'The Princess And The Scoundrel' Is A Classic Fairy Tale With A Sci-Fi Spin
Image Source: Gizmodo Australia
Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa’s love story is one that we have followed over the course of 40-plus years, and it’s one that we have fallen in love with. Think about it, a princess and a guy like him? Even Luke said “no.” It’s a trope that we know all too well. But for some reason, the universe said, “sure, let’s put these two together and see what happens.”
Taking place immediately after the defeat of the second Death Star, Beth Revis’s The Princess and the Scoundrel shows us the inner workings of the rebellion and the constant fear of the Empire never thoroughly being defeated, even if Emperor Palpatine is dead. But it also shows a couple deeply in love, trying to navigate the rough waters of a relationship that has been put to the test in the short time of its existence. Honor and duty were ingrained into Leia practically from birth, with Senator (former Queen) Padme Amidala and Anakin Skywalker as her birth parents and Bail Organa and Queen Breha as her adoptive parents. All gave their lives to serve the greater good, with the exception of Anakin, who turned to the dark side and became Darth Vader. The jury is still out on Anakin’s redemption arc.
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Nearly as quickly as Han asks Leia to marry him, they are married in the temple in the center of the Ewok village, surrounded by rebels and Ewoks. Revis does a fantastic job setting the scene in a romantic, ethereal forest temple. It’s blatantly clear that Han and Leia only have eyes for each other:
“There was one second–just a heartbeat–when everyone was looking toward Han, but Han was looking at the door. And in that heartbeat, Leia stepped inside. There was no one in the galaxy but Leia and Han. Her eyes met his, and her smile was brighter than any star. And it was just for him.”
Image Source: Variety
As soon as the word “honeymoon” is mentioned to Leia, she immediately rejects the idea because there is still rebellion business to be done, and A WOMAN’S WORK IS NEVER DONE. Even Han tries to relax on their honeymoon but is immediately drawn to an underground game of Sabacc. He also spends the majority of the time trying to talk Leia into relaxing, even if he knows it’s a moot point. As they board the luxury starcruiser Halcyon (sound familiar?), Leia is ready to work with the Prime Minister of Madurs, whose planet would provide valuable resources for the recently victorious rebellion and offer a partnership of protection. However, upon spotting a tall, black spire, Han and Leia realize that the Empire isn’t completely gone, and they both flashback to Cloud City, where Darth Vader took Han as a prisoner and encased him in Carbonite.
Han and Leia discover that the Empire is drilling the planet for carnium, a substance that helps keep the ice planet habitable. Unfortunately, they also realize that because of the drilling, the planet is quickly becoming unstable and only has weeks before completely imploding on itself. Han and Leia immediately move into action to help save the people of the planet before the Empire figures out what’s happening. Aside from time, they also run into an old foe of Han’s, Imperial Senior Commander Alecia Beck.
One thing that sticks out is the mutual respect that Han and Leia have for each other. They recognize each other’s past and understand the triggers and events that led them to be the people they are today. Han is still struggling because he lost an entire year of his life frozen in Carbonite, held prisoner in Jabba’s palace, and recovering from hibernation sickness. Leia recognizes this on several occasions and shows Han patience and compassion while he mentally and physically works through a trigger, especially when they need to dive into the icy waters of Madurs.
Image Source: Star Wars Newsnet
Han understands that Leia’s allegiance to the rebellion is never-ending, and she always finds a way to weave work into anything she does. Han gets frustrated with her, but not because she’s constantly working. It’s because she never takes any time for herself to relax, to be selfish, to not have a single thought about the rebellion. He also gives his unwavering support in ways that are expected:
“Han shot to the edge of the bed and stood up, throwing his hands into the air. “Because you’re my wife! He shouted. “If you’re running a con, I’ll always back you up!”
It’s absolutely refreshing to see a couple have the utmost respect and admiration for each other. But, when you really think about it, we haven’t had the best relationship role models growing up. Take Homer Simpson from The Simpsons, for example. He treats Marge like absolute dirt until he screws up and does something so boneheaded that his only choice for redemption is to grovel at Marge’s feet to make everything better. As I get older, I realize it’s a crappy, toxic relationship, and Marge deserves much better.
Image Source: Time via Lucasfilm LTD.
On the flip side, you have Bob Belcher from Bob’s Burgers. Although he’s always high-strung and stressed out, he treats Linda, his wife, with deep adoration. In the episode Lindapendent Woman, Linda gets a job to help contribute to the family finances. While Bob is used to Linda helping run the restaurant while he cooks, he isn’t upset that he has to run the restaurant by himself. In fact, he realizes that he misses her working alongside him and being around him in general.
While there has been another retelling of the wedding of Han and Leia in The Courtship of Princess Leia, an Expanded Universe title released in 1994, The Princess and the Scoundrel gives most readers exactly what they were wanting- a fairy tale romance with a solid balance of science fiction action and adventure.
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Source(s): The Princess and the Scoundrel