Star Words: Episode VI, Part 54
Dec. 2nd, 2021 08:23 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilThe very last line of the Star Wars saga (unless one counts the Ewok yips) belongs to Leia. It's a simple one, offered as the explanation for why Han has no reason to step aside for Luke.
"He's my brother."
Han's wordless reaction is delightful. Shock, confusion, finally giving way to understanding and relief. It's just the quick resolution to their romance that we need; illustrating Han's growth of character and the dissolution of any remaining jealousy or insecurity.
Am I going to continue on to a deeper reading? Of course I am.
Family bonds are a major theme of Star Wars, sometimes by blood connection but often otherwise. I've occasionally seen people reduce the saga to "bad guy is hero's father; hero kisses sister" and it just baffles me. Sure, the kiss is a little icky, but good grief. It's a minor footnote in a vast, beautiful tale. Even if Leia hadn't been revealed as Luke's literal sister, their connection is generally reflective of a sibling bond. And it's lovely to think that two orphans, both losing their adoptive parents and their homes, have found each other and rebuilt their family.
Blood matters, but love matters more. This final line of Episode VI bears a striking similarity to a line from Episode III, spoken by Obi-Wan. You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you. It's not a shocking revelation along the lines of Vader's words to Luke in Episode V; Obi-Wan is not declaring some deep dark secret about Shmi's older son or whatnot. He's describing what he felt for his fallen apprentice, how he saw him as family and how that bond has been destroyed.
Luke and Han are like brothers too (and not just because they'll soon be brothers-in-law). Their solid relationship wasn't inevitable. It could have been torn apart like Obi-Wan and Anakin's, by jealousy and suspicion and strife. But this new generation has learned from the mistakes of the past, becoming stronger and wiser. Their family will not be broken. (Disney's sloppy fan films notwithstanding....)
So we come to an end of this series. After the dialogue is done, we are treated to the wordless beauty of Luke granting his father a final rest; then of friends reuniting and rejoicing together. Episode III ends with scenes of solitary figures, scattered and separate at the far edges of the galaxy. Episode VI brings everyone together, in a warm circle of love and family.
A charming family portrait
With that, let me introduce the next series I'll be undertaking: a look at individual screenshots from the films, and how they convey a story through the unique medium of film. First, though, I'll take a few weeks off. We'll start the new year with Episode I. See you then!
"He's my brother."
Han's wordless reaction is delightful. Shock, confusion, finally giving way to understanding and relief. It's just the quick resolution to their romance that we need; illustrating Han's growth of character and the dissolution of any remaining jealousy or insecurity.
Am I going to continue on to a deeper reading? Of course I am.
Family bonds are a major theme of Star Wars, sometimes by blood connection but often otherwise. I've occasionally seen people reduce the saga to "bad guy is hero's father; hero kisses sister" and it just baffles me. Sure, the kiss is a little icky, but good grief. It's a minor footnote in a vast, beautiful tale. Even if Leia hadn't been revealed as Luke's literal sister, their connection is generally reflective of a sibling bond. And it's lovely to think that two orphans, both losing their adoptive parents and their homes, have found each other and rebuilt their family.
Blood matters, but love matters more. This final line of Episode VI bears a striking similarity to a line from Episode III, spoken by Obi-Wan. You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you. It's not a shocking revelation along the lines of Vader's words to Luke in Episode V; Obi-Wan is not declaring some deep dark secret about Shmi's older son or whatnot. He's describing what he felt for his fallen apprentice, how he saw him as family and how that bond has been destroyed.
Luke and Han are like brothers too (and not just because they'll soon be brothers-in-law). Their solid relationship wasn't inevitable. It could have been torn apart like Obi-Wan and Anakin's, by jealousy and suspicion and strife. But this new generation has learned from the mistakes of the past, becoming stronger and wiser. Their family will not be broken. (Disney's sloppy fan films notwithstanding....)
So we come to an end of this series. After the dialogue is done, we are treated to the wordless beauty of Luke granting his father a final rest; then of friends reuniting and rejoicing together. Episode III ends with scenes of solitary figures, scattered and separate at the far edges of the galaxy. Episode VI brings everyone together, in a warm circle of love and family.
A charming family portrait
With that, let me introduce the next series I'll be undertaking: a look at individual screenshots from the films, and how they convey a story through the unique medium of film. First, though, I'll take a few weeks off. We'll start the new year with Episode I. See you then!
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 01:56 am (UTC)While I had been wondering whether this last line could quite live up to some of the other last lines you've already covered, pointing out a resonance to Episode III was something I hadn't thought of for all the interest I took in Rick Worley's "How to Watch Star Wars" video really engaging with "Lucas quoting other movies and quoting his own." Not that long ago, Worley posted another Star Wars video that, while it might have started with "midi-chlorian defence" comments familiar enough to me, went on to further development of similar ideas to the point of starting me thinking there just might be a way to envision "George Lucas's real sequel ideas" as a genuine elaboration on all that's come before. However, there also seems to be a risk of "letting your personal speculation get confused with the actual truth"; it's at least possible that one way we'll know that truth... (Maybe all of this is a distraction from the easy criticism of the Disney sequels and the trickier matter of articulating why "Zahn's Thrawn trilogy" doesn't feel to me quite like it "gets it" any more, as the Expanded Universe fans are so insistent.)
Your next series does sound interesting; for all that I first experienced The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi through storybooks, comic book adaptations, and novelizations, maybe my disconnection from "spinoffs" has to do with turning towards "a story in cinema." I do know there might be a distinction between "screenshots" and "moving images," but hopefully everything will work out in the new year.
no subject
Date: 2021-12-03 02:29 am (UTC)