Page 15 - Star Wars Insider (Special Edition 2020)
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JOHN WILLIAMS
that embodies the enlightenment 08
of the two characters and the full
comprehension of their destinies.”
The Force Awakens:
“Han and Leia”
As Return of the Jedi nears its
conclusion, Leia tells Han that
Luke is her brother, and Williams
guides the score through the
“Luke and Leia” melody and into
the love theme from Empire.
At the time, this marked the
culmination of Leia’s onscreen
romance with Han. But as the
Skywalker saga continued with
The Force Awakens, the trilogy’s
themes found new meaning
through fresh juxtapositions.
In fact, even the prequel trilogy 09
afforded an opportunity for
Williams to incorporate Leia’s to their hidden base on D’Qar.
theme, albeit not until the final When Han and Leia share another
moments of Revenge of the Sith, moment soon thereafter, their
as Bail Organa volunteers to adopt love theme returns on a somewhat
Leia, and again when he hands surer footing, courtesy of a French
the baby to his wife. When horn. Its position is quickly
watching the saga in episode usurped by Kylo Ren’s theme,
order, this becomes the first time however, as conversation turns to
the theme is heard, and its the couple’s wayward son.
“return” in A New Hope quickly Both Leia’s theme and the love
alerts the audience to Leia’s theme are again called into service
identity and secret history. when Leia and Han speak outside
When Leia—now a general in the Falcon, just before Han,
the Resistance—makes her first Chewie, and Finn depart for
appearance in The Force Awakens, Starkiller Base. As Han readies his
disembarking from a Resistance ship, Leia appears, supported by
transport, she is accompanied by her original motif. The two
a woodwind rendition of her embrace, and a horn plays the
theme. “Han had been in the love theme. Lastly, when Rey
movie already for 40 minutes at arrives on D’Qar following the
that point, so that is definitely destruction of Starkiller Base—and
Leia’s moment,” notes Collins. the death of Han—Williams
The theme quickly transitions restates the “Han Solo and the
into “Han Solo and the Princess,” Princess” melody for the final
which is here delivered by a flute. time, as Leia embraces the young
Where a horn might have brought scavenger. Not unlike its use at the
an air of confidence, the wind end of The Empire Strikes Back, away, there’s good cause for
instrument feels appropriately the love theme here lends further hope. After his arrival in the
tentative for this reunion between poignancy to Han’s now final moment of The Force
the estranged husband and wife. permanent absence. Awakens, Luke playa a larger
As Collins says, “After seeing The “It was great to revisit those role in the new film, and Leia’s
Force Awakens, we know ‘Han themes in The Force Awakens,” leadership of the Resistance is
Solo and the Princess’ is a love Collins enthuses. “John Williams sure to be further explored.
theme filled with caution and, brought them back and made Williams has scored Leia’s life
ultimately, tragedy.” them important all over again. from princess, through war hero
The love theme then gives way Here’s hoping we get to hear ‘Luke and sister to wife, mother, and
to “The March of the Resistance” and Leia’ sometime in the future.” leader. Whatever happens next,
as General Organa’s forces return With The Last Jedi just weeks we’ll be listening with love.
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