The Final Act
The Rebel fleet is amassing on Dantooine, a grassy world featuring giant and perhaps ancient earthen structures. Captain Wedge Antilles and Major Bren Derlin (played by John Ratzenberger) are discussing the fleet's vulnerability on such an open locale, even when hidden in the towers and caves beneath the plains. Major Derlin contends that there was once a Rebel settlement nearby and that the Empire was aware of its location, thus potentially endangering the assault before it begins. Captain Antilles insists that the Empire has been fed deliberate misinformation and the fleet was nearly ready to depart anyway. They both worry about Commander Solo and the Princess neither of whom have checked in. Preparations are made for the assault on the Imperial Fleet's main port and shipyard orbiting Had Abbadon. This assault must occur before the Imperial Fleet can begin its campaign of wiping out civilian worlds friendly to the Rebel Alliance.
Leia and Chewbacca continue to attempt contact from the Cloud City, but fail. Leia tells Chewie she feels like a prisoner and Chewie seems to agree.
Lando enters to tell her how beautiful she is and Leia blows up in his face. Lando keeps his cool and smoothly attempts both to comfort and to seduce the Princess, before Chewbacca approaches Lando and towers over him.
On Dagobah, Han decries the amount of money he had to spend buying two ships (one of them Dengar's) back on Ord Mantell. They are camping
in the swamps of the marshy world while Obi-Wan prepares to depart for Bespin. Han asks about Yoda and Kenobi tells him that Yoda was a "great warrior." Han says the planet was crawling with life readings, but nothing intelligent seemed to reside there. Obi-Wan instructs Han to be patient and to meditate the way he taught him, not the way Mace Wen-Du had.
Obi-Wan leaves with Threepio (still affixed to Toobeefor, and distressed about leaving his friend behind) and Toobeefor to check on the Princess
on Bespin. Han talks absent mindedly to Artoo who seems uncomfortable being left as well. Solo sits dejected and impatient saying that it should
have been Luke who became a Jedi, not him. "I don't know what we're doing here. We're wasting our time... I dunno. I feel like..."
"Feel like what?"
Han spins and directs his blaster on a small alien in tattered robes [Yoda is slightly different here. Facially, he is as OTL, but his color is slightly
more gray-blue. He also has slightly more hair, a semi-Gandalfian beard, bigger, hairier four-toed feet, and a tattered cap. The puppet is still controlled and voiced by Frank Oz but has received more input from Jim Henson TTL. It is also slightly taller, with Deep Roy inside the puppet suit. Roy's contribution is minimal as he only truly operates the walking motion of the puppet from within. After being told he must lose a significant amount of weight to fit inside the slim alien's suit, Roy began to have something of an amicable falling out with the filmmakers and would not return to another Star Wars picture. The dialogue and mischief caused by Yoda is a mirror of OTL]. Inside the creature's hovel, Han makes the realization that this tiny creature is in fact, Jedi Master Yoda. Yoda speaks with Obi-Wan telepathically while consulting long dead Jedi Masters of old.
Yoda explains to Han that this destiny was not his. Luke Skywalker, the lost son of Annakin Solo was to have been the one who brought about
Vader's destruction. He sacrificed himself to save Han and Leia, a decision which was honorable, but foolish in the grand scheme to restore
order to the Galaxy and revive the long lost Jedi religion. Han is astonished that Luke had been his brother, but Yoda corrects him: Luke was only his
half-brother. Annakin Solo betrayed not just his Order and his children, but his forbidden lover as well. Luke's curse - the burden of becoming a Skywalker, an orphan's name, when his mother had been a noblewoman, strong in the Force - was to have been rectified once he had destroyed Vader. Now, with that burden falling instead to Han Solo a barely force sensitive scoundrel, Yoda feels the outcome of this war may be defeat for the Jedi, the Rebel Alliance, and the entire galaxy as a whole.
Obi-Wan suggests Luke Skywalker's living Force be channeled, as has been done in times of extreme need, to be partially joined with Solo's
very soul, thus allowing Han to increase his Force abilities to a degree which could perhaps fulfill Skywalker's destiny. Yoda says that the process
is too dangerous and besides, both Luke at the time of his death and Han Solo are far too old to begin Jedi training. Their paths would be one of
haste and anger and would no doubt lead them into the Darkness. Han says that if Luke Skywalker was his half-brother and if they were the galaxy's last hope he must be allowed to attempt to summon him. Yoda tells Han that there is another, someone whom he has seen Luke trying to join with already. It might be safer that way, Obi-Wan replies, Han would not feel the full power of melding with the living Force of another, and therefore could assist the other conduit.
Han Solo, now fully on the path to becoming a Jedi ensures Yoda that he is not afraid. Yoda ominously replies that soon, Han will be...
Meanwhile, back at the Imperial Fleet, Sate Pestage informs Vader that the Grand Vizier must return to Had Abbadon to advise the Emperor on the Empire's new superweapon. Vader seems relieved, but Pestage informs him that if the Rebels were not found soon, Vader would have to leave the fleet and return to the Imperial planet for his punishment. He tells Vader that the Emperor is most displeased that he lost Solo and the repercussions will be severe.
Back on Bespin, Leia feels as if she has been stalked by Nellith Kadar and she tells Lando she doesn't trust the Chieftain. Lando says he doesn't
trust him either, but he is his father. In a rare moment of intimacy (Chewbacca is not around), Leia asks Lando about his upbringing. Lando
says it didn't bother him being the cloned child of a clone veteran of the Clone Wars. He grew up wealthy, working for the family business while freelance bounty hunting on the side in secret. He spent hours with the native peoples of Bespin with whom he identified, in spite of the fact that fraternizing with them was forbidden by his father.
His closeness to the natives of Bespin (whom his Clonefather despises and oppresses),his rampant gambling, and the discovery of his being a gun
for hire had resulted in him being exiled from Bespin along with his childhood teacher and guardian, Toobeefor. The leadership of the tribe would one day fall to his Clonesister rather than him, although she herself is a bounty huntress of some note - unbeknownst to the Chieftain. Lando says the strangest thing about leaving Bespin was encountering his own face in crowds of people across the galaxy. Some were veterans, while others were simply clones of clones like himself. It made him feel less alone but more lost. Leia puts a hand on Lando's to comfort him and they look like they are about to kiss when the door opens and Chewbacca enters.
Meanwhile, on a remote floating platform on Bespin, Obi-Wan lands to meet with the alien natives while storm clouds gather on the horizon. He and Toobeefor procure a ride into the Cloud City aback a lizard-ray and secure their disguises while they board the twin cockpit of the control saddle. Toobeefor dons a leather tunic and sets to work using a tool to diminish the still dismembered Threepio''s gold finish into a rough silver. Obi-Wan removes his cloak and covers Toobeefor with it, leaving only a gas miner tunic and rough hewn breeches. He slips on a tattered gray eye-patch and signals the pilot of their lizard-ray that they are ready to depart. Toobeefor remarks that he sure hopes this works, either of them could easily be recognized.
On Dantooine, the Rebels are finally prepared to depart on their assault. Pilots say goodbye to their families in an unusually dramatic scene, spouses and children weep for their Rebel loved ones. Female pilots kiss their sons, daughters, and husbands, while male pilots kiss their sons, daughters, and wives. All races of human and all manner of alien are cut to during this dramatic goodbye in the fields of Dantooine. It is made clear that this is a suicide mission to stall the never ending Imperial war machine. Wedge Antilles climbs into his X-Wing to lead the journey to Had Abbadon. The camera pans upward to see the heavy cruisers arriving to rendezvous with the fighter fleet.
Lando enters with the Chieftain. The Chieftain tells Leia they are invited to dine with him. Leia would be allowed to contact the Rebel leadership once their situation is assessed by him. Leia says it's about time. They make their way to the dining hall as the Chieftain tells them he just made a deal that would keep the Empire out of their affairs forever. When the door opens Vader sits at the head of the table. He rises and Lando pulls his blaster, firing several shots that all hit uselessly in Vader's hand before the Dark Lord force pulls the blaster away from him and clutches it unhurt. Nellith and a team of Stormtroopers emerge as Vader says, "We would be honored if you would join us..." The prisoners go to sit as the door shuts behind them.
On Dagobah Han is training with Yoda [The training is much more brief here, than in OTL's version. There is no cave scene]. Han Solo is shown running, vaulting, and swinging from vines with the Master on his back. He is asking about the Dark Side, about Vader, and about his own father and half-brother while he trains and Yoda is giving him guidance. The Master instructs Han to stop and meditate. Han helps Yoda down from his shoulders and does a hand stand, levitating Artoo and several stones. He begins to feel Skywalker's presence in this moment, and Yoda claims to feel it too. It's stronger than Yoda had expected it to be, and Han claims it
hurts. Yoda instructs Solo to clear his mind. Skywalker is lost within the Force and he has no sight. Only the feeling of Han's presence
can draw them together. For Luke, Yoda explains, the years since his death seem like an eternity, and while he has learned much, he has forgotten even more. About who he once was, the people he once loved.
Han claims to be able to see Luke; Yoda sees him too. Han's pain subsides. Yoda says that they are beginning to meld, it's happening quicker and more easily than he had predicted. [The EU will explain further this type of event. Force Ghosts of a certain skill can donate parts of their life force to a living Force user to increase the user's power in times of need. The drawbacks are that is permanent, and depending on how much of the living Force is absorbed, it may effect the physiology of the host, potentially effecting long term the way they look, their characteristics, and even their genetic makeup, i.e. passing traits of the deceased Force User to their offspring. The film obviously does not expand too much into this - and before you complain about the bizarre nature of such a thing, remember: There was a cave in The Empire Strikes Back where Luke fought himself as Darth Vader, cut his own head off which then exploded. So... this is light fare by comparison.]
Han sees something else, something he believes Luke is showing him. The death of Kenobi, of Chewbacca and Leia, the defeat of the Rebel assault on Had Abbadon. Yoda tells him the future is hard to see but Han panics. Artoo and the stones come crashing down. Han stands and begins to pack. Yoda insists he isn't ready, but Han says they must be in danger and that he can feel Luke's presence within him. Memories, power. He believes he is ready to confront Vader, with his half-brother's living Force flowing through him. Yoda says Skywalker and Solo have not fully merged into one and Solo asks if they ever could. Yoda says that they could not. It was never possible for Luke's power or destiny to fully infiltrate Han. Luke reserved much of his living Force for another warrior, the one who might succeed when Han fails. Solo mutters Kenobi's name, but Yoda tells him it is not Ben.
Ignoring Yoda's pleas and insistence that Han Solo isn't ready, he loads up his ship and leaves, promising to return once his friends were safe.
Back on Bespin, Chewbacca is being tortured for information concerning Han. He and Leia are being imprisoned, but Lando is allowed to roam free back and forth from their cell. Leia punches him assuming he was part of the plot. Lando insists that he's not. His Clonefather made the deal with Vader. He tells them that Vader doesn't want Chewbacca or Leia at all, Vader is setting a trap for Han.
Vader plans to freeze Han in carbonite before presenting him to the Emperor. To test that it can be done safely to a sentient being he plans to freeze Chewbacca before giving the Wookiee to Nellith Kadar to collect the bounty from Jabba the Hutt. At Lando's suggestion Leia will be allowed to remain in Cloud City under guard until further notice. At the freezing facility, Chewbacca is led to the chamber that could very well kill him. He erupts into violence, throwing Stormtroopers off of the platform and howling ferociously. Nellith lifts her rifle to fire, but Vader lowers it while Leia pleads with Chewbacca not to force them to kill him. She promises that they will see one another again and begins to cry, telling Chewie to be strong for Han.
Chewbacca is lowered into the chamber and frozen. Leia buries her head into Lando's chest, sobbing. Nellith asks if Chewie is dead and the aides confirm that he is in perfect cryogenic hybernation. Leia is taken away and Lando accompanies her while Vader departs to wait for Solo.
Han arrives and finds the group transporting Leia and Chewbacca's frozen from. Nellight hears Artoo's beeping and opens fire on Han who returns fire. Leia is yelling to Han Solo that is is a trap. The group eludes Han who becomes seperated from Artoo.
At Had Abbadon the Rebel Assault has commenced on the shipyards above the Imperial homeworld. Sate Pestage some distance ahead of the
shadowed Emperor is watching intently. Wedge Antilles leads a woefully smaller force against the home fleet of the Emperor himself. Many
losses are taken.
Meanwhile, Lando and his men double cross the Imperial captors and a team of Bespin alien rebels arrive to imprison the Stormtroopers. Lando
hands Leia a blaster and she screams at him that she doesn't trust him. He tells her there's still a chance to save Chewbacca and they run. Obi-Wan approaches shedding his disguise with Toobeefor close behind. Artoo approaches at or near this moment much to Threepio's elation. Lando asks Kenobi if the plans were ready and he tells Lando that they are. The oppressed people of Bespin are prepared to spare Lando in exchange for winning their independence from his clonefather. Leia is confused and Kenobi tells her he had been in contact with Lando from the rebel's base since she was taken prisoner. Toobeefor stays with Lando, Artoo, Leia, and of course, Threepio while Kenobi stalks off to confront Vader. Lando's party go to the landing platform to intercept Nellith with Jabba's prize.
Kenobi finds Vader waiting for him and the two pace and talk for a while before beginning to fight. The fight is brief, however, as Han Solo approaches and rushes to join them. Kenobi smiles and submits to his death as Vader cuts him in half. Kenobi vanishes and his robes fall to the ground.
Han screams and unleashes a barrage of blaster bolts which Vader deflects before pulling the blaster from Han's hand, destroying it. Vader
says that Obi-Wan had taught him well, but he is not a Jedi yet. [Their dialogue is as OTL, especially the "You'll find I'm full of surprises" line,
seeing as how it's a VERY Han thing to say...]
Leia, Lando, and Co. arrive at the landing platform moments too late to stop Nellith from taking off with Chewbacca. Around and behind them, the
revolt against the White Feather Clan has begun. The sky fills with lizard-rays and Imperial fighters, and the corridors fill with Bespin aliens and
Stormtroopers battling it out with vigor. Lando tells Toobeefor to get Leia to the Falcon and he runs off to help secure his former servants' freedom.
The battle above Had Abbadon is bleak for the Rebels, but a couple of fast moves by Wedge quickly turn the tide. The shipyards are in ruins while dogfighting heats up and the Rebel bulk cruisers begin their bombardment of the Star Destroyer factories on the planet's surface.
Vader and Solo battle it out through the abandoned clone facilities of Cloud City. Using the Force as well as lightsabers the two duel deeper and deeper into the sublevels.
Lando mounts a lizard-ray and leads his newfound people to victory. His father is in hiding in his chambers as the lead team bursts in. Calrissian
Kadar pleads with his clone not to destroy him. Lando removes his helmet and calmly replies that he will not. Wrapping his cape around his shoulders he turns to leave Calrissian alone with the rebel aliens.
Back on Had Abbadon Sate Pestage suggests they evacuate the planet. Reluctantly, Palpatine relents and the two leave under guard. He orders the bulk of the home fleet to escape into hyperspace before they take any heavier damage. Just as they blast away from the world, the ruined shipyards and spaceports enter the orbit of the planet. Wedge screams with victory as the megastructure crashes into Had Abbadon, bringing victory to the Rebel Alliance. The Rebellion has struck back.
Lando boards the Falcon just as Toobeefor pilots their liftoff. They leave while Stormtroopers blast the hull behind them.
Solo and Vader have fought to the ends of the belly of the metropolis. Han is using his anger over Chewbacca and Kenobi and Vader has sensed
his fall to the Dark Side beginning. Solo has lashed out and Vader goes on the defensive, until Vader knocks the new Jedi to the ground with his
lightsaber burning red in Solo's face.
He tells Han that he is beaten and advises he not let himself be destroyed as Obi-Wan had. Solo knocks the saber away and finds his footing, lashing back at Vader and singeing the Dark Lord's shoulder. Han realizes he's used the Dark Side and is crushed. He tells Vader that the Dark Lord has already won and he believes he should be killed. Obi-Wan's voice can be heard in Han's head saying, "No. You will redeem yourself. Fight on, Han." Vader laughs menacingly and Han lashes out once more at the Dark Lord.
Vader counters eventually severing Solo's arm. Han cries out in agony and grips his injury. He then slides back on a dangerous precipice. Vader then tells Han he doesn't realize his own importance, that he hasn't even begun to discover his power. He entreats Solo to join him so that he may complete Han's training. With their combined strength, Vader says, they could end the destructive event and bring order to the galaxy. Han yells that he'll never join Vader. Vader then remarks that Obi-Wan never told Han what happened to Annakin Solo. Han says he knows enough about him. He knows his father didn't care to know him and he hadn't cared to know his father. He told Vader he also knew that Vader had killed him as well as Luke's father.
"No, Solo. I am your father. Yours and the Skywalker's."
Solo says that it's not true... it's impossible. Vader tells Solo to search his feelings, he knows it to be true. Han Solo, devastated with the knowledge
that Vader isn't lying, that Vader is in fact Annakin Solo, father to both he and Luke, continues to scream, "No!" Together, continues Vader, they
could destroy the Emperor and rule the galaxy as father and son fulfilling both he and Luke's destiny. Han Solo looks down at the abyss and back to Vader, contemplating his options. Then, with his trademark smirk, Han Solo lets go of the platform and falls; choosing suicide to the knowledge he's just obtained.
Entering a garbage chute before falling down and hanging from the lowest grip in the floating city, Solo calls out to Luke, seemingly for guidance and strength. It is Leia who heard Han's call, telepathically within her. They turn around and rescue Han just as he falls and escape the atmosphere as TIEs race toward them. The Falcon finally leaves Bespin's gravitational field and is about to escape into hyperspace when the hyperdrive system again fails.
Vader asks for confirmation that the Millennium Falcon's hyperdrive system was deactivated to prevent their escape. As the Imperials pursue the Falcon, the injured Han telepathically hears the voice of Vader calling to him. He answers, "Father...", while
Vader telepathically calls, "Son, come with me". Han senses it is Vader, then cries, "Ben, why didn't you tell us?" Luke Skywalker's voice [an unused take of his voice from film one is used] can be heard saying, "Han!"
Threepio demands that Artoo finish reconstructing him after his ordeal. However, with quick ingenuity, Artoo manages to re-activate
the Falcon's hyperdrive system just in time for the ship to flee to hyperspace. Vader is disappointed and retreats to his secret quarters in
his Star Destroyer, ignoring Piett's failure. The film ends in a guerilla hide-out camp on Dantooine, where Solo [dressed in a Jedi tunic and robes] is under the care of 2-1B again receiving a prosthetic hand. Lando and Toobeefor begin their parts of a most dangerous mission...rescuing Chewbacca. Lando promises to Solo they'll bring back his partner and dearest friend. Han, Leia, Artoo, and Threepio look on as the Falcon departs for unknown territories. Their own fates and futures now uncertain. Lando Kadar wears the armor of a Chieftain of the White Feather Clan.
We follow the ship as it flies passed a beautiful nebula and into hyperspace.
The credits begin with a dedication to Leigh Brackett.
THE END
