Roqoo Depot

Why Leia Is Awesome

The Star Wars Blog usually has some pretty good articles, but every now and then they have one that really gets your attention. Today Jennifer Heddle, senior editor for Lucas Books, did a write up called “Why Leia Is Awesome”. It’s an article so good that I’m labeling it a must read. Here’s a taste…

Her strength is apparent in A New Hope, when she is tortured by a Sith Lord to find out the location of the secret Rebel base — and tells him nothing. Vader even acknowledges the surprising depth of her resistance. Then, when she’s brought before Grand Moff Tarkin and threatened with the destruction of her entire planet if she doesn’t give up the location of the secret base once and for all, she stands there, with this merciless man before her and the man who tortured her gripping her shoulder behind her, and lies. She lies. It’s an incredible moment of steel will on her part. Did I mention that she’s only 19 at the time? Take a moment to think about what you accomplished at age 19. For me it was mostly drinking my weight in coffee at college.

Her empathy is on display after our heroes have escaped the Death Star, when Leia takes the time to console Luke — who she just met a few hours ago, remember — about the death of Obi-Wan. That’s right, she takes the time to console a guy she’s just met on the death of a man who that guy just met, when her entire planet has just been disintegrated (and she was recently tortured and about to be put to death. I’m just saying.). She may have a sassy mouth on her, but she also has a big heart.

Her loyalty is shown in The Empire Strikes Back, during the battle of Hoth, when even though Echo Base is falling down around them and Imperial forces are knocking at the door, Leia is still at the command center, coordinating combat efforts while she ducks falling chunks of ice. She’s on the front lines just like everybody else. And even when Han finally manages to drag her off (and I love that he knows that’s where she’ll be), she stops to tell the person working with her to get to the transport, too. She’ll never ask anyone to do something she wouldn’t do herself.

Click here to read the full article. It’s worth it.

Posted By: Skuldren for Roqoo Depot.