So She’s Not a Princess, But a General Now

 … General Who? …

In the original trilogy we were introduced to Princess Leia. She was a spunky, forthright, upholder of freedom and seeking to end the oppressive rule of the Empire. She was taken captive by Darth Vader aboard the Death Star, presumptively tortured, to some degree by him and yet, never gave up pertinent rebel locations. She witnessed the destruction of her own home world, was freed by Han, Chewie and Luke then stood around and looked concerned while the attack on the Death Star commenced. In Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back she assumed (or appeared to) a more assertive leadership role on Echo Base. She fell in love with Han while fleeing the Imperial Fleet, watched him be turned into the greatest piece of coffee table art ever, then rescued her still unknown to be brother whilst he dangled from an antenna. In Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, she evolved into a woman. She was far more vocal, boisterous but yet refined and democratic. She was one of the “faces” of the rebellion. But who was she after the destruction of the second Death Star? Who will she been known as in this new canon Disney and Lucasfilm have crafted?

Before I dive into answering my own question, I want to present another pet peeve of mine regarding Leia. She was of course, the adopted daughter of Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan. Now while Bail was not a king or the ruler of that planet; after its destruction, wouldn’t it seem remotely obvious with Leia being not only a survivor but one of ‘distinguished upbringing’ that she’d get upgraded from ‘princess’ status? Secondly, why was she a Princess? As I already stated, Bail was a Senator. Was he also a royal or was his wife a royal or Queen? Perhaps I just missed a novel or comic over the last 30 odd years but it always struck me odd that in the last two films she was still referred to as ‘princess’. But I digress, let’s move on and ponder where she’s at in the here and now as we know it in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens.

JJ Abrams stated in the recent Entertainment Weekly double issue that she is now referred to as ‘General’; he said no one refers to her as ‘princess’ anymore. That got me to thinking. First, she obviously is not the ‘political’ face of the Resistance but part of the military side. Therefore one can infer that Mon Mothma (if she’s still alive) or someone else is in charge of the whole movement. It is also likely that whoever that individual is is the one out in front of the holovids or mustering support. So Leia remains in the shadows as a General. But as General Organa, General Solo or General Skywalker? I’m sure after thirty years since Luke revealed to her their true lineage and relation to each other that she has certainly done some soul searching. Everyone also seems to be presuming that she and Han are still together. I am in the smaller category of believing that Han, being a scoundrel at heart, skipped out for a time when things got too serious. I don’t think they’re in a long term relationship so I don’t think she is General Solo.

Which brings me back to perhaps General Skywalker. Would she embrace the Skywalker name? I cannot speak for adopted children but I know the urge always appears to develop to seek out your true parents eventually. This of course brings up another loose end, did Obi-Wan or Yoda, ever reveal to Luke (off-screen perhaps) that Padme Amidala of Naboo was their mother? She and Anakin married in secret and publicly no one else knew of their union (okay R2D2 did). Maybe Leia is going as General Amidala these days? Would Leia have been inclined upon learning Vader was her father who was really Anakin Skywalker before turning to the dark side to delve into the past to research her true mom? There’s a part of me that suspects it’d be more likely she’d adopt her maternal surname than Skywalker. I think there’d be too much of a ‘political liability’ to revealing herself publicly to be the daughter of Darth Vader. The henchman of the Emperor, who was the guy who enslaved and ruled over the galaxy. Yeah, probably not the best career move on her part. If TMZ exists in the Star Wars realm, they’d have a field day with the Skywalkers. Perhaps though, she remains General Organa, safely anonymous after 30 years and just another cog in the wheel of the Resistance. But as Kathleen Kennedy has also stated, that this is the saga of the Skywalkers I’d like to hope that’s not the case. I’m pulling for Leia Skywalker myself.

The Cantina Cast

The wretched hive your Jedi Master warned you about!

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