the screenplay actually says he "breaks loose with a fit of uncontrolled anger") talking about Ben and tells Luke that this 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' died around the same time Luke's father did. Big fat liar Owen. And Luke could care less because he quickly changes the subject.

Luke states that he wants to transmit his application to the Academy. This can only be the Empire’s Academy - there is no other power structure in the galaxy. He already has the military in mind as a career. We find out later that he shoots local wildlife - any animal rights advocate worth their salt should see that as a major red flag. Make no mistake: this boy craves blood.

Owen throws a monkey wrench in Luke's plans, trying to keep him at the ranch for another year. Does Baru know what's going on here? She seems empty-headed on the issue, imploring Owen to let Luke loose in the galaxy. In contrast, Owen looks worn down. You would, too.

Owen clearly knows just who Luke is. He's worried that Luke will be like Anakin, but he hates Kenobi. Where does Owen stand on all this? He doesn't seem to like either side so he has my approval there.

Interestingly enough, I found in the Annotated Screenplays (p. 269) that it was decided at some point that Owen was to be Kenobi's brother, and he resented Kenobi for dumping Luke on them. But that's not the way things turned out, is it Georgie-boy? No, Owen is VADER'S STEP BROTHER! I cannot stress this enough. Does Owen hate Vader so much that he's hiding Vader's own son from him? If so, why is Luke living under the name SKYWALKER? Are the Rebels just hoping that Vader never stops by or makes any inquiry into his ONLY KNOWN FAMILY?!

No. The Rebels are not hiding Luke. Luke has never met Kenobi, so we're asked to believe that the Rebels have had Vader's son as an ace up their sleeve all this time, AND that Kenobi is the only one who knows this. Unlikely. Too unlikely.

Obviously, Vader is the one who's hiding Luke. He's hiding him with his family on a desolate Outer Rim world. Kenobi is there watching Luke. This is why Owen's not too thrilled with Kenobi. Owen is doing all of this out of family loyalty (remember, Anakin did go out and avenge their mother's murder - in fact, he came from his cushy life in the capital to do so). To keep Luke hidden, Vader most likely can't have direct communications with Owen, leaving Owen to fend off Kenobi by himself. No wonder he seems a little bedraggled.

So, why is Vader hiding Luke? Hmmm...