The Star Wars universe is not an easy place to live. A galaxy far, far away tends to be embroiled in massive conflicts. Even when one major enemy is defeated, another soon takes its place.
The Separatists are defeated and the Clone Wars end, only for the tyrannical Galactic Empire to form in the wake of victory. The Empire is destroyed, only for the First Order to rise from the Empire's ashes. Oftentimes the only thing that can make such life bearable is romance.
Through the years Star Wars has told tales of many romantic couples. These tales have been spun not only in the movies, but also through television shows, books, comics, and video games.
Some of these couples are the beating hearts of the galaxy's best stories. Others had potential that fizzled out, and a select few were misguided from the start.
This list will only look at couples that have actually happened or officially begun. That means that disappointing as it may be, popular fan ships that haven't actually happened yet, such as Finn and Poe Dameron (Stormpilot) or Rey and Kylo Ren (Reylo), are not included here. Reylo came incredibly close to officially happening in The Last Jedi--and may very well happen in Episode IX--but as of now is not eligible for the list.
Whether a romantic couple is canon or now relegated to Star Wars Legends, all have played significant roles in either enhancing or hurting the overall universe. As such, both canon and Legends couples will be explored here.
With love in the air, it's time to unveil the 8 Couples That Hurt Star Wars (And 12 That Saved It).
Hurt: Anakin Skywalker and Pé Amidala
Anakin and Pé's relationship was supposed to be the epic romance at the core of the prequel trilogy. They had potential as a tale of forbidden love and to become one of the best couples in Star Wars, but many elements got in the way of that.
Despite being an incredible political leader and Jedi Knight, Pé and Anakin threw away all common sense and responsibility to plunge into their relationship. Their already immature actions were made worse with cringe-worthy dialogue.
How can we forget the sand conversation-- it was the most cringe-worthy part of Episode II.
Their relationship also hurt Pé as a character. In The Phantom Menace, she was a fierce leader of her people, fighting on the front lines, and directing the charge into the Theed Royal Palace to take back Naboo from the Trade Federation.
In the following prequel movies-- especially Revenge of the Sith-- she became more defined by her ion for Anakin, than her tenacity as a leader.
Saved: Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus
The Ghost crew of Star Wars Rebels was a family, and Hera and Kanan were essentially the parents that guided the family and kept them together. Their romance was an incredibly slow burn through seasons 1-3.
They were more focused on leading their family and the Rebellion, consistently placing duty before desire.
This made it all the more satisfying when they finally itted their true feelings for one another in season 4. Hera and Kanan had done an excellent job of "raising their children."
With Ezra and Sabine able to take more of a leadership role, Hera and Kanan were able to let desire take hold, reminding themselves that it was for this kind of love that they'd fought and sacrificed so much in the first place.
Hera and Kanan's relationship and its eventual payoff that proved both beautiful and heartbreaking helped solidify season 4 as the best in all of Star Wars Rebels.
Saved: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Satine Kryze
Some fans feel Obi-Wan was too lenient with Anakin considering his apprentice's feelings for Pé. The Clone Wars offered further insight into this as it revealed that Obi-Wan grappled with his own romantic attachment to Satine Kryze, the pacifist Duchess and leader of Mandalore.
Unlike Anakin and Pé, Obi-Wan and Satine consistently placed duty before desire. They still trusted and cared for each other deeply, meaning they found ways to work together, that romantic spark constantly flitting between them in cute and emotional ways.
While they were stubborn with one another, they still had a mutual understanding of what could be lost if they got together.
Obi-Wan is often thought as being one of the best Jedi. His relationship with Satine further exposes the flaws of the Jedi Order, as it shows even Obi-Wan couldn't help but form a romantic attachment.
As problematic as he knew Anakin's feelings for Pé were, a part of him must've ired them for taking the steps to live the kind of life he and Satine were never able to have.
Hurt: Finn and Rose Tico
Finn and Rose Tico are wonderful characters that have enhanced the sequel trilogy. They formed a beautiful dynamic and experienced significant character development during their time together in The Last Jedi.
The problem is that their relationship felt more like that of close friends than one of romance. They bonded, worked well together, and came to deeply respect one another.
Their chemistry did not hint of romance, until Rose kissed Finn on Crait. The moment lacked buildup and felt forced rather than earned.
No kiss or romance between them wouldn't have really changed the plot of The Last Jedi either. Rose still could've rammed her speeder into Finn's to save him from a needless sacrifice, because she deeply loves and cares for him as a friend.
She is a strong, empowered woman. Her story doesn't need a romance with Finn. The whole situation also seems to hint at the possibility of a Rey-Finn-Rose love triangle, which is not something Episode IX needs at all.
Saved: Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade
Of all the characters from Star Wars Legends, there is perhaps none more beloved by fans than Mara Jade. She was introduced as an Emperor's Hand--a Force-sensitive operative trained by and loyal to Emperor Palpatine-- ordered to terminate Luke Skywalker.
Despite this being the catalyst of their meeting, she and Luke later fell in love and even got married. They had a son--Ben Skywalker--and Mara Jade went on to become a Jedi Master.
It would be interesting if Mara Jade made an appearance in Episode 9.
Her relationship with Luke is a testament to the power of forgiveness and how the best romance can spark in the most unlikely ways.
Their personalities, beliefs, and strength with the Force ended up complimenting each other in beautiful ways. Now fans will have to see if the rumors are true about Mara Jade returning to canon in Episode IX.
Saved: Han Solo and Leia Organa
Han and Leia are the original and most iconic Star Wars romance. Their relationship was crucial to the original trilogy's charm and beautiful character development.
In both canon and Legends, for better and for worse, their love was integral to shaping the galaxy in the aftermath of Return of the Jedi.
They had their share of differences and are far from the perfect couple. What defines their relationship, though, is that they're always there to help one another when it counts.
Even when Leia was immersed in the realm of politics and Han was busy with the world of racing, they still showed up to and save one another when they needed it most in the canon novel Bloodline.
Even when their son goes to the dark side and becomes Kylo Ren, they find a way to reunite and work to save the galaxy as in The Force Awakens.
Hurt: Jar Jar Binks and Queen Julia
The Clone Wars television series improved on many of the prequel trilogy's weaker elements. Even The Clone Wars couldn't improve on Jar Jar Binks, though. Queen Julia of the planet Bardotta enlisted Jar Jar's help when her fellow of the Dagoyan Order-- a group of Force-sensitive individuals on Bardotta-- are kidnapped.
She and Jar Jar share a certain level of intimacy that is just as awkward and uncomfortable to watch as one would imagine.
Even the most annoying character in Star Wars deserves love.
The episodes where their relationship occurs are actually pretty interesting. They feature Darth Maul's mother engaging in a villainous plot in order to strengthen her connection to the Force and Mace Windu combating her efforts, all of which culminates in an epic showdown between the two characters.
Unfortunately, these events are largely eclipsed by the completely unnecessary romance of Jar Jar and Queen Julia.
Saved: Lando Calrissian and L3-37
Solo: A Star Wars Story did a great job at showing that despite the scoundrels they tried so hard to be, Han Solo and Lando Calrissian always cared more than they liked to let on.
With Lando that was embodied beautifully through his relationship with the droid L3-37. Lando said he stuck with her because of her unparalleled navigational abilities.
His utter devastation as she perished in his arms shattered Lando's facade. The moment exposed Lando's raw emotion and the depth of his comion unlike any other moments in the films.
Through her relationship with Lando, L3 was able to channel her ion for droids rights during their mission to Kessel, where she led the droids to rise up against the Pyke Syndicate.
The Lando-L3 relationship is also positive in that it transcends the norms of human-droid dynamics. Love is love after all, even in a galaxy far, far away.
Saved: Thane Kyrell and Cienna Ree
Claudia Gray's canon novel Lost Stars brings the concept of star-crossed lovers to Star Wars like never before. Thane Kyrell and Cienna Ree grew up together and both went on to serve the Empire.
Eventually, both Thane and Cienna began to lose faith in the Empire and what it stood for. Thane defected and ed the Rebellion, while Cienna remained with the Empire. Despite these obstacles, they did their best to try and allow their lifelong relationship to endure.
They did not sacrifice their ideals or what they believed for their relationship.
The novel humanizes the individuals within the Empire like few Star Wars stories ever have. In beautiful fashion, Gray weaves a tale of how love can transcend galaxy-wide conflict and war.
It is also wonderful in that both Thane and Cienna choose the side they believe in, while still loving one another.
Hurt: Jacen Solo and Tahiri Veila
Jacen Solo is the Legends equivalent of Kylo Ren. Both are the children of Han and Leia, and both fall to the dark side. During Jacen's time as Darth Caedus, he seduced the Force-sensitive Tahiri Veila to the dark side of the Force.
Tahiri was previously in a relationship with Jacen's brother Anakin Solo, but Anakin ultimately sacrificed himself to save Tahiri and defeat the Yuuzhan Vong.
Essentially manipulating Tahiri's grief over the loss of Anakin, Jacen seduced Tahiri to the dark side and made her his apprentice.
Jacen and Tahiri are not explicitly written as a couple, but it is heavily implied in a very uncomfortable way, especially considering their past relationships with Anakin Solo.
