As you may know by now, one of Harrison Ford's most memorable lines was an ad-lib: the famous "I know" when Leia expresses her true feelings for him, albeit not in the South Passage of Echo Base.

According to director Irvin Kirshner (from the DVD box set commentary), they had been there all day shooting this scene. The set was hot and uncomfortable, and the lines just weren't ringing true.

I mean, this is Han Solo getting all mushy for a dame.

So instead of the various reciprocations he gives Leia for busting out the L-Word, Harrison, in true Solo form, improvises:

"I love you!"

"I know."

Classic. Kirshner was right, too - no one but Han Solo would say that. But is this the entire story? What about the rest of the scene - the parts we didn't see until Han Solo settled on this efficient yet babe-trapping solution?

I give you the extended Carbon Freezing Chamber scene dialog, rescued from my own private archives...

BOBA FETT: What if he doesn't survive? He's worth a lot to me.

VADER: The Empire will compensate you if he dies. Put him in!

(Chewbacca has a Wookiee moment.)

THREEPIO: Oh, no! No, no, no! Stop, Chewbacca, stop...!

HAN: Stop, Chewie, stop! Do you hear me? Stop!

THREEPIO: Yes, stop, please! I'm not ready to die.

HAN: Chewie! Chewie, this won't help me. Hey! Save your strength. There'll be another time. The princess -- you have to take care of her. You hear me?

(Han and Leia snog passionate face.)

LEIA: I love you!

HAN: I know.

LEIA: ...Wait!

HAN: Yeah?

LEIA: That's it? That's all you're gonna say? That's weak.

HAN: I can't really get into a commitment right now.

LEIA: I'll wait for you!

HAN: Likewise, I'm sure.

THREEPIO: Sir! Sir!

HAN: Hurry up, Goldrenrod.

THREEPIO: I love you, too!

HAN: ...ok, then....noted?

CHEWBACCA: RrrrAWwwwllll Rahrahrah

HAN: ..Also...noted..?

STORMTROOPER #1: *click* I also find you attractive in a manner I can't quite descibe *click*

HAN: ....Where's the lever to this thing?

STORMTROOPER #2: *click* You do have a sort of...oh you know...thing going on. With your pirate shirt and all that.

HAN: ..thank you?

VADER: Um...Solo..

LANDO: You still owe me money, by the way.

HAN: I know.

VADER: Solo.

BOBA FETT: You have nice hair.

HAN: I know.

VADER: Captain Solo.

HAN: What? What!? Make it good, because I think you know what you can do with yourself after I'm a meat popsicle.

VADER: ...Your fly is open.

HAN: I know.

(Han is replaced with new Freeze Dried Solo Crystals)

DM out