Was Lando truly justified in his betrayal of Han and Leia?

We all know that Lando Calrissian's initial decision to betray Han and Leia to Darth Vader and the Empire was a seriously bad judgment call. But let me just ask the question: Was Lando's decision morally justified, given his own responsibilities to the people working for him?
Lando obviously had no idea how bad things would get, or that his old buddy Han would end up in carbon-freeze. He was doing what he thought to be the right thing at the time, in order to secure the independence of his gas-mining colony and to protect his people.
Lando may have been correct when he said that he had no choice. But it's precisely because he had no choice that Lando turns around. The Empire would take over the operation on Bespin anyway and the situation would be no different, so he had nothing to lose. He gives the evacuation orders over the intercom system and then comes to the aid of his friends to try and rescue Han.
Thoughts? Comments? Opinions?

 

Lando was the pretty much in charge of Cloud City. He really had no choice at the time. He could have warned Han, at the cost of having cloud city destroyed with all of it's citizens aboard. He had a city of people to worry about. Lando was also dealing with Vader, not some imperial lackey that could be easily tricked and outsmarted.

Lando did a good job of helping out when he the moment of oppurtunity to get the upper hand when Vader was occupied with fighting Luke.

 

Like he said "I had no choice they arrived right before you"

Lando was forced into the action he took because of the power the Empire has and what they could have done to Bespin, it's people and his business. Like you said, at the time he had no idea things would end up as bad as they did, all he knew was Vader was after a guy called Skywalker. Lando had no idea who this guy was, only that he must have been somewhat of an acquaintance of Han, an old mate (if that) he hasn't seen in years.

Once things transpired as they did Lando took as much action as he could to rectify the situation

 

Well I think Lando was thinking of his people and his responsablities to his people but at the same time he turned a blind eye to the Galaxy. Hard to blame him for doing so but ultimately he probably realised that the Cloud City was not isolated part of the Universe. What effects the Galaxy, ultimately will affect Besbin as well. So he made an ignorant choise. But that choise wasn't morally wrong IMO, bc Lando simply didn't see the big picture.

 

Lando knew what was happening in the Galaxy.

 

gun at head.

many troops.

no choice in the short term.... but there are other ways....

 

It's like George Lucas said in the ANH commentary: You can decide not to fight evil, turn a blind eye and mind your own business. But sooner or later you'll get shoved into a corner, and you'll have no choice but to fight...

 

Lando's choice:

Allow a friend and his companions to be imprisoned temporarily and let the Empire bait and capture someone he's never heard of before with his friend's companions to go free afterwards with an opportunity to rescue the friend later.

OR

Be killed, have the people he's responsible for suffer, and not prevent any of the above. And not be there to help his friend out afterwards.


Which would YOU choose?

 

His "betrayal" made him so much more of a three dimensional character though.

 

Lando did try to soften the blow, arranging for Leia and Chewie to remain with him
He was just double-crossed.
He was just being pragmatic, really.
What else was there to do? Disagree and have Vader kill him
so that Lobot or someone else would hand over control over
to the Imperials for thirty silvers?
If Lando's betrayal were that betraying, he would have tried to
profit from their doom, disconnnected himself from their fates
and not cared about the outcome.

I think when you take in consideration that Lando lost everything he
had, put his life on the line in Jabba's palace, and blew up DS II,
he is pretty well squared with karma.

WWLD?
What would Lando do?

I would have done much the same thing.

 

That just made my night! Thanks, CRZA

 

WWLD

I like that. Do you mind if I use it from time to time?

 

It wasn't Lando's fault at all. Except for his old friendship with Han, he was neutral. His duty was to his people, definitely not to the Rebellion. Leia knew that, and Han should have known that as well. I'd like Lando a little better if he hadn't participated so actively in Han's capture. But Han was to blame for trusting someone who wasn't a true ally.

 

Of course he was. He did what he had to do to keep the people that he led and served safe. Was it a good thing? Not at all. But sometimes leaders have to make decisions that may not be the best morally, but good for the people they serve.

 

I don't know if "justified" is the word I'd use.

I'd say his actions were understandable; Vader is not to be trifled with. Not to mention, it wasn't Lando's fault that Vader repeatedly altered their agreement.

Also, Lando put his neck on the line to save Leia and Chewie once he saw Vader was a dirty-dealer. That's nothing to sneeze at. Plus he left Cloud City with only the clothes on his back, and made sure to inform the inhabitants so they could flee.

 

Well if the Imperials show up and say that they're not going to harm your friends in exchange for sparing the city, that doesn't sound like too bad of a deal. Of course there was no way he could've predicted how trustworthy Vader was.

 

Great Topic!!!

I think Lando did the only thing he truly could do.
He had a city of people that he was now in charge of.
His obligations were to the citizens of Cloud City.
The threat of the Empire taking control of his city and business, was a threat on his life.
And seemingly, Lando made a fair arrangement with Boba Fett, that would ensure Han, Leia and Chewie safety, as well as
his city and gas mines.

Once Vader showed up, Lando lost control. The deal was ammended and altertered.
And its not like Lando can stand up to Vader himself.

i feel he knew all along that he wasnt being a good friend to Han, but he had to do what he had to do to live up to his responsibility and save his life.

Then, once it was clear that Boba Fett and Vader had lied and altered the deal ensuring Chewie and Leia's safety, he did everything possible to save them, and try and rescue Han.

I think Vader gave Lando an offer he couldnt refuse...
But still, Lando, took matters into his own hands, and that defiance, actually led to saving Luke, which led to the end of the empire...

EDIT: justified...

 

I agree.