“No, I Am Your Father”

The Empire Strikes Back

Of the eight saga films to date, just two of them lean into a twist ending. The first was delivered in pop culture defining style in 1980, as The Empire Strikes Back turned a galaxy far, far away on it’s head with the revelation that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker’s father.

I dare say that you’re surprised that I’d rank the most iconic Star Wars moment at number eight on the list. Surely it should be higher? The fact that I rank the second twist ending higher than Luke’s paternal revelation would no doubt have the potential to send the internet into meltdown if I was an IGN or Variety type. In this case, I guess I’m fortunate to have a small audience.

Perhaps this seismic moment would carry more weight for me personally if I could remember my reaction when I watched it for the first time. The truth is, I can’t remember the first time I watched Empire – I basically wore out my Dad’s special edition original trilogy VHS boxset when I was a kid. I wasn’t able to understand the weight of the situation when I first watched the film.

I would be envious of people who get to watch the movies for the first time today, except for the fact that if you walk a day on the internet, watch TV programmes or simply exist on planet Earth with eyes and ears open, chances are you would have that twist spoilt for you.

Nevertheless, it still makes for an incredible movie moment. The entire duel between Luke and Vader is brilliant cinema, with the young Jedi being overpowered by Vader throughout. And it’s when Luke finally lands a blow to Vader’s shoulder that the Sith Lord sees red.

Despite “not wanting the Emperor’s prize damaged” Vader’s instincts kick in and it takes just two more swipes of his lightsaber to send Luke’s right hand packing. A demonstration as to how Vader was effectively phoning it in for the majority of the tussle.

With Luke clutching the end of the catwalk with one hand and cradling his hand-less wrist towards his torso, Vader drops the bombshell. Luke thinks Vader killed his father as Obi-Wan “Certain Point of View” Kenobi had told him, but alas comes Vader’s rebuttal “no, I am your father.”

Star Wars knows how to deliver a great “no” line. Kenobi screams a great one when Qui-Gon Jinn is bested by Darth Maul. Darth Vader in Revenge of the Sith – ok, maybe that one could do with a little work. But I like to think that the benchmark for a well-delivered “no” was established by Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker.

“Noooooooo, nooo”

What an incredible movie moment. A moment that transcends Star Wars. It might only be my eighth favourite Skywalker Saga scene but I’ll be the first to defend it as the biggest moment in pop culture history.