Star Words: Episode V, Part 2

I think we can reasonably assume that the majority of snappy exchanges between Leia and Han came from Carrie Fisher, credited or not. We can thank her witty writing skills for forming the backbone of their tumultuous courtship.

Admittedly, that courtship has the potential of being problematic, a notion that's been tossed about more frequently of late. I've explored it myself in contrast to the oft-maligned romance in the prequels and concluded that Han's pursuit of Leia is objectively more condemnable than Anakin's pursuit of Padmé -- but let's put that into context. In terms of cultural background, plenty of '70s and '80s films included less-than-savory behavior from men pursuing relationships with women. While that doesn't make it any more acceptable, it does remind us that Han Solo was hardly the only swaggering, aggressive love interest in the landscape of cinema (not even amongst Harrison Ford's characters!) Within the storyline of the films, meanwhile, we see a definite switch in condemnable behavior in the following respective episodes. Anakin spirals downward into corruption, envy and violence. But Han's character arc is about maturing from a self-absorbed, childish loner into an empathetic hero, willing to sacrifice his own needs for others. His relationship with Leia reflects that. She doesn't fix him, of course, but she provides plenty of motivation for him to improve himself.

Anyway, I digress.

The strongest argument in favor of Han's rather caustic behavior with Leia in this early scene is simple -- extrapolating that Leia has shown unmistakable signs of interest and attraction during the space between Episode IV and V, yet continually denies it. It would explain a lot of Han's mounting frustration. There's a hint of this possibility at one point during their confrontation in the hallway, when Han says, Come on..., holding her gaze, while she falters, temporarily at a loss for words. You can put a lot of meaning into non-verbals.

So Leia probably feels something but refuses to acknowledge it. Why? We could speculate any number of reasons. She's stubborn, prideful -- she's voiced open contempt of Han's mercenary background -- she doesn't want to show vulnerability -- or she even fears to open herself up to love after the agony of losing her family and entire planet. Any or all of these could explain the walls she's put up.

Han, meanwhile, is clearly smitten. He doesn't really try to hide it so much as channeling it into a lot of grumbling and grousing. He knows he needs to leave to pay off Jabba, but he's desperate to get some kind of response from Leia, some admission that he's not imagining things as she claims. He's just as stubborn and prideful as her. Good grief, these two are like little kids fighting on the playground. You started it! No, you did!

Well, whoever started it, they're both escalating it. He offers a sarcastic Don't get all mushy on me; she runs after him, demanding why he's changed his mind about staying. He insists that she has feelings, she denies it; he demands in turn to know why she followed him. Afraid he would leave without giving her a goodbye kiss?

"I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee."
"I can arrange that. You could use a good kiss!"

I strongly encourage the use of the Wookiee line for any appropriate situations. Maybe some inappropriate ones as well. It's wonderfully effective, even if the listener doesn't know what a Wookiee is. Han, however, is quick with a snappy retort of his own.

It's a trope that we've seen quite frequently in pop culture -- the contentious interactions that are really a thin veil for sexual tension. Is it problematic? Yes, when it's interpreted as "No means yes" and "If she's playing hard to get, just play harder." Yikes. In this context, however, I'm inclined to see it more as two rather boneheaded people who refuse to talk about their feelings. It'll take nearly the entire movie for those feelings to finally come out in the open.

Next, a delightful return to the bickering droids...