Star Words: Episode V, Part 9

With the discovery of the Imperial probe droid, the action begins to amp up very quickly. There are some fantastic sequences here -- our first view of the full Imperial fleet, reminding us that the Death Star was not the sole source of the Empire's might; the iconic sight of Vader looking out into space -- but the next line I want to explore comes amid the chaotic preparations to evacuate the Rebel base.

Luke heads toward the Falcon to say his good-byes. First he gets an adorable giant hug from Chewie, and can I just say I'd awfully like to have a friendly Wookiee hug? Like an oversized teddy bear. Then he and Han, amid ship repairs, have this brief exchange.

"You all right?"
"Yeah."
"Be careful."
"You too."

This is a case wherein the delivery of the lines says a lot more than the words themselves. The long pause before Luke answers Yeah, as if there's so much more he'd like to say. And Han's terse Be careful, coming as it does after the dramatic rescue in the snow -- we already know that he's willing to put his own life in danger for Luke's sake. Luke knows it. There aren't really words to express that kind of closeness. After the very bumpy, antagonistic start to their friendship, these two have become like brothers. And for all they know, they'll never see each other again. How can they possibly put their feelings into words? They can't, but their faces say enough.

Next time, the extremes of Vader's wrathful obsession....