Star Words: Episode VI, Part 53
Nov. 25th, 2021 12:23 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilLike all Star Wars films, the final segment tells its story through visuals and music rather than dialogue. But the last exchange of lines is significant to, as a simple but perfect resolution to Han's character arc and his romance with Leia. As they watch the Death Star's destruction overhead, Han tries to reassure Leia that Luke got out safely. She doesn't need reassurance, though, as she can sense her brother and knows he's safe. This shifts the conversation to a different conundrum -- at least, from Han's viewpoint.
He loves Leia. He would give anything to be with her (and for that he's already sacrificed his old life, his mercenary ways) but he would also sacrifice anything for her own happiness. Maybe that means stepping aside so she can be happy with someone else.
"All right, I understand. Fine. When he comes back, I won't get in the way."
Turns out this concern is unnecessary, but that doesn't matter -- the gesture means everything. Han has always been prone to bouts of jealousy and competitiveness. He hasn't been the sort to easily admit that someone else might be better than him. He's the greatest pilot, with the fastest ship, the most irresistible guy...but that has changed. He admitted that Luke owed him one, after the rescue on Tatooine. No more need for one-uppmanship. And now he acknowledges that Leia's happiness is more important than his own. He wants her to be with the one she wants.
As it happens, that selflessness is exactly the thing to make him the man Leia wants.
Next time, one last line....
(But I already know what I'm doing for the next series!)
He loves Leia. He would give anything to be with her (and for that he's already sacrificed his old life, his mercenary ways) but he would also sacrifice anything for her own happiness. Maybe that means stepping aside so she can be happy with someone else.
"All right, I understand. Fine. When he comes back, I won't get in the way."
Turns out this concern is unnecessary, but that doesn't matter -- the gesture means everything. Han has always been prone to bouts of jealousy and competitiveness. He hasn't been the sort to easily admit that someone else might be better than him. He's the greatest pilot, with the fastest ship, the most irresistible guy...but that has changed. He admitted that Luke owed him one, after the rescue on Tatooine. No more need for one-uppmanship. And now he acknowledges that Leia's happiness is more important than his own. He wants her to be with the one she wants.
As it happens, that selflessness is exactly the thing to make him the man Leia wants.
Next time, one last line....
(But I already know what I'm doing for the next series!)
no subject
Date: 2021-11-26 02:10 am (UTC)"The next series" does get my attention. I'd been drifting into lugubrious efforts to hold back hypothetical accusations "how can you accept a six-movie saga and not be willing to at least put some effort towards accepting the Disney movies?" (I'd also been contemplating a message board called "Naberrie Fields" which seems quite "prequel-positive," but there is at least one commentator there who keeps sneaking in "how I learned to stop worrying and love the sequel trilogy" comments...)
no subject
Date: 2021-11-26 03:15 pm (UTC)I'd love to find more like-minded prequel fans, but yes, I have little patience for any discussion of the Disney space-movies beyond sloppy, pandering cash grabs. That may be unfair of me, but in any case I would rather discuss something I love.