dancing_star posted:

---

Ever notice in both ESB and ROTJ, how Luke and Han can talk without actually saying anything? In both movies Han gives Luke a concerned/caring look, and Luke gives a little nod and smiles, reassuring him that he's okay.

---

dancing_star posted:

---

The only people I can see him coming to when he's upset are Han and Leia. I see them close as family (Leia and Luke really are related) and also being totally honest with one another, and looking out for each other. When it's just them, I think Luke is the type to run without hesitation to his "big brother" for support, when he needs a shoulder to cry on, and I think Han would be the one to without hesitation provide that shoulder and comfort his "little brother".

---

divapilot posted:

---

What concerns me about this "big brother" relationship, though, is that it shouldn't negate the basic story: Luke has grown up by the end of ROTJ. He's a man, not a boy. The whole story arc that Lucas created was to show how Luke went on his hero's journey as a boy and came out of it a man.

It would be incongruous, IMHO, to have Han treat Leia as a grown woman (in fact, a woman with whom he wants to have a mature, committed relationship), then turn around and treat Luke (who is exactly the same age as Leia) as a boy.

---

Alexis_Wingstar posted:

---

I can just see a geriatric Han and Luke:

"Hey, kid, pass me the prune juice, please?"

"I told you a thousand times, don't call me 'kid'! I'm seventy-four years old for kriffin' sake!"

---

divapilot posted:

---

But there has to be some point where Han recognizes that Luke isn't just "that kid from Tatooine." Each of the characters evolves in the movies, and Luke especially so. I really think that the dynamic between the two characters does change. Luke is pretty much so childlike in ANH as to be in Han's way at times. But after Luke rescues Han from Jabba's palace, I think Han reconsiders who Luke is. Han starts to treat him, well, more like a grown-up.

Can he still be protective and affectionate, like a big brother? Sure. But their friendship at that point is less "I'll watch out for you because you're incapable of taking care of yourself" and more "I'll watch out for you because I care about what happens to you." I like what you said, leiamoody, about it being kind of like a mentor or advisor.

---

divapilot posted:

---

Can he still be protective and affectionate, like a big brother? Sure. But their friendship at that point is less "I'll watch out for you because you're incapable of taking care of yourself" and more "I'll watch out for you because I care about what happens to you."

---

Jade_eyes posted:

---

I agree completely. It's what I've always wanted to see & believe to be there. & star, you portray it so gorgeously without it being over the top. Thanks for giving this mush lover some great friendship yummies.

---

leiamoody posted:

---

Now I can think of two occasions from the films where this type of nonverbal interplay occurs: the scene at the Falcon on Hoth, and at the end of ROTJ. (Look in the background when Luke sees The Dead Jedi Trio materialize. Han's looking in his direction for about thirty seconds in what I interpret to be a concerned manner. No, I am not crazy, it's there).

---

divapilot posted:

---

It would be incongruous, IMHO, to have Han treat Leia as a grown woman (in fact, a woman with whom he wants to have a mature, committed relationship), then turn around and treat Luke (who is exactly the same age as Leia) as a boy.

---

lazy posted:

---

Yes, but is it required for every single character to acknowledge the fact for it to be true? Keep in mind that Luke leaves just before the Battle of Endor. I doubt Han saw this as something a responsible adult would do. Which sort of ties in with the next bit -
One thing I've noticed over the years is that people rarely change their opinions of others. With Leia, there are hints from ANH that Han is interested in her, so there's no change there. With Luke, though -

* ESB: Luke gets attacked by a Wampa and nearly freezes to death.
* RotJ: Luke leads a harebrained rescue that almost gets everyone killed.
* RotJ: Luke goes AWOL after the rescue.
* RotJ: Luke floats Threepio around instead of seriously pwning Ewoks.
* RotJ: Luke runs off by himself just before the big battle.

As fans, we know Luke was justified in doing those things. But from Han's limited perspective, is there any reason for him to think Luke is no longer the reckless kid he was in ANH?

---

dianethx posted:

---

Oh, a further note. As an older sister with a younger brother, heck he's 55, I still think of him as a kid. But he's kriffing 55 years old.... So take that what you will. I think Han will always think of Luke as a younger brother and a kid to be protected, Grandmaster or not.

---

JadeSolo posted:

---

Also, I'm almost certain there's a line in one of the novels where they're both geezers, where Han calls Luke "kid," and Luke smiles at that. It's a term of affection, and it's one of those things that never really goes away, though it's not necessarily a bad thing...
...It's both funny and annoying, but to some extent, Luke will always be the "baby" - that's how families work, much to the so-called baby's annoyance. tongue

Even though Han truly believes Luke is capable of taking care of himself, he's never going to completely leave him alone. But to me that has more to do with supporting your family - no doubt Han feels the same way toward Leia.

---