Here's a topic that was brought to my attention that may be worth some discussion, since we haven't had much of that for a while. What do you all think about the characterizations of the Solo kids? When/if you write them in your own fanfic, do you think of them all your own or do you utilize parts of the EU? Or would you rather come up with your own kids for them to have and shape your own personalities for them? What do you think Han and Leia's kids would be like?
For myself, honestly throughout the EU there really isn't much consistent characterization of those kids. I mean, in the most general sense, Jaina is a pilot like her dad, Jacen is into animals and is the more sensitive one (until he goes all dark side) and Anakin is especially strong in the Force. But as far as personality goes, I've never seen them go to much effort to give them much beyond generic mischievousness as small kids and a bit of a tendency to get into trouble thanks to their father. If anyone sees it differently, let me know. I also found it incredibly unfair that some of them died before they really got to become their own people.
As for myself, I think I'm right there with a lot of people in seeing Jaina as a Daddy's girl. I do like the idea that she takes after Han and is into piloting and I can see Han taking her to his ship and teaching her all of those things about it. Personality wise I can see her being stubborn like her mother, and not a girlie-girl by any means though again, neither was her mother. I can see her having a pretty strong personality and being able to hold her own in almost any situation.
Jacen, I honestly usually don't really know what to do with. They made him such a troubled character in the EU that it's tough to assign a personality to it. I guess I can see him sort of being like his Uncle Luke though, maybe taking everything a bit more seriously and his sister is often trying to get him to lighten up. Which maybe she even succeeds at on occasion.
As for Anakin, he died a little too young to get to do much, but in my own writing I kind of see him as being a little more silly and light-hearted. The funny little guy jumping in for some laughs. I don't really know why I see it that way, possibly as a bid for attention to claim his spot over his siblings. I also kind of see him as really enjoying any one-on-one time he might get with one or both parents. I even said that in one of my stories, but as the youngest and having there be two ahead of him I can especially see this as true. There was one book that said that Anakin was Han's little ally in keeping the older two in line as they had reached a troublesome age and I can see that sort of thing, too.
I don't know, it's difficult to say given that I guess not a lot of us really utilize them all that much and have much need to really come up with personalities for them but I thought it was an interesting question. Anyone have any thoughts?
My opinion of the EU characterizations are for the most part synchronous with your own. But here are some of my very not at all humble opinions:
ReplyDelete1. I think Han and Leia, contrary to what's in the EU, would be very involved parents. They would not want to send them away to train in the Force until the child was old enough, by their standards, to benefit from such training.
2. Spare me all the kidnappings, threats, hiding, etc. It's a wonder these children don't go insane before the age of five. I could see the Solos in need of extra security, especially since Leia's position is a sensitive one, but I think Han and Leia would encourage their kids to attend regular schools, have friends and be kids. Both Han and Leia were deprived of childhoods, and I am quite certain that they would do everything possible to give them 'normal' lives.
3. While I see the Force as strong in these kids, I think the EU misuses their powers terribly. The dialogue in most of the books I've read (and I've read a lot of the EU--it's the sort of stuff I read on vacations to the tropics) doesn't sound remotely childlike.
4. Jaina training with Boba Fett? Far as I'm concerned, BF died at the pit of Carkoon. Same with Palpatine. The dude is dead. Keep him that way.
5. I think Jaina is a bit of a tomboy but also has a feminine side, not unlike her mother. I see both parents in her. I see Jacen as adoring her and in conflict with her. Which is how siblings are a lot of the time. Same with Anakin. He's way too dream like in the EU. The kids need to be humanized; most of the time, they're simply a device to advance the story, and we don't get to know anything about them as humans.
6. I get the feeling that the Force in the EU for these kids means becoming child soldiers. I can't imagine Han or Leia not being horrified by that. There are so many things that can be done with such a gift as the Force (which can be a curse at times). Jacen loves animals. Anakin demonstrates engineering talent. Jaina loves piloting; she's the only one I can see with any kind of military career.
7. Over at ff.net, I've given the family a fourth, non Force kid, which is shaping up to be way too much fun :)
8. And last, but certainly not least, I WOULD NEVER KILL ANY OF THE KIDS. NOT EVER. (I won't kill Chewie, either, but killing off two kids? One of them by his own sister? And Han saying it was a necessary death? Makes me wonder if some of the authors have ever even been around kids.)
Hmmm, this is a great post.
ReplyDeleteI honestly haven't thought a lot about it, since most of my writing at the moment focuses on stuff long before any of the kids were born. I mean, it gets interesting to write Han all the time and other stuff when I need to be focused on Promises, where Han isn't around at all. I think, and this does go with the conversation, that it is fun to have Han and Leia imagine what kind of kids they will eventually have though, so maybe as I go along I'll explore that.
But as for the kids themselves, I honestly don't know. Jaina, for sure, I have always seen much like her dad, but with that perfect mix of Leia in there too. It's like Jaina is the posterchild Solo in my mind. Like Han and Leia perfectly thrown together all into one. I mean, I did just write a story where that was the case, where Han had told Jaina that she was just like him, but then that she was the perfect mix of them. I don't know, I just always see her as the responsible one that is the perfect big sister.
Jacen is more difficult. I haven't given him as much thought (probably because I haven't written anything about him as of right now). I always read about him on Fanfiction and his love of animals and so on and so forth, but I've always felt that it just doesn't sit right with me. Like, that doesn't seem like a thing. I CAN see him being more distant from Han though, because Jaina would be closer to him, making Jacen closer to his mom. I'm not really sure what would really be his personality though. Quieter than his sister, but still strong headed. As far as his dark side part goes...that should never have happened.
Anakin is probably the one I've given the least thought. I mean, in the actual EU (although I have read very very little of it), he does die so young, and I'm not a huge fan of that. I think, like you said, he'd be more happy, light hearted and caring. Kind of like his grandfather when he was really young (like Episode 1). But instead of becoming all monotone and angry, he stays positive. Kind of a little like Luke too, less strong headed than either of his parents. The kind that gets along with everyone.
So I guess I have an idea of what Jaina would be like, and Anakin, but I'm just left confused about Jacen. I really think there was a lot wrong in the EU, and while it does bother me a bit that his name is Anakin, I'm happy with the number of kids and the twin thing. So let's just have three kids named Jaina, Jacen and Anakin and throw out the rest of the EU. As Stats described above, there are a lot of things wrong.
Oh, and all the kids absolutely adore Chewie. I mean, who doesn't?
The only story that I've written that involves Han and Leia's children is after they have just been born and haven't really developed any personalities yet. I did, however, use the names from the EU- but as far as their characterisations in the books, I doubt I would adhere to them (what few personality traits they are given) if I was to write a story including the kids.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I think I'm much more interested in Han and Leia before that period of their lives. That's not to say that I don't like reading about it, but possibly my age (20) has something to do with it. I much prefer the pre-ESB and post-ROTJ time periods to write about.
That might have something to do with the horrible EU books following the movies however. I am always glad to read a good alternative to them.
Good topic! I'm seeing if I can finish Fate of the Jedi before "Crucible" comes out, so I've definitely got Jaina on the brain!
ReplyDeleteAs far as writing Han and Leia's kids, I really haven't even thought that far. Anything I write would most likely employ some version of EU canon, but I'm not sure how exactly.
In the Bantam novels, it really seemed like the kids were more set dressing than anything. I just re-read a bit of Barbara Hambly's "Children of the Jedi," and they do read like furniture! And of course, book to book and author their characterizations could change a lot.
But let me introduce you to the ax that _I_ have to grind: Does anyone feel like the Mommy Wars are being fought in the EU over the Solo kids' upbringing? Every author seems to have his or her own point of view on whether Leia is a crappy mom or not. Of course, none of them ever worries about Han being a crappy dad. I love the scene in one of the Legacy of the Force books (I think) where Jaina says to Mara, "some people just shouldn't have children," referring to her mother. And Mara just rips her a new one. It's awesome. And of course, we're always hearing speculation that Jacen went bad because he was separated from his parents.
Here's the thing. The idea that kids need to live with their parents and be raised in one particular way is a cultural construct. Different cultures have done things in very different ways over the years. One of the purposes of science fiction is to imagine different ways of doing things, right? So I'm not sure that it makes sense to hold Leia to a 19th-20th century western values system of parenting.
(By the way, part of the above is a paraphrase of someone on the internets talking about Star Wars and feminism, but damned if I can find the reference...)
Additional random thoughts: it didn't bother me so much that Anakin died as he did. It seemed like a pretty good death as these things go, and he was prepared for it and accepted it. In RL there would be something seriously wrong with someone his age dying in war, but I buy it for the GFFA.
Jacen doing dark, though, seemed a bit artificial to me. And now in the books I'm reading Luke and Ben are trying to figure out how it happened and I guarantee you the final answer will be "we never know why these things happen."
Lady Peter, I do agree that the EU books went back and forth an awful lot as far as Han and Leia's parenting. It was incredibly blatant when we were re-reading the books and it was like they alternated. One set of books they were very hands on, the next they barely saw them. One the kids were kidnapped because they weren't paying attention, then the next Han is basically just house husband and totally in charge of his kids because they don't want to risk kidnapping again. Except in the next book they hardly have anything to do with the kids again. Make up your minds!
DeleteI'm going to say that in this case I don't even see it as much of a kids needing the parents thing as a parents needing the kids. I just don't think that they would have had kids if they didn't intend to be a pretty major part of their lives. I'm sure they'd still want to have lives of their own, but I can see them wanting to have a major role in the raising of their kids. Although I do think that the kids do need the parents to a large degree. Not saying they'd go dark side because of it, but kids want to know that they are important to their parents, and it's not so apparent if Mom and Dad are off doing their own thing and leaving you with babysitters all the time.
I forgot about that conversation Jaina had with Mara and you're right, that was a good one.
One of the things that bothered me so much about Anakin's death was that they spent so much of the EU preparing us for how powerful he was and how he was going to be an amazing Jedi and instead he just dies young and may as well have never existed for all of the impact he made. And that's just sad.
I too dislike the whole 'Mommy Wars' contrived arguments. I was in grad school till my little girl was 6, and then worked full time for years as a post doc and as an adjunct before coming to my present job and receiving tenure in 2006. But I made sure my daughter always got time from me. I think she might have liked more but she remembers having a lot of fun (we were 'the friend house,' where all her friends ended up). I think Leia is a very good mother and works hard at everything she does, personally and professionally. I do give her time off so she doesn't completely burn out.
DeleteI don't think there's any one way to be a good parent. We all do it differently. Would I have done some things differently? Sure, had I known what I know now. But I didn't. And most parents make their best efforts with what they know, and there's never perfect knowledge.
With the profic treatments of the Solo children I'm always reminded of the soap opera treatments of children. Having the children be born is a big event but then there aren't any interesting stories for babies or little kids and the show doesn't want to make the parents look too irresponsible so they just forget about the children for a while until they can be brought back as older children or teens when they can participate in the stories. The Star Wars books decided to continue or go back and fill in the storyline instead of jumping the kids ages so the authors had to come up with "send the kids to another planet" or "make Chewie babysit for the whole book" or "send all the Jedi kids to the center of the Maw" so Han and Leia (and Luke and Mara later) can still have adventures without the kids. Sending the kids off by themselves didn't give much opportunity to develop any kinds of consistent characterizations. Fan fic writers should feel free to interject their ideas.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Chewie the babysitter! When I first started reading these books I had a friend who read, too, and we used to joke all the time about how poor Chewbacca had basically just become overgrown babysitter. Yeah, give the kids something to do! Or show them all interacting as a family rather than finding ways to write them out of the story!
DeleteI have never understood the sort of animosity that was pun into the later eu between Jaina and Leia. They make it out as if they can't relate because Jaina is such a tomboy which doesn't make sense because all of the early stuff about Leia describes her as omboy.
ReplyDeleteI would think if anything this would give them more in common. Not that I don't see her as daddy's little girl. It's as if they shoved Leia to the side to interject Mara into Jania's development because they liked that pairing better. But I also think that Leia was severely abused in a character development since in the eu.
DeleteHow would I go about submitting a story?
DeleteCCP: You are on ff.net, right? You can PM either Zyra or me there and then we can take care of it. :-)
DeleteI’m not sure I could make up my own kids for Han and Leia. I’m kind of partial to the ones they had. But I could see if I was doing something really different I might make up my own. It was quite sad when I looked up the kids on wookieepedia there is more about their love interests or other things than their personalities. I believe it did go into their abilities if I remember right.
ReplyDeleteBoy, they’d have to be a mix of Han and Leia and the rest of the galaxy might want to watch out. :) I think that would make an interesting mix of characteristics.
It is terribly sad what they did to the kids in the EU. Ccp may be right in that they were treated like kids in soap operas. And I realize they need to sell books, but that was brutal. And to take away both boys was too much. Can’t they make someone else suffer for a while?
Does anyone else think Jaina is getting more of a personality now that she is older in the books? It was showing some in Outcast. It’s pretty funny she inherited Leia’s mouth. :) Perhaps Han is just better at curbing his tongue and Jaina didn’t get that part of the genes. I’m a bit surprised she’s more like her dad since she looks so much like her mother and short like her. Guessed I always expected her to be more like Leia. But yes, I expect her to be strong and hold her own, no doubt. I think they’ve shown Jaina as even less girly-girl than Leia and Leia could get the men drooling. I thought that was interesting. I really didn’t like that bit of Jaina being mad at Leia for a while. It made no sense to me. You would have thought that Han and Leia would have explained their reason for doing things as the kids got older. Maybe it didn’t matter. I kind of took it as them trying to interject Mara into the situation as well.
I could see Jacen as more serious. He is one of the firstborn. It would make sense. I could see him taking the Jedi training quite seriously.
Such a shame what they did with Anakin. He was so young and probably really didn’t have a chance. They certainly built him up and then nothing. Oh, yeah, I could totally see him being silly. Might be a toss-up to whom would get into more trouble – him or Jaina. He’s the youngest and I’d expect him to be more of a daredevil.
Have to correct myself. It was Artoo23 that mentioned the soaps.
DeleteOkay, I've been away all week, but I thought I'd go ahead and belatedly chime in on this topic. But I warn you, I think I may have a pretty unpopular opinion in this crowd. But it's all about sharing, right?
ReplyDeleteOh, and in the interest of full disclosure: I pretty much gave up reading the EU shortly after Anakin Solo died, so maybe I have a narrow view on all this. Feel free to correct me, but you've been warned...
*deep breath* All right, here's my confession: I've never liked the EU kids. Never. And it was really disappointing, because Han and Leia's kids should've had *so much* potential as characters, but I always thought they came across as cardboard-y and unlikeable. Arrogant, even. Especially Anakin (and gaah, don't get me started on his name. I have just never been able to swallow the idea that Leia would name her kid that. It just doesn't make sense to me. I don't care how many "force ghost conversations" she had with daddy). I definitely liked him the least. He was too much of a "super kid"which made him impossible to relate to or even root for. That said, his death made me sad. But not because I was going to miss him as a character, I just felt really bad for Han and Leia (especially Leia, I thought they handled her reaction pretty decently).
Jacen? I don't even feel like I know him at all. And I don't care to. He bored me.
Jaina is interesting for me. I hated her when she was smaller, but she grew on me slightly as she got older.And it's funny, because everyone seems to hate how she had angsty issues with Leia, and gave her attitude, but actually, that was what made me warm up to her a little bit. I mean an adolescent girl fighting/taking issue with her mother? That's probably the most "normal" and "relatable" behavior she ever exhibited. I mean, come on. I loved my mom to *pieces*, but that doesn't mean I didn't give her a really hard time when I was in high school. So I had no problem with that whole thing.
So, with all this in mind, I've never written anything with them in it and probably never will.
**BUT** that doesn't mean I don't enjoy fanfics that do feature them. I've seen them handled very well in several fics I've read. But that's probably because a lot of fanfic authors are much more adept at rounding out their characters and making them more 3-dimensional and well, *likable*. Something that I've felt the EU authors were never any good at doing. *shrugs*
And yes, I have given them an "original" kid in one of fics. But trust me, hat was not so much as me "rebelling" against the EU kids, but rather a demand of the AU storyline. Anyway, I did my best with him, and I think/hope he turned out okay as a possible Solo-Organa spawn. :-)
Soooo......I hope haven't ruffled too many feathers. But different opinions, are good--yes?
You're cool, Stoned Rose. I get your point. That's pretty funny about Solo-Organa spawn. :) Probably the best way to put it.
DeleteI can't see Leia naming her kid Anakin either. I must be the outlier for girls. :) I didn't have too many issues with my mom growing up and some good times with her when I was older. I kind of liked Jaina in Outcast.
No, I don't think your view is unpopular and I certainly understand it. I agree that the kids, especially when they were truly kids, were a wasted opportunity. They were just there. They didn't really have personalities. And I can understand hating them.
DeleteMe? I use them because it's easy and I'm a lazy, unimaginative and conformist writer! It's a lot easier to use kids that already exist and at least attempt to throw in some personality as I see fit than it is to try and make up new kids. So I certainly wouldn't defend the idea of the "official" kids so much as I just fin it a lot simpler to use what is already there. You're right too that having Jaina butt heads with her mother was probably actually a good thing, and quite appropriate.
And since you brought it up, when are we going to be reading more of your story with that other Solo kid you made up? It's been over ten years now since it was updated. It could be like, the most amazing comeback in the history of fanfic ;)
amara z--Oh, yeah. Don't get me wrong. It's not like my mom and I were fighting *constantly* when I was that age, we had a lot of good times too--but we also fought more in that era than in any other time in our relationship. And I think that's pretty common. Not necessarily anything against Mom, but just a naturally part of teenage development and all that.. But maybe I'm just talking out of my ear, I'm not a psychologist or anything. :-)
DeleteZyra--Hey! I've read some of your stuff and I would not call you lazy, unimaginative OR conformist! Quite the opposite actually! And I've actually enjoyed your portrayals of their kids, so you go on and keep doing what you're doing. But keep writing! Or else I will brand you with that first thing. ;-)
As for the other thing....I'm working on making that amazing comeback, I really am. Wrote some before my vacation, actually. And don't worry, when I have something almost-ready you'll be one of the first to know!
I second Zyra! It would be an amazing comeback :)
DeleteBe still my beating heart! This is gonna be awesome :-)
DeleteRose, I also find the Leia/Jaina dynamic very realistic and even well-executed for the most part. One of the nicest exchanges between them that I've read in the EU has Leia telling her daughter that they'll probably never be able to live together again now that Jaina as an adult, because they're too alike. But she says it in this really loving, rueful way. Also, there's a sweet scene in some LOF book where they're lying on a bed together and Leia is imparting words of wisdom, some of which include referring to the past as "way back when your father was just this outrageously handsome man who would come and go" or something like that.
DeleteHonestly, my quarrel with the EU mostly ends with Vector Prime. Even though I don't agree with all the directions they go, I really like the way the Han/Leia relationship is portrayed post-Han crack up. But that's a whole other can of worms :-)
Yeah, see? I really think there is something to the idea that the more alike you are, the more likely you'll fight. Maybe that's another reason mothers and daughters go at it. I don't know...
DeleteBut those scenes you mentioned sound kind of nice. And it's funny, because definitely around the time I gave up the EU, it had actually done an impressive turnaround as far as Han and Leia were concerned. I remember thinking "finally, they're getting them right!" But it just seemed like there was less and less of them, and more and more of those dreaded Solo kids (heh heh), that I finally gave up and decided to focus on just reading fanfic instead (I made an exception for "Tatooine Ghost:" though--I mean, how could I not?) But hey, maybe I gave up too soon. Who knows?
Oh, and not to veer off-topic here, but you brought up the Han "crack-up" phase (you meant when he randomly left Leia and they almost split right?) Am I the only one who thought the EU people prematurely blew their load here? If they really wanted to write in some Han/Leia angst, it seems like the "near breakup" would've made much more sense post-Anakin's death rather than Chewie's. I mean, I've always heard that losing a child is like one of the single greatest strains on a marriage (never read the statistics for spouse losing "best friend" though :-P), so it just seemed like that would've been a time when Han would be more likely to "crack up".
Am I the only one who feels this way?
Well, I'm more like my dad so that might explain why I was more likely to go toe to toe with him. My daughter however is like me so this could get interesting. :)
DeleteI didn't like the whole break up thing in the first place. He had been with Chewie forever so I can see he would take it hard. And Leia sort of kicked him out in a way or at least it was mutual. But Han was such an ass at times. I don't want to think about the dreadful things he might have said to her. I like Leia's line in Recovery that he won't do it again and there was a mention of stun cuffs. :) That's more like the reaction I'd expect from our girl.
My memory is hazy on all this--it's been like ten years--is that what happened? Leia kicked Han out? I always thought he took off, and that she did very little to stop him since she was kinda fed up. Hmmm......
DeleteYeah, I remember liking "Recovery" a bit. And was so relieved when they reconciled! :-)
And, yeah, don't get me wrong--it's not like I thought the "split" was a great idea. But *if* they were were gonna do it, it just seems like post-Anakin would've made more sense.
It's more like you said, she was kind of fed up and did little to stop him. I probably interpret that as kicking him out. But I remember there was some kind of comment that if he was going to act that way maybe it was better he was away for a while. I can always dredge up my book and find out.
DeleteI was slightly off with the quotes. But in one case Leia does tell Han that maybe it would be good for him to get away for a while. But the real kicker was later when she told him - "But keep one thing in mind: I'm not Malla, Han. I won't have you dropping by here once a year, using our home as a base for your escapades."
DeleteAnd sorry to dredge up the quotes. Might need some nice mindless fluff or something after that. Little intense.
Oh the infamous break up. StonedRose, you are right that the good thing about it was that AFTER and ever since they have been the couple I wished they were the entire time. I really have no complaints about how they've been portrayed.
DeleteI kind of agree that Anakin's death makes more sense for tearing them apart. That said, I feel like under those circumstances, that kind of rift could be irreparable. After Han went through what he did with Chewie, he knew HE had to be the strong one for Leia (I think there is a specific quote about that) and I think that was very important. He couldn't crumble, he had to be there for her. That is one of the few non innuendo lines I have always remembered for them in the books. When Han goes and hugs her after she feels him die, he says, "I'm right here, Princess. I'll always be here." Heartbreaking.
Yeah, one thing that kind of bothered me about them after Chewie and when Han was running away was that Leia didn't seem to stand up for herself or try very hard to stop him. But maybe it was just that she knew him well enough to know there was no stopping him? The other thing that bothered me was that in that case, when Han was sort of finally reminded that his friends and family were vulnerable to the enemy, I would see him wanting to be even closer with his wife and kids, not run away from them. But whatever.
Stoned on the angst between Leia and Jaina I don't think my problem was that there was angst but with the reasons for the angst which has more to do with the way Han and Leia were handled as characters.
DeleteBtw, Zyra, you a lazy, unimaginative, conformist writer? Hardly. :)
ReplyDeleteRegarding Han's crack up in general, I think maybe the EU could have gone a little farther with it. They seemed very cautious not to defame a beloved character, which I understand.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I would have been OK seeing him cheat, but Han and Leia are supposed to be having these awful fights, and we never hear what gets said. I read a good fanfic a while ago that depicted one of these off-stage fights, and the author had Han say he wished he'd never helped Leia escape from the Death Star b/c then none of this would have happened and Chewie would be alive. Now THAT'S what I call angst! The farthest the profic authors go is to consistently describe Han as "unshaven and haggard."
Sorry, I personally felt like they took the angst as far as it needed to go. I didn't really need specifics. And I do wonder how far it can really go before people say things that leave the relationship beyond repair. I mean, at a certain point, there are things that can just never be forgotten and will change the way you see someone forever, no matter how things have changed for the better. I don't want to see that happen to my favorite fictional couple.
DeleteI couldn't agree more, Zyra. I like them AS a couple and want them to BE a couple. I have no desire to read about them tearing into one another and saying horrible things. I like my Han and Leia without unnecessary angst. But that's just me.
DeleteI think this must go along with my desire (as expressed in my comments for the "Feels Like the First Time" post) to read about exactly what's being said by our characters in the bedroom.
DeleteIn some way I must still be a little kid with the grown-ups closing the door in my face just when things get interesting. I'm forever asking, "but when happened then? Exactly??" Anything worth leaving unsaid is worth hearing, in my book :-)
I’m with Zyra and Claire on this one. I like them and want them to stay as a couple. I don’t need the details or to witness the yelling. I think that there is a point that people can go too far and things can’t be undone. But I have a hard time seeing that they would be too mean to each other anyhow.
DeleteLady Peter--What fic was this? I think I read it once upon a time....and I have to admit, I'm a little curious about what went on, too. But I have a perverse appetite for a little Han/Leia angst once in awhile. I'm not saying they had to give us a blow-by-blow account of a fight, but a little inkling of what was said would've been cool.
DeleteBut it's interesting that most people don't want to hear exactly what he said, but we already know he said "awful things". Hmm.....are we worried that if we knew what Han said we'd have a harder time forgiving him than Leia did?
Interesting....;-)
Oh, and Zyra, I meant to tell you that I thought you made a good point re: if Han and Leia had broke up post-Anakin rather than Chewie, You said that at that time it might've been a split beyond repair, and you're right. That might've actually done them in.
DeleteYou might have a point on the forgiving part. Just my humble opinion, but I'd rather not read the awful things. I've heard enough awful things in RL to last me a lifetime. I read to escape and that's just a bit too real for me. So now I get Lady Peter's comment on the other post about things being too real at times. :) And being married for 20 years, I try to focus more on the positives of marriage.
DeleteInterestingly, the fact that Han mourned Chewbacca more than Anakin comes up in Crucible. And Han's thoughts on the matter.
Delete....And? What were Han's thoughts on the matter? I noticed that too and would be curious if he has an explanation (or excuse) for that. Do share! :-)
DeleteWell, I don't actually HAVE the book yet. I pre-ordered and for some reason even though it came out yesterday my stupid book hasn't even shipped yet! So I cheated and went to the book store today and flipped through (it's $10 cheaper ordering online, sorry!) and came across that passage. I'm not sure he said it out loud, but his thoughts on the matter were basically what I said above. He had to be strong for Leia because otherwise his death very well may have destroyed her. There was more to it but that I remember for sure.
DeleteYeah, Rose, I like having a fictional couple have an awful fight and then get back together in a really dramatic way, like Leia purposefully getting put in quarantine and her head shaven!
DeleteI can't remember the name of the story, and I don't think I favorited it, but it was from Jacen's point of view and took place in their Coruscant apartment. Maybe that would be enough to do a search on?
I'm cautiously looking forward to Crucible, but I have to finish the rest of FOJ first. They go quick, tho, when you skim over all the parts that don't feature your favorite characters!
Now here's a tangent of a tangent: I AM counting the days until Razor's Edge comes out in September. Anyone else?
Interesting hearing everyone's ideas! I'm loving it :)
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm so late to chime in on this one, guys.
ReplyDeleteI can understand people who didn't like their EU kids. Personally I would go through phases of liking or disliking them in equal measure and I think that was partly because the various writers portrayal of them was so different so you never got to really "know" them. Hell, in the early days the authors couldn't even agree on the colour of Anakin's eyes let alone portray these kids consistently. But over time I grew to like them, particularly Jaina.
As for the split, yes the writers could have done more, but I'm glad they didn't go there. Just the hints we were given to their terrible fights and the hurtful things they said to each other was enough info for me. I don't think any of us really need to know the specifics.
I forgot about Anakin's changing looks. They certainly made him Skywalker. Or tried.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the break up. The hints we did get we were quite enough for me. Any more and I would need a neuralizer.
This is a little aside but I think it fits. Does any one else remember Tahiri being basically an adopted daughter of Han and Leias? And then sometime after the boys death being with Luke and Mara. Which I find very hard to believe that they wouldn't close ranks with her particularly given how young she was at that time. Does it seem as if there was an effort to make Luke and Mara the "parents" of the family?
ReplyDeleteThat's right, I do remember her becoming almost a part of the family. I can't really remember anything as far as having Luke and Mara be more the "parents."
DeleteI guess parents is the wrong description but she started spending more time with them and I find it hard to believe that Han and Leia would not keep her as close as possible after the events of Yavin and Mykrr.
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