I've been thinking a lot about Greedo lately. That's right, Greedo, the goofy looking alien who gets unceremoniously shot dead in Star Wars. I must have been four or five when I first saw the movie and have remembered the character ever since. I have met people since then who I have since forgotten, have seen innumerable other movies full of characters I sometimes don't remember right after I finish watching the film, and have gone through many, many experiences in my life but from the moment I saw the film until the day I finally leave this world I will know who Greedo is. The staying power of Greedo is enormous.

It's not just his googly eyes and scouring pad hair that ensure Greedo's place in movie history. Instead, it's the tragic quality of his character that sets him apart. In his first and only scene in Star Wars Greedo is trying to play the tough guy with Han Solo but is gunned down by the smuggler before Greedo can do anything more than make idle threats. It's Greedo's one moment of glory, the point when he's going to make a name for himself and it all falls apart in an instant when he gets blown up. Who can't identify with Greedo at this moment? Instead of becoming the man he always dreamed of being [at least I think Greedo is male] he becomes cannon fodder to make the hero look good.

This one brief but pivotal scene would be enough to ensure Greedo's legacy but his presence continues to be felt in the Star Wars story line. When George Lucas decided that he wanted to go back and monkey around with Star Wars years after it had been completed one of the scenes that was re-jiggered was Greedo's scene. In the newly screwed up version of the scene Greedo actually manages to squeeze a shot off before Han pumps him full of lead. The original scene played out in a way that let the viewer know that Han Solo was a stone-cold individual who had no problem with shooting first but the doctored shot made him look foolish for being sporting enough to let Greeds have a free shot at his head before he responded. While Han comes off badly, Greedo comes off even worse. Now instead of simply being a patsy he comes across as an incompetent boob who can't hit a target that is literally right in front of him. As if Greedo's death wasn't ignominious enough he now is portrayed as not even being able to shoot straight.

Normally being dead would keep a character from showing back up again but someone got the bright idea to make a series of prequels to Star Wars. I haven't watched the DVD of The Phantom Menace [seeing the movie once was plenty, thanks] but I did read up on the extras and discovered that one of the deleted scenes included in the DVD is of Darth Vader, back when he was a snotty little kid named Anakin, beating the crap out of another child. The other kid who is taking a beating to his green snouted face is a very young Greedo. You can't really blame Greedo for losing this fight since not only was he up against a future Sith Lord but his suction cup fingers probably don't fold up into fists very well.

This scene, however, helps explain Greedo's life story. He wasn't merely some bounty hunter who had a bad day, he was a man who spent his entire life living in the shadow of others. With a bit of interpolation from the viewer the full life of Greedo becomes clear. He was raised and seemingly spent his entire life not only on the same planet but the same city. Considering that getting from planet to planet in Star Wars seems as easy as crossing the street Greedo's sense of isolation must have been particularly bitter. There also don't seem to be too many other members of his species in the area, it seemed he was mostly surrounded by white people and Jawas. The poor guy was probably lonely not seeing another familiar face around plus he must have had a hard time meeting girls. While his old buddy Anakin was off becoming Darth Vader and taking over the universe Greedo stuck around their hometown, probably drifting from job to job all the while never feeling like he fit in. It was only a matter of time before he turned to the criminal side of society. Just showing up and asking for work from Jabba the Hutt probably didn't get him very far either. Even a criminal stronghold needs somebody to wash the dishes, sweep up, go pick up the food when they order take out, and all the other sundry tasks that make up the actual bulk of the stronghold's output and it was undoubtedly this menial work that Greedo was stuck doing. Seeing that go-getters like Boba Fett had gained their status and reputation through their own gumption Greedo went out, bought himself a blaster, and decided that tracking down Han Solo would be a good idea. The poor dumb green bastard, nothing ever went his way.

Greedo is the Willy Loman of outer space. In him the viewer can see all the frailty and absurdity that a cruel life can dish out. I hope that the upcoming Star Wars movies feature a young, already sullen Greedo working the counter at a restaurant or taking out the trash in the background of a scene while the main characters, who are busy leading exciting lives, discuss matters that will affect the galaxy. Then I hope the scene gets cut. It would be appropriate for Greedo.

Questions, comments, and your own personal reflections on Greedo can be sent to gleep9@hotmail.com. Tuck your blaster back in it's holster and head on back to either the Third Movie or Main page.