#the only things it had going for it over TROS was finn and rose and hux's storylines

[jonathanrogersartist]

I didn't stutter.

[ghost-on-a-string]

finally

the (semi) long awaited hux longpost! before i get into any of it though, some disclaimers:

1. i have never read the star wars comics and honestly i never will. i like star wars enough to watch clone wars and suffer through the sequel films. that's it.

2. i will not be giving all my thoughts on hux as a character because then i can make more posts and i like when the numbers go up

3. as i said, i have not read the comics. i honestly only half watched rise of skywalker. this won't be super accurate to the star wars lore or anything like that, this is for fun

4. on that note, while this isn't going to be super serious, there are still heavy and sensitive topics, primarily child abuse and neglect, so if those things bother you, please sit this out

actual longpost/shitty character analysis below the cut

how does one start with a character like hux? despite how little screen time he actually gets in the movies, he's incredibly complex, even before you get into the comics. there's a lot to be said about him, even if you only have context from the movies. and while i could (and probably will) make a separate longpost about how last jedi not only fucked the entire trilogy over, but specifically ruined the character of hux by making a genuine threat into a joke within the first 15 minutes, not today my friends.

i will mostly be focusing on hux in the force awakens, using things from the rise of skywalker and what little i know about his backstory in the comics.

1st it must be stated: i do not like any of the other characters in the squeal trilogy. i don't hate most of them, but i either don't have an opinion on them (finn, rose, bb8 kind of, maaz, kylo to an extent), or i genuinely hate the character entirely (rey, she'll get a longpost later). a lot of it is because most of these characters don't have a lot of personality, which is a problem the sequel trilogy has as a whole. even returning characters are bland or weirdly mean

yes, you can argue that hux doesn't really have a personality either. however, compared to others characters (cough cough rey), he is dripping with personality, if you look a little closer. the first example that comes to mind is the speech scene. when he yells, there is genuine malace, hatred and fury in his voice. he isnt just yelling to be loud, he's yelling because he demands respect, terror and power.

it makes sense why he would want those things, especially when you look at his background in the comics. hux is a bastard child, his father was abusive and neglectful. he probably grew up feeling in adequate and out of control. he grew up in terror, so he is going to inflict that terror on others.

(i also want it to be known, i don't think hux is a good person. he's sympathetic, and with his backstory you can understand why he did what he did, but he also literally blew up several planets so. a little different.)

even in his smaller interactions, he seems stiff. while part of that is probably because no one had any personality, part of it could be purposeful. hux is a character desperately grasping for respect and control. he's stiff because then he can control how the conversations he has go. he's cold and confident because people respect those with plans who present those plans calmly. in tros, hux says "i don't care who wins. i just need kylo ren to lose." he's more focused on the way those around him look. because if they look bad, he looks better, he looks more confident, more in control. even after he's dead, he needs to be respected, feared, whatever. he can't let himself be seen as anything other than entirety perfect.

hux doesn't have a personality, because he can't let himself have anything other than utter perfection. he would rather be feared, loathed and respected than simply appreciated and forgotten.

[jamiedc-they-them]

Reflection on Past and Future (Platonic) (OC: Marle Skywalker)

Summary: The war is over - at least for now, and Marle has a moment to think about things. The future, especially, is something that they never thought about before. Rey, meanwhile, fears looking backwards.

Post TROS lil fic with Rey and my OC Marle both struggling to process everything that happened over the ST, and attempting to find some way through.

Marle had meditated before. It helped calm them during the moments where the war and life and their mind all got too much, and jumbled all together into one giant mess. Despite not being force sensitive - or, at least, not enough to fully tap into it, if what Poe said about the force and how it flows through all things meaning that everyone had it to varying degrees - Rey still helped them meditate. It, usually, helped. Didn’t do the trick all the time, but either way, they were in a less stressed state than they were before the activity.

This moment in time, however, was different. There was no war. Not anymore. Instead, there were the beginnings of peace - or some kind of it anyway. The First Order were down (even if cells of it always survived; that was one of the things Finn had said they needed to watch out for, how those cells could grow into something bigger.) and the Emperor had been destroyed by himself. The Jedi survived, even with Rey creating new things for it. Continuing the legacy, but also building on it to make sure another Anakin Skywalker never happened again - in all senses; chosen one and all.

That was the problem for Marle, there was no action. Only stillness. On Jakku, stillness was never completely allowed. There were always creeks in the distance of Star Destroyers; always the sounds of winds hallowing; sometimes even screams in the night or blaster fire to match it. Despite the planet being almost barren to the eye, it wasn’t.

Marle had learned from a young age to never fully let your guard down. Always be ready. Prepared at the drop of a hat to spring into action.

That wouldn’t be happening for a while, or maybe even ever again.

They didn’t know how to process it. Marle was glad, don’t get them wrong. The victory was what they wanted, both for themselves and their family - but also for the galaxy at large. For people to be able to make choices and be themselves with no real fear.

Marle’s fears, however, never left them.

They knew it wouldn’t be an instant thing. The trauma they went through over the past year wouldn’t just go at the click of some fingers - though the pained look Rey sometimes gave them made her wish there could be such a thing. They all had to process it in their ways. Rey trained a lot, meditated, and then spoke to someone. Poe and Rose especially did that a lot with the same person, just at different times. Finn was slowly opening up to that idea. He, himself, started to do that as well with captured First Order people, and other Resistance fighters. He was a natural at it. A kind soul. Marle smiled at the thought of their brother.

That smile soon dropped when it came back to themselves. They were meditating too. Why wasn’t it working?

“Marle?” A gentle voice asked. Marle looked up. Rey had come for them. She didn’t look worried. Her features were more relaxed. She had a small smile on her face as she looked at them. Marle mirrored it with a small one of their own. Rey’s one dimmed a bit.

One thing about being in each other’s lives for so long and in desperate situations of life and death? They could see what other people couldn’t: the true emotion of the other.

“What’s wrong?” The older sister asked. While reading people wasn’t always the younger Skywalker’s best quality, Rey’s soft tone continuing seemed to say that it was ok if they didn’t want to say for now.

When Rey didn’t receive an answer, she instead sat down, legs crossed like Marle had done. Marle shut their eyes again, but Rey kept her’s open.

Some silence went by, but Rey still felt the disturbance within her sibling. Something wasn’t sitting right with them. She always knew that sisterly instinct within her wanted to solve it. But, she also knew that Marle would want a chance to do it themselves. They weren’t different people per se now, but - Rey especially - instead saw different sides to each other. Their appreciation for each other had grown deeper, as well as their understanding of the other. Rey saw Marle’s ability to adapt and keep fighting; Marle saw how far Rey fully goes for those she loves, alongside letting her walls down with other people and letting herself love others and be loved. Those sides were always there, this…journey was what brought it out of them. Both were thankful for that part of it, at least.

“How did you do it?” Marle asked. Rey felt, and even saw by their stance alone, something shift within them.

“How did I do what, sorry?” She watched her sibling carefully here, trying to detect any more shifts as they opened up.

They opened their eyes again, a sigh leaving them. Not one of frustration at Rey, but more so one about their inability to describe it.

“How did you get better?”

While Rey appreciated the bluntness, it did also take her back a bit.

“I don’t think I am. Not fully, anyway.”

“Oh…”

“I - I think I’m better than I was then, for sure,” Rey said, hoping that these were the magic words she needed to get things back on a more positive track.

“But like…how did you know that?”

“Well,” Rey repositioned herself slightly, getting more comfortable as she took a moment to genuinely think about it - the whole process was new to her; and, according to the person she was talking to, there was a lot to process.

“To be honest,” she continued, “it felt like a weight being lifted. A metaphorical one, but a weight nonetheless. I asked Poe about that feeling too, if that helps.”

Marle smiled a bit. Siblings in a lot of ways it seemed, and not fully knowing how to cope was one of those things apparently.

“Do you think I ever will get to be like that?”

Rey’s heart clenched. Marle saw the internal flinch, and their eyes softened.

“Sorry…”

“Don’t,” Rey was firmer with tone this time, “don’t be sorry. It’s a question that is on your mind and — has it been for a long time?”

Marle nodded. Rey did too, even if it were slower and more weighted.

“Everyone has different timelines with it and —“

Marle stood up, and looked to the water on Ajan Kloss. The jungle took their breath away at first, then the water did for real. For Marle, it was too much for them. They flinched at it all of the way. They couldn’t go very far in, but no one blamed them for it.

Rey stood up, and moved next to Marle.

“Marle it…there’s no one way to this. Some things work for some people, but some things don’t for everyone. But, there will be a day when —“

“I don’t like that saying. I don’t…I don’t know how long I can hold on for.”

Rey found herself speechless. Marle’s eyes continued to bore into the water, but there was a vulnerability now at the surface. She’d seem to find it in spades what was going through her sibling’s head. Nothing nice. But now, it seemed, with all the time they all had now after the war, everything was hitting Marle at once.

Rey seemed more controlled with it. To be truthful, the only reason she was, was because of the rest of her family - how they all huddled around each other and kept an extra eye out.

Marle didn’t join them as much, she noted at the time. They didn’t completely close off, but they were around less so much that it became noticeable.

Rey shuddered. Feeling those emotions hit her as well. The confusion, malice of the self, the worry of the wait for it to all get better - but also the worry on the how it would improve and whether it ever would.

She knew every Jedi had doubts in themselves, the force, pretty much anything - it was a vary natural thing to do. Doubts were always going to crop up. Especially after events like what the Siblings of the Sand had gone through in such a short amount of time. So short that they didn’t ever fully get a chance to slow down.

They had that now, but Rey seemed more adjusted to it than Marle.

Marle looked at the water. The memory was still there, the feelings still somewhat raw whenever they thought about it. But maybe…maybe they could go a little deeper next time. Maybe if they sought out their friends instead of the other way around. Rey was trying. They all were. Marle appreciated that, even if the voice in their head and the inability to adapt to this shifting situation lingered.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

Marle looked to her, bewildered, “why are you sorry?”

“I didn’t - I didn’t act fast enough.”

“I’m not angry at you.”

“…I would be.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t do my job.”

“Your ‘job’?” There was a slight bit of hurt to the younger sibling’s voice.

“I’m your sister. Your sibling. Your friend. Whichever way we want to say it, I care about you, and I failed in being there for you. I’m sorry about that.”

“I guess I failed too, then. I didn’t really help you either. Especially after you…passed.”

It had been the first time it had been spoken about between them. For once, Rey didn’t instantly jump in. Neither did Marle. They both processed what was just said.

“You didn’t fail me,” Rey decided on.

“Then how can you say that you failed me?”

Fair point. The feelings stayed, however.

Marle sighed, then slightly chuckled, “I think this is the first time we’ve actually spoken to each other.”

Rey nodded, “I’m glad we are now. I just…I just don’t like that I took us so long.”

Marle shrugged, “we never really had any experience with it.”

Rey snorted. That was true.

“I’m glad we’re trying to,” she nudged them slightly. They nudged her back.

“When do you leave to start building the order again?”

“A few months,” she said, “still preparing.”

“Are you scared?”

“Terrified. What if - what if I fail them?”

Marle looked to Rey with a soft look. They put a hand on her arm, “you haven’t failed me,” they said, “you’re a good person, Rey. The darkness calls to you, as it would all of us —“

“But what I came from, Mar…I’m glad I have my actually family still here,” she said, putting a hand on their’s, “but…I don’t know. Sometimes my blood scares me. What it can do. What I can do. What I could do.”

“You aren’t your blood.”

“But I feel like at any moment…maybe I could be. Maybe it could all go wrong in a moment of anger —“ Rey took a shuddering breath. She blinked a few times, the tears still being there unfortunately.

Marle took their own breath, hugging Rey instead as they looked to the lake.

“We’re not doing so good, are we?”

“We’ve been better,” Rey laughed, running her fingers through Marle’s hair.

When she looked at that binary sunset and declared the name of her true family, she meant it. She always will. She’s a Skywalker, not a Palpatine. Blood meant less and less to her each day. But still, there was a part of her gnawing at her. A rage at the world for all it had done to herself and Marle. She overcame it with Palpatine. She did. But she hated that it was still there. That it hadn’t fully left her.

She supposed, in some way, just as those feelings of inadequacy and self hatred continued to bubble in Marle, despite the efforts of the others and the impact they had each had on the younger individual.

She let herself go lax, weight leaving her once again. She let herself see that the battles never ended. Apart of that drove her mad, another part made her look down at her younger sibling, seeing them looking to the water with a mixed look.

“Maybe —“ she sniffled, “maybe we just…maybe we just take it one step at a time. You and me, yeah? Both together and separate.”

Marle nodded, “I can try that…” they’re hiccuped, “I can try that.”

“That’s all any of us can ask.”

Marle hugged Rey tighter, “you’re a good person, Rey Skywalker.”

“And you, Marle Skywalker,” she pushed them back slightly, making sure they met eyes, “are someone who deserves all the space to understand your emotions and move in your own time. You understand me?”

They nodded. Rey mirrored it.

It wasn’t perfect. It was some sort of start, however. An acknowledgement. They weren’t fully ok. Still not fully fine with all the bad things that happened. Maybe they never fully would be. Maybe those scars would never fully heal.

That was ok. Well, not ok, but at least understandable.

They didn’t have to bare it alone, however. They had each other, the siblings of the sand; but also the new people added to that family. The people of the resistance and the Jedi.

They had to look back at some times to move forward; and also look back to see how far forward they had come.

It was an odd push and pull. Maybe they’d never fully master it. But they could try. They could do that at least.

That was all anyone could do.

[ultraericthered]

*Sigh.* Let's check these off one by one, shall we?

Rise was straight up depressing, nothing about it was good. Duel of the Fates was, by comparison, not depressing

For one thing that is blatantly a subjective opinion (I and plenty of other audience members came out of it the opposite of depressed and found a lot of good to enjoy and appreciate in it), but far more importantly...I'd find DotF to be far, far more depressing, bar none? This is how a friend summarized it: "it literally turns the entire saga into a story that can be summed up as “a bunch of Jedi and Sith and Rebels and Empires fuck around and do nothing right until a random girl comes out of nowhere and discovers how to do things correctly”. Nothing in the previous eight films prior would have held any deeper meaning. Every Star Wars story that was ever told in any medium prior to Rey's story in this would've become, in retrospect, huge wastes of time thanks to Trevorrow's horrendous misdefining of what it means to achieve "balance in the Force". To me, that's depressing.

No return of Palpatine

Except there still would've been a "Palpatine has a part to play in this from beyond the grave" factor even in DotF. He'd just stay beyond the grave rather than actually return from it, which means the "looks to cheat death" factor of Palpatine's character that he's had ever since the opera house scene in Episode III goes with absolutely no payoff. I'm of the belief that if you want to close out a 9 film saga rather than just close out another 3 film trilogy, you sort of need Palpatine in there since he was the saga's Big Bad from the start. But as I've said before, a lot of folks just seem to think having this one guy serve as the overarching main antagonist, direct or indirect, for two trilogies (six whole episodes of the saga) and then having some completely different guy from right out of fucking nowhere with no link or connection to the previous guy nor anything from the last six installments step up as the main antagonist for the third and final trilogy to close the saga is perfectly fine storytelling so long as the second guy comes off sufficiently Big and Bad enough or whatever.

a tone and level of stakes befitting the end of the saga

The Final Order was an entire massive fleet of star destroyers with world destroying technology at their disposal, getting set to go out and decimate all free worlds in the galaxy so that the Sith could secure dominance once and for all. Sure screams "level of stakes befitting the end of the saga" to me, but that could just be me.

an actual role for Rose that respects her character

It'd be a better role than what we got in the final cut of TRoS, but that's not a high bar given Rose's minimal screen presence in that. It still wouldn't really do anything too new with her or tell us anything about her we didn't already know, and there'd be a period of time where she'd be held captive and literally tortured by the fascistic white bad guys, which does not sound like something I'd care to see.

genuine connections to other areas of Star Wars besides the original trilogy

TRoS made allusions and connections to other areas of all eight previous films in the saga, and even worked in stuff introduced in other areas of the franchise but knew to keep it subtle for the viewers who'd not experienced those other areas and wouldn't get too lost watching the film on its own and in relation to the preceding films. Which I'd gladly take over the reappearance of fucking Mortis, which has absolutely no business popping up in a Skywalker Saga finale.

a character arc for Finn

OK, this is still the only thing I will give Trevorrow and his script over what we got. The ST just really lost the plot with Finn following TFA.

Rey is still a nobody

Yet her parents and what happened to them still mattered enough to be brought back into play for the reveal that Kylo Ren killed them, that sure made that whole backstory super significant! And the thing is, Rey ISN'T "still a nobody" by the end. She's a girl of no prior significance to the saga from out of nowhere who makes everything about the Jedi, the Sith, and the Force itself all about her in the end. She is somehow successfully able to channel and wield the Force and the Dark Side of the Force in a perfectly balanced equalibrium like what Count Dooku wanted to do but naturally failed at, and all the spirits of the major Jedi characters we know and love sing her praises to High Heaven for it, talking as though she is the true Jedi Master who they have all learned from. Rather than Rey finding and accepting her family and her place in something bigger than herself that she grows to love and to champion for her remaining days as in TRoS, DotF has something as big as the goddamn Force contorted to magnify and consolidate Rey's super special awesomeness. Every "Rey's a Mary Sue!" argument would have been rewarded with the highest possible validity here! Is that something you'd want?

themes that actually meaningfully follow up Last Jedi

To its detriment, and it didn't even do that good a job of it either.

a villain arc for Kylo that doesn’t end with him being abruptly redeemed.

But...it did, though? The guy completely disassociates himself from the group he was supposed to be Supreme Leader of now. makes bad decision after bad decision and refuses to repent every time he's reached out to be anyone, is fully committed to becoming all-powerful in the Dark Side and evil beyond salvation, wants to burn down the whole galaxy, even wins the final duel in the story (thus in the whole saga) by nearly killing Rey...and then at the very last possible second, he's convinced by his mother to "come back to the light" by doing one good thing and trading his life for Rey's, which in at least one script draft is described as though it is meant to be redemptive on his part. Even Vader's last minute self-sacrificial good deed for his son that saved his soul from darkness had more build-up and weight to it in comparison. This would just be a nonsensical and self-contradicting mess, and not even the villain arc for Kylo that I'd be naturally set on seeing after the groundwork laid by TFA and TLJ.

if Disney hadn’t decided to base Rise entirely off of reactionary responses to Last Jedi.

There it is. That misconceived notion about TRoS that kills credibility every single time. The direction taken in TRoS was not entirely based off responses to TLJ, because EpIX had been given to J.J Abrams and solidified into being TRoS three months before TLJ was released in theaters. There were no "reactionary responses" to be catered to even existing at the time the big decisions were made in regards to TRoS, including Palpatine's return and Rey being of his bloodline. The reality is that Colin Trevorrow was unable to create a finale to Lucasfilm’s and Disney’s satisfaction since early in he initially envisioned an EpIX that would heavily feature Luke and Snoke (who both got killed off in TLJ), so he pivoted to DotF as his EpIX instead only for that script to be rendered impossible to put to film by Carrie Fisher's unexpected passing in December 2016. So at that point in the midst of 2017, again before TLJ came out, Abrams was called upon to steer the leaky ship and "save shit" as John Boyega put it.

So even if you feel like DotF would’ve still been a satisfying ending to the saga, it must be understood that from the moment Carrie Fisher left this world, it was not the ending we were going to receive.

I feel like all discussions about the positive and negatives of the Duel of the Fates script got kinda hijacked by a bunch of people saying it was embarrassing and making jokes about one line that wasn’t even spoken aloud the characters. I also feel as if people who simply read the script and thought it was pretty good, were overtaken by the people who knew the writer/director’s previous work and knew it to be bad.

I understand Colin Trevorrow is not well liked for many reasons, but I didn’t know that prior to reading it, so I overall enjoyed it prior to that. I don’t understand why no one could get past that fact and just take the script at more than face value and see past a couple of flaws.

Also I just feel as if people just… ignored how much better it was compared to Rise of Skywalker, like, by a country mile. Rise was straight up depressing, nothing about it was good, Duel of the Fates was, by comparison, not depressing, which is already an achievement before you get to specific details, and those details are No return of Palpatine, a tone and level of stakes befitting the end of the saga, an actual role for Rose that respects her character, genuine connections to other areas of Star Wars besides the original trilogy, a character arc for Finn, Rey is still a nobody, themes that actually meaningfully follow up Last Jedi, and a villain arc for Kylo that doesn’t end with him being abruptly redeemed.

And it’s not perfect, the relationship between Rey and Poe is stupid and makes no sense, and the introduction of Plagueis’ master is sloppy, but other than that, I loved the broad strokes of everything described.

But I think the thing that makes everyone seemingly rejecting it on principle without really thinking about it make me kinda upset is that it probably would’ve gotten better if Disney hadn’t decided to base Rise entirely off of reactionary responses to Last Jedi.

Idk, maybe it’s not as good as I think and it’s just better compared to Rise because almost anything is better than Rise, but idk, I feel as if Duel would’ve still been a satisfying ending.

[polikszena]

@mattzwright the great asked me to do this fandom ask game for Star Wars (and I will include the whole universe, or at least what I’ve seen of it) - Thank you for the asks! :)

My favorite female character: Hera Syndulla from Rebels. Honestly, to say one good thing about Disney buying Star Wars, is that they added more women to the universe (I’m aware that there were several ones in the now Extended Universe, but they were no way as well-known as the ones in the movies) and Hera was one of them. I remember that as a 12-year-old I struggled with not being able to relate to any of the female characters in Star Wars (the options were Padmé, Leia and Shmi), and about fifteen years later finally there was someone I could relate to. Even though we had only one thing in common: we both were the mom friends (and still are) of our groups. But besides that I like Hera a lot, because she is a great pilot and a good leader, but she also has a soft side and she cares a lot about her space children.

My favorite male character: Han Solo, without a doubt. He is my favourite Star Wars character since I joined the fandom a long, long time ago. I like that he’s a scoundrel with a heart of gold, his courage, his friendship with Chewbacca, and the fact that he flies with the Millennium Falcon.

My favorite book/season/etc: I think I’ll pick A New Hope, because even though my first Star Wars movie was A Phantom Menace, Episode IV was that dragged me into the universe. And I also have to mention here a Hungarian Star Wars parody book called Bárgyú árnyak - A Bárgyúgolyó Futam (Could be roughly translated as A Stupid Menace - The Goofball Run) which was a parody for A Phantom Menace, and my brother found it on some book sale. I re-read it a few years ago, and there are many jokes in it that I don’t find funny anymore (any many that I still do), but thanks to it, I added some important words to my Star Wars vocabulary such as “padbavaló” (means a person who should sit at a school desk; they used that word for padawans) or “fénykasza” (light scythe, the weapon of the Yeti Knights).

My favorite cast member: Now that's a tough question, as I'm not really into the Star Wars cast and by that I mean that I hardly watch or read interviews with them and nor I have looked up a cast member's entire filmography and started watching all their films (although there are people whose other works I also enjoy), so I'd say Harrison Ford because he makes me think about my grandfather.

My favorite ship: The Millennium Falcon! And as for the other kind of ship, my favourite is Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus. And not because they became canon on my birthday, but because I think they have a healthy relationship, they support each other, they are already the mum and dad of a found family. 

A character I’d die defending: I'd say Rose Tico, because I think it was a nice addition to have a technician in the characters (so we could know another profession in the SW universe), moreover, a female technician, who was also of an ethnic minority. And although I didn’t like her monologue at the end of TLJ, I don’t think Kelly Marie Tran deserved the hate she got for Rose. (And I don't want to talk about TROS here, because I just can't remember what was Rose doing in that one.)

A character I just can’t sympathize with: Palpatine. Period.

A character I grew to love: General Hux, mostly because of the fanon stuff like he has a cat or that he’s a neat freak (although this one might be canon, honestly, I can’t remember). He’s very far from being a favourite character, but it’s never not funny imagining him throwing a tantrum over Kylo Ren walking through the spaceship with muddy boots. (Or worse...)

My anti otp: I think I’d go with Finn/Rey. I just cannot see them in a romatic relationship with each other. To me they are best friends.

[redrascal1]

I am becoming seriously fed up with Finn fans, and unfortunately, with John Boyega. 

First of all, Finn was originally conceived as ‘Sam’, a smuggler who befriended Rey. There were a number of actors lined up to play him, and they were all white. One of them was SpiderMan’s Tom Hollander.

Eventually the character’s name and his role of smuggler was changed to an ex stormtrooper named Finn, but two things remained the same - his personality, which is why so many comment on him being ‘too jokey’ for a former brainwashed child soldier - and the fact that he was never meant to be Rey’s boyfriend. Just her friend.

Then JJ Abrams cast Boyega, who did a good job of playing Finn in TFA and TLJ - I won’t mention TROS.

Boyega is a good actor. He’s also firm friends with Daisy Ridley, hence their brother/sister on screen chemistry. But,post TROS Boyega has been making a lot of complaints.

That he should have been male lead, and not Kylo Ren. That Adam Driver hogged what should have been his lead role. That he should have had the romance with Rey.

His eager fans on the JCF are lapping this up and flinging their support behind him.

Most of all, they are supporting his claims that the only reason he didn’t get what HE wanted, and his fans think should have been his by rights...is because of his ethnicity. In short, Finn wasn’t leading man and Rey’s boyfriend because he was played by a black man.

There are two things here which Boyega and his adorers have chosen to ignore. The central protagonist was always meant to be Rey. And Adam’s character, Kylo Ren, was the last of the real Skywalkers. So of course he would have a major role. Look at the promo posters. They focused on Rey - protagonist - and Kylo, antagonist. 

Finn was conceived as a supporting character. Boyega actually had far more screen time than Adam in all three films. But it wasn’t enough. 

Boyega wanted ....Rey.

Boyega wanted to be Rey’s boyfriend. 

And now he is whining because he didn’t get that role.

He blames Adam, and he blames Rian Johnson. According to Boyega and his JCF groupies, DLF didn’t have the guts to go ahead with an inter racial romance. They are RACISTS.

Excuse me?

I despise DLF post TROS. But they cast a mostly non white group of actors as the leading characters in the excellent Rogue 1. They cast Sam Jackson as Mace Windu in the PT. They want to make solo series about Cassian Andor and Lando Calrissian. Both played by non white actors. They are anything but racist.

Boyega’s claims are ridiculous, childish and petty. But more than that...he’s a hypocrite.

Because there was an inter racial romance in the ST. Between Finn and Rose. And you know who helped quash it - Boyega.

He didn’t like the romance and therefore JJ Abrams erased it and reduced Loan Tran’s role to just one line in TROS. Just as he regressed Adam’s character and reduced his screen time to push Rey, supported by Terrio, and, I suspect, sadly, by Daisy Ridley. I might be wrong about Daisy, but her comments ‘I can’t be behind it (reylo) and ‘Rey doesn’t need a boyfriend’, both made before TROS, lead me to suspect that she had an influence on how her character’s story went. Whatever.

The treatment of Loan, Adam and even Domnhall Gleeson was nothing short of disgraceful. Hux was killed off early in the film and replaced by an older version of himself. Unnecessary. Kylo, the last of the real Skywalkers, was pushed into a background role. And Rose...

Words cannot express the disgust I feel for how Loan was treated. They even shoved a weird slug alien into the role of mechanic at the beginning of the film - a role she could easily have played, as Rose was a mechanic. If anyone had the right to accuse DLF of racism, it’s Loan. And, like Adam and Domnhall, she has done nothing but show dignity, class and admirable restraint post TROS.

Abrams and Terrio crapped all over these talented young actors, to push their favourites. Childish, petty and eventually....a huge mistake because ‘the Trio’ turned out to be  a crashing bore, as did Force Goddess Rey, Adoring Force Acolyte Finn and Han Poe Solo. But ultimately Boyega’s attitude is what truly sucks. 

He helped scupper Finn/Rose. Because apparently an Asian girl wasn’t good enough to be Finn’s girlfriend. No, only the white girl was good enough. And that John, is one of the worst examples of racism I have ever seen. Despicable.

[val-aquenta]

1,4, and 22 for the salty asks?

Hoo boy, this is just enabling me to rant lmao. But thank you so much for the ask. <333

1. What OTP's in your fandom(s) do you just not get?

Gotta say Obitine. Uhh... I didn't get it when I first watched the cartoon, and I hated the implication that they gave Obi-Wan a romance to make Obi-Wan more 'human' (something I've heard other people push on the narrative.) I do like that it kind of showed the choice between being a Jedi and being in a commited relationship, but beyond that nothing. I also don't really like how most of Satine's whole story is determined by her romance to Obi-Wan. She's killed because of their relationship, most of the arcs with her surround the 'are they still in love and going to get with each other' narrative, and frankly it bores me. I am personally not into shipping in general, and I prefer more platonic and familial relationships like the Jedi-Clone and inter-Jedi relationships, so ships are kind of meh in general to me. I also didn't even see the appeal of their 'romance' tbh. They just seemed to argue a lot, and their confessions kind of came out of nowhere to me. If they did love each other, it really must have been a long time ago. I don't see it working?

Uhmmm off the top of my head are a few that I don't get, but I don't feel as strongly about. Qui-Gon x Shmi (never really understood why?), Rey x literally anyone lol (especially not our genocidal buddy kyle), Rose x Finn (not developed enough and then completely forgotten lmao, Ahsoka x Lux (ok this one is basically a notp tbh. Just... ew), and basically every Obi-Wan ship that I know (look he doesn't need fucing romance ok.) I didn't really want to go in depth with these because if we did heh yikes, we'd be here forever.

4. Do you have a NoTP in your fandom? Are they a popular OTP?

Hah. Anidala lol. From the top of my head, I think it's a very selfish relationship. I mean Anakin cares more about his feelings to Padmè than Padmè herself, and I feel like Padmè wants the clandestine romance vibes that come with being married to a person who is meant to be a neutral party. Especially during a war. Anakin's willingness to commit genocide for his 'love' for Padmè isn't a large sweeping romantic thing. The idea that he'd do anything for his love is pretty scary and I'm pretty sure Padmè, to some degree, knew of it. The fact that she continued to stay with him and live this double life means that she doesn't care about the consequences really. Idk I just feel like this relationship brings out the worst in both parties. The fact that Padmè is willing to deny that Anakin's fallen even when Obi-Wan comes to her door and tells her that Anakin killed Jedi could be that Padmè doesn't think Anakin capable of doing such a thing, but due to the fact that she was with him for the Tusken massacre and the whole Rush Clovis shit (and probably other tcw I don't remember) makes me think otherwise. Imo, I think that had the war ended and Palps been aprehended and everything gone well, their relationship would not have worked, because a large part of it was the fact that it was a secret thing, and that Anakin was not with Padmè that much. I don't see it working without outside factors imo, but whatever.

And, similar to many things, a lot of anidala fans are not willing to confront this truth that their relationship is built on lies and deceit and therefore will not continue to hold strong. So many of them ignore how Anakin broke his oaths as a Jedi to be impartial and place others over single people, and we all know that he did not do that when it came to Padmè. I know a lot of anidala fans aren't like this, and I'm not particularly vehement about this. This notp is more me not wanting to read anidala fics or see anidala art, and I've filtered it out. But yeah, some fan's vehemence that this was the one true thing and that if Anakin had been able to love openly (like he could... he just didn't have to be a Jedi to. Dang he really wants to eat his cak and have it too) and whatever he wouldn't have fallen just makes me... cringe a lot. Also I can't really separate what their relationship caused with the relationship itself.

22. Popular characters you hate?

Oh... uhh... this one makes me nervous ahhh. Well there are a few that I don't like as much as most people do and only a couple I hate hate. I really hate our lovely boy kyle. Uhh... mass murdering manipulator who tortures Rey and co, dude who stands by as entire planets are destroyed, and a genocidal maniac overall. I'm scared of some of his fans because yikes they're really fervent and trying to make kyle a morally grey character because of his 'redemption' during tros. Like... I don't care. You can say the same about Anakin/Vader tbh, but I think a lot of my hate for our buddy kyle comes from his fans and r*ylo stans who are very... intent on excusing Kyle's shitty actions. At least most Anakin/Vader fans know he's a shitty person and don't try and morally grey-ify him if you get what I'm saying.

Jango Fett too. I mean, I haven't read any of the books featuring him, but I'm gonna say it. Jango decided to enter that contract to create the army of clones. Essentially, he signed them up for the army in that contract with Dooku, so idc about your 'but he'd be such a good mand'alor and dad to the clones' bs, because he really wouldn't. He's incredibly selfish, and idk a lot of people seem to think he's the next best thing since sliced bread. I guess I should add Bo-Katan as well, because she's very hypocritical. the whole 'shouldn't you care about my sister' thing was not a good look because Bo-Katan, who helped bring the group of people there to destabalise her reign and kill her? Did you think deathwatch would just let her go freely? lmao with these two it's more I just don't like them that much. It's not like I hate them a whole bunch.

[ultraericthered]

Other points worth addressing:

I still can’t get over how it had the First Order essentially take over the Galaxy within the blink of an eye after their major trump card had been blown up without even a hint about how the fuck they accomplished it.

What’s funny about this is it’s sort of a mirror version of what happened in the transition from ANH to TESB - it was established in ANH that the only thing the Empire had to keep the galaxy in line with its tyrannical rule was fear of the Death Star, so once the Death Star was blown up, the Empire had no more leverage and would have to surrender or be overthrown. Yet by TESB, they’re still ruling the galaxy as though nothing had happened and are in fact even more threatening now than they were with the Death Star. So now the outcome of TFA should have meant that the Republic would not have to surrender or be overthrown, yet in TLJ, they’ve been overthrown and the First Order reigns supreme.

to the point that Rose gave him a lecture on the evils of slavery.

Had to go back and check where this happened, and...it didn’t. You might be confused with Rose bringing Finn’s attention to the ugly practices that the prettiness and privileges of Canto Bight and the wealthy people there are derived from, including war profiteering, child labor, animal cruelty, and yes, sometimes slavery, but that wasn’t the focal point. Finn knows the evils of child slavery, he just had no idea that what he was seeing at that casino resort had any link to those evils until Rose let him know, and even that was hardly a “lecture” to him.

I still can’t get over how it split up the two characters who had the most on-screen chemistry and one of the most well-developed relationships from the previous film.

It was actually TFA that split them up at the very end, leaving Finn in a coma at the Resistance base while Rey went off to find Luke. Obviously I would’ve rather they’d reunited prior to the events aboard the Supremacy rather than take ‘til the very end to see each other again, but Rian called the shots here, not me.

still can’t get over how the only additional bit of worldbuilding–Canto Bight–went out of its way to establish that the rich and powerful of the Galaxy do not give a single fuck about which side of conflict wins, further cementing the impression that the rest of the Galaxy is just kind of…getting on with their lives. That, beyond the personal stakes for the characters we see on-screen, none of what’s happening actually matters.

I can see why that would be jarring and it didn’t make much sense to me at first too, but after time and especially after TRoS, I think I get it better - Snoke was among that rich and powerful of the Galaxy and he had bought off several of them to ensure the real stakes of the conflict be supressed and the rest of the Galaxy just look at it as a big game because that’s what Palpatine wanted him to do. The First Order and their warring with the Resistance was, above all else, a huge public distraction so that the Final Order could be fully constructed and strike at a time no planet would be ready for it.

Listen, if you liked TLJ, more power to you. But I can't help but resent it more and more the longer time goes by.

I still can't get over how it had the First Order essentially take over the Galaxy within the blink of an eye after their major trump card had been blown up without even a hint about how the fuck they accomplished it.

I still can't get over how the New Republic went from the major power in the Galaxy to consisting of, like, a dozen people practically overnight with no explanation.

I still can't get over how Finn's past as a stormtrooper who was kidnapped and enslaved as a child was used as a plot device but basically ignored in terms of his characterization, to the point that Rose gave him a lecture on the evils of slavery.

I still can't get over how it split up the two characters who had the most on-screen chemistry and one of the most well-developed relationships from the previous film.

I still can't get over how the only meaningful way it advanced the plot was by killing off the Big Bad.

I still can't get over how the stakes felt like the mid-season episode of a TV series and not the second film in a trilogy.

I still can't get over how the only additional bit of worldbuilding--Canto Bight--went out of its way to establish that the rich and powerful of the Galaxy do not give a single fuck about which side of conflict wins, further cementing the impression that the rest of the Galaxy is just kind of...getting on with their lives. That, beyond the personal stakes for the characters we see on-screen, none of what's happening actually matters.

Like, TFA has issues too. It's fundamentally a soft reboot and not really a sequel. But TLJ also felt like a soft reboot instead of a sequel. It had the chance to build up the bare bones established by TFA...and it tore them down instead.

And then I still have people trying to make out like it's a moral failing, or a sign of being some lore-obsessed loser with bad taste, that I didn't like it.

It's very, very frustrating.

[legobiwan]

Hello! For the salty ask games, can I ask for 12, 19, and 22 please?

12. Is there an unpopular arc that you like that the fandom doesn’t? Why?

Luke's arc in the sequel trilogy. There is a lot that I did not like about the sequels (rehashing old story beats, barely developed characters, the absolute mess of TRoS), and there were aspects of The Last Jedi that really hit the wrong notes for me (Leia's space flight scene, the weird romance between Rose and Finn, and Poe's character shift being among the worst offenders).

But!

I think Luke's descent into nihilism and the abandonment of his school after Kylo's turn was totally believable and a just criticism of what helped contribute to the downfall of the Prequel-era Jedi. It's kind of funny, in a way, because Luke fails due to the fact he tries to do the same thing, a second time. And in a way, the Sequel trilogy, in its totality, fails because it, too, tries to do the same thing a second time. (It reminds me of some t-shirts I saw for sale when I was in SE Asia a long time ago that said, "Same Same, but Different.")

If the Sequels had leaned more into what it really meant to be a Jedi (which would have been a perfect launching point to introduce Force-sensitive Finn), had truly grappled with "finding a balance" between the Light and the Dark, had eliminated the "Final Boss Big Bads" of Snoke and Palpatine (although "Palpatine fucks" will always be one of the funnier memes to emerge from the ashes of RotS) - I think it could have been a truly compelling series

19. What is the one thing you hate most about your fandom?

"Hate" is a strong word so I'll go with "am vaguely annoyed by in a way that has zero implications in my day-to-day life but irks me in a 'someone on the internet is WRONG' manner."

I disagree with the way the Jedi Order - the Prequel Order, in particular, is placed on a pedestal of purity. Did the Jedi have good intentions? Yes. Was their philosophy one that, ultimately, strived to make the galaxy a better place? Yes.

But as much as they were victims of Palpatine's manipulations, they were also victims of themselves. From an outsider's perspective, they are an esoteric religious order with mystical powers that famously perpetuates its existence by indoctrinating children at a very young age. It's not that the Jedi are evil, unfeeling monsters who frown on any type of relationship or that they are baby-snatchers. But they were slow to consider change, slower to adapt change until it was foisted on them by the events on Geonosis. As much as Qui-gon annoys the hell out of me, he has some very good points as to how the Order might reconsider its place in the galaxy and its own philosophies (now, if he hadn't had such a bloody saviour complex...)

The individuals in the Order are complicated beings who don't always make the right decisions. Yoda stayed in power for waaaaaay too long. (As an American, I need only to look to Congress to see what happens when you have people in power for 40, 50 years). While the individuals in the Order were open to discussion with those who were struggling with anger or attachment, the prevailing culture seems to be one where most just hid their feelings and hoped not to be caught. The Dark Side is presented as evil - full stop, and we see few nuanced discussions regarding it (however, Dark Rendezvous hits on this with Yoda and Dooku and it is glorious).

Not to mention how easily public opinion was swayed against them once the war started. Yes, they were victims of a smear campaign, but their insular nature, the high Jedi Spire looming over Coruscant, the rumors of untold powers and laserswords...it's small wonder they lost the battle in the press way before they lost the war.

And I say this as someone who is a huge fan of the Jedi.

So yes, the Jedi are good, but it's a lot more complicated than that and I, for one, love to pick at the loose threads and dig into the cracks of what made them - both their members and their organization - so fallible.

22. Popular character you hate?

Again, hate is way too intense a term to use in fandom internet rambling (and I'm not sure just how popular this character actually is), but I strongly disliked how Rey was portrayed in the Sequels. The most depth we got from her was in The Last Jedi, where she at least had some struggles and development - everything else with her character just felt like two slices of Wonderbread with a Force-powered Kraft American cheese slice in the middle. (Force healing? Force healing? Obi-wan's ghost must have been spinning in the ether). I could even deal with the fact she seemingly came "pre-loaded" with Force powers if it were tied to some weird experiments to resurrect the Jedi or even some kind of Force anomaly tied to the idea of "balance." But child experimentation, as a narrative device, is probably a little too dark for Star Wars.

Ask me something and I'll put some salt on it

[treasureswordsgirl55]

X - Wing

Character: Poe Dameron

Pairing: Poe Dameron x Princess!FemReader.

Inspired by (Song) : Your Love / The Outfield

Warnings: Mentions of Death. Mentions to First Order. Post!TROS. Fluff. Funny.

Author's Note: Ok, here we go again.

This was the 7° fic about Poe that I'd write in a same week a few months ago. Maybe I have more than... 20 without finished, to be honest.

But this is one of my favourites, so... I hope you like it!!! XOXO 😘😘😘

-------------------

Josie's on a vacation far away, Come around and talk it over, So many things that I want to say, You know I like my girls a little bit older, I just want to use your love tonight, I don't want to lose your love tonight

The song plays in that small cabin where, being observed from the outside, a black x-wing with orange sectors performs pirouettes under the sky of Aureallis, attracting the attention of many little ones and that of a man who does nothing but let out full snorts of annoyance. He felt his blood boil, and although he knew that he was there with his friends at the request of General Organa, he could not get out of his head that the blurred image he had seen a few days ago seemed the x -wing of him.

Now he could confirm it.

That beautiful ship that he loved so much and that he had lost when he was captured by the First Order doing pirouettes as if it were a show plane.

Poe Dameron wanted to throw up.

He restrained himself from doing so when his best friend approached, standing next to him and looking for what his friend was looking at in the sky.

- What do we observe?

- Do you see the little ship doing pirouettes? - The young man shook his head looking at the entire pink sky, characteristic for the presence of a strange form of iron in the atmosphere that did not make it toxic to any species, especially to humans. The pilot, impatient and even more nervous, took the head of his friend and turned it to where the ship was at that moment. Finn exclaimed a sound similar to surprise and then turned, as he could, his face towards Poe, who seemed to be burning fire from his eyes.

- It's very similar ... - he left the sentence half finished as the ship began its descent as if it were a living being. The way only he used to treat it. This is how his mother had taught him, to treat a ship as if it were a companion - It is not possible.

The pilot nodded at the same time that Rey saw them, without even thinking about the position that his best friends were: anyone who saw them, they would say they were hugging. She giggled to herself as she allowed herself to be carried away by that private joke they had with Rose, that their affection for each other was a secret and forbidden love for the Resistance.

She could not hide her laughter and that made the two men separate from each other in a second, leaning casually on the railing of the gazebo of that palace.

- You two looked adorable - Finn just smirked and Poe rolled his eyes at how unobvious Finn was to hide his feelings for Rey. He gave his friend a shove and heard him curse, enjoying it. He'd tried anyway to get Finn to seduce Rey, but the man was stubborn about it and she was unchanging. So much so that Poe got tired of trying and began to observe the clumsy attempts at approach of his friend.

- What happened?

- Queen Azala will receive us - The youngest high-fived, BB-8 extended his tool in approval and Poe smiled, although it will be difficult for him to express his feelings towards them, he would do anything to keep them safe and by his side, even if it cost him his life in the attempt - She waits for us in the meeting room.

- Come on - Poe waited for his friends to pass to observe for the last time the one that he once knew to be his ship.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

A year and a half later ...

- They're here, Your Highness. - I rolled my eyes as a clear sign of annoyance causing Aimeen to laugh.

- Thank you very much for calling them - I smiled at Palmer, one of my court assistants, who just nodded. I took his hand and he squeezed it as if his life depended on it. Thank goodness I'm not like my mother - Have it ready before they arrive. The commander must receive it in the same condition that he lost it - After so many talks between the Resistance and Aureallis, and establishing a beautiful friendship between us, Rey told me about the x-wing that was on our landing platform. Which turned out to be from Poe, and I felt even more awful. I automatically discussed it with my father when they left and the mechanics team took it upon themselves to leave it as new.

I was eager to see him. It had been over a year since I last saw them, and that tight stomach that barely let me breathe had never gone away. The first time I met him, he was the heir to the throne, now, he was the one who occupied it.

- That thing is imposing - Aimeen indicates the window to me and when I get closer, we see the Millennium Falcon land without any difficulty on our little airstrip. I shook my head and heard the typical beeps coming from the other side of the door, smiled unconsciously and nodded for them to pass.

- Kayla! I'm so glad to see you - Rey's smile conveyed that genuine joy that I also felt when I saw her - Leia sends you her greetings. Nice to see you Aimeen.

- Me too - The two of us melted into a warm hug and I barely separated, I bent down to leave a soft kiss on BB-8's head - How have you been little?

- Beep. Beep. Beeeeep. - We both laughed and when I looked behind her, but no one else came in. Where was he?

- I'm glad to hear that. And the rest of the team? - Ask trying to be as sneaky as possible. A gleam in Rey's eyes made me think that nothing was escaping her. Much less if she was being trained by Leia.

- Finn and Chewie are in the Falcon. Poe is on the lookout, I think he likes the view.

The second my father entered with three more senators, to finish finalizing the details of the information regarding the Empire that the Resistance needed and at that moment I took the opportunity to leave. I walked quickly between the different corridors of the palace and when I reached the door that led to the viewpoint, I doubted what to do.

What would I say? What did I want to see him?

The doors opened so quietly that I didn't even hear them and stood between them. Despite the little wind, I can hear him taking a deep breath and his body moving in time with his breathing.

For a moment I lost myself in my thoughts and imagined him as the type of man out of the novels that my father gave me from his trips to different planets. Romance novels had ruined my head, so much so that this handsome man couldn't be in front of me. Try not to think about it, to look away quickly, not to think about how good it would feel to run your fingers through those jet-black curls and just appeal to the thought of a baby. More precisely in a baby with the appearance of the abominable Jabba.

It did not work.

I tried not to make noise to watch him for a few more minutes, but he barely moved to remove a pair of headphones and leaned on his elbows on the railing, not the slightest hint of turning.

- Your Highness, it's a pleasure that you enjoyed me with your company - I let out a laugh and remembered how intuitive this man was. I didn't even move, instead, he turned around with that arrogant smile that came to love from a distance.

- Commander, it is an honor that you are in Aureallis after such a long time - When the only guard at the viewpoint left, giving us privacy, we looked at each other and burst out laughing at the same time that he approached and hugged me. I took a deep breath hoping to enjoy that feeling of freedom that he always seemed to convey, in addition to that sweet aroma that his brown leather jacket gave off.

- I'm very sorry about what happened to his mother, Your Highness - I nodded as we parted, and we were left in front of the imposing sea of ​​blue waters that flooded 90% of this planet.

- Me too.

- It must have been difficult; losing a loved one and taking responsibility for an entire planet in less than 24 hours.

We were both silent for a few seconds and I didn't know what to answer him. I had been taught what to do when I assumed my role as senator, but I was never prepared to lose my mother. And less for a mistake of the Republic.

-It's never easy, no matter how much you've spent a lifetime preparing for it - I admit looking at him sideways and seeing that he plays with a ring between his fingers. That ring that he never took off and about which I did not dare to ask.

- It was from my mother. She died when I was little. It's the only thing I have of her and I remember her - Sadness invades her voice and I feel like an intruder. He keeps his gaze fixed on some point on the horizon and smiles, dropping her head, like her beautiful curls - I miss her too much.

- I know - I answer him in a sigh and he turns to see me - You turned out to be quite intuitive, Dameron. Leia must be happy.

- Years of practice, Your Highness.

I barely pulled away from her side and crossed my arms trying to look angry. I didn't make it as I looked like I was entertaining him. Could I ever talk seriously to this man?

- Let's get this formality thing over with. We're just Poe and Kayla here. Ok? - He nodded raising his hands as if he wanted to get rid of the guilt of that and shook his head. This man was impossible - Join me.

Poe frowned, but he followed me in complete silence. I was uncomfortable with it but didn't know what we could talk about either. - Won't you ask where I'm taking you?

- I prefer the surprise factor - He was silent again - Nice necklace. I do not know that constellation.

I touched the charm that my father had given me from one of his many trips and smiled. i never took it off me. - It was a gift from my father, from a very, very distant planet, from where you can see our star, Polaris. And they say it is the brightest in his firmament. It is part of the constellation Ursa Minor. This, on the other hand, is "the big spoon" - I hear him laugh and as soon as I turn around he tries to get serious - It is part of the Big Dipper. I could never see it but I know it must be beautiful.

- I never visited Earth, now you mention the Big Dipper, but they say it is a jewel in space.

We walk the last stretch in complete silence and when we get to the ship hangar, he looks at me strangely.

-I would like to give you something - As soon as I open the door I notice that his mouth falls for a moment

But he regains his composure in the second, smiling and walking towards the fully repaired x-wing.

- Is my…

- It was a gift from the First Order to my father when they tried to get him to agree to work with them. He accept it but decline his offer.

- I didn't think I'll see it again. But when I saw it that day that ... Who was it that used it as a pirouette plane? - That's when I realized how much that ship mattered to him.

- I'm sorry about that, but it was irresistible for me to do it - I raised my hands in defense and I pouted at him hoping he didn't scream but all he did was laugh.

- Were you the pilot? - I nodded. I still felt terrible knowing that this one had been stolen. But he loved that ship with his soul, it felt so good to handle it that it should be illegal. In the same way it should be illegal to look so attractive without even trying. I kept my composure but enjoyed looking at it as I pleased while observing the x-wing, always so eye-catching, so attractive and a magnet for glances. For a second I imagined that he was observing me in the same way and that what he felt would be reciprocated, but who would dare to mess with a woman like me?

- It was my hobby before assuming the Crown ... I always liked driving, more after I got on this baby.

- Thank you - He murmur lost in his thoughts as he stroked the wings of that great bird, as I had learned to call it.

- Why?

- For bringing it back to me.

I simply nodded and stepped aside, indicating that he could go out for a spin in it and that when he left, he would have clearance to fly it. I thought that he would automatically climb in and literally fly out of the hangar, and that he would come back late at night, but he patted the wing of his ship and approached where he was.

- I'd like to thank you.

- It is not necessary to thank something that is yours.

- You didn't understand me, I want to - That authoritative tone in his voice made a chill run through me from head to toe - Let me thank you.

He took a few steps closer, closing the distance that separated us, remaining only inches from my lips if it weren't for the fact that he was taking me a few inches extra.

- It's not necessary ... - I wanted to move away but I took my hands and turned, leaving me facing the ship and feeling the slight pressure of his body against mine - Poe...

- When you want to handle an x-wing you must let yourself be carried away and the most important thing you must make him guide you. Someone like BB-8 will be a great help, but you can handle yourself in short intervals - He takes my hands in his and starts moving them in the air as if the x-wing controls were in front of us. I look at him again and I find him looking at me - What?

- Is this your way of flirting with a women?

- It depends.

- It depends? What kind of answer is that?

- Well, not normally. Since none of the women I dated were interested in aviation - He moved my hands in the air again, this time intertwining his fingers between mine - A moment ago you said "it depends"

- mhm... What does it depend on?

- Whether it is working or not.

Color automatically rose up my neck and I felt my body burn. That was an answer I hadn't expected. I tried to focus on whatever he was saying but couldn't remember a word.

- When pass a couple more classes, I'll tell you Flyboy.

[dswcp]

Sequel Trilogy Companion Comics

It has been over a year since the sequel trilogy concluded, and though both other Star Wars trilogies inspired a variety of ambitious and complex spinoff comics during their heydays and wakes, the sequel trilogy has not. “The Rise of Skywalker” has not even gotten a comic adaptation -- the only SW movie to lack this honor. While Luke continued to fight his dad in newspapers and Marvel comics throughout the 80s, and Anakin kept lying to his teacher on the pages of Dark Horse and in early webcomics throughout the 00s, we haven’t heard much more, comic-wise, about Rey and Kylo’s will-they-won’t-they now in the 20s (besides the frustrating “The Rise of Kylo Ren,” which I will review soon).

The future of Star Wars -- both in terms of real-world media and fictional timeline -- is opaque to me. All upcoming projects seem to be prequels or in-between-quels, and there is an upsetting number of unresolved endings, especially for the protagonists. (Will they ever find Ezra? Are Mando and Grogu really separated forever? Will Finn become a Jedi?) So I won’t pretend to understand the lack of sequel-era comics, since I don’t understand even the higher-budget focuses of the franchise right now.

The lore-heavy Galaxy’s Edge theme park, the Star-Trek-like “Resistance” TV show, and a smattering of excellent books and short-form comics (especially the ones about Rose Tico) prove that the sequels’ setting can work just as well for spinoffs as any other era of Star Wars. But one obvious difficulty in creating more content set during the conflict between the First Order and the Resistance is the divisive, contradictory nature of the latter two films.

In fact, each of the sequel films have such distinct tones, themes, and messages, that I’ve found similar experiences reading comics set in completely different time periods. I wish there were multi-part comics with big casts and intricate themes inspired by the sequels’ settings and characters, but until then, here are three such comics that, in my opinion, could accompany each sequel film in spirit.

The Force Awakens: “TIE Fighter”

The most important thing that the sequel trilogy accomplished and that The Force Awakens established was shifting the focus to an all-new, more diverse set of characters. If the sequels had gone the route of the prequel trilogy and the EU books and comics, the story would have remained with the OT trio, their parents, their kids, and their girlfriends, almost all of whom are white.

Another intriguing premise from TFA is Finn’s stormtrooper backstory. Earlier SW movies had relied upon stormtroopers as cannon fodder, but Finn’s story humanizes them and shows that many are forced into service. This revelation complicates the violence of the OT’s Rebellion, since it is now possible that the Empire’s soldiers also had the capacity for heroism.

Like TFA, “TIE Fighter” features a cast of original characters of different races, and the story explores the humanity behind the Empire’s masks. “TIE Fighter” also shares some of TFA’s limitations: neither story can stand on its own, as they both lead so directly to a follow-up: TFA to TLJ, and “TIE Fighter” to the novel Alphabet Squadron. 

“TIE Fighter,” issue 2. Marvel. May 15, 2019. Writer: Jody Houser. Pencillers: Rogê Antônio and Josh Cassara. Letterer: Joe Caramagna. Colorists: Arif Prianto and Neeraj Menon.

The Last Jedi: “Knight Errant”

I’ve talked before about my love for this series, but I don’t think I’ve mentioned how beautifully “Knight Errant” echoes my favorite movie of the sequel trilogy (and, honestly, one of my favorite movies of all time). “Knight Errant” and TLJ are both stories with big hearts and strong messages about hope, corruption, and searching for one’s purpose in life.

The two stories share similar characters -- a lonely leading lady, a disenchanted old Jedi, an ambiguous traitor, dwindling goodguys and unstoppable badguys -- and similar settings -- a rain-soaked planet symbolizing both depression and passion, exorbitant wealth on top of abject misery, fiery flashbacks of a demolished home. They even have plot points in common, such as the parallel with Luke’s triumphant return pictured above, and heartbreaking, unexpected revelations about our hero’s family. Victory is achieved through not only bravery, but trust (sometimes misplaced) and a clever magical trick that manipulates the villain’s wild emotions.

And unlike the abrupt endings of TFA and “TIE Fighter,” both TLJ and “Knight Errant” have endings that are open yet satisfying. Though the fight is not over, your imagination can fill in the bittersweet path forward.

If you’re going to check out “Knight Errant,” which I highly recommend you do, please keep your mental health safe. There are suicidal characters and themes, though I think they are addressed in an affirming and positive way. The story shows the value of life and hope in a way that has personally helped me through a dark time, just as TLJ’s belief in the power of failure and love has also meant so much to me.

“Knight Errant: Aflame,” issue 5. Dark Horse. February 16, 2011. Writer: John Jackson Miller. Penciller: Ivan Rodriguez. Inker: Belardino Brabo. Colorist: Michael Atiyeh.

The Rise of Skywalker: “Dark Empire”

TRoS was not the first Star Wars property to resurrect the Emperor -- “Dark Empire” had already done that back in the 90s, with a bit more explanation, flair, and nudity, though not necessarily any more purpose. I already reviewed “Dark Empire” back in August; in short, I find it disappointing. But while I can’t say I’m a fan of either the comic or TRoS, I admit that all three of us share a deep and abiding fondness for the institution of the Sith, in all its goth smugness.

Between TRoS, The Mandalorian, and The Bad Batch, Star Wars seems to be leaning into evil genetic manipulation right now, which is a bit too eugenics-y for me to get into. If you’d prefer your resurrections in a more Halloween-like flavor, with a side of lovable old hag and creepy rainbows, look no further than this historical relic of a Star Wars comic.

“Dark Empire I,” trade paperback. Dark Horse. May 1, 1993. Writer: Tom Veitch. Penciller, Inker, and Colorist: Cam Kennedy. Letterer: Todd Klein.

[greysmartwolf]

Rey and Poe: jealousy

Poe hesitated before he asked, “So, you and Rey aren’t…”

Together Zorii and Poe exited the workshop. Rey watched them go, wondering how far she could push Poe to talk about his history with the spice runner.

1. Poe is jealous of Rey for Finn

In the book Resistance Reborn, which takes place a week after TLJ, Poe directly asks Finn if he has something with Rey, Finn's answer that they are just friends immediately switches Poe to Rose, and upon learning that Rose Finn perceives as just a friend, Poe begins to press on him saying "No, I don't believe that you are just friends with her too." After all, in theory, if Finn was interested in Rose, then everything would be much easier. In Episode 9, Poe's jealousy shines. Poe knows that Finn and Rey have a warmer relationship, she doesn't yell at him or turn on. And at first he is attracted by Finn's desire to say something very important to Rey (what if this is a declaration of love?). At that moment, he looks at Finn with a devastating look. And he is so worried about Rey and Finn that even before a possible death at the hands of Hux, all his thoughts are occupied with the one question: what Finn wanted to say to Rey. Then Finn's words that Poe doesn’t know Rey at all infuriate Poe completely. Poe hates that Finn knows more about her than Poe does. Poe doesn't care so much about Finn's relationship with Rose or Janna, although Finn has more spicy relationships with them (read novels). Poe only cares about Finn and Rey. By the way, many years ago Poe was worried about Zorii's relationship with her close friend Babu Frik, he was jealous of Zorii for him until he personally met the little mechanic.

2. Rey was practically jealous of Poe for Zorii

When Finn saw Zorii and her playful communication with Poe, he was only interested in the situation itself (why do they want to kill Poe?), And he was practically silent. But Rey was interested in Zorii and why she was talking to Poe that way. What a crew they had. And in the novelization after that skirmish, Poe did not pay much attention to Finn and his jokes, he kept looking at Rey and how silent she was on the way to Babu, as if he was worried about her reaction most of all. And Rey, looking at Poe and Zorii, thought she how far she could push Poe to talk about his history with that woman. And it was Rey who was the one who did not let Poe and Zorii really say goodbye, hurrying him to the road as soon as possible. Actually, Rey had a lot of things in her head at that time: dark visions, "Chewie's death" at her hands, so thinking a lot about Poe and his ex would really be strange... It was enough that we saw. So both characters showed signs of jealousy towards each other. A similar story was with Han and Leia: Han was jealous of Leia for her ex and for Luke, Leia experienced exactly the same situation with Han's ex that Rey experienced with Zorii. The year between episodes 8 and 9 was a tough one for both Rey and Poe. Both were on edge. There was too much at stake, too much happening, too many fears. Not at all to a serious relationship with anyone, not even to thinking about such a relationship. But now the main battle is over, they are both alive, both are free. So anything can happen. Just friends are not SO jealous of each other, you know. Posts with TROS novel and moments of jealousy you can find here: • https://greysmartwolf.tumblr.com/post/614322730625613.. • https://greysmartwolf.tumblr.com/post/616849154906472.. • https://greysmartwolf.tumblr.com/post/617012746680221.. • https://greysmartwolf.tumblr.com/post/617847850343251.. • https://greysmartwolf.tumblr.com/post/628633256293777..

[cathrynemoon]

For the ship ask game: Rey/Ben, Rose/Finn, and Rose/Poe.

Ship ask game!

Rey/Ben

It’s complicated, but generally, yes, I ship it.

What made me ship it: Technically, it was TFA. Officially, it was TLJ. I was a casual fan of Star Wars when I went to see TFA. I grew up with Star Wars because my dad grew up with the OT and is a big fan. After I saw TFA, I was sure Finn/Rey would be endgame, but I knew people would ship Rey/Kylo. I didn’t keep up with Star Wars news at all after that, and went to see TLJ blind. Didn’t even watch any trailers. When I saw that throne room scene... Oh man. I did not expect that. Lightbulbs went off.

My favourite things about the ship: Hmmm, probably the epicness of it all. Powerful light, powerful darkness. The fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance. The beauty and also the fuckedupness of their Force bond. The dark potential of their Force bond definitely ranks high.

Unpopular opinions: I typed and deleted so much, I can’t really settle on anything for this. I’ll just say the heteronormativity of large swathes of the Rey/lo fandom makes me deeply uncomfortable. They way Rey gets turned into a tradwife... I shudder.

Rose/Finn

I ship it with the force of a thousand suns!

What made me ship it: The whole of TLJ I guess! Mostly it’s Rose’s hero worship of Finn and then getting disappointed and then coming to see him as just human. Her proud little smile in the Crait cave when Finn is rallying everyone. I melt every time. 

My favourite things about the ship: They are so soft. Finn putting a blanket over Rose at the end of TLJ. 🥺 It’s one of my favouritest scenes ever. I love it for the Finn/Rose, Finn/Rey and Finn/Rey/Rose! I’m baffled by how anyone could interpret Rey’s look as jealousy. It’s a soft look. She feels soft looking at Finn care for this girl she doesn’t know. This is the Finn that came back for her when no one else ever had. 

Unpopular opinions: This is tough. I don’t think it’s unpopular, maybe uncommon. I think they could only work as a couple many many years after the war. Like at least 10. And after they’ve both been in relationships with other people. Their shared experience in TLJ, fighting for the Resistance and whatever rebuilding they’re involved in post-war will lay the foundation for a lifelong friendship. Basically... Old Friends To Lovers, Slow Burn, 50k words. 💕  

Rose/Poe

Bless you anon for asking about Damerose! I regularly make myself sad whenever I go check the Poe/Rose tag on AO3 and there are no new fics. 😭 There are only 23 right now. 😭 Poe gets shipped with everyone, but people are really sleeping on Poe/Rose!

What made me ship it: Like Reyrose, I don’t remember what made me ship them or when. There was just no going back after that. I might have stumbled on fics for them while browsing AO3. Could also have been something I saw on Tumblr. Y’all should go read some Damerose fics and join me in rarepair hell!

My favourite things about the ship: They have so many parallels and similarities that have so much room for exploration! 

Some jumbled thoughts: 

1. They both have so much respect and admiration for Leia. I think they trust each other because Leia trusts them both and they trust Leia. After Leia dies, I can see them finding comfort in each other because they both loved Leia the same way. My favourite Poe/Rose exchange is in TROS: “Leia made you acting general. What now?” And Poe just looks broken.

2. She’s a mechanic, he’s a pilot. Can I make it any more obvious?

3. IT’S ABOUT FAMILY. She wears a Haysian smelt medallion. He wears his mother’s ring as a necklace. Her sister died fighting the good fight. So did his mom.

4. Rey and Finn have the Force. Poe and Rose have the brains. Rey and Finn go off to do Force things. Poe and Rose run the Resistance. 

5. THEY HAD THE CUTEST MEETCUTE.

6. They had matching outfits in TROS. Both sporting open collars and necklaces. (You can't really see his necklace in this gif, but it's there.) How are they both so hot. Imagine them together.

Unpopular opinions: My unpopular opinion is that they are perfect for each other!

[dalekofchaos]

Rian Johnson did Finn dirty and we gotta stop pretending he didn’t

Every now and then I am reminded how I hate how dirty Finn was done in the Sequel Trilogy. TFA started it, but TLJ continued it. JJ started it with the bait and switch, Rian continued by making sure Finn would remain a side character, which JJ would finalize in TROS.

Like I like TLJ for the visuals and Rey and Ben’s dynamic, but let’s be clear. It absolutely did nothing for Finn, Poe or Rose. Pretty much all the characters of color were given the shaft.(and one of them didn’t even get any speaking lines, NO I WILL NEVER NOT BE MAD ABOUT THIS)

Let’s take a look at what Rian Johnson did with Finn

Finn is repeatedly harmed for comedic effect. Most of his important scenes were either cut or rewritten. He is constantly belittled and mocked throughout the movie.

The beginning of Finn in the movie. Finn awakens from his coma. Does he struggle to come to terms with his near-death experience? Is he fearful that Rey is dead and he failed her? Is he scared, in pain? Nope. He falls on his face and squirts juice everywhere. The medics on-duty were on a coffee break and allowed their patient to wander the fucking halls unattended. And with that, his duel with Kylo is worthless and made a joke to laugh at.

Finn’s deleted scenes. The deleted opening where Finn wakes up. Finn and Poe’s scene on the Raddus where Finn declares he’s not joining The Resistance, but Poe simply says “you are where you belong” and hands him his coat after stitching it up for him. Then the scene where BB-8 shows Finn Rey’s last moment with Finn. Then the deleted scene with the one Stormtrooper where Finn shows restraint. and Finally the scene that shows a better death scene for Phasma......why were any of these scenes deleted? ESPECIALLY THE PHASMA ONE! I will never understand why this was deleted. Finn calls her out about her betrayal of lowering the shields and when this information is revealed, the Stormtroopers near her look suspicious and it looks as if they are going to turn on her. Phasma like the ultimate survivalist she is kills them with no hesitation. Finn cuts her hand off and blasts her into the abyss, giving Phasma a more deserving and better send off. Seriously, this is way better than their actual confrontation.  What I really like about this scene is its direct connection to The Force Awakens plot point and that it acknowledges Phasma’s survivalist attitude which was introduced into her novel.

Finn’s injuries do not get attention, but Kylo’s injuries do. In The Force Awakens, Finn fights Kylo Ren. He does well, but is ultimately defeated.  He is slashed in the shoulder and the spine by Kylo Ren and falls into the snow, unconscious. Now if this were in the first 6 movies, Finn would be dead or would be paralyzed. But because it’s a Disney movie, Finn heals up. Rey continues the fight and slashes Ren across the face, leaving him with a gash. The characters all escape, but Finn has to be carried to a medical station, unconscious until TLJ. Kylo Ren seems fine, ultimately jumping in a TIE fighter to try and kill his mom before getting patched up further.  Finn, again, has to wake up before doing anything. Here’s the difference between Finn and Kylo’s injuries.  Finn awakens in a medical bed wearing a bacta suit.  His first instinct is to call out for Rey. As he jolts up, he slams his head against the medical container.  He slams against it again. Regaining awareness, he opens up the medical container to find himself alone in a cargo room.  He falls out of the bed, spraying medical fluids all over the place.  He trudges down the hallway until Poe and BB-8 find him. His injuries are never mentioned, shown, or even referenced again.  Kylo, on the other hand, is asked by Snoke how his wound is, to which he responds “it’s nothing.”  He then takes that ridiculous thing off, complete with a close-up of a sad kylo Ren face, with his sutures  framed to draw attention to them. This happens again in the elevator.  Then we get a scene of him getting patched up soberly by a medical droid.  Then we get a shirtless scene as a final showcase of his other two scars.  Throughout the film, Kylo’s scars are present and framed as a constant reminder that he went through pain.  Finn’s injuries are used as a joke once and promptly forgotten, and let’s not pretend that these injuries are  one-to-one aside from how they’re framed.  Remember Finn received injuries trying to protect Rey, while Kylo received injuries trying to murder Finn and bring Rey before Snoke, a fate worse than death. Finn received a deep wound across his spine, which can often be fatal in the real world.  Kylo received a gash across his face.  Finn’s injuries were worse and nobly gained. Kylo’s injuries were comparatively tame and well deserved.  Yet the movie uses Finn’s pain as a joke, and Kylo’s pain as a humanizing factor. That Rey, as well as the director, cinematographer, and a considerable portion of the audience sees a scar and is willing to find sympathy with the person, no matter what they have done, is pretty reprehensible. Not only is Kylo Ren’s scar not enough to be considerably a change to his appearance, as Rian Johnson specifically modified the location of his scar because, “it looked goofy,” the scar is not the mark of an accident or from an assault, but rather from a failed assault on his part. Also, I could get into how messed up it is that scars that don’t fit Rian Johnson’s preferred model are considered goofy. Is a scar that isn’t kept to one side of the face not worth showing? Is a person with a scar you don’t personally like somehow less able to be taken seriously? By treating Kylo’s minor wounds as a big, life-changing deal, and treating Finn’s life-threatening wounds as a trivial matter of no more consequence than a joke, The Last Jedi reinforces century-old stereotypes about Black people. Specifically, it implies that Black people are somehow less affected by pain, have higher pain tolerances, or cannot be physically damaged the way White people can. This is a demonstrated, dangerous trend, where white people actually perceive Black people as experiencing less pain than White people under the same situations. Older textbooks, including some used as recently as late 2017, suggest Black people over-report the pain that they are experiencing. Doctors have declined to give painkillers to Black patients expressing the same level of discomfort that would grant a White patients the same painkillers, and some surgeons even believe that less anesthesia is needed for operations on Black people. This, of course, goes beyond the medical field, where Black people are not believed when they speak about suffering, and are expected to take more physical abuse than their White counterparts. However as the injuries are framed in a medical setting in this movie, I wanted to primarily address the medical bias as in the real world. This has been referred to as an empathy gap. When two people are hurt, with everything except the skin colour being the same, and White people feel worse for the hurt White person, there is a gap in empathy. Now, when the conditions are not the same, and the White person deserves to be hurt, and is hurt much less, and is still empathized with more, and the White man’s acts of attempted murder are framed as romance, while the Black man’s friendship is framed as harassment. Let’s also talk about Finn’s treatment. He’s placed alone in a room filled with cargo, without any monitoring.  It’s almost like the medical staff doesn’t even deem his injury serious enough to receive attention.  He’s not on the medical ship, which we know they have.  He’s not even in the Raddus’s Medical Bay, which, again, we know they have. Finn is isolated, left unattended,  injures himself, and stumbles out into the hallway without any assistance. All for a joke.  Finn’s injury should have been treated with respect and acknowledgement. A scene with the doctors examining his injuries, telling Finn he is medically clear to join The Resistance and Finn  sorrowed by his inability to help his friends, would have been light-years better than a scene where Kylo looks sad getting hurt while trying to kill people.

Finn’s rivalry with Kylo Ren drops instantly. Like Finn’s injuries, Finn’s rivalry with Kylo Ren is dropped for no reason whatsoever and never mentioned again. Finn and Kylo Ren are narrative foils, yet after TFA it’s dropped??? From the start they have been prominent foils to each other: dark from light and light from dark, both in the First Order but in drastically different positions. And Kylo too obviously has strong feelings about his defection. I also believe that Finn is the awakening in the force that Kylo and Snoke felt. Perhaps that is why Kylo focused on Finn and is so angry about him. Finn is also the first person to use the legacy lightsaber and is the first to actually fight Kylo. TLJ could've focused on Finn and Kylo being  narrative foils having a force connection and Kylo wondering why Finn would switch to the Resistance while Finn wonders why Kylo joined The First Order and  Rey standing in the middle of it all wondering with the new realization that her family has a mixed past of good and evil and her questioning where exactly does she belong? The way at the height of tfa when Kylo Ren rejected Han Solo’s offer for redemption and killed him he looked over and noticed Finn. Like they both locked eyes and in that moment was a surge of emotions between them— shock (and some fear) on Finn’s end, and anger on Kylo’s as he shouts at Finn that he’s a traitor— and those circumstances set Finn and Kylo up to be the dynamic for the sequel trilogy. They were foils, and the trilogy had the potential to truly expand on that and see their development in a final standoff/rematch at the very end. But it was wasted, because why have good movies.

Finn repeats the character arc from the last movie. Finn’s character arc from The Force Awakens was dropped completely in The Last Jedi. He does want Rey to be safe, but TLJ paints it as if  Finn just wants to run away, despite the fact that he learned to be courageous, face his fears and stay and fight at the end of TFA.  The First Order kidnapped Finn as a child, from his family(possibly killed his family) he was able to leave The First Order and resist the indoctrination. He no longer wanted to fight, he wanted to leave everything, he wanted Rey to come with him. When Rey was captured, Finn had something to fight for and when Kylo Ren pushed her. Finn finally stood up to his past and The First Order. He overcame his fear. So Finn should have been wanting to fight The First Order and become a big deal in The Resistance, we could have even seen Finn inspiring a Stormtrooper rebellion  against Phasma and The First Order. Finn just wanting to leave is just bad writing and backtracks his entire character arc from TFA.

Went from one of the major focuses of this trilogy to a side character. Finn is the very reason why The Resistance is alive. Finn breaks his life-long brainwashing, informs Rey and Han about the importance of BB-8 and helps out in getting BB-8 to the resistance and provides vital information that lead to the destruction of STB and gets nearly killed while helping to achieve this. If it were not for Finn saving Poe, BB-8 would’ve been scrapped for parts and Rey never would’ve left Jakku. The map would either be destroyed or be in the hands of The First Order. Starkiller Base would’ve destroyed D’Qar and Ach-To. He is the reason why Poe is still alive. He is the reason why BB-8 isn’t parts and Rey left Jakku. Because of leaving Jakku, this is the sole reason why Han and Chewie were able to find the Falcon. And he is the reason why The Resistance was able to find out about Starkiller Base’s weakness. he Helps out in sabotaging STB so that Poe, the very pilot he saved in the beginning can deliver the finishing blow to Starkiller Base and destroy it completely. In the Last Jedi, Finn awakes from a coma with no one attending him. No medics or guards. He's not even on a medship, he's in the fucking cargo hold. Finn recovering from his injuries is meant to be seen as a joke and his injuries are never mentioned again, while Kylo gets sympathy and shown his scars. There was also no marketing for Finn in the build up to TLJ. Despite Finn knowing that the First Order must be fought and knows there is something bigger than himself and Rey, we then see Finn attempting to flee in an escape pod to hide with Rey. Then he meets Rose. Rose in mourning meets Finn and expects him to be this big Resistance hero, only Finn never officially became one. Rose thought he was deserting. Finn wants to escape to save Rey and because The Supremacy is tracking them through hyperspace, but Rose sees this as desertion….Desertion? You taze people for desertion? How exactly am I supposed to root for either side again? This is probably the same only less lethal treatment one could expect from The First Order. And what if The Raddus took critical damage? Are you trying to tell me Rose would taze anyone going to the escape pods? I thought she was supposed to be a mechanic, not someone who prevents escape. Despite Finn explaining himself, she tazes him. She spends the majority of the movie berating, insulting and belittling him. It's even worse in the novel. Finn, who was the main focus of the last movie, and one of the main protagonists, is now made the sidekick to Rose in a pointless side plot. Finn and Rose then get caught because none of them could bother park their ship legally. Finn, the child slave doesn’t even get to say they should save the child slaves of Canto Bight, instead he blindly follows Rose into freeing the space horses. Then they openly trusts a man who talks like a snake and is shocked when DJ betrays them. Finn and Rose are made to fail their mission pointlessly, when they could've succeeded and get caught on the way to the escape pods. Finn gets to face his oppressor and fight Phasma and end her, but Phasma's better death scene was stupidly cut for reasons I don't understand. Finn then makes one last effort to save The Resistance, the people he loves. Rose stops him. She takes one last chance to insult him and kiss him without his consent as the bunker is destroyed while The First Order prepares to kill what Finn loves....and people see this as love???

The racist undertones of how RIan Johnson wrote Finn. Finn is treated like a racist slapstick caricature. The first real problem for Finn. He is reduced to a slapstick joke in his very first scene. Finn awakens from his coma, slams his face and it is revealed that he isn’t even on the medical ship or even in the medbay on the Raddus...he is in the cargo hold and is made to be a joke. This is the Co-protagonist of the trilogy, and he’s reintroduced as a slapstick joke. Then once again he wants to runaway. I am getting a real racist vibe that Rian Johnson sees Finn as the cowardly black man troupe. That’s just downright disgusting. Moving on. Finn is paired with Rose Tico, honestly I want to like her, but bad writing prevents that. Finn is put with someone who abuses him and we are supposed to root for this and see it as romance? Let me explain. Finn is then tazed by Rose, which is understandable, she thought he was running away and she was in mourning. He also was objectively posing absolutely no threat to her, wasn’t running away, and was even trying to explain himself. Additionally, just the threat of the taser seemed to have been enough to stop him from leaving. But Rose attacked him anyways. The difference between Rey and Rose attacking Finn is Rey subdued Finn just enough to stop and interrogate him, Rose went completely overboard by paralyzing him and knocking him unconscious. It was completely unnecessary and gratuitous. Rey and Finn have a real friendship and partnership from the last movie. Rose, on the other hand, spends the rest of the movie belittling Finn and talking down to him. The book also says that she thought about using violence against him more than once after the tasing (for annoying her) and even pushed him. This displays a really problematic pattern of violence and disrespect towards Finn so yeah,  multiple uses of violence and expressed desire to inflict violence on him as being abusive. I would argue that she is undeniably verbally abusive with Finn. In the movie and in the book (more so in the book) she often belittles him by calling him names and using other put downs. It seems she wants to make him feel bad about himself and bring him down, which is abusive. Of course, it doesn’t really matter what her intent is, even if she doesn’t “mean to be mean” it still counts as verbal abuse. So, in summary, her repeated threats and use of violence against Finn and her continual use of insults and put downs causes me to come to the conclusion that she is abusive to Finn. For the record I am not saying Rose Tico is abusive towards Finn, I am saying how Rian wrote Rose towards Finn is hostile for no reason whatsoever and could be interpreted as abusive and it’s downright tone deaf how the abuse and tazing is directed at the black man of the trilogy. Then Finn is made to fail. The only time he is allowed to be portrayed as a protagonist is him facing his abuser and taking her down. My only problem is they cut out Phasma’s better death scene. Finn reveals Phasma shut down the shields for Starkiller Base, and that gets the Stormtroopers to turn on Phasma. This is what I would hope starts a Stormtrooper Rebellion. Finn’s defection was withheld information by Hux and Phasma in fear of a full on rebellion. Humanizing Stormtroopers and having one become a hero is kind of genius, but the way they did it in Episode 7 made it seem like Finn was the ONLY good Stormtrooper, which has to be an impossibility. If one Stormtrooper can suddenly switch sides, what's to say that others couldn't? And since Episode IX will most likely see the fall of the First Order, I personally think that Finn should convince all (or most of) the Stormtroopers to turn against Kylo and Hux, leading to a cool final scene where the First Order is ultimately destroyed by their own henchmen, children who were abducted and indoctrinated take back their narrative. That would be cooler and more unique, I think, than another Resistance vs. First Order space shootout, or Rey and her possible Jedi apprentice army taking them down. The most insulting part of the movie is the last part. Finn’s suicide run. Finn was the best Stormtrooper and knows about The First Order’s weapons, he should know full well that speeder would be destroyed trying to destroy the mini death star. Finn’s attempted sacrifice was pointless, Finn was treated like garbage throughout the movie, he deserved better.

Finn was almost a big deal for the Resistance in the beginning. It is shown through cut material that Finn was in Cobalt Squadron uniform. If this was the case, there is something real simple they could’ve done. Have Finn be with Paige, have Paige and Finn have a short friendship(this actually gives Ngo Thanh Van speaking lines), Paige being in awe that Finn, someone who escaped The First Order helped The Resistance destroy Starkiller Base is working with him and she is more than happy to show him the ropes. They are co-pilots.  Finn was able to save Paige from dying in space and instead she dies in his arms while leaving a bloody handprint on his heart, working as a callback to when Slip died in Finn’s arms and left a bloody handprint on his helmet and her last words being “tell my sister I love her. Finn brings the bad news to Rose and gives Rose Paige’s pendant. Rose breaks down and hugs Finn. Both Finn and Rose have a good relationship at this point and there is no pointless hostility. You could even have Finn and Rose together finding the hacker and having their plan succeed and just having DJ betray them as they make it to the escape pod. And Finn and Phasma do have their fight, but keep in the deleted Phasma death scene. Instead of that? Nothing and instead of that we get a conflicting and hostile relationship between Finn and Rose and Paige has no speaking lines.

Rian Johnson rejected any and every possible character arc for Finn. Rian squandered a proactive, clearly-defined character from TFA, trying to make him fit moment after moment because he had no real big-picture idea what to do with this guy. And in light of Rian presenting himself as a progressive voice, he deserves to be challenged on why he failed a complex, heroic black character so abysmally while giving clear focus and dignity to the white male villain of the piece. (And this isn’t to say I want Kylo Ren’s character development to be worse, it’s saying I want Finn’s to be better.) But he shouldn’t just have treated Finn with care and dignity because it would’ve been more “progressive” - he should’ve done it because it would’ve made a better MOVIE.

Finn is brought to a white man, put on his knees, and is slapped in the face by said white man who once commanded him. Why? No Answers

Rian Johnson had Finn and Rose arrested and locked in a prison cell. Him and Rose are the only characters to be arrested (as in, not kidnapped by evil regime) in the Skywalker saga. PLUS they were immediately electrocuted after being pointed out to the space cops.

Rian admitted not wanting Finn and Poe together because he can't see them as two separate characters(he can't see two men of color as two different characters, let that sink in) and because in his words they "got along too well" and Rose is only there to give Finn 'conflict" We were robbed of Finn and Poe being boyfriends. I love Rose Tico as a character, but I will always want Finn and Poe to be together, aside from the amazing chemistry Finn and Poe have together and John and Oscar have together, if we get to see a gay relationship portrayed in Star Wars, it will show boys and girls who are gay that nothing is wrong with you, you are perfect the way they are and the way they love is beautiful. Oscar Isaac fought to have Finn/Poe together, he encouraged the shippers that the relationship they want is valid and supports it. And I feel so bitter after finding out Finn and Poe were meant to have scenes together in Canto Bight but were separated because Rian Johnson said “those two were getting along too well and that would be boring”  aka Disney doesn’t want gay characters in their cash cow. Despite Oscar’s fight, FInnpoe did not happen and it’s a damn shame. 

Rian Johnson joked about keeping Finn in a coma

Rian had a scene written where Finn was too bumbling/confused to know how to put on a tuxedo. He also had a scene where he sees alien ass unconsensually. 

Finn’s suicide run. Finn knows about the weapon during his time as a Stormtrooper, so he should know full well that speeder would be destroyed trying to destroy the mini death star. Finn’s attempted sacrifice was pointless as he knew that it wouldn’t work.

Rian has Rose explain to Finn, A CHILD SOLDIER, that war and child slavery are wrong.  Surely you see the issue there.

Finn almost had memories of his upbringing, but Rian chose to cut it. "In the original scene, Rose’s story of her childhood was a bit tamer and Finn shared his backstory with her, revealing a further connection between the two characters – that they both had family members taken by the First Order. Most of the sequence was reshot."

Rose stopping Finn. “that’s how we win, not by fighting what we hate, by saving what we love.” That makes no sense and ignores the entire narrative of Star Wars and heroism of the saga. Paige, her sister sacrificed herself to save The Resistance. Holdo sacrificed herself to save The Resistance. The Rogue One crew sacrificed themselves. Kanan Jarrus sacrificed himself to save what he loved. Finn’s entire arc in the movie was learning not to just think about running away with Rey and fight for a greater cause and when the time comes for Finn to prove that he’s grown as a character, he can’t? What was the point of Finn’s arc in the movie? And let’s talk about Poe. Shouldn’t Poe be sacrificing himself? Poe has spent the entire film watching others die and give their lives and he’s never backed down, so shouldn’t Poe be in Finn’s place? And if Rose stopped Finn who would save The Resistance? We saw after Rose stopped Finn, the bunker was blown up by the battering ram. Absolutely NO ONE knew that Luke was going to make his surprise entrance and save everyone. For all we knew, The First Order would’ve moved into the bunker and killed everyone and The Resistance.

I am well aware that JJ Abrams did Finn no better, I even talked about it here. But let’s be honest, Rian didn’t know what to do with Finn and truly did him dirty. 

This was really the easiest character arc for them to write. Indoctrinated Child Soldier turned Elite Soldier who after realizing what he was doing was wrong, wants to make things right, hunted by the FO for treason and because he knows too much, he slowly finds his path with the resistance and trains in the force with Rey and together they rise as the new Jedi, oh and Poe is his boyfriend.

It is my own personal headcanon that The force chooses Finn because he chose empathy for his fallen brother and chose to walk away from killing innocents.

Finn had potential to be one of the best characters we ever got in Star Wars. It’s been over 3 years since he was sidelined in the sequel trilogy and it still upsets me to this day. John really deserved better, to be marketed like this and then sidelined is just awful.

Finn in The Force Awakens: trooper number as call back to Leia, Awakening in the Force, & call to the hero’s journey/defending the symbolic hope of the Skywalker family is peak Star Wars & whatever was Abram’s original intent for Finn’s prominence in the ST; undone by studio interference because KK and China did not want a black lead.

Finn was the literal 1st face we saw when they teased The Force Awakens, it's clear he was supposed to lead the way for the future of Star Wars, criminal what they did to the character and god forbid a person of color saves the galaxy because some of ya’ll can't handle it

Finn was setup as the male lead and co-protagonist of the sequel trilogy. That’s not an opinion, that’s not a headcanon, that’s a literally fact. He was set up to be equal with Rey & Kylo’s foil and we all know why that changed.

At the start of the trilogy, we all thought people of color would have a prominent role in the new trilogy and there was a potential for the first LGBT relationship in Star Wars. But no, it’s clear that both TLJ and TROS gave us the impression that only white people can be Jedi and save the galaxy, people of color can only have secondary roles. And the blink and you miss it kiss? Only white women, not two men of color who clearly love each other.

Finn deserved to be a main character alongside Rey and Ben. He deserved a good character development, a great arc, an interesting backstory. he had the potential to become one of the most epic star wars characters. TLJ and TROS was an insult for him and he deserved better. nobody will EVER change my mind.

Finn should have been a Stormtrooper turned Jedi.  It doesn’t matter that you think it tells a better story for him to not be a Jedi. “Finn being a hero who is not a Jedi is important.” Poe and Rose are great examples of ordinary heroes coming from nowhere. Rey was supposed to be a jedi related to Skywalker or Kenobi legacy while Finn was the perfect "nobody from nowhere" that becomes a Jedi. And honestly, Black kids deserved to see themselves in the Black Jedi and black kids deserved to see themselves as one of the three protagonists of the trilogy.

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2020 Reylo Fanfic Recap

With just a couple days left of 2020, I wanted to go back and appreciate all the Reylo fic I’ve written this year. Totaling 24 Reylo Centered Fics.

Like His Father’s Dice: *Puts on Tin Foil Hat* Here’s how Ben Solo can still be alive. Remembering how Han Solo’s dice disappeared in his hand gives Ben the key to surviving the battle on Exegol. G, 1,057 words, Complete.

He Gotta Go Check On Her: a sequel to Rey Has a Cold, where Ben crosses the Galaxy to take care of a sick Rey. G, 2,848 words, Complete.

I Licked It, It’s Mine: Senator Benjamin Organa-Solo is prim and proper and polite. Rey, the scavenger his father picked up on Jakku, is everything but. G, 1,884 words, Complete.

Yes I’m Wearing Your Shirt: You’ve Been Mostly Dead: Ben Solo was only mostly dead, and over the past several months since Exegol, his life Force has been recuperating in the Force. Rey is where we last saw her on Tatooine, working through her grief. G, 1,045 words, Complete.

Rey Crashes a Speeder: Rey and Ben are living a happily married life with peace in the Galaxy. That doesn’t mean that accidents don’t happen. G, 1,065 words, Complete.

Abilities Deemed Unnatural:  Post TROS AU where Ben could not save Rey on Exegol. He's left to pick up the pieces. T, 6,341 words, 5/? chapters, WIP.

Broken Hearts and Healing Hands: A 1 shot that turned into a multi-chapter fic, and then post TROS, it got an epilogue. Rey and Ben fix the Legacy Lightsaber. T, 16,049 words, 16 chapters, Complete.

Dismantled: The Supreme Leader learns that the Force does what the Force wants. He decides he will do his best for the Galaxy, and for the little life the Force placed inside him. Mpreg. T, 13,233 words, 6/7 chapters, WIP.

Putting Down Roots: part 3 of my Scenes From a Sweeter Space series,  Set after the events of Playing in the Snow, Ben and Rey find themselves caring for more than just the plants in their greenhouse. G, 1,590 words, Complete.

The Son & Heir of a Shyness: A modern high school AU, where Rey is the new student, and Ben is horribly shy. G, 2,344 words, Complete.

Down From the Tower: A Rapunzel/Tangled AU where Ben is the one with the gorgeous hair and Rey is our scrappy scavenger thief. G, 5,200 words, 1/3 chapters, WIP.

The Memory That Matters:  The last thing Ben remembers is the fight in Snoke's Throne Room aboard the Supremacy. When he wakes up in a med center, he learns that a lot has happened since his last memory. Canon Divergent from TLJ. G, 2,829 words, Complete.

We Don’t Match:  Ben is on an overnight road trip when he stops at a podunk diner in the middle of nowhere, and the light on his soulmate indicator lights up when the waitress brushes his hand. Unfortunately, she's not wearing an indicator herself. G, 7,995 words, Complete. 

Saving What We Love: When the Supremacy and the Legacy Saber were shattered down the middle, Rey dragged an unconscious Ben back with her. Unfortunately, he wakes up in a cell. G, 747 words, Complete.

Padawans of Ren: Luke refused to teach Rey on Ach-to, and so she returned to D'qar to the Resistance, which was still hidden from the First Order, until Kylo Ren shows up with three new faces. G, 1,167 words, Complete.

Entangled Stars:  Dance Stars: Galaxy was the hottest televised dance competition, and the this week's paired dances draw out the most compelling dynamics. G, 889 words, Complete. 

Always a Woman to Me: Finn is missing Rey, where ever she is in the Galaxy, but his emotions pull another someone who is missing Rey to him through the Force. G, 705 words, Complete.

Palpatine is a Liar: A detour to confirm Rey's lineage leads to Palpatine's defeat and Ben's redemption. G, 2,093 words, Complete.

Written in My Hand: Diverging at The Force Awakens, Ben and Rey are soulmates. They know they are because they have the other’s name written on their arms in their handwriting. Knowing that they are soulmates from the very beginning changes everything. G, 9,884 words, 6/? words, WIP.

The Fire of the Sith: Ben and Rey send their adopted children up to summer camp, the same one that they perform at every Fourth of July. Little do they know, Ben's camping years have sprouted up the Knights of Ren, a group of campers who may very well burn the whole camp down. Part 4 of the Scenes From a Sweeter Space Series. G, 6,660 words, Complete. 

Two That Are One: Ben Solo was the avatar, everyone knew it. Except, he couldn't bend all 4 elements. G, 1,637 words, 1/? chapters, WIP.

Celebrating Rey’s Birthday: Ben knew Rey's Birthday, and he made sure to celebrate her, even though she had never celebrated it herself. G, 939 words, Complete.

Chosen: As teenagers just presenting as an alpha and an omega, Ben and Rose promised that if they turned 30 without being mated to someone else, they'd marry each other. It's fine and dandy until Rey, an unmated omega, sets off Ben's rut. T, 10,323 words, 2/4 chapters, WIP.

The Wings We Stole: Before this Earth, before this life, Rey and Ben promised to find each other. They only agreed to do come to earth so they could spend eternity together. They don't think of themselves as angels or saints. They can't make it through this on their own. A Mormon Flavored Modern AU. G, 11,329 words, 8/? chapters, WIP.

BONUS

A Meta: Today on I fricking Love Ben Solo: A meta concerning the fall of Ben Solo. G, 537 words, Complete. 

A GingerRose Fic: The Rose of The Titanic: Armitage Hux had helped design the massive ship, Titanic, and upon touring his pride and joy before the maiden voyage, he runs into the prized mechanic down in the belly of the ship. A GingerRose Titanic AU. G, 3,153 words, 2/4 chapters, WIP.

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TROS spat in the face of every single abused child who was looking to this fairytale for hope. The sequel trilogy wasn’t about a farm boy looking for adventure or even an abused child falling to villainy, it was about three abused children from the different class systems all rising out of trauma and dysfunction. This was our fairytale, our story, and JJ Abrams perverted it into abuse apologist propaganda in a pathetically desperate attempt to appease the most hateful groups of fans who never understood or appreciated the story to begin with (which is why the story had to be butchered in order to appease them).

1.) Rey

Rey’s parents selling her for profit into slavery was portrayed as a good, loving thing. Child trafficking was literally portrayed as excusable, and even loving, in this children’s film. Just let that sink in for a second.

What is the message there? If your parents did something horrible that caused you years of trauma and torment, you should just not lose faith in them because they may have had a good reason (even if you have no evidence of that). Maybe a space wizard who has been dead for decades forced them to traffic you. This scene makes me want to vomit. This is how a children’s fairytale portrayed parents who sell their children into trafficking:

There is no excuse for this. Rey’s parentage was solved. Her identity crisis was over. This wasn’t needed except to force this abuse apologist message. Oh, and of course to feed the sexist fanboys a bit of eugenics to make them stop whining about how a woman could possibly be important and powerful.

TLJ was about Rey discovering her identity and letting go of her unhealthy, irrational dependency on parents who she never knew, who sold her to an abuser and left her to half-starve alone in a desert. TROS decided to give her a new identity crisis out of literally nowhere just so they could erase all that “You are not your parents, even if your parents don’t love you and/or aren’t special, you are still special and still deserving of love. You can find belonging ahead of you.” stuff with dynastic “Actually, your blood family does entirely define your identity and you should always assume they’re right even when all evidence points otherwise, just ignore your own trauma and blame it on a dead space wizard.”

The whole Rey Palpatine thing left a very bad taste in my mouth. Not just because it’s fucking stupid and something Reddit would write, but because Rey was horrible in TROS. She acted like she was possessed by Palpatine, she stabbed Ben (who she cares for and always had compassion for) to kill while he was distracted. She suddenly acted like she didn’t care about anyone around her. She just overall acted unrecognizable from the warm, loving, empathetic woman we saw in TFA and TLJ. The message here is clearly that because she has this “bad blood”, Rey can’t have an identity for herself. The only thing that saves her is taking on the identity of the good guys, she never finds her own. All the traits she’s had up until now don’t matter, who she actually is doesn’t matter. All that matters is what man’s blood runs through her veins. All Rey is is someone’s granddaughter, because if she wasn’t, then she’d really be nobody.

And thus, JJ Abrams decided that “Anyone can be special, even nobodies. Your worth is not defined by your class or your background.” was a stupid message and instead it should be pure eugenic “You’re only special if you have important people blood/name. Your identity is entirely your (male) family, not your own. No silly woman could have power of her own!”

Rey taking on the name of Skywalker is an utterly shallow attempt to fix the fact that they took every bit of Rey’s real identity from her, took half her soul (Ben is her dyad, two that are one), and then left her alone on a desert planet as if to say that her “true self” is the abused child she once was and that she can’t actually escape that. The moral of this fairytale was “You don’t need friends or love, as long as you have a glow stick (material possessions) and a super duper special name that makes you important (which you weren’t before, you were nobody).”

Not to mention that Rey basically named herself after Luke, no one else she knew actually used that name. And Luke didn’t do anything to deserve that, he rejected her at every single opportunity and only did the bare minimum to help her after being berated into it. Han was her surrogate father and the first person to offer her a life outside of Jakku. Leia was her loving mentor and pseudo-mother. Ben was the love of her life who has always been there for her when she needed someone to confide it, someone to see her true self and tell her she wasn’t alone. Luke was nothing but some cranky old guy who made her feel awful about herself and never accepted her (not to mention telling her she was inherently dangerous and also trying to murder her soulmate when he was a child which the real Rey was furious about).

2.) Finn

Finn’s character has not been given much in terms of development. For the most part, he’s been reduced to “Rey’s friend” and then “Finn’s friend”, with a little moment in there where he got to be with Rose and have his own identity but TROS of course decided to reward racist bullies and cut out Rose instead of giving the rest of the fans a satisfying story.

In TROS though, the one thing that Finn actually did that was heroic by himself, his character defining moment of turning from The First Order, was credited to the force and described like it wasn’t a choice at all. Which brings up a lot of questions and, as Han would say, “That’s not how the force works!”. It was so entirely unneeded to take that from Finn, but they gave up all of Rose’s potential screentime to do it.

There’s also the moment when Poe, our alleged hero, so hilariously (i.e callously) compares himself being a criminal to Rey being a scavenger and Finn being a stormtrooper. Completely ignoring the fact that they had no choice in that, as if their trauma doesn’t matter at all. It’s a small moment, but it was very insensitive and highlights how much the writers Did Not Care or even understand their main characters’ experiences.

3.) Ben

I don’t even know where to start with Ben Solo. His ending was the one that broke me as a person, I had so many hysterical sobbing fits over it that my loved ones were actually getting tired of it and it genuinely put me in a really bad place with my depression that I’m only just not getting out of.

Ben Solo’s story in TFA and TLJ was abuse victim’s epic, it was the story of a boy who was tortured and groomed from the time he was in his mother’s womb. A man who never knew a life without abuse. Ben Solo was described as a pure beam of light in his mother’s womb who was ensnared and tainted by a predatory force bigger and stronger than himself that he could not escape.

The feeling of being tainted and corrupted is common in abuse victims, and the fact that TROS told every single abused child out there “Yes, you really are tainted and corrupted. You do deserve to die before experiencing more than a moment of happiness and safety.” is something that I’ve yet to get over. It still infuriates me, it still breaks my heart. Ben’s entire arc up until this point has been about how he is still worthy of love.

And no, this isn’t me woobifying; it’s in the text of the films and the canon novels that Ben worked for his redemption, that he earned it. Ben fought Snoke from the time he was a child, but Ben was only a child and Snoke was too powerful, too relentless in his cruelty for him to withstand. The one and only person in the entire galaxy who had the training and the knowledge to protect Ben was his uncle, who chose to try to murder him in his sleep instead of protecting him. Ben was left with nowhere to turn except to his abuser. And even then, we see him struggle every single day to try and force himself to be this evil person that he never was. Ben was light itself who was convinced he was darkness through abuse and manipulation.

Then, when Ben found the first person who he could feel and connect with through the force, even though Snoke and Luke had abused and betrayed him - Ben still took the chance to reach out to Rey and be vulnerable with her. While interrogating an enemy, he took off his mask and revealed himself (something we only see him to for his father and when Snoke forces him to maliciously). In the middle of a war, under the thumb of the monster who has tortured him since forever, Ben was able hold Rey’s hand and tell her she wasn’t alone. He was still able to be kind. And because of that kindness, that connection, Ben found the courage to finally destroy his abuser and free himself.

Ben freed himself, and he did it out of compassion for and a need to protect Rey, not out of wrath or vengeance. If Ben were truly a creature of wrath, he would have killed Snoke before, but it was only when he had to see and hear and feel his soulmate be tortured by his own abuser that he found that courage. And yes, he did take Snoke’s place at first because that was the only way he knew how to protect himself. In his experience, people without power get hurt and that’s it. But even then, Ben was able to muster yet more strength to shed the armor that was Kylo Ren and stand with Rey unarmored against the very thing that has abused and tortured him since before he was born.

That took so much bravery and love and selflessness for Ben to stand there as himself, ready to fight his abuse and trauma head-on as Ben Solo. For him to admit he was hurt for the first time in the series. For him to crawl up a cliff with a badly broken leg out of love. For him to willingly give his very life force out of pure love. All of these things are incredible for Ben to have been able to do after all he had been through, these are more than deserving of reward. But TROS punished Ben for doing everything right, they proved that abusers always win in the end. Ben was going to survive until the last few edits. Everything we see was literally leading up to him surviving. This was Ben’s redemption, this was supposed to be him fighting for his new beginning and taking his first steps into the happiness and safety he earned, and should have had as a child, not a pointless struggle before succumbing to death:

But TROS told us, told traumatized and neurodivergent children who saw themselves in Ben, that it wasn’t good enough. That love isn’t good enough. That doing the right thing deserves to be punished. That children tainted by violence and abuse and darkness don’t deserve love and healing even when they earn redemption, even when they do everything in their power to do the right thing and be brave. The hopelessness of that is what broke me as a person. That is not what Star Wars is about. Star Wars is about redemption and love and hope; TROS was about cruelty covered up with a thin sheet of materialism and confused, poor storytelling.