Question about Vader's love for Luke

fist of all let me start out by saying thanks a whole bunch to everyone who has replied to all of my posts. You all are just fantastic!!!!This site and you all are great! Secondlly I was wondering why Darth Vader never really hugged Luke during their first encouter in Return Of The Jedi at the platform or simply affectionly touch him, or pat him. After all knowing he had 1 son would make him affectonate and love his son you would think. Wouldn't it? hooman

 

at that point, he was more concerned with serving his master.

but, if you notice, through the helmet of course , the slight change in DV's demeanor after luke says, "Then my father is truly dead." you can seem him having thoughts about what his son has said, if he has made a big mistake.

 

For the most part I think SW is a medieval - type tale set in outer space. Every thing is so sweeping and larger than life. I doubt there is much hugging or any kind of feminized gestures of affection in those times ( hell, their fairly recent in our time ), so SW wont have them either. That said SW - being medieval, sweeping, and larger than life - is definetly the type of Saga where a fallen knight like Vader would be fiercely proud of his son and his abilities, even though he may have only met him recently in his life and they are fighting opposite fights. Notice the pride in Lukes voice when speaking of his father in ANH and ESB, and he hadnt even a clue who he really was.

 

Lord Darth Vader hugging someone is quite a weird picture, I must say.
Showing too much affection wouldn't be appropriate. As jj33 said, we have to guess his thoughts and feelings through the "expression" on his Mask. I think Lucas wanted (and needed) subtlety. A hug or a pat is not subtle. He needed to leave it open whether or not Vader turns into Anakin again in the end. He can't have him do it right then and there. No suspense.
It probably wouldn't bother you that much because you've seen the movies a few times already, I guess

 

Agree I do, I can't picture Vader hugging anybody, and if he did I don't think I would be able to look at him the same way.

 

What a great ending to the trilogy that would be...

Luke: I believe you were Anakin Skywalker, my father.

Vader: Aww shucks, son, I've missed you...

(Vader takes off his helmet and gives Luke a big hug)

Vader: Hey, I saw a lake while flying in not far from here. What do you say we take the afternoon off and go fishing...just father and son.

Luke: I love you, pop.

Vader: I love you too, sport.

 

Also, bear in mind that Vader is still trying to hide his feeling for his son from the Emperor. Palps can sense conflict in Vader without any physical contact; but if Vader were to touch Luke in an affectionate way, Vader's uncontrollable emotional outpouring would attract Palp's attention like a "My twin sister went to Alderaan and led the Rebel Alliance, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt" t-shirt.

{||||| ?||} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

***Also, bear in mind that Vader is still trying to hide his feeling for his son from the Emperor. Palps can sense conflict in Vader without any physical contact; but if Vader were to touch Luke in an affectionate way, Vader's uncontrollable emotional outpouring would attract Palp's attention like a "My twin sister went to Alderaan and led the Rebel Alliance, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt" t-shirt.***

You hit it better than anyone else here why Vader wouldn't hug Luke. And, BTW, LOVE that "t-shirt" thing!

 

"Vader: Hey, I saw a lake while flying in not far from here. What do you say we take the afternoon off and go fishing...just father and son."

funniest post all day