Han Solo’s Biggest Moment in The Force Awakens Isn’t What You Think

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As a die-hard Star Wars fan, let me reminisce about the unforgettable debut of Han Solo in this epic saga. Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi were stranded on Tatooine, yearning for an escape from this desolate planet. Weary travelers, they sought refuge in the chaotic Mos Eisley cantina, teeming with “scoundrels and rogues.” In the midst of this motley crew, Han Solo, a man with a questionable disposition, was one of the patrons. When Greedo, a Rodian, approached him on behalf of Jabba the Hutt, Han swiftly ended their conversation with a blaster shot. Despite his rough edges, Luke and Obi-Wan were intrigued by Han’s skills and decided to join him aboard the Millennium Falcon for a rescue mission to save Princess Leia Organa, a captive of the Empire. Fast-forward through history, Han played a pivotal role in the Rebellion, helping to destroy two Death Stars and ultimately freeing the galaxy from Imperial tyranny.

In the final moments of “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi”, as the Ewoks celebrate with music and dance, it appears that Han has completely changed his lifestyle. He’s expressing his affection for Leia and seems determined to discover a fresh direction in life. Yet, when we reach “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, Han finds himself slipping back into his old habits, involving himself in smuggling and dealing with dubious individuals once more.

Star Wars Fans Can’t Wrap Their Heads Around Han Solo’s Regression in The Force Awakens

The story commences by unveiling a fresh menace: The First Order. Established by the remnants of the Empire in remote territories, this group is rapidly accumulating power, including discovering a fragment of a map that points to Luke Skywalker, the last known Jedi. However, Kylo Ren and his comrades are not content with just this, as they direct their ambitions towards the New Republic, which has been presiding over the galaxy since the fall of the Empire.

In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it seems inevitable that Leia will play a significant role in the New Republic due to her influential position within the Rebellion and Senate experience. However, this expectation doesn’t materialize as planned; instead, Leia abandons the New Republic to aid in establishing the Resistance because her colleagues underestimate the First Order threat. Meanwhile, Han Solo steps back into his smuggling lifestyle.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself pondering over the latest installment that has left fans brainstorming alternate realities. A captivating AI-generated image has been circulating, depicting Han Solo in a New Republic uniform, shaking hands with his old comrade Luke Skywalker on a Coruscant platform. This visual is heartening, as it illustrates a reunion between characters who sadly didn’t cross paths in the sequels. However, this concept appears to miss the mark when it comes to Han Solo’s true characterization.

Han Solo Ends Up Exactly Where He’s Supposed to Be in The Force Awakens

Despite appearing content with settling down at the end of “Return of the Jedi”, Han is far from ready for the bureaucratic lifestyle. On the contrary, Leia embarks on a nearly insurmountable mission, aiming to bring unity to a galaxy that’s been under tyranny for more than two decades, leaving little room for family escapades. This longing for their carefree past, when Han and Chewbacca roamed the galaxy aboard the Falcon, becomes palpable. The turning point for Han returning to his old ways comes when his son, Ben Solo, succumbs to the dark side.

The devastating loss of a child is an unbearable burden for any parent, and as such, it strains the relationship between Leia and Han. Consequently, they drift apart, and although it appears appropriate for Han to rejoin the fray when The First Order poses a genuine threat, it proves too much for him. He’s no longer battling nameless stormtroopers; his own son now commands the enemy forces. Han feels culpable for creating Kylo Ren, which means he believes he has inadvertently endangered the galaxy once more.

In the normal course of events, when someone encounters failure, it’s only reasonable for them to return to what they excel at. In the opening scenes of The Force Awakens, we find Han in the role of a smuggler traversing the galaxy once more. Yet, despite his profession, he never loses his compassionate nature, which becomes evident when he faces off with his son on Starkiller Base. Although Han’s words have no immediate impact at that moment, they sow the seeds for Ben Solo’s redemption in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This makes Han just as crucial to the sequels as Leia and Luke.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is streaming on Disney+.

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2025-06-15 20:41