Kylo Ren is a Great and Valid Character
(This only took me like two hours and I probably won’t get a lot of notes, but I wanted to post it anyway.)
I’m just saying, but…. I still believe that much of the hate that Kylo gets is from the people who aren’t able to see the complexity behind his character. I mean, yes some have the right to hate him because of some of the things he’s done, but I have the feeling many of those people still love Darth Vader as a character despite the fact he did much of the same.
As a person with mental health issues, I can just see how complex of a character he is. I know what it’s like to suffer from trauma, anxiety, and other things as well. So when I see Kylo, I can just feel it in his expressions, hear it in the way he talks sometimes. And with what we know about his character - from his backstory to how Snoke seemingly treats him - it’s understandable.
1. With the start, he was led to believe his own uncle was about to end his life. It had to have broken his heart and trust in anyone that has ever claimed they loved him; and we can all agree that it was his final push to the dark side to train under Snoke.
2. There are clear signs that Snoke has abused Kylo in his past, most definitely verbal and emotional. Snoke belittled and berates him, makes him think his family does not care about him, he seems like he cares (when he asks how his wound was), he literally forces a force connection between him and Rey, and he makes him fight for his approval against Hux.
3. It is also suggested that Snoke physically abused Kylo, all because of how he treats him in this one scene. Sure, it is not directly a lot to go off of, but it does show that Snoke is not afraid to Punish Kylo. He could have simply stopped him in a force hold, but he decided to go with the force lightning. I wouldn’t doubt that he has used physical punishments in the past.
4. Kylo has found what looks like to be an anchor through Dark Vader, which not many seem to be fond of. He is led to believe by Snoke that his family doesn’t care for him, and Snoke seems to push him to be much like his grandfather. So, of course, he would look up to Vader, he is what is driving him to grow stronger in the force and to become like him. It acts as an anchor for him, and I would love to see the same admiration when being pulled back over to the light much like Vader was. (Or better yet, a grey area)
5. His way of getting his emotions are not healthy, we can all agree on that. It’s probably because he doesn’t have a great coping strategy. He just as a lot of anger in him and it’s expressed through what people see as “temper tantrums,” No, he is not just some moody, emo teen. He is a full grown adult who doesn’t have a proper way of handling his emotions. I know what it’s like to go through difficult emotions and not having proper coping methods, and his case is a fine example; just with anger and not depression. (But I wouldn’t be surprised if he does have some of that mixed in)
6. He is clearly questioning where he lies with both the force and the First Order. I would pinpoint the moment he realizes that his morals are questions (the ones influenced by his manipulative, abusive master) right around the time he was with his father. His facial expression just screams “Shit, maybe he’s right that Snoke is just using me for my powers.”
7. After ending his father’s life, he refuses to kill his mother. You can see the pain in his eyes at the thought, just realizing that he was there. He didn’t want to kill her, and when that trooper did that for him (at least he believed that she died), you can believe that he’s hurt over it.
8. He kills his own fucking master. This would be the moment that you would classify breaking him from the chains from his abuser, he is finally set free and doesn’t have to be afraid any longer; he could now forge his own path.
9. And now, the moment that it can properly set in after he fights the praetorian guards, where he is now free. He doesn’t have to worry and not he will have to take total control as Supreme Leader. He was once the learner, but now he is the master. It all changes so quickly for him.
10. Finally, this. He sits in his first act as Supreme Leader, letting out a breath as his lips shake. He is unsure where his future will take him but he knows that he has to step up. The resistance is right there and ready to finally be defeated. What could possibly go wrong? If this isn’t one of the most important scenes for Kylo Ren, one of the moments he has been the most broken to the audience, I don’t know what is.
In conclusion, There is just so much more to his character than some fans may see. He isn’t some crybaby emo kid, he is a real human going through inner conflicts and doesn’t seem to know how to properly get help. Just like when a normal person is suffering from depression or trauma - anything - they don’t always understand how to cope with it, or even believe that they deserve help. Just like Kylo, who is just as valid as any other character. Yes, some things he has done are not excusable, but that does not mean his problems should be brushed off.
Tag List: @alladeline @rentopia @scheherazades-horcrux @attorneyl @babybluelukex @sonictemplepadawan @glitzescape
gummygunk
janainaart
pixelskylines
titsay
vaporwave
andulkaphoto
baratheonpilled
ellievsbear
jacobvanloon
