Star Words: Episode IV, Part 40

[matril]

Luke returns to the Rebel base triumphant, joyously greeting his friends. Their exchanges are simple, nothing less than pure exuberance and camaraderie. Leia crows that she knew there was more to Han than money; he responds with the expected snark that he wasn't about to let Luke take all the credit and the reward (still trying to avoid an open acceptance of heroism). Threepio worries for Artoo's fate and even offers what seems to be equivalent of donating a kidney! But it's Luke's straightforward words that I want to finish with.

"I knew you'd come back, I just knew it!"

Whether you want to credit Luke with the ability to see the future (not unknown for someone with Force sensitivity) or someone who can discern a person's character and see the deeply buried goodness (consistent with what will happen in Episode VI), or if it has nothing to do with supernatural perceptions and springs only from that unflinching optimism that is the essence of who Luke is -- whatever the reason, Luke was right. And he's so happy to be right, so glad that his friend is a good guy after all.

And these three, gleefully celebrating together, are the heart of the original trilogy. The first film succeeded in large part because of their marvelous dynamic, bringing a sense of relatable humanity amid the weirdness of spaceships and droids and laser swords. It was the solid bedrock that made us want more of their story. We care about them. We celebrate with Luke at their reunion, and cheer for them in the awards ceremony that follows. And we wonder what's going to happen next.

....Episode V, coming up after Christmas!

Comments

[krpalmer]

"The trio as the core of what drew people in to begin with" gets brought up these days in a way that unfortunately doesn't have to do with accentuating the positive. Somewhat in connection to that, though, I'm at least aware the three of them only have one scene (and that a slightly infamous one) together in The Empire Strikes Back... although I've certainly managed to respond by considering how each of them risks everything for each of the other two (together or separately) in the course of that movie.

Anyway, roll on Episode V!

[matril]

I can't help thinking that Episode V would be so much weaker if the trio's bonds weren't properly established in the first film. People heap so much praise upon it as the best of the saga, but it's not a standalone story. Without the foundation of Episode IV and the resolution of Episode VI, it collapses. (It is, of course, an incredibly middle act; there's no question of that.)