Our first May the Fourth without Han Solo: A sad day indeed
This will be the first May the Fourth since one of the most iconic legends of the Star Wars universe died, and CNET's Tania Gonzalez wants a big virtual hug from fellow fans.
After waiting more than 30 years to see Solo and Chewie back in action, the big day finally arrived.
I got chills when I saw the "piece of garbage" (better known as the Millennium Falcon) blasting its way off Jakku, and I almost jumped out of my seat when I heard Solo say, "Chewie, we're home."
Everything in "The Force Awakens" was going great until we got to that dreadful bridge. I remember knowing what was going to happen at some point in that sequence and wanting to scream, "Chewbacca, shoot him! Rey, Finn...do something!" But the inevitable death by lightsaber happened, and we were helpless, only able to observe in disbelief as the great Han Solo vanished into the depths of the Starkiller Base.
Now, here we are, our first May the Fourth without Captain Solo. To compound the sadness, he didn't even get a proper funeral (at least not yet; I'm looking at you J.J. Abrams). And since a lot of us didn't want to pull a Michael Sam and spoil the movie for the rest of the world when it first came out, we swallowed the bitter pill on our own. Sure, we talked about Han's death with friends, but there's something way more liberating about ranting on the Internet.
This May the Fourth, I want more than my regular gift exchange and Star Wars binge-watching. I want a day for collective reflection on what made Solo so special and which Han moments stand out most.
Just a couple of my personal favorites: Solo shooting first and the "Never tell me the odds" line (C-3PO can be a little intense). I've got so many, but I really want to know yours. Please share them in the comments section below, and let's say goodbye together to our favorite scruffy-looking nerf herder, the best mercenary in that galaxy far, far away and an unlikely hero who became a great imaginary playmate.
And for those still trying to cope with the loss, I'm sharing my own personal stages of grief below -- in case it helps.
Denial: This has to be a mistake. Solo always talks himself out of everything.
Anger: J.J. Abrams dares to call himself a huge Star Wars fan and then kills Han Solo? And why did Leia hug Rey and not Chewbacca, who really, really needed a hug?
Bargaining: I'm sure there is something we can do to revive him.
Depression: After so much waiting, I only got my heroes back for a brief moment.
Acceptance: I'm writing a piece on Han Solo!
Wishing you all a very galactic May the Fourth.