CT Leia and Han in "THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK"

Im just going to be the one that's an A**. LOVE don't even try to understand it!.

 

Han and Leia are the personification of the saying "Opposites attract."

Hormones + emotional codependency + myth. There. Understood.

 

Those two just have great chemistry they were meant for one-another.
Scoundrel +Princess= Love

 

Now that sounds about right.

 

That's it? Their love story jumps from mild flirtation on Han's part in one movie to them exchanging soulful glances in the next without any explanation? Are there any novels that filled in the story, set between ANH and ESB?

It was his feelings for Luke (friendship) that led Han to return for that final scene. Leia played no part in that.

 

That's how he described it, but any hot blooded male knows the good looking princess with lots of money would factor into that equation.

 

Three years pass between IV and V ( http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Timeline_of_galactic_history ) If you are playing the "didn't happen unless it happened in the movies" game then it's totally plausible that we viewers are meant to make the leap and understand that they developed a growing attraction to each other over the course of all those years together and that there was nothing instant about it. If you add to that the reference to shared adventures with each other, it's almost surprising that ESB didn't open with them sharing sleeping quarters together.

 

The romance was much more realistic than the Anakin and Padme relationship.

 

Yes, what happened with Han and Leia between SW and ESB is a bit vague, and yes it is a dramatic cheat as far as their romance is concerned. But it almost had to be this way, for two reasons:

1. The SW movies are primarily action flicks that eschew any deep relationship stuff, which was never Lucas' forte anyway. In Lucas' early drafts of ESB, the dialogue for Han and Leia was cringe-worthy and I think most fans would agree that his writing for the Anakin/Padme romance wasn't exactly first-rate stuff, either.

2. In the OT, both Leia and Han are supporting characters. Ultimately, it's Luke's story.

As far as the "classic" romance is concerned, the idea of lovers that start out fighting and acting like they hate each other is an age-old movie template. But in the end it comes down to whether or not you see chemistry between the characters. To me, Han and Leia had incredible chemistry together.

 

It was on YouTube but LFL had it taken down. I think you have to rent or borrow the blu-ray set if you want to see it.

 

Ah, somebody else who remembers the old days of the O-OT. Back in 1977 right up until the premier of Empire, everybody I knew thought that Luke and Leia were THE romantic couple of the story, destined to end up together. And that was the main slant of the comic books and Splinter of the Mind's Eye.

It was a huge surprise when she got involved with Han. But to me and my best friend, it was a very pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting the Han/Leia romance at all, but when it did happen I really enjoyed it.

Shortly before ESB premiered it was adapted to the comic book series, which I believe was the first leak of the actual ESB plot. I can still remember a letter to the editor from an outraged fan, who started out by saying he had just read the ESB comic book adaptation and he was very upset with Leia. He railed at Leia for forgetting everything that Luke had done for her and choosing "Hot-Lips Han" instead.

 

"Hot -Lips Han"?

I remember having a 10 cent bet with my friend about this. She swore Luke would end up with Leia. I knew it would be Han. I sort of got the idea that all the girls just adored Luke in ANH and wanted to marry him. So, wishful thinking along those lines meant Leia would choose Luke. He's the sweet blonde boy fighting for the princess and obviously smitten with her from the start. Yet, what I saw was her hugging Han in the trash compactor, using the word 'love' in conversation with him, and throwing herself into his arms after the battle even sorta elbowing Luke out of the way as she did so. My money was on the bad boy!

I did get hold of the ESB novelization about 1 week before it came out and decided that was written 'proof' that my friend should pay up. She insisted on waiting for the movie. She was really disappointed. That girl still owes me me a dime! Maybe I should put a bounty out on her.

"Hot-Lips Han" Love it!

 

"It almost had to be this way"? This is your explanation? Hmmm. Not buying it. I'll just chalk it up to a dramatic cheat and sloppy writing. Hey. This happens to even some of the best movies.

 

I agree with you, the Empire Strike Back is one of the best movies!

 

You have heard some of our thoughts, I'm interested in hearing what you think brought on the 'exchange of looks' and when Han and Leia started harboring serious feeling for each other?

 

Do not discuss the user -Darth Boba

 

One, I never mentioned the PT. But I guess that didn't matter. All you had to do was make an assumption. People are very good at that. And all I wanted to know is how Han and Leia's relationship evolved so drastically without any narrative - either from the movies or the novels. Apparently, no one can answer this question. Gee, I wonder why. And two, I'm a SHE.

Really? I call it sloppy writing . . . especially if its about the romance betwen the two major supporting characters who are closest to the main protagonist.

 

Let's watch the personal sniping.

 

First warning. Don't make it personal. -Darth Boba

 

Yeah, "Hot-Lips Han" had me ROTF too, which is why it has stuck in my mind after all these years.

Well you had better foresight about the romantic triangle than most of us. Back in 1977, everybody I knew expected Leia to end up with Luke. But my girlfriends and I were all pleasantly surprised to see her hook up with Han. The only person I knew who was disappointed was my brother -- he identified with Luke and wanted Luke to "get the girl."

 

I'm just being realistic. The SW films are mainly action flicks. Lucas doesn't write romantic relationships well. Han and Leia are supporting characters. All that adds up to no major onscreen development for the Han/Leia romance.

Is it imperfect storytelling? Sure. The SW films are loaded with examples of flawed storytelling.