Unlike “A New Hope,” I had no idea what to expect when it came to “The Empire Strikes Back.” So, instead of comparing expectations to observations, this article includes thoughts I had while watching the second installment in the franchise’s original trilogy.

First Thoughts

Needless to say, I was pretty excited to sit down and watch “The Empire Strikes Back.” Hopefully, my thoughts during the movie will be just as entertaining as my experience with “A New Hope.”

My first thought watching Episode V was ‘where was Yoda,’ but that was quickly replaced by utter fear when the Wampa that abducted Luke at the start of the film. Anyone else think the monster was oddly reminiscent of the Yeti in Disneyland’s Matterhorn ride? Once I recovered, I dealt with the fact that Leia had a new hairstyle and apparently a relationship with Han Solo. George Lucas was giving me emotional whiplash, but if we are being real, I was loving it. I also retract my statement from last week because I am all aboard the Han Solo ship after this movie — sorry, Indiana Jones.

Changing Views

Along with my opinion of Solo, my view of Darth Vader changed as well. That guy is definitely menacing and maybe it is because of the shell lair he sits in or his ability to always lurk, but he made me nervous when watching “The Empire Strikes Back.” What more could a girl want from a villain?

Also, the English major in me was loving the fact the Sith lord referenced Anakin Skywalker as if he was a different person — so poetic and beautiful. But more important than anything else, I heard one of the most famous lines in cinematic history: Vader’s “No, I am your father.”

Infinitely Better

I thought “The Empire Strikes Back” was infinitely better than “A New Hope” and not just because of Vader’s admittance to fatherhood or seeing Yoda — who I like better in the prequel episodes — but because I found myself gasping and jaw-dropped at the story’s happenings.

Even though I still have one movie left, I think it is safe to say I love “Star Wars.” It is important to let everyone know how “Star Wars” has begun to infiltrate my life. I work with some pretty big “Star Wars” fans and until last week, I found myself on the outside of their discussions, afraid to admit I had never seen the movies.

One of “Them”

This week, however, I was one of them. I also used a “Star Wars” reference in a text conversation with my brother and it was then I realized what George Lucas had done to my life — he turned me into a “Star Wars” fan. If none of that is proof enough, just know that while writing this article, I was listening to the “Star Wars” score on Spotify.