Return Of The Jedi - Blog Posts

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Og pic

the originals trio: first and last movie

NO THEY UNFROZE HIM

PUT HIM BACK HE CAN TALK AGAIN I HATE IT HERE

Today I present to you an absolutely non-delusional analysis I’ve made for over a year now. The song “Man on the Moon” by Alan Walker and Benjamin Ingrosso reminds me of Luke Skywalker and Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader’s story in the events of the Original Trilogy. The more I listened to this song, the more I felt it was made for them so I will proceed to explain:

“What happens in dreams where we fly?”

It’s the first line in the song, and casually one of the first introductions that is given to us about Luke’s character. He feels stuck, head full of dreams about flying away from the desert lands of Tatooine into the wonders of the galaxy

“Never been as high as tonight”

The battle of Yavin. Not only is Luke high up in the sky, but it’s a high point in his life. It’s the start of his long journey on a crucial mission which he succeeds, but that comes with pressure

“Staring through a window in time for someone to show me what I’m like”

The forever iconic horizon scene. The horizon acts as a window in time through which Luke stares into nothing and everything, thinking about the future that could await him. He hopes to find answers to all the questions he has about his past but everything just seems to make him more confused

“He said hello, it’s like a mirror in the sky”

The vision in the cave. When Darth Vader’s helmet falls to the ground and explodes, Luke sees his own face inside. That’s the mirror of his fear, the reflection of what he could become

“Oh boy, we looking good tonight and I just don’t understand”

Luke’s first duel with Darth Vader on Bespin in which he decides to tell him the truth, the big revelation. He is his father and this stuns him as well as his emotions. At that moment Luke is vulnerable physically and emotionally: defenseless, one hand and his weapon missing, clinging onto a bar to keep himself from falling and fighting to deny what has just been told to him. Vader tries to use this vulnerability as a way of turning Luke, but he can’t understand his restraint as if saying “Imagine how great it would be if we could rule the galaxy together as father and son, I don’t understand why you won’t cave into temptation and join the dark side”

“I met the man on the moon”

Initially Luke thought that the Death Star was a moon. That makes Vader, the man on the Death Star, the man on the moon

“I met the man on the moon, he wore his hat to the side”

When Vader asks Luke to remove his helmet so he can look at him with his own eyes for the first and last time

“I met the man on the moon, he asked if I had a light”

This part is difficult to explain, but it’s in Vader’s last moments that he understands Luke “gave him light” (made him understand that there was still good in him) but it was too late

“He told us to hold it together, we’re falling apart”

When Vader tells Luke that he was right. “You were right, you were right about me. Tell your sister you were right” acts as a sort of reassurance and a way of letting him know that nothing was in vain. Yes, his death couldn’t be prevented, but now he would die as a good man. They are both falling apart in different senses: Vader is literally falling apart, falling into his inevitable death. Luke is emotionally falling apart, grieving for the death of the man he saved but couldn’t save at the same time

“Lost, all my tears have turned to dust”

The Ewok celebration is seemingly a time to celebrate freedom, the threats of the Empire are finally gone. Happiness arises while Luke tries to process what he just lived, he feels lost. The dust can represent the ashes of the fire in which his father is being burned

“Maybe somebody is calling us, the man on the moon”

This can represent two scenes:

The one where Luke is talking to Leia about how he must face Vader and try to turn him back to the light. His instinct is calling for him to go and attempt to save their father, the man on the moon

And the one where Luke sees the force ghosts of his former mentors and his father. His father out of his suit, not as Darth Vader anymore, but as Anakin Skywalker

English is not my first language so there might be some mistakes, but I needed to share this and finally get it out of my system

Shoutout to Leia Organa for showing almost no fear when facing down Vader and Tarkin at age 19, but screaming bloody murder when she sees a suction dinosaur-space rat (aka a mynock) through a space-proof window at age 21.

Shout out to Leia who in the EU, specifically studied history and art to screw with the Empire because those were subjects being actively suppressed. (This is why I headcannon Leia as an artist btw). Imagine being this petty. Iconic.

I just wanted to touch on these two lesser-discussed aspects of Leia. Honestly, what an icon.

So, as much as I love charming, swaggering Han Solo, the guy is kind of awkward.

At first I thought it was an issue with his characterization in ROTJ where they made him a little too buffoonish for lack of a better word, and in Solo where they leaned a little bit too hard into Han being inexperienced and naive.

Don’t get me wrong, when it matters, the man is suave and dangerous and charismatic, and I love it.

But I was rewatching ANH the other day and I realized that at least when it comes to his personal relationships (except for Chewie) Han is kind of insecure and inept at forming meaningful relationships. To be fair, it makes sense given his backstory (in both Legends and Canon) and seedy profession. But legendary scoundrel Han is not at all slick when it comes to genuine interaction.

His initial introduction in the cantina as a ruthless survivor and his cocky dealings with Jabba tend to be the bulk of what people remember about his character, and for good reason. But there’s also captivating glimpses into a Han Solo who is more human than he probably wants anyone to see.

When Ben trains Luke, Han won’t stop insulting them both, but underneath all of the posturing, he does genuinely try to offer up real advice (that a good blaster is more reliable than an antiquated weapon). Then later, before abandoning Yavin, he doesn’t want to part on bad terms with Luke so, he chokes out a parting phrase that means something to Luke, tamping down his discomfort which is visible to the point that it’s kind of funny.

The first movie largely neglects his lack of social skills in regards to Leia (they do snap at each other, but that’s more to do with their clashing personalities than anything). He winks at her at the end, but Han is good at surface level flirting.

But then we get to Empire…strap in folks.

So, their first interaction takes place in the command center on Hoth, and Han is threatened to leave. And boy oh boy does Han really want/need Leia (and Leia in particular) to say she wants/needs him.

She has her own (very understandable) issues with opening up, so the closest she can get to admitting her own feelings is saying that the Alliance needs him. Leia may see herself as an extension of the Alliance, but that’s a different conversation and not enough for Han who needs to be sure of her feelings before making his own known. (Leia seems to have the same problem. They kinda suck at communicating sometimes.)

He asks her, very subtly pleads with her to open up, to reciprocate the bit of vulnerability he’s showing. She understandably doesn’t (again she has an unfathomable amount of her own trauma), cueing a fight at and Han goes back to the Falcon to be Totally-Not-Sad. Despite the fight though, he risks his life to make sure Leia gets out during the evacuation. (Gotta love how well he knows her.)

Then we get the big kiss scene. This time, Han has decided to acknowledge Leia’s insecurities because he wants to be with her. He specifically asks her “What are you afraid of?” Yeah, he’s kind of teasing her, but he knows Leia freakin Organa is not afraid of getting her hands dirty. It’s such a lame excuse, so he calls her out on it.

Then, all of the sudden, they’re finally together and Leia is just all in (see my post about Leia’s physically affectionate nature). And…Han adjusts. By the time they arrive on Bespin, he’s the one initiating hand holding, giving forehead kisses.

It’s a way more intimate than he would afford a casual hook-up. His scrapped intro in ANH (which was incorporated into the novelization by Alexandra Bracken), literally had him forget the name of the girl on his lap.

He’s still insecure when Lando starts flirting, but above all he’s in a relationship that is so casually affectionate. It’s a part of him we’ve never seen, but it suits him well.

Then we get to the big “I love you/ I know”.

In the original script, Han was supposed to say “I love you too.” Everyone thought it was a very out of character thing for him to say. The now iconic response was created during the shooting of that scene. I agree…to a point.

Now, I love the line. It’s iconic and great and very Han Solo. Yes it’s a smooth response…but it’s also…a really weird response…

Yeah, there’s a lot of people and to be fair, he just told Chewie to take care of Leia (which is very sweet), and once again probably still has some issues expressing vulnerability.

But…he also might die, so it’s weird that he wouldn’t tell her while he still can.

The pattern continues in ROTJ. Han is a bit out of character in this one, however I do like the moment where he’s referred to as a general. It’s usually read as him proving his commitment, and I agree. But I still think it’s funny that he decided to make it a surprise. It’s so cute and weird and very Han Solo.

He’s protective when Leia goes missing after the bike chase, and when they’re reunited picks her up and spins her adorably.

He’s still not super sure how to provide comfort all of the time (there’s a few times where Leia seeks his embrace, and he seems visibly unsure of what he’s doing). During the battle he’s always reaching out to shield her, hide her when she’s injured. Then he just holds her after the battle. The way she asked him to earlier, with a small but very genuine smile.

Finally, we arrive at “The Princess and the Scoundrel” where Han Solo does the GFFA equivalent of proposing on the first date. (For real, this book is one my favorite things. It canonized so many of my head canons like a very casual proposal). It’s perfect for its balance of being both weird and romantic.

Anyway, I like Han’s soft side and I don’t see it discussed enough.

I’m thinking about how one of Leia’s love languages is most likely touch. For all of her reputation as an ice princess, she is very physically affectionate.

We see this on the Death Star when she kisses Luke for luck, and again when she hugs Han after surviving the trash compactor. She hugs both Han and Luke and does not let go after they return.

Then, in Empire, you see Leia being very unafraid to enter Han’s physical space. If you notice in the med-center on Hoth, it isn’t Han putting his arm around her that makes her pull away, it’s the words coming out of his mouth that make her jerk away. Then, we get to the big kiss on the Falcon, and once again, Leia (despite her protests) doesn’t actually seem all that uncomfortable with his proximity, rather the feelings she has for him. But the kiss happens, and suddenly it’s zero to 100.

For real, Han probably got whiplash. All of the sudden after three years of dancing around each other to the point that he was almost going to give up, suddenly Leia is everywhere. Putting her hand on his shoulder, kissing his cheek. And he also registers this, because on Cloud City he is always reaching out to hold her hand, give easily give her forehead kisses. The moment there’s danger, the first thing he does is reach for her. Then after he returns from what is probably the worst first meeting with your girlfriend’s dad EVER, the first thing Leia does is just start stroking his hair. The last thing she does before the carbon freeze is kiss him. The movie ends with her in Luke’s embrace, seeking comfort when she is vulnerable.

Then, there’s ROTJ. From the minute they’re reunited, Leia is always physically affectionate with Han. We get another shoulder touch in the shuttle. On Endor, he picks her up and spins her before kissing her after he doesn’t get eaten by Ewoks, she curls up to him during story-time. After Luke drops the bombshell and dips the only thing she asks Han to do is hold her. Leading to the end of the film, where there’s that shot of him just cocooning her in his arms.

Anyway, just some thoughts on my favorite rebel princess and her nerf-herder.

Blessings

Both Padme and Anakin's eyes curiously gazed down at yours, a combination of shock, delight and surprise. "You wish to... marry Luke?" Padme asked once more, for the second time, she looked dumbfounded. "Yes. Please. I don't want to not live without him." Your gaze met theirs again, pleadingly, hoping they would say yes, grant you with the wonderous honor of marrying the boy you've loved since childhood. Anakin's eyes search Luke's, whom you realized hadn't moved for quite some time. "Is this what you want, son?" He asked seriously and it seemed as though the tone brought Luke back to his senses. "How can you ask that, father? I love her." The words sent a shiver down your spine still, even after twenty three years of hearing it. "Have you proposed, Luke?" Padme asked, the beads of her gorgeous, handmade attire and jewelry glistening in the light of the house. Luke nodded in affirmation. He looked at you, a sweet smile on his lips as he gestured for you to show them. You held out your hand, revealing a small, silver ring, with the two Tatooine suns in perfect position, Padme gasped and smiled, her hand going to Anakin's and you could see Anakin's mouth open slightly. "It's handmade?" Padme looked at Luke, her eyes watering slightly. "Yes. It took me a while..." Luke chuckled, a faint blush on his cheeks. "And all we had to do was wait twenty three years..." Anakin laughed. "So, Father, can I marry her? The love of my life?" Luke asked, his eyes set upon his parents, his breath gone with the anticipation, the fear of rejection was a feeling he wanted to never experience with the blessing of loving you. The older couple, his parents, took no hesitation and said yes in unison and your heart skipped two beats. You stood still. Time seemed to freeze. The overjoyed, slightly teary eyes from Padme reminded you of your mother, Anakin's smirk of absolute approval, how his eyes seemed to reminisce his and Padme's wedding gave you the feeling of honor, and the breathtaking view of Luke, his pearly blue eyes twinkling and tears trickling down his gorgeous, delighted face made you really fall in love with him, all over it seemed. The way he turned to you, his grin wide, happy, loving, accomplished, the way his arms wrapped around you and spun you in the way that you both started to cry happy tears of joy. Everything seemed so worth it, the times in which you both went together, when Luke went on his Jedi trainings, his missions, and you thought, worried he wouldn't come home, that it was your last days, moments together. The tears, trust, love, friendship.... You were ready for this new, simply beautiful chapter, knowing, The Force was with you both.

A\N: This is a dumb timeline, I know. But I wanted Ani and Padme to be there and give the you guys' their blessing!