Introduction
Imagine a different Star Wars universe where Han Solo paid Jabba the Hutt on time. What would have changed in the iconic Star Wars saga? This article explores several scenarios and how paying off Jabba might have altered the course of events, characters, and overall narrative.
No Bounty on Han’s Head
Had Han Solo settled his debt with Jabba on time, one significant consequence would have been the elimination of the bounty on his head. This would make bounty hunters like Greedo less of a threat. Without this constant threat, Han could have moved more freely throughout the galaxy, focusing more on his role in the Rebellion rather than constant flight from danger.
Different Relationships and Impact on Luke Skywalker
Without the constant threat from Jabba, Han's relationship with Leia and the Rebel Alliance might have developed differently. Han could have been more engaged in the Rebellion’s efforts, leading to a more straightforward trajectory for his character arc. This would imply a different approach to Luke’s encounter on the Death Star, possibly allowing Luke to focus solely on his training and the Rebellion's mission against the Empire.
Jabba’s Power Dynamics
Even if Jabba forgave Han, he would still have found other means to assert his influence, possibly leading to different alliances or conflicts within the criminal underworld. This could have altered the balance of power among the various factions in the galaxy, creating a shifting landscape for the characters.
Least-Speculative Scenario: Fleeing from the Empire
Should Han manage to get from Yavin to Tatooine, drop off the payment, and return in time to cover Luke’s Death Star trench run, the Empire would still place a substantial bounty on Solo. The fact that Darth Vader's TIE fighter is tracking the Millennium Falcon and shooting at Imperial assets would likely ensure that Han is at the top of the Imperial Security Bureau’s Most Wanted list. Even Jabba, with his supply of cutthroats and thugs, would find it easy to send disposable goons after Solo for both Jabba’s and the Empire’s bounties.
Non-Imperial Scenario: Persistent Financial Obligation
While Han could technically cover Luke's trench run and not face the Empire's bounties, Jabba would still see him as an obligation. Organized crime syndicates do not operate with fairness, and loan sharks commonly set contracts to ensure perpetual debt. Jabba, as a crime lord and loan shark, would likely continue to dangle tempting deals to keep Han in debt or otherwise obligated. This scenario suggests that paying off Jabba might have only delayed the inevitable.
Your Payment Was Declined Scenario: The Black Market Conundrum
In this scenario, Han successfully pays Jabba, and the payment is in Alliance credits rather than Imperial credits. This is significant because the Alliance and the Empire have no official exchange rate, and many Imperial worlds do not accept Alliance credits. According to Legends, the black market exchange rate is 25:1, meaning 20,000 Alliance credits would only be worth 800 Imperial credits. This substantial loss of value would place Han in a worse financial situation, theoretically deepening his debt to Jabba.
Conclusion
No matter how the scenario unfolds—whether Han manages to settle his debt on time or not—Han Solo always seems to find himself in a similar position: flat broke, dodging danger from both sides of the law, and struggling to make ends meet until he can secure a big enough score to clear his name. Perhaps taking on some jobs with these criminal underworld associates might be a strategic move for him in the long run.