WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, in theaters now.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a fitting conclusion to many of the major plot threads of the franchise. It brings closure to the story of the Skywalker family and features one last great battle between the Light and Dark Sides of the Force. It even finds time to quietly conclude smaller characters and beats, such as giving Lando the energy to fly again. One of the most affecting moments comes right towards the end of the film when Chewbacca receives one final gift from Leia -- the medal he should have been awarded in the original Star Wars film, otherwise known as A New Hope.
WHERE'S CHEWIE'S MEDAL?
Chewbacca has been in the Star Wars franchise since the very first movie, where he was the co-pilot to Han Solo. He played a pivotal role in the rescue of Princess Leia, and was aboard the Millineum Falcon when he and Han returned to help save the Rebellion by covering Luke's back while he destroyed the Death Star. Afterward, the three were honored at a ceremony where Luke and Han were awarded medals for their valor. However, Chewbacca didn't get his, leading to a recurring debate within the Star Wars fandom over why he was excluded from that aspect of the ceremony.
The death of Chewbacca's original actor Peter Mayhew earlier this year reignited the debate over why Chewie didn't get a medal like Han and Luke. He did just as much to help save the day as they did, after all. As pointed out by The Washington Post earlier this year, the original novelization of the film did have Chewbacca receiving a medal for his efforts. There have also been other answers to the question from a number of sources, including series creator George Lucas who said that a Wookie like Chewbacca wouldn't care much for a medal and that a more traditional ceremony to honor him was later held on his home planet. He was even revealed to have gotten one off-screen in the Marvel Chewbacca series.
LEIA'S FINAL GOODBYE
One of the most affecting moments in The Rise of Skywalker comes when Finn, Poe and Chewbacca return to the Resistance base. Rey has splintered off and stolen Kylo's ship, heading off on her own to deal with the ramifications of the revelations she's just learned. The trio comes poised to talk to Leia, but are crushed to learn that while they were gone, she's passed away. Finn is shaken and Poe is devastated, but neither of them compares to Chewbacca, who roars in anguish and falls to his knees crying out. Even their attempts to comfort him are met with wild shoves from Chewbacca, who is completely lost in his grief over losing another one of his old friends.
But it turns out Leia had one last parting gift for Chewbacca. When she died, she was seen holding something small in her hands. After the final battle to save the galaxy and destroy the Final Order, the Resistance returns to their base to celebrate. Chewbacca ends up being given what appears to be the same small item. It's a medal, similar to the one that Luke and Han received decades earlier for saving the Rebellion.
And with that, Chewbacca finally received his medal from Leia on screen, even if she wasn't there to give it to him in person. It means one of the final shots of Chewbacca in the series is him holding onto the medal that he's long since deserved, which seems like a fitting close to one of the most iconic and dedicated heroes of the franchise. It's also an even sweeter connection if Lucas' idea is still canon because it allows Leia to thank him not just for his friendship, but for all of his good deeds one more time.
Directed and co-written by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Keri Russell, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams and Carrie Fisher, with Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant.