Movies News Talk
Examining Luke Skywalker's Jedi training within the Star Wars canon, one is frequently reminded of Luke standing on Dagobah in Episode V while Yoda watches his development. Deeply ingrained in the memories of many enthusiasts, this scene has a secret that might surprise many.
Unlike many who first believed, Luke's handstand training was not entirely focused on attaining force balance. The Legends' Star Wars comic claims that Tom Taylor and Daxiong's Star Wars Adventures: Luke Skywalker and the Treasure of the Dragonsnakes reflects far more lighthearted, maybe humorous, real reason behind this training exercise.
Through the eyes of the King Dragonsnake, the planet's top predator, the comic offers a novel viewpoint on Luke's Dagobah training. Watching Luke train, the King waits for the right time to attack. Luke performs a variety of training drills including the infamous headstand during this period. Luke spends two hours in this posture; Yoda notes that he complains constantly. The handstand will "soften" his head. Confused, Luke asks whether the handstand had as its only goal softening his head. Yoda responds "yes," in a mysterious but positive manner. This suggests that the handstand was driven by Luke's disruptive actions, hence it is more of a playful punishment than a rigorous workout.
As a seasoned Jedi Master, Yoda most certainly was teaching Luke balance in the Force, but the fact remains that Yoda's irritation was a major influence in this instruction. This discovery gives Luke's training a funny layer and alters how fans view the legendary image of him standing on his head.
The understanding of Luke's training of Rey in The Last Jedi changes when we know Yoda made Luke perform the handstand to handle his disruptive behavior. Often interpreted as a result of Luke's disillusionment with the Jedi, his persistent mocking of Rey during her training now seems to be a mirror of Yoda's teaching style. Luke was simply applying the training methods he acquired from Yoda, giving their relationship a humorous twist not obvious without this comic book revelation.
Given Luke's training in the original trilogy's urgency, it seems unlikely Yoda would use such lighthearted strategies. Yoda has always, however, been a character driven by his own set of guidelines. This surprising realization about his training techniques exposes Yoda's playful side and gives his relationship with Luke complexity.
Luke Skywalker was reared on the desert planet Tatooine, the son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala. Playing a key part in the destruction of the Death Star, he became a rebel hero under mentoring from Obi-Wan Kenobi. When Vader came back to the light, Luke's faith in his father was finally validated even if Obi-Wan and Yoda had their questions. Luke committed himself to bring the Jedi Order back after overthrowing the Emperor. Although Palpatine's actions marred his first effort with tragedy, Luke's legacy lives on in Rey, who carries the Jedi Order's torch.