Tyler Escribi�:
The chronology does seem to jump about a bit at the end. The scene with Vader and Palpatine observing the Death Star under construction appears to be set a little further into the future when you think about it (TIE fighters and Imperial uniforms much more like the ones in the original trilogy).
It might have made more sense chronologically to have that scene after Luke being handed over to Lars and Beru, but then we wouldn't have the scene with the sunrise "new hope" ending.
The difference between Death Star construction times isn't quite as big as you make out, by the way. Remember there were six years between A New Hope and Return of the Jedi, not three. The scene with the Death Star's construction being observed was in my opinion meant to be a few years in the future, as I mentioned. Plus the prototype of anything takes longer to make than the "production" model.
Okay, it's closer to four years (ESB taking place 3 years after ANH; ROTJ following immediately thereafter); more like 3 1/2. [I double-checked my sources; definetly not 6 years.] And it seemed that the Death Star on screen in Revenge was not a prototype but the real-deal, merely under construction (at Despayre, if my memory serves me right?). Especially with Tarkin watching on, it was meant to evoke ANH and the first Death Star.
I agree with you regarding the ordering of the concluding scenes. Must say that originally I was hoping that the film would end on a very depressing note, perhaps with Vader and Palpy observing Stormtroopers (in the new/original trilogy armour) marching past as the Imperial March rises. Still, ending it the way they did was probably the right choice. I've just always cheered for the Imperials. :D