CT I think a scene in ANH of Vader finding about Luke wouldn't have greatly improved the saga.

Vader would be stupid not to put 2 and 2 together before the scene with Palpatine in ESB. He knows the pilot who blew up the Death Star's name was "Skywalker" and he knows that pilot was "strong in the Force." Not to mention Vader likely knows what Luke looks like at that point, and should be able to see some resemblance to Anakin.

 

Vader also believes his child died with Padme on Mustafar. He would most likely be suspicious, but could also chalk it up to coincidence.

 

Going a bit off topic, this is an interesting observation. I sometimes wonder how characters know what other characters look like. We never see pictures or portraits of people. We, as the audience, assume that characters are familiar with each other because we are familiar with each other. But to be honest, some of the characters don't get to see each other too often.

For example, how does Luke know it's Vader the one who kills Ben Kenobi? As far as we know, he never saw a picture of Vader before, and Ben didn't describe what Vader looks like (and for that matter, how could Ben know what Vader looks like? He last saw him burned in Mustafar).

Obviously, we are supposed to assume that they somehow know how each other looks like, but it's funny to think about it, nonetheless.

 

Given Vader's distinctive/fearsome look and high up position in the Empire I would have to think he'd be famous, or infamous throughout the galaxy. People probably do not know he is Anakin Skywalker, but considering Vader's mastery of the Force I am sure Obi Wan can figure it out.

 

I would wager they would still have Holonet news ( Is that in New Canon?) And would have seen a picture of Vader.....

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I assumed, from the opening crawl of ESB "obsessed with finding young Skywalker", he would have used any means necessary to find out. It didn't detract from the story for me, because of that line, but I get it for you, OP.

 

Well if that scene of him finding out Luke was his kid was in the movie, then you've just erased one of the biggest reveals and iconic scenes in movie history at the end of ESB

 

It could just be something like this:
"My lord, we've found out the name of the rebel who destroyed the Death Star. His name is Luke Skywalker"
Vader doesn't say anything, but looks away into the sky, wondering....
"Skywalker?"

Besides, if the change is made with the intention to be viewed in chronologial order, there is nothing to spoil.

 

Yeah, you're right. I forget no one had a clue who Anakin is when ESB came out

 

I just figured Vader had an inkling when he sensed Luke thru the Force at the end of ANH, and over the next couple years eventually decided that although it seemed unlikely-he could very well have had a son afterall. Then he could've easily learned of the fact that his name was Luke Skywalker thru capturing other rebels, intercepting rebel messages, holonet reports of Luke's success in destroying the Death Star, etc. There's lots of ways he could've learned Luke's name over three years. Then, when he was able to put a name to the individual he sensed in the Force, it became clear-this must be his son, and Padme must have had her baby afterall (Not knowing Leia was another). Which makes sense why he's obsessed with finding him by the start of ESB. But he must have been keeping this search from the Emperor. So when the Emperor speaks of Luke to him on the SD, Vader was basically pretending he was surprised-and hadn't been already obsessing about and searching for Luke.

Makes perfect sense to me.

 

That's certainly true in newcanon.

To a lesser degree it's true in Legends as well - Vader considers the possibility that Luke is his son, once he knows Luke's full name, but dismisses it, though he suspects some connection between the two of them and is very keen to find out what it is - and is trying to keep his obsession secret from the Emperor at least.

 

I agree to a degree. I think finding out Luke's name led to Vader being suspicious that Luke was his son, but it wasn't until Palps told Vader on the star destroyer that it was confirmed for Vader. I believe Vader's obsession in finding Luke was two-fold. On one hand, it's finding and killing the rebel who blew up the Death Star. The other is trying to capture Luke to be able to confirm his suspicions of Luke being his son.

 

I didn't get back in time to edit. Sorry for the double post.

@DARTH_BELO I forgot to add to my original response. The conversation between Palps and Vader hints at Palps knowing that Vader is searching for the rebel who destroyed the Death Star.

 

Are you referring to the passage where he says "the young rebel who destroyed the death star. I have no doubt..."? Like he's referring back to a previous conversation about it? If so, I suppose I could see that. The reason I feel that Palpatine doesn't know Vader's searching is cos he actually starts with: "there's a great disturbance in the force. We have a new enemy." IMO since he introduces it as a new idea in this way, it feels like he's telling vader about a feeling he had for the first time, and now he wants to discuss what he thinks it is. Again, Palpatine also could've learned of the "young rebel (named Luke Skywalker) who destroyed the Death Star" in a number of different ways over that last three years. But maybe he just didn't know Vader was already aware of the connection. Unless Palpatine DID know Vader knew, but is also pretending he doesn't notice.

Honestly I feel it works either way. I just chose the simpler option, instead of a "Vader hiding something from Palpatine, while Palpatine pretends he doesn't know that he really knows that Vader knows" kind of idea. I just prefer the idea that Vader was deceiving him.

 

Yes, that's the passage, and that's the feeling I always got from it. Like it was a continuation of a previous comment. As far as the line, "there is a great disturbance in the force. We have a new enemy." I always took that as the disturbance being from Palps discovering that Luke is the son of Skywalker. I agree with you, though. It does work either way.