I've yet to tackle a blog about Han Solo. Our favourite smuggler. Our favourite scoundrel. Our favourite scruffy-lookin' nerfherder.

I've focused mainly on the characters who derive their power and wisdom from the Force, and how that shapes their overall personas.

Until now.

Han is, after all, a major character in the Star Wars universe who proves himself to be a hero and a great friend. If there is any character in SW that we can relate to here on Earth, given his lack of Force sensitivity, it's Han. He is the most real one that is represented in the GFFA, speaking from a reality point of view.

I'll admit that Han wasn't my most favourite character from the onset of Star Wars in 1977. Perhaps I couldn't relate to him as I was only a padawan myself and he seemed too much like a grown-up. I related to Luke, the innocent farmboy who was just starting out in his destiny ... who was scared to leave, but knew he had to when push came to shove. Han made me a little nervous at first. I couldn't tell what he would do next, given his unpredictable and quick-tempered Corellian attitude. He bailed on the Rebellion in their moment of need which made me think he really was a scoundrel and my nervousness of him was not unfounded. But then he raced in at the last second to save Luke and propel the Rebellion a bit closer to defeating the Empire.

He redeemed himself, despite his oppostion to being fully involved in the Rebellion and even got himself a medal at the end.

But what really clinched my respect for Han and helped me jump over the hurdle of his character was his act of going into the carbon freezing chamber in TESB. Sure he was forced to do so by Vader, but he did it without a fight and did it knowing that his friends would be saved. And knowing that Leia loved him. Imagine seeing your true love staring at you as you were set into a pit that would seal you up for an indefinite amount of time, unable to see, hear or touch any of your loved ones. In a way, Han was sealing his love for Leia by going into the carbon freezing and she was driven further into love with him for the act he did. His selfless act showed me what the character of Han Solo really stood for ... loyalty and respect for his friends and a love that couldn't be held back by physical limitations.

And his friendship with Chewie also earned my respect for Han. Here was a pair that was inseparable. Yes, Chewie owed Han a life debt for saving his life from the Empire, but theirs became a friendship that we can all admire. They respected and trusted one another and worked together as a cohesive team, always ready to get the job done. I think Chewie helped to keep Han in line at times, and was his moral compass for a while ... but isn't that what friends do? It sure helped Han to become a great friend to Luke, Leia and the rest of the Rebellion. I cherish the friendships I have in my life, just as Han did. And by emulating the selfless acts that he performed for his friends, I know I will always keep and cherish those closest to me.

So despite my not connecting with the character of Han Solo from the start, I have come to realize he is an important and integral part of the Star Wars saga. He represents the many characters we encounter on a daily basis here in our own galaxy. Smuggler, scoundrel, rebel, adventurer, risk-taker, nice guy and softie underneath the tough exterior ... and friend.

So I really don't care who shot first ... Han is a great guy.