I'm convinced that Luke Skywalker's training from the original Star Wars sequel trilogy makes no sense

Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) is often considered one of the greatest Jedi in the Star Wars universe. He is brave and powerful and does not shy away from fighting evil, no matter the cost. However, there are some glaring inconsistencies in his story that are often debated among fans of the franchise. One subject that frequently comes up for discussion is the timeline of his training, which is rather brief.

The audience first sees Luke Skywalker being trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi (played by Alec Guinness) on board the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope (1977). Later, his training continues with Yoda on the planet Dagobah in Star Wars Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980). At the time, the understanding of Jedi training was limited.

However, after the release of the prequel movie, Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), the depiction of Luke’s training seems inconsistent, and here’s why.

Luke Skywalker’s lightning-speed training

When Luke was around 19 years old, he starts training with Obi-Wan Kenobi. While there is no information on the timelines, many fans speculate that his training on board the Millennium Falcon probably lasted for a month, give or take. After Obi-Wan is killed by Darth Vader, his Force spirit guides Luke to seek out Yoda, who had exiled himself on the planet called Dagobah.

In The Phantom Menace, when Anakin Skywalker (who would later become Darth Vader) is presented to the Jedi Council as the chosen one, Yoda is one of the members who shows reluctance in accepting him. The Council observes that Anakin is too old to be trained. Anakin was nine years old.

The reason the Jedi Masters give is that controlling the Force will require detachment from familiar things, which is easier when they are younger. That said, by the time Luke starts training he had seen the death of his adopted parents and other crimes committed by the Empire. So the emotional baggage factor is questionable.

On Dagobah, Luke undergoes vigorous training with Yoda. But it is again short-lived. Luke leaves in the middle of his training to go fight Darth Vader and save his friends on Cloud City. After Yoda’s death, it is assumed that Luke gets self-trained and becomes the legendary Jedi we would see in the following movies.

It is ironic that Rey, who would become his padawan learner also starts her training much later and manages to save the world from the First Order.

Many fans have argued that Luke was able to learn so fast because of Yoda’s impeccable Jedi training record (which is over 800 years) and the fact the Empire’s threat was looming so there was urgency in the air to complete the task at the earliest.

The one reasonable explanation could be that Luke was a naturally gifted fast learner, unlike any other Jedi. Despite having no partners to spar with or no guidance beyond Obi-Wan and Yoda’s wise words, Luke manages to become one of the more powerful Jedi Knights.

ALSO READ: I firmly believe Order 66 in Star Wars is the most terrorizing thing the Empire has done (and here’s why)

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