The story of Star Wars is so affecting because it has some dire stakes. Obi-Wan Kenobi isn’t just one of Princess Leia’s hopes; he’s her only hope. So when Darth Vader destroys the entire planet of Alderaan, you feel it. Over a billion people were obliterated in an instant, including Leia’s adoptive family and the subjects she was supposed to rule over as queen.
So how come we never really see her deal with this as an issue? She’s at the base on Yavin for basically the entire climax of the movie, and only shows up again to give her new friends medals at the end. Thankfully, an upcoming Star Wars novel will finally solve this mystery.
