Star Words: Episode VI, Part 17

[matril]

Back with the Rebel fleet, we have a nice interaction between Han and Lando, with little hints at backstory that we can speculate on as we please. Lando's rather rapid ascension to General is explained with a maneuver at the Battle of Tanab, though I suspect it also has to do with the Rebels using whatever scant leadership potential is available amongst their ranks. Then comes Lando's suspicion that Han was the one to apprise the Rebellion of Lando's battle history. When Han denies it, Lando further wonders why they didn't ask Han to lead the attack instead.

"Well, who says they didn't, but I ain't crazy. You're the respectable one, remember?"

This is delightful for many reasons. First off, we're gong to see in a few minutes that Han has, in fact, signed up to lead an even riskier, crazier mission. And when it comes to being respectable and/or honorable, Han isn't so different from Lando. They've both changed a lot from their smuggling and swindling days. And their friendship has too.

When they last interacted at the end of Episode V, Han was bitter and accusatory, as anyone would be in the face of betrayal. Lando was regretful but couldn't see any way out. Then he was forced to realize that making a deal with the Empire didn't guarantee anything. He made an abrupt turn to save Leia and Chewie, rescue Han and ultimately join the fight against the Empire.

Han was asleep during all of this. I kind of expect that even if he wasn't all hibernation-groggy, he still would have have trouble shifting his perspective on a former traitor. But he does, clearly, because by the time they're fighting over the Pit of Carkoon, he risks his own life to save Lando's. Just as Han has become humble enough to tell Luke he owes him one, he's also able to let go of his pride and forgive Lando.

Now, with both of them more mature and selfless, they've taken on two incredibly dangerous missions that will affect the very fate of the galaxy. This is some great heroism, the essence of what Star Wars is all about.

Next time, the plan is laid out in all its perilous detail....

Comments

[krpalmer]

Accentuating the positive, I'm quite happy to see Han in this movie as having become more than he started as (and shrug off the complaints of others insinuating his character development wrapped up in the previous film; getting a sense of what he's become is fine for me). The only problem there, I suppose, is coming to think more than one extension of the story doesn't quite seem to build on all three movies. His helping save Lando during the Dune Sea battle I can see as "showing forgiveness, without needing to spell everything out in on-screen dialogue."