Is there any character in the whole Star Wars saga more misunderstood than Lando Calrissian? Some would argue that Jar Jar Binks fits that bill, but for this purpose I'm focusing on characters who aren't widely disliked. Lando, however, resides in a different universe because, even if his name is synonymous with betrayal in some fan circles, he remains an appealing and enigmatic character. Certainly, he had no choice but to go along with Darth Vader's plans in The Empire Strikes Back, and his bravery in saving Leia and the others is undeniable. Still, more so than almost any other character in the saga he raises the question of whether the ends justify the means.
Not much is known about Lando prior to his reunion with Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back. We can infer that, despite his outward appearances, the Baron Administrator of Cloud City has slightly shady past. What George Lucas doesn't want you to know is that this hero of the Rebel Alliance directly contributed to the collapse of local governments on the worlds of Myomar and Icthor 8 by engaging in insider trading on tibanna gas futures. While this helped destabilize the Empire in the long-term, it must be noted that civilian populace suffered in the short term.
On a more benign note, when Han Solo declared that "Lando's not a system, he's a man," he was only partially right. Calrissian actually won ownership of the Joralla system in a high-stakes Sabacc game with an Imperial Governor. His official application to rename the system as "Lando" was still in process when Darth Vader arrived at Cloud City. Oddly enough, the INAF (Imperial Nomenclature Alteration Filing) was approved shortly after the Battle of Endor.
In closing, it must be asked whether we know the full story of Lando's actions at the Battle of Tanaab. Supposedly, his skill and bravery led to him being commissioned as a General in the Rebel Alliance. Is there more to it than that? Come back soon for another unusual chapter in the Hidden History of Star Wars to find out.
Disclaimer: Star Wars and related material is George Lucas' intellectual property, which I'm taking for a humorous joy-ride. Though I prefer the version of Star Wars where Han shoots first, the Special Editions don't make me feel that my childhood was violated.
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