Princess Leia’s top 20 bravest moments

Still from Return of the Jedi (1983). Image is a screengrab via 20th Century Fox/Lucasfilm

6. Leia’s adorable initial contact with the Ewoks

Like I said, I love the Ewoks. Love love love the Ewoks. And I also love Princess Leia’s first contact with an Ewok. She seems to have never seen one before, and yet she exercises so much patience and curiosity towards the little guy. I mean, if I encountered an Ewok I’d probably freak out, cry and take it home with me, maybe not even in that order. Because Leia is way more chill than me, she just uses that same grace and compassion that carries through in everything she does.

When I first saw this scene, I couldn’t wait to see how she was going to engage the Ewok next. First she offers him something to eat. Then she starts asking him questions. Every time she does something different he raises his spear and makes the absolute cutest noises at her that I’ve ever heard. I can hardly contain myself. But then he expresses interest in her helmet, and in response she holds it out to him to explore.

I just really love this moment because there are no frills. She’s just trying to connect with this benign alien being. She’s just a stranger in a strange land, trying to make a connection for a brief moment. And that’s what dope princesses do, they find ways to connect to people far and wide, across star systems and galaxies.