METZ@MIT-ML@sri-unix.UUCP (10/05/83)
On the topic of the Other, in RotJ (pulling on my asbestos sweater): Darth Vader was indeed the other; Leia is - or rather will be - simply a carrier of the genes that apparently give the owner increased control over the Force. This is not a sexist attack on Leia's general capability as a person; it is, rather, an estimation of position based on what Lucas has given us to work with. Leia does virtually nothing with Luke during RotJ; with the exception of saying that she "knows" that Luke is alive, near the end, she demonstrates almost none of the ability that is inherent in her genes. Who plays a major role in deciding the outcome of the movie? Darth Vader. Who saves Luke Skywalker's life? Darth Vader. Upon whose thoughts and emotions does the happy outcome of the story depend (I mean Luke's survival as the Last of the Jedi, not the big bash on the Forest Moon of Endor - commonly called Endor, since humans have little use for the mother planet, except possibly as a source of fuel for those FTL drives. The big bash would have gone on anyway, since those abominable little creatures probably wouldn't have cared or understood about all that Last of the Jedi bilge)? Darth Vader's. Now, who is relegated to the background of the climactic movie of the current Star Wars trilogy? Leia Organa. Who is (perhaps unjustly) made to be one of the *supporting* cast? Leia Organa. Remember, the focus of the whole movie is on whether or not the Jedi philosophy will remain intact; if Luke Skywalker goes, there will be no one to teach Leia to be a Jedi Knight (please, no comments about Red Lensmen, et al). The final point is even easier to make, since it is based on objective data obtainable in various magazines and journals about movies and SF; G. Lucas' stated intent is to film a trilogy of prequels showing the events that lead up to Star Wars: A New Hope. Even if the trilogy is shortened to two movies, the next film in which Leia Organa, Luke, Han, and everyone else will not be released for at least 8 or 9 years. I suspect that Lucas will have acquired new young actors to play the leading roles in the final trilogy. Those roles will almost certainly be the children (or even farther removed descendants) of Luke and Leia, with an as yet unknown female character becoming mother to Luke's kids, and (so it seems) Han Solo as the sire of Leia's children. Harold S. Metz