You haven’t actually answered my main question. Why didn’t ESB already explore Han’s decision to join the rebellion at the end of ANH? Even if he still had any doubts at the time of ESB (which you seem to be the only person to see them), why didn’t ESB directly explore them? ESB was the proper occasion to do either of those things.
I wasn’t aware that I had failed to answer this question, I thought it was pretty darn obvious that Empire did explore that aspect of Han’s character, and that I had pointed that out, particularly with the afore mentioned quotes and examples.
To clear up any doubt, I am under the impression that ESB did show Han’s character riding the line of committing or not and the conflict which results; quite brilliantly too.
Han and Leia’s arguments revolve around whether nor not he should become a rebel leader, their feelings a subtext with in this, and whether Han will commit to their relationship an allegory for his committing to a higher purpose (ergo the rebellion).I guess passing the blame to ROTJ is more convenient? You were picking on ROTJ for not exploring something as trivial and technical as getting some rank, while forgiving ESB for not exploring something as major and character-changing as his decision to join the rebels at the end of ANH.
I was not picking on Han holding the rank of General specifically in ROTJ, I also thought I made this clear, but rather the lack of character development leading to that point. When I watch ESB I always come away seeing Han as conflicted about whether or not to commit, be that to the Rebellion, Leia and even just to paying off Jabba.
Well I was asking for something that is actually in the script. Not something that you made up with your imagination. Because for me (or someone else), that aspect is completely unexplored by ESB.