` * META 001 : THE DEAL .
* wiggles me lil fingers * it’s time for a meta on lando’s deal with the galactic empire . after talking about it with @astrmech i thought it would just be best if i expanded my thoughts in this format cause there sure are a lot of them . as a centerpoint to the plot of episode vi , his ‘ betrayal ’ becomes an important part of his character and shows just as much about his decision making , values , and priorities . this is my interpretation , so feel free to disagree , but many of the points made in here will play into my protrayal of lando . so here we fckin go kids .
lando is smart . he didn’t get to be the baron administrator by fucking off - he knows how to play the cards AND play his opponents . he looks at decisions from every angle . he takes into account not just strategy & his own thought process , but dumb luck and the reactions of others . he will take his time studying you , learning the way you move and speak , the games you try to play . it is incredibly difficult to fool him . lando will take just as much from the things you don’t do or say as the things you do . there is never a time when he’s not playing the game .
when vader proposes this deal , lando knows that the last thing he’s being given is a choice . as he sees it , the ‘ deal ’ could go one of a few ways . as in chess , he analyzes each move and the several steps afterwards .
HE SAYS NO : vader and the galactic empire destroy everything he’s built - every citizen , every building , every resource . he’ll get han and leia anyway , likely kill lando , and the inhabitants of cloud city .
HE SAYS NO : vader uses the jedi mind trick . he knows vader’s raw power - he knows that no matter what he chooses , his mind can be easily manipulated . he loses all control over the situation .
HE SAYS YES : vader leaves cloud city alone , lending a new valuable resource to the rebel cause . han and leia live , and lando can help them escape .
as i see it , lando was never going to BETRAY them . he was always looking to preserve their best interests , and never intended to side with the galactic empire . the way he said I HAD NO CHOICE , I’M SORRY is a truth . he was emotionless when he said he’s sorry because he knew vader could tell if there was any nuance to his voice - his plan would immediately be thwarted . he had to play along , let the pieces move , and lie in wait . he very well knew that he could be killed this way had he been caught , and risks it for the rebel cause .
lando does not regret his actions . he doesn’t care that many people likely still label him as the betrayer of the rebellion ; he has always been surrounded by rumor and scandal . all that matters is that HE knows his heart was in the right place . he even went on to become a rebellion general , which ( though ri.an john.son so kindly left him out of tlj ) he remains until his death , most likely in battle . he does not in any way support the galactic empire or first order , and only cut the deal so he could have control of the situation .
