- Han and Greedo shoot at or nearly exactly the same time now. (Easily the best change, though it also makes you wonder why Greedo still shoots at all because George’s initial “reasoning” that Han was only shooting in response to Greedo’s shot is out the window, cause if they shoot at the same time that means Han would have shot regardless of whether Greedo shot.)
My best guess is that he’s come around to realizing that it’s dumb but that his pride won’t allow him to actually just change it back to how it was.
The “Bring my shuttle” change is a real shame, because if it wasn’t for that I would say the ESB SE is universally superior to the theatrical cut and an example of how to do an SE right. The changes range from largely subtle enhancements that blend in seamlessly like the Cloud City visuals to big (but actually improved) updates like the old woman/chimpanzee Emperor hologram being replaced by Ian McDiarmid. If that one line (and the extra shuttle footage that was the reason it was changed) was not changed, and the other two films were altered with as much restraint, then I would prefer the SEs across the board. Still not an excuse to bury the originals, but it would make for solid director’s cuts worthy of being the standard.
Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who doesn’t care at all about “Bring my shuttle,” and also vehemently prefers the old woman/chimpanzee Emperor.