^^I've always found the Aldaaran destruction extremely harsh (maybe that's why it was so effective;/)

I've imagined a scenario where Tarkin dismissively orders to be taken to the nearest troublesome system. Leia is then pleading for another people. She could collapse a bit like Ben. Then the DS proceeds to Aldaaran and the X-wings jump in to save it (GL's draft)

I think the ANH duel provided important expo. It gave us a strong sense of the conflict and existance of the Force.