Star Words: Episode VI, Part 20
Apr. 8th, 2021 02:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilA few quick scenes provide a rather ominous mood as our heroes embark on their perilous mission. First, Leia asks why Han is gazing moodily out at the Falcon, and he admits to a funny feeling like he'll never see the ship again. Many supposed that this should have foreshadowed one or both of Lando and Han's deaths, but no, that wasn't necessary. Lucas argued quite firmly (with the director, producer and co-screenwriter) that he didn't wanted to kill off any main characters, that he always disliked it when stories included deaths just to show how serious things were. Killing off Ben was a different matter; there were valid plot and character reasons for it. But Han has already made his heroic sacrifice, and now he's reborn. Killing Lando? It would just feel gratuitous.
Back to the main point -- sure, we're given ample reason to fear for Han and Lando's safety. Knowing of that peril makes it all the more satisfying when they survive. The following scene offers a different concern. The Emperor is sending Vader, with the Imperial fleet, to the far side of the moon. He disregards concerns about the Rebel gathering and claims that the Rebellion will soon be crushed. What does he know that our heroes don't? Something is not quite right here.
So we come to the stolen shuttle's arrival at Endor, and the tense exchange of a secret Imperial code. Will it work? Has the Empire been fooled?
Well. No. Because Vader can sense Luke's presence, plain as day. And the reverse is true.
"Vader is on that ship...I'm endangering the mission, I shouldn't have come."
This scene is deliciously intense. So much is happening on so many levels.
Han is a nervous wreck, trying to cover it with bravado. They're not gonna go for it. No, it's fine. Don't get jittery. Fly casual. (Another great line, though I won't devote an entire entry to it.) Chewie's irritated, questioning growls.
He has no idea. Leia is a little more aware. She knows something weird is going on with Luke and wishes he would tell her. She knows it's more than jitters making him wary of Vader.
And Luke. Wow. These are his only two lines in the whole scene, but his face speaks volumes. Vader, too, speaks little and says everything with his silence. The bizarre communion taking place between father and son. The alarm as Luke realizes their cover is blown. The long, long wait while Vader ponders and the Imperial officer sweats. Then, a grim declaration that he will deal with them himself.
So the shuffle passes the clearance and soars onward to its destination. Han breathes out in relief and claims that he knew it would work all along. Leia isn't so sure. Luke is filled with dread.
You can see the questions flying through his mind. Why did Vader let them by, when he knew the shuttle wasn't manned by Imperials? What is his plan? Is this part of a larger trap? Do the Rebels have any hope of succeeding as long as Vader can sense Luke?
As the answers play out, the plot deepens to something far more than Evil Empire vs. Good Rebellion. *Rubs hands together eagerly* Can't wait to dig in.
Next time, how not to infiltrate an Imperial base.....
Back to the main point -- sure, we're given ample reason to fear for Han and Lando's safety. Knowing of that peril makes it all the more satisfying when they survive. The following scene offers a different concern. The Emperor is sending Vader, with the Imperial fleet, to the far side of the moon. He disregards concerns about the Rebel gathering and claims that the Rebellion will soon be crushed. What does he know that our heroes don't? Something is not quite right here.
So we come to the stolen shuttle's arrival at Endor, and the tense exchange of a secret Imperial code. Will it work? Has the Empire been fooled?
Well. No. Because Vader can sense Luke's presence, plain as day. And the reverse is true.
"Vader is on that ship...I'm endangering the mission, I shouldn't have come."
This scene is deliciously intense. So much is happening on so many levels.
Han is a nervous wreck, trying to cover it with bravado. They're not gonna go for it. No, it's fine. Don't get jittery. Fly casual. (Another great line, though I won't devote an entire entry to it.) Chewie's irritated, questioning growls.
He has no idea. Leia is a little more aware. She knows something weird is going on with Luke and wishes he would tell her. She knows it's more than jitters making him wary of Vader.
And Luke. Wow. These are his only two lines in the whole scene, but his face speaks volumes. Vader, too, speaks little and says everything with his silence. The bizarre communion taking place between father and son. The alarm as Luke realizes their cover is blown. The long, long wait while Vader ponders and the Imperial officer sweats. Then, a grim declaration that he will deal with them himself.
So the shuffle passes the clearance and soars onward to its destination. Han breathes out in relief and claims that he knew it would work all along. Leia isn't so sure. Luke is filled with dread.
You can see the questions flying through his mind. Why did Vader let them by, when he knew the shuttle wasn't manned by Imperials? What is his plan? Is this part of a larger trap? Do the Rebels have any hope of succeeding as long as Vader can sense Luke?
As the answers play out, the plot deepens to something far more than Evil Empire vs. Good Rebellion. *Rubs hands together eagerly* Can't wait to dig in.
Next time, how not to infiltrate an Imperial base.....
