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Originally posted by: Gaffer Tape
As for Lando, he had already decided to rebel once Vader gave his, "Pray I don't alter it any further" line. Notice how he looks at Lobot right then? The way I interpreted it was that he then sent Lobot to wherever it was that he was when Lando communicated with him via watch. He had been sent ahead to get those guard ready to overtake the storm troopers. So it was Lando finally getting fed up with being used that caused him to put his plan into motion. I'll say that it wasn't Luke's presence that caused Vader to be distracted but that he was supposed to come. I think even if Luke had been later in coming (it's simple movie convenience that Luke showed up just late enough for Han to be lost but just in time to see Leia and later be saved by her), Vader still would have waited for him. Even if Luke had never showed up at all, Vader would still be waiting for him. He had no way of knowing for sure (until he was told or was able to sense him) if Luke would show up or not. Just like Yoda couldn't see into the future completely accurately, I don't think Vader could either.
Most simply, I think this is just a good example of somewhat (dare I say it?) *complex* characterization on the part of the writer(S) and director: Luke is making his own choices. He chooses to leave Yoday despite advice to the contrary. He wants to be in control of his destiny in the only impulsive way he knows how. He is human. He is young. He is following his heart and makes mistakes. Could it potentially have screwed up the situation? Of course. But he felt he had to take the chance.
Same with Lando. I think Lando's role is one of the better introductions in the series. At first you're not sure of him, then he seems OK enough, then all turns to crap. And faced with similar circumstances I think 90% of people would act as he did. He doesn't want trouble, the Empire got there first and made false promises. He's trying to protect his life and the lives of the people he's in charge of. After Han and party arrive, it starts to become personal for Lando and his deal starts to sour. Again, this part is HIS story and has nothing to do with Luke other than having been told its all a set-up for someone named 'Skywalker' who Lando could give a rat's ass about. But once he sees Han- his friend- in mortal danger then Lando steps up and tries to redeem himself. He finally saw what was going to happen and chose to fight/flee/rebel on his own. And yes, that glance at Lobot shows he had already changed his mind but it was too late to do anything for Han. And I imagine he really felt like crap over that one- after all he's the first one to infiltrate Jabba's palace to help save him.
Luke and Lando: two different people with human emotions and actions whose stories happen to intersect and overlap. That's good filmmaking. It doesn't *have* to just be about one character or another.
