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If you see this you’re legally obligated to reblog and tag with the book you’re currently reading
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D23 Trailer - a very belated musical analysis!
The rumor is, we’ll be getting the final trailer for TRoS a week from tomorrow. EXCELLENT timing for me to finally get my shit together and finish the meta I’ve been working on since we got the D23 footage, right?
I want to cover a couple of things. First - update you on what I have learned about the SW trailer scoring process in general. Secondly - discuss in detail what’s happening musically and what it could mean. Lastly - speculate about what the music for the final trailer is going to be like.
First of all, a bit of personal stuff to catch you up on before we get into it! I hope you don’t mind indulging me a bit :)
Keep reading
Rey and Kylo’s Union Will Redefine the Force
“Luminous beings are we. Not this crude matter.” –Yoda
First and foremost, what I’m about to lay out for you is essentially my headcanon. While I will provide some research to back up my assertions, I’m not saying that this is what will happen in Episode IX. It should could happen, but for now this is just a cool idea that came to me while I was writing Reylo fan fiction. And I’ve wanted to share it ever since.
Before I get started I want to say that I am not an expert in all things Star Wars. I have not consumed every single shred of Star Wars media. I am aware that there may exist a line of canon content that contradicts everything I’m about to say. But I’m going to say it anyway. I’m going to tackle the big equation and solve for…
The Force
Yep, you heard me right.
There are a lot of great metas out there that describe in great detail all the reasons why Rey and Kylo Ren will come together. From a literary and archetypal standpoint, it must happen, and thankfully after TLJ, it’s looking more and more likely. I do have a literary background and am admittedly obsessed with all aspects of great storytelling, but right now I want to approach this topic from a different angle. Like I’ve already said, I want to talk about the Force.
Arguably, the Force is the coolest part of the whole Star Wars universe, but it’s not very well understood or clearly communicated. At its best it’s a metaphysical power harnessed by enlightened beings to accomplish amazing feats, and at its worst it’s a brazen plot device. So what is it really? Does anyone actually know? Even Force-user Rey didn’t seem to have a firm grip on it.
Luke: What do you know about the Force?
Rey: It’s a power that Jedi have that lets them control people… and make things float.
Luke: Impressive. Every word in that sentence was wrong.
Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best example because Rey did eventually float the rocks, even if she looked very unsure of herself while she was doing it. But the point I’m trying to make is that there is more to the Force than just the observable powers of the user.
According to my research, the Force has two main components that exist symbiotically. The Living Force and the Cosmic Force.
The Living Force
Described as the energy of living things because all life contains it, the Living Force is what makes Force powers possible. Dark and light are both part of the Living Force and each can be accessed similarly. Think of it like a current of energy that connects all living things and can be drawn from by Force sensitive beings. When one says to “feel the Force” I believe this is the Force they are talking about because it is readily at hand.
The Cosmic Force
Described as the energy that binds the universe together, the Cosmic Force is the fabric of spacetime that exists between everything and gives matter shape. Since it is powered by the Living Force–the Living Force flows directly into it like a stream–transition from the physical world to this realm is possible (e.g. Force ghosts. I’ll get to that in a minute). But unlike the Living Force that can be harnessed and manipulated, the Cosmic Force is unchanging. It can be accessed, but it can’t be altered. For this reason, the Cosmic Force is sometimes thought of as the will of the Force. This is where Jedi like Yoda look for visions of the future. Sometimes the Cosmic Force is referred to as the Unifying Force. It has no light or dark side. It just is. When one says, “May the Force be with you,” they are probably talking about the Force as a whole, but maybe the Cosmic Force carries more of the weight. It’d be like saying, “May fate be on your side.”
If you’re into physics like I am, a fun way to look at the Living Force and the Cosmic Force is as Dark Matter and Dark Energy. But that’s a meta for a different day.
Force Ghosts
Like the Force, the rules that govern Force ghosts are pretty nebulous, but I think there are some things we can almost say for certain.
Force ghosts are manifestations of the Force. They are Jedi who have become one with the Cosmic Force, but have managed–through intense meditation and training–to retain their identities. Only when one understands their true self can they achieve this ascension. The final step of the process is to simply “let go” which is perhaps why the death of a Jedi transitioning into a Force ghost is always portrayed peacefully.
When all things die they return to the Cosmic Force, but a Force ghost is able to stay in contact with the physical plane. As we’ve seen, Force ghosts can affect the physical world, but they rarely do so because they lack the Living Force required to carry out such tasks. So they must siphon the Living Force from other living beings if they want to, let’s say, call down lighting and torch a sacred tree.
Force ghosts exist in a realm called the Netherworld of the Force, which is probably just a different interpretation of the Cosmic Force. Because they are now one with the Cosmic Force, Force ghosts can traverse spacetime freely. They also possess farsight–they can sense events taking place across many lightyears. And finally, Force ghosts have incredible prophetic powers that allow them to interpret the will of the Force.
Yoda’s Trials
In The Clone Wars episodes “Voices,” “Destiny” and “Sacrifice,” we see Yoda go through a series of tests meant to set him on the path to becoming a Force ghost. First he is contacted by the voice of Qui-Gon Jinn who sends him on his journey. Then Yoda encounters the Force Priestesses who guide him through three tests that probe the deepest parts of his psyche. In the first test he faces a dark alter ego that represents his hubris (pride). Dark Yoda says,
“Know your true self. Face me now or I will devour you.”
So Yoda confronts his own darkness and kicks its ass. Because to deny that darkness would be to empower it.
Next Yoda must face his pain and prove that he can bear its heavy burden. In this test he is shown a vision of peace that he has to see for the lie that it is. Though the truth is harder to accept, he must do it. And he does.
Yoda’s final task is to resist the temptation of the dark side. On the ancient Sith homeworld of Moraband, he says to an eerie vision of Darth Bane’s spirit,
“I have come to learn.”
Yoda is obviously able to resist what the darkness offers, but in turn he does learn a valuable lesson. When he returns to Coruscant, he tells Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu of his new understanding. He says,
“No longer certain that one ever does win a war I am. For in fighting the battles the bloodshed already lost we have. Yet, open to us a path remains that unknown to the Sith is. Through this path victory we may yet find. Not victory in the Clone Wars, but victory for all time.”
Unless this was meant as a nod to the religious idea of the unavoidable struggle of life and the reward of heaven–which I dearly hope it was not–there’s something very important about the idea of transcending realms. So let’s talk about how a couple of Force sensitive lovebirds might do just that.
Reylo Union in Episode IX
One thing every trilogy movie has done (sometimes to the intense displeasure of the SW fanbase) is introduce new Force powers. From bonds to projections to Mary Poppins-ing your way through space, there’s always a new Force ability that the audience discovers right alongside the characters. So wouldn’t it be great if IX connected all the powers in a profound and awesome way? I think so.
So here’s what I’ve been getting at all along, what smacked me upside the head while I was writing and forced me to figure out how to make it all work…
The eventual romantic partnership of Rey and Kylo Ren will unite the Living Force with the Cosmic Force, gaining them access to Force ghost-like powers.
Now don’t get me wrong, they both have a long way to go before they get there. Kylo Ren must find his way to redemption and he must do it on his own, because he wants it. And Rey must figure out what belonging means to her. Whether it’s rigid and one-sided or broad enough to include some darkness. But that’s it. A visually rich, superbly written and acted movie could do all that in an hour and a half easy, leaving the final hour for a badass display of Force power. And my body is ready.
Like Yoda’s first test, Kylo Ren’s redemption will require him to face his darkness and take back the power it holds over him. Then, like Yoda’s second test, Kylo Ren will have to accept his reality, not only his own pain but the pain he has caused others, and start on the path to easing it. Rey will follow a similar arc, but I think hers will lead back to Kylo Ren and the inescapable bond they share. It is part of the reality that she has to face as a young woman coming to terms with her identity.
Once they are together, once their love is professed and then finally expressed, they will have unlocked these new powers. Still don’t believe me. Well, I think their Force Bond is proof that they have already started uniting the Living and Cosmic Forces in the physical plane. For starters they can see and speak to each other across vast distances–a Force ghost ability. (Note that they can only do this with each other.) And what happened when they touched hands through the bond? They saw visions of the past and future–another Force ghost ability. Now where could those visions have come from? From the freaking Cosmic Force! Yes, their bond is already revealing the Force’s true, unified nature, something that has never happened before, not for the Jedi or Sith, not even for the enlightened Force ghosts. And when the potential is finally realized–when two living beings who possess the Living Force can freely access the Cosmic Force–they will have the tools they need to end the war.
Now how do I see it all unfolding? Back to my headcanon…
A battle between the First Order and the Resistance is looming on a barren planet. This is the battle to end all battles. Special weapons that will ensure victory are in place, and both sides are ready to fight to a conclusion. But before the first shots are fired, Rey and Kylo Ren walk onto the battlefield hand in hand, unafraid. They stand between the armies and when the war erupts around them, they channel the Cosmic Force, opening a door in spacetime and directing the hellfire through it. In the excruciating bubble of heat and energy, the Force ghosts of Luke and Leia and Anakin, Yoda, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are all there lending their help so that the effort will not destroy Kylo and Rey. When it’s over, none of the weapons possess the energy to kill anymore. Both sides are at a stalemate, shaken by the new display of Force power. Perhaps Kylo’s sacrifice could come here. He’s weaker than Rey and near death, but her love brings him back. Because their love is a freaking miracle.
Or something like that.
In my fan fiction The Middle Place I describe (in lurid detail) how Rey and Kylo Ren’s union unlocks this new power. At first it was meant to be symbolic or just a cool way to describe really good sex, but then I thought, “Holy fuck! That’s the way they save the galaxy.” Not only by having sex, but…
By bridging the dimensional divide between the physical plane and the cosmic. A feat that is only possible for living beings through a total immersion in love.
Because Love is the Force.
There is no light and dark. There is only love and the incredible range of power it has to transform a person for better or worse. The Jedi and the Sith both knew this, but what they never accepted, what Rey and Kylo Ren will accept is…
True love is the balance. And when love is pure and good, it can carry out the will of the Force.
And if you tell me that’s cheesy, I will cut you.
Consummate Love
So you might ask, why can’t a father’s very last minute love for his son be enough to harness the full power of the Force? Or what about the strong love that develops between platonic friends? Why does it have to come from a sexual/marital union?
As the helpful picture above shows, a total and complete love is not only a physical bond of passion, but also a bond of intimacy (friendship) and commitment (family). The strongest kind of bond there is comes when two individuals choose to join their lives in a way that is all-encompassing. It’s very like the notion of soul mates only I think choice is far more meaningful than destiny.
A marriage (whether literal or symbolic) is the joining of two lovers and friends to become family. And the sexual union that results can literally create life. Talk about power!
(art by @elithien )
Why It Could Work
Firstly, the Jedi were always divided about which aspect of the Force they should pay more attention to. Qui-Gon Jinn followed the Living Force which focused on the present moment and trusting one’s instincts; whereas, Yoda relied heavily on the prophetic wisdom found in the Cosmic Force and was so absorbed in the future that he failed to see the revival of the Sith right under his nose.
Perhaps balancing the Force means respecting both the order of the universe (Cosmic) and one’s ability to change it (Living). Using the Force to justify long-held beliefs has repeatedly been shown to lead to conflict. Instead it must be embraced for what it is and for the enormity of all it contains.
Secondly, for thousands of years, both the Jedi and the Sith discouraged romantic love because it led one away from the poles of light and dark to the middle. For the Jedi, it led to feelings of jealousy and possessiveness which were in direct conflict with their ideology of selflessness. For the Sith, it led to feelings of pity and compassion which diluted dark side powers.
So for two Force users on opposite sides to find their way to the middle and fall in love despite the conventions that would keep them apart… well, who knows what kind of power they could unlock. Because it’s likely never happened before. At least not in the core canon of the trilogy films.
The Chosen One
One last thing before I go.
I’m willing to grant you this might be a stretch, perhaps just a bending of the story to suit my wildly sprawling headcanon, but after all this I feel like having a little fun. So here goes…
What if the Chosen One prophecy was never about Anakin or Luke bringing balance to the Force?
What if it’s about Rey and Kylo Ren becoming one?
What if one = union?
The Chosen Union
Maybe… no… who cares…?
It’ll be a wild ride no matter what, and I can’t wait two whole fucking years to see it!
Conclusion
One of my favorite movies of the past decade is Interstellar (2014, Christopher Nolan). At a pivotal moment in the film, Anne Hathaway’s character, Dr. Brand, delivers one of the most beautiful lines in all of science fiction.
“Love isn’t something that we invented. It’s observable. Powerful. It has to mean something. Maybe it means something more, something we can’t yet understand. Maybe it’s some evidence, some artifact of a higher dimension that we can’t consciously perceive. Love is the one thing that we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.”
I’ve always liked the idea of love being a physical power, a definable figure that could be plugged into physics somewhere, the glue that holds everything together. As far as we know, in our world, it can’t be those things. But in a galaxy far far away, maybe it can.
***
References/supplemental material:
Wookieepedia
SW: The Clone Wars TV show
Nerdist: Star Wars History
Comic Vine blog
If you liked this meta check out my breakdown of the elevator scene that turned out to be pretty accurate after RJ spoke about the scene at a fan screening.
Also here is another prediction I made a while back about a possible big bad in Episode IX.
Let’s talk in the comments. And thanks for reading! ✌
Yes, I am reblogging my own post because I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT! Come on, Reylos!
Reblogging my meta with an excerpt of the TLJ Junior Novelization for context.
The Force = Love 💕 (I’ve always thought so)
Reblogging and adding a few thoughts after The Rise of Skywalker trailer.
So this theory still works. In fact, I see the alleged McGuffin element of IX, the epic adventure these characters go on that JJ talked about, as being a search for the ultimate weapon/power. Palpatine is back and only something mighty and truly transcendent will be able to defeat him.
Here’s the catch…
What if it’s not a weapon at all? What if the ultimate power, the only thing that can vanquish Palpy once and for all, is love? More specifically the union of the light and dark sides of the Force by the purest, truest love.
Palpatine strikes me as the total absence of love, an evil that surpasses even the worst Sith lord. This quote I keep seeing from one of the novels comes to mind…
And then there was Palpatine: he was beyond power. He showed nothing of what might be within. Though seen with the eyes of the dark side itself, Palpatine was an event horizon. Beneath his entirely ordinary surface was absolute, perfect nothingness. Darkness beyond darkness.
What if Rey and Kylo search separately for this McGuffin, this perfect weapon, only to realize that it’s their union that will save the galaxy? It’s their love, a love they are struggling to deny in order to remain on opposing teams, that needs to be expressed and allowed to blossom? Ths result: unlimited Force powers.
I am here for it. What do you guys think?
“This thread is an update to the meta "Reflections" that I wrote last year. After the TROS teaser and all the new material, I have tons of
Using my old meta Reflections I made some predictions about The Rise of Skywalker and shared some revelations I've had in the meantime. Head on over to Twitter if you'd like to read them.
Reflections
A thorough examination of Rey and Kylo Ren and their scenes together in the Sequel Trilogy
This whole meta came about as a way to understand why Kylo Ren’s hunger for honesty in The Last Jedi was so goddamn sexy to me. Apart from the pornography that is Ben Swolo, why did the way he demanded Rey be honest with him and with herself feel so tense and sexual? Pondering an answer has led me to insights about their characters that I’m sharing here. It won’t be brief–I’m afraid I’m in over my head–but it is what it is. So let’s go!
DISCLAIMER:
A lot of the ideas I will mention have already been discussed within the fandom, but I couldn’t even begin to remember where I heard some of it or know who to give the credit to. Dissecting these characters is a collaborative effort. So building on the brilliance of others, let me add some of my thoughts–from a background in literature, creative writing and film–to the conversation.
Also, I will only be using the movies as a foundation for my claims. I realize that there’s tons of other canon material, but I think I can make my points using just The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
Before a writer even begins putting words on paper they must first do some foundational character work. Following those steps, I’m going to take Rey and Kylo and whittle them down to their cores, and I’m going to use the first half of The Force Awakens to do it. What follows that will be a detailed breakdown of every scene they’ve shared so far in the Sequel Trilogy. Oh man, my typing fingers are already trembling!
WHAT REY AND KYLO WANT
I am a big fan of Lisa Cron and her books Story Genius and Wired for Story. Cron is known for her discussion of the storytelling elements that are hardwired into our brains. Among them is giving your characters the proper start. Cron says that a protagonist must begin the story with two things:
In each movie Rey and Kylo have specific desires. In TFA Kylo wants to find Luke and Rey wants to get BB-8 back to the Resistance. In TLJ Kylo wants to get rid of Snoke and Rey wants to bring Luke back to the Resistance. (Is Rey the freaking errand girl for the Resistance?) But this is a trilogy which means that what they really want is much bigger and their specific goals are just steps towards achieving their ultimate desires. So here’s what I’ve decided are Rey and Kylo’s deep-seated desires the first time we see them in TFA.
REY WANTS A DESTINY
KYLO WANTS FREE WILL
Don’t worry, we’ll talk a lot more about their desires, but for now we must move on to misbeliefs. Cron compares the misbelief to the “fatal flaw” or “the wound the protagonist enters with.” She calls it a misbelief because the audience knows it is wrong, but the protagonist doesn’t. In fact, the protagonist must believe in it with all his heart. How he overcomes his misbelief is what the story is about.
Now for Rey and Kylo’s defining misbeliefs:
REY BELIEVES HER PARENTS WILL RETURN AND BESTOW HER WITH A DESTINY IF SHE IS PATIENT AND HOPEFUL
KYLO BELIEVES THAT HE MUST LET GO OF OR CONCEAL HIS PAST IN ORDER TO WRITE HIS OWN FUTURE
So let’s put it all together…
Rey believes that when her parents return for her, she will finally understand her place in the galaxy. They will give her a family name and a group to belong to–bequeathing her a destiny. Kylo believes that if he sheds the Skywalker/Solo name, then he can finally choose who he is and where he belongs–writing his own destiny. You’re starting to see where I’m going, aren’t you?
Since the Star Wars movies are always coming of age stories, Rey and Kylo are essentially seeking identity, but they’re going about it in opposite ways. It’s because these two characters are reflections of one another, created to strengthen the other’s arc. That’s what good writing strives to do, and you can bet that Disney knows this. He might not look it, but the Mouse is a master storyteller.
Keep reading
I'll just leave this here.
Here are a few things I’m ready for JJ to very clearly spell out in TROS
1. Ben Solo was mentally abused by a dark side entity since birth and deserves compassion. (Give me heartbreaking young Ben flashbacks). T_T
2. Rey does not have some convoluted legacy force user parentage. (She doesn’t need it. The story doesn’t need it. I’m tired of hearing about it).
3. Rey is not a force sensitive “Mary Sue” despite having minimal formal (key word) training. (I hate that this even needs to be addressed, but people seem to conveniently forget that through the force bond Rey has access to Kylo’s training. I think this is shown very beautifully through both films, particularly when she mirrors his fighting style in TLJ, but just throw in a few lines of dialogue that make this explicit for those who can’t see and think the “lazy filmmakers” just made her extra).
4. Rey and Ben have an extremely intimate relationship that includes a romantic attraction. (It’s already there. If we don’t get the payoff on that sexual tension/beautiful love story framed around compassion it will be a crime. Let Adam and Daisy earn their MTV movie award for best kiss).
All of this ☝️
Prediction for TROS: Rey will use the name Kylo instead of Ben. When he hears her refer to him with that name, he will be profoundly shocked at how horrible this makes him feel.
um….ouch?
And perhaps the name will finally sound artificial to his own ears. He wants to be "Ben," he realizes. The "Ben" Rey once believed in. So he will be.
The Chosen one prophecy
The text of the prophecy is in the new Star Wars novel: Master and apprentice, by Claudia Gray. It’s like a puzzle, and parts of me wonder….
Is it only about Anakin Skywalker?
Can we link it to the upcoming and final chapter of the saga? and Kylo / Ben? or even better Reylo?
The prophecy - or parts of- (from tbeowulf on Reddit and syfywire) : spoilers and theories beyond the cut
Keep reading
Great analysis of new canon material. What an exciting time to be a Reylo!
Ep IX: The Rise of Skywalker Teaser Trailer - what is happening musically?
It. Is. Glorious. I’m still riding high (and sleeping like a baby) after seeing this beautiful piece of art during the Ep IX Panel livestream from Celebration. If you’re interested in seeing my full reaction, complete with sobbing and clutching of a comfort BB-8, just let me know and I’ll drop the YouTube link. But I digress.
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the music, so I thought I’d address them first, and then share some of my thoughts - as well as linking to some fantastic analysis I have already seen. Buckle up, baby.
Keep reading
Here at the End of All Things - TROS Reylo Fic
Here at the End of all Things, Chapter 1. “Telling the Odds” (The Rise of Skywalker Trailer Fic - Read on Ao3)
This little work is dedicated to one of our finest Reylo artists out there, the amazing @kittrose. I want to thank her for being a constant source of inspiration and blowing my mind with each piece she creates. (Her art, String of Fate, is the middle one in the moodboard).
Quote
Scavenger. I’m coming.
Kylo’s black gloved hands fastened on the TIE Sienar-Jaemus made Starfighter, when he heard a familiar voice inside his head.
I’m ready.
His lips curved into the ghost of a grin.
Be prepared. I won’t spare you.
The answer was immediate.
Me neither.
Thanks to the wonderful @nancylovesreylo for beta’ing this at lightspeed!
❤️ Your reblogs mean the world! ❤️
Stop worrying and love Reylo
As you guys can see I’m slightly flooded with questions about that interview.
Can I be the voice of reason in all this drama-queen mess? I’m an OG reylo since TFA and I’ve seen ALL OF IT in this hysterical fandom.
SO HERE IT GOES:
1) Daisy was asked about her opinion on Reylo and if she is one.
The first thing she says is about the fact the ship has been considered “toxic” and that it’s “emotion (blackmail)” (blackmail is the word I would use, or chantage. You need to know that daisy LEFT social media because of all the fandom toxicity. SO OF COURSE she would be careful about what she says.
Second, I’m not sure we should take everything she said as is, as the interviewer himself suggested. It could be interpreted in sooo many ways, and actors cannot always give their true opinions. She said reylo was “tricky” and fuck it is!
Which leads me to…
I think her answer is the same as mine! I would not ship Kylo with Rey without redemption. It seems so obvious but nobody is paying attention. Kylo has killed his own father for Christ’s sake! You can’t ship that if you just take the characters as they are.
I have NEVER been a fluff lover. I love Reylo because it’s angsty, because it’s complex, because it’s difficult and hard. I’m not a pink romantic lover. So give me all the fucking angst with a decent happy ending and I’ll be SO happy.
Which leads me to….
2) Her reaction about Redemption is the most hopeful thing I have ever seen! Holy shit. I mean, she confirmed he’s going to redeem himself basically!
I’m going to say this out loud but I prefer having a redeemed Kylo over a full-fledge reylo romance. There WILL be romance I am sure, but a deep and complex one, not fluff and roses. No wedding and stuff of the sort, and sorry to tell you this, but I’m totally ok with it.
3) I am putting my fucking hand in the fire that Kylo is going to be redeemed in a tragic way, but he’s going to survive in the end. I’d ALSO put my hand in the fire that when he does, Rey realizes her feelings for him and her POV changes totally.
4) SPECULATION: Why doesn’t anybody talk about that haircut!! I mean, we saw her with it the day they wrapped! And she said that the ending was always clear, but then she knew about a tidbit that was added and seemed so happy about it.
My bet is that Kylo dies redeemed…but only in appearance, or it’s not clear for the audience. The epilogue is her finding out he’s alive somewhere in the galaxy and her haircut has changed totally so we know that time has passed.
Give me that fucking Force Theme with Rey finding Kylo in a corner of the galaxy, hair in the wind, and he turns around to face her and we understand that something is going to happen between them. I AM SO HERE FOR THIS.
This
Same @cosmo-gonika same, beautifully put!
I would love that ending!
This ending @cosmo-gonika proposes is beautiful! And highly likely considering all the clues. I can't wait!
with The Rise of Skywalker era upon us, I’d like to follow more Reylos. please reblog if you have Reylo content on your blog, and if you make content yourself, please mention it in the tags. thank you~ 💕
reylos, unite!
I’m a multifandom and multiship blog, but I post a lot of Reylo!
Storyteller Ren always ready to talk Reylo!
Metas: Reflections, Rey and Kylo's Union Will Redefine the Force
Fanfic: The Middle Place
JOHN’S FACE SAYS IT ALL
Same exact thing...
Gotta cover your face or risk giving it away!!
Rey and Kylo’s Union Will Redefine the Force
“Luminous beings are we. Not this crude matter.” –Yoda
First and foremost, what I’m about to lay out for you is essentially my headcanon. While I will provide some research to back up my assertions, I’m not saying that this is what will happen in Episode IX. It should could happen, but for now this is just a cool idea that came to me while I was writing Reylo fan fiction. And I’ve wanted to share it ever since.
Before I get started I want to say that I am not an expert in all things Star Wars. I have not consumed every single shred of Star Wars media. I am aware that there may exist a line of canon content that contradicts everything I’m about to say. But I’m going to say it anyway. I’m going to tackle the big equation and solve for…
The Force
Yep, you heard me right.
There are a lot of great metas out there that describe in great detail all the reasons why Rey and Kylo Ren will come together. From a literary and archetypal standpoint, it must happen, and thankfully after TLJ, it’s looking more and more likely. I do have a literary background and am admittedly obsessed with all aspects of great storytelling, but right now I want to approach this topic from a different angle. Like I’ve already said, I want to talk about the Force.
Arguably, the Force is the coolest part of the whole Star Wars universe, but it’s not very well understood or clearly communicated. At its best it’s a metaphysical power harnessed by enlightened beings to accomplish amazing feats, and at its worst it’s a brazen plot device. So what is it really? Does anyone actually know? Even Force-user Rey didn’t seem to have a firm grip on it.
Luke: What do you know about the Force?
Rey: It’s a power that Jedi have that lets them control people… and make things float.
Luke: Impressive. Every word in that sentence was wrong.
Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best example because Rey did eventually float the rocks, even if she looked very unsure of herself while she was doing it. But the point I’m trying to make is that there is more to the Force than just the observable powers of the user.
According to my research, the Force has two main components that exist symbiotically. The Living Force and the Cosmic Force.
The Living Force
Described as the energy of living things because all life contains it, the Living Force is what makes Force powers possible. Dark and light are both part of the Living Force and each can be accessed similarly. Think of it like a current of energy that connects all living things and can be drawn from by Force sensitive beings. When one says to “feel the Force” I believe this is the Force they are talking about because it is readily at hand.
The Cosmic Force
Described as the energy that binds the universe together, the Cosmic Force is the fabric of spacetime that exists between everything and gives matter shape. Since it is powered by the Living Force–the Living Force flows directly into it like a stream–transition from the physical world to this realm is possible (e.g. Force ghosts. I’ll get to that in a minute). But unlike the Living Force that can be harnessed and manipulated, the Cosmic Force is unchanging. It can be accessed, but it can’t be altered. For this reason, the Cosmic Force is sometimes thought of as the will of the Force. This is where Jedi like Yoda look for visions of the future. Sometimes the Cosmic Force is referred to as the Unifying Force. It has no light or dark side. It just is. When one says, “May the Force be with you,” they are probably talking about the Force as a whole, but maybe the Cosmic Force carries more of the weight. It’d be like saying, “May fate be on your side.”
If you’re into physics like I am, a fun way to look at the Living Force and the Cosmic Force is as Dark Matter and Dark Energy. But that’s a meta for a different day.
Force Ghosts
Like the Force, the rules that govern Force ghosts are pretty nebulous, but I think there are some things we can almost say for certain.
Force ghosts are manifestations of the Force. They are Jedi who have become one with the Cosmic Force, but have managed–through intense meditation and training–to retain their identities. Only when one understands their true self can they achieve this ascension. The final step of the process is to simply “let go” which is perhaps why the death of a Jedi transitioning into a Force ghost is always portrayed peacefully.
When all things die they return to the Cosmic Force, but a Force ghost is able to stay in contact with the physical plane. As we’ve seen, Force ghosts can affect the physical world, but they rarely do so because they lack the Living Force required to carry out such tasks. So they must siphon the Living Force from other living beings if they want to, let’s say, call down lighting and torch a sacred tree.
Force ghosts exist in a realm called the Netherworld of the Force, which is probably just a different interpretation of the Cosmic Force. Because they are now one with the Cosmic Force, Force ghosts can traverse spacetime freely. They also possess farsight–they can sense events taking place across many lightyears. And finally, Force ghosts have incredible prophetic powers that allow them to interpret the will of the Force.
Yoda’s Trials
In The Clone Wars episodes “Voices,” “Destiny” and “Sacrifice,” we see Yoda go through a series of tests meant to set him on the path to becoming a Force ghost. First he is contacted by the voice of Qui-Gon Jinn who sends him on his journey. Then Yoda encounters the Force Priestesses who guide him through three tests that probe the deepest parts of his psyche. In the first test he faces a dark alter ego that represents his hubris (pride). Dark Yoda says,
“Know your true self. Face me now or I will devour you.”
So Yoda confronts his own darkness and kicks its ass. Because to deny that darkness would be to empower it.
Next Yoda must face his pain and prove that he can bear its heavy burden. In this test he is shown a vision of peace that he has to see for the lie that it is. Though the truth is harder to accept, he must do it. And he does.
Yoda’s final task is to resist the temptation of the dark side. On the ancient Sith homeworld of Moraband, he says to an eerie vision of Darth Bane’s spirit,
“I have come to learn.”
Yoda is obviously able to resist what the darkness offers, but in turn he does learn a valuable lesson. When he returns to Coruscant, he tells Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu of his new understanding. He says,
“No longer certain that one ever does win a war I am. For in fighting the battles the bloodshed already lost we have. Yet, open to us a path remains that unknown to the Sith is. Through this path victory we may yet find. Not victory in the Clone Wars, but victory for all time.”
Unless this was meant as a nod to the religious idea of the unavoidable struggle of life and the reward of heaven–which I dearly hope it was not–there’s something very important about the idea of transcending realms. So let’s talk about how a couple of Force sensitive lovebirds might do just that.
Reylo Union in Episode IX
One thing every trilogy movie has done (sometimes to the intense displeasure of the SW fanbase) is introduce new Force powers. From bonds to projections to Mary Poppins-ing your way through space, there’s always a new Force ability that the audience discovers right alongside the characters. So wouldn’t it be great if IX connected all the powers in a profound and awesome way? I think so.
So here’s what I’ve been getting at all along, what smacked me upside the head while I was writing and forced me to figure out how to make it all work…
The eventual romantic partnership of Rey and Kylo Ren will unite the Living Force with the Cosmic Force, gaining them access to Force ghost-like powers.
Now don’t get me wrong, they both have a long way to go before they get there. Kylo Ren must find his way to redemption and he must do it on his own, because he wants it. And Rey must figure out what belonging means to her. Whether it’s rigid and one-sided or broad enough to include some darkness. But that’s it. A visually rich, superbly written and acted movie could do all that in an hour and a half easy, leaving the final hour for a badass display of Force power. And my body is ready.
Like Yoda’s first test, Kylo Ren’s redemption will require him to face his darkness and take back the power it holds over him. Then, like Yoda’s second test, Kylo Ren will have to accept his reality, not only his own pain but the pain he has caused others, and start on the path to easing it. Rey will follow a similar arc, but I think hers will lead back to Kylo Ren and the inescapable bond they share. It is part of the reality that she has to face as a young woman coming to terms with her identity.
Once they are together, once their love is professed and then finally expressed, they will have unlocked these new powers. Still don’t believe me. Well, I think their Force Bond is proof that they have already started uniting the Living and Cosmic Forces in the physical plane. For starters they can see and speak to each other across vast distances–a Force ghost ability. (Note that they can only do this with each other.) And what happened when they touched hands through the bond? They saw visions of the past and future–another Force ghost ability. Now where could those visions have come from? From the freaking Cosmic Force! Yes, their bond is already revealing the Force’s true, unified nature, something that has never happened before, not for the Jedi or Sith, not even for the enlightened Force ghosts. And when the potential is finally realized–when two living beings who possess the Living Force can freely access the Cosmic Force–they will have the tools they need to end the war.
Now how do I see it all unfolding? Back to my headcanon…
A battle between the First Order and the Resistance is looming on a barren planet. This is the battle to end all battles. Special weapons that will ensure victory are in place, and both sides are ready to fight to a conclusion. But before the first shots are fired, Rey and Kylo Ren walk onto the battlefield hand in hand, unafraid. They stand between the armies and when the war erupts around them, they channel the Cosmic Force, opening a door in spacetime and directing the hellfire through it. In the excruciating bubble of heat and energy, the Force ghosts of Luke and Leia and Anakin, Yoda, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are all there lending their help so that the effort will not destroy Kylo and Rey. When it’s over, none of the weapons possess the energy to kill anymore. Both sides are at a stalemate, shaken by the new display of Force power. Perhaps Kylo’s sacrifice could come here. He’s weaker than Rey and near death, but her love brings him back. Because their love is a freaking miracle.
Or something like that.
In my fan fiction The Middle Place I describe (in lurid detail) how Rey and Kylo Ren’s union unlocks this new power. At first it was meant to be symbolic or just a cool way to describe really good sex, but then I thought, “Holy fuck! That’s the way they save the galaxy.” Not only by having sex, but…
By bridging the dimensional divide between the physical plane and the cosmic. A feat that is only possible for living beings through a total immersion in love.
Because Love is the Force.
There is no light and dark. There is only love and the incredible range of power it has to transform a person for better or worse. The Jedi and the Sith both knew this, but what they never accepted, what Rey and Kylo Ren will accept is…
True love is the balance. And when love is pure and good, it can carry out the will of the Force.
And if you tell me that’s cheesy, I will cut you.
Consummate Love
So you might ask, why can’t a father’s very last minute love for his son be enough to harness the full power of the Force? Or what about the strong love that develops between platonic friends? Why does it have to come from a sexual/marital union?
As the helpful picture above shows, a total and complete love is not only a physical bond of passion, but also a bond of intimacy (friendship) and commitment (family). The strongest kind of bond there is comes when two individuals choose to join their lives in a way that is all-encompassing. It’s very like the notion of soul mates only I think choice is far more meaningful than destiny.
A marriage (whether literal or symbolic) is the joining of two lovers and friends to become family. And the sexual union that results can literally create life. Talk about power!
(art by @elithien )
Why It Could Work
Firstly, the Jedi were always divided about which aspect of the Force they should pay more attention to. Qui-Gon Jinn followed the Living Force which focused on the present moment and trusting one’s instincts; whereas, Yoda relied heavily on the prophetic wisdom found in the Cosmic Force and was so absorbed in the future that he failed to see the revival of the Sith right under his nose.
Perhaps balancing the Force means respecting both the order of the universe (Cosmic) and one’s ability to change it (Living). Using the Force to justify long-held beliefs has repeatedly been shown to lead to conflict. Instead it must be embraced for what it is and for the enormity of all it contains.
Secondly, for thousands of years, both the Jedi and the Sith discouraged romantic love because it led one away from the poles of light and dark to the middle. For the Jedi, it led to feelings of jealousy and possessiveness which were in direct conflict with their ideology of selflessness. For the Sith, it led to feelings of pity and compassion which diluted dark side powers.
So for two Force users on opposite sides to find their way to the middle and fall in love despite the conventions that would keep them apart… well, who knows what kind of power they could unlock. Because it’s likely never happened before. At least not in the core canon of the trilogy films.
The Chosen One
One last thing before I go.
I’m willing to grant you this might be a stretch, perhaps just a bending of the story to suit my wildly sprawling headcanon, but after all this I feel like having a little fun. So here goes…
What if the Chosen One prophecy was never about Anakin or Luke bringing balance to the Force?
What if it’s about Rey and Kylo Ren becoming one?
What if one = union?
The Chosen Union
Maybe… no… who cares…?
It’ll be a wild ride no matter what, and I can’t wait two whole fucking years to see it!
Conclusion
One of my favorite movies of the past decade is Interstellar (2014, Christopher Nolan). At a pivotal moment in the film, Anne Hathaway’s character, Dr. Brand, delivers one of the most beautiful lines in all of science fiction.
“Love isn’t something that we invented. It’s observable. Powerful. It has to mean something. Maybe it means something more, something we can’t yet understand. Maybe it’s some evidence, some artifact of a higher dimension that we can’t consciously perceive. Love is the one thing that we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.”
I’ve always liked the idea of love being a physical power, a definable figure that could be plugged into physics somewhere, the glue that holds everything together. As far as we know, in our world, it can’t be those things. But in a galaxy far far away, maybe it can.
***
References/supplemental material:
Wookieepedia
SW: The Clone Wars TV show
Nerdist: Star Wars History
Comic Vine blog
If you liked this meta check out my breakdown of the elevator scene that turned out to be pretty accurate after RJ spoke about the scene at a fan screening.
Also here is another prediction I made a while back about a possible big bad in Episode IX.
Let’s talk in the comments. And thanks for reading! ✌
Yes, I am reblogging my own post because I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT! Come on, Reylos!
Reblogging my meta with an excerpt of the TLJ Junior Novelization for context.
The Force = Love 💕 (I’ve always thought so)
Reblogging and adding a few thoughts after The Rise of Skywalker trailer.
So this theory still works. In fact, I see the alleged McGuffin element of IX, the epic adventure these characters go on that JJ talked about, as being a search for the ultimate weapon/power. Palpatine is back and only something mighty and truly transcendent will be able to defeat him.
Here's the catch...
What if it's not a weapon at all? What if the ultimate power, the only thing that can vanquish Palpy once and for all, is love? More specifically the union of the light and dark sides of the Force by the purest, truest love.
Palpatine strikes me as the total absence of love, an evil that surpasses even the worst Sith lord. This quote I keep seeing from one of the novels comes to mind...
And then there was Palpatine: he was beyond power. He showed nothing of what might be within. Though seen with the eyes of the dark side itself, Palpatine was an event horizon. Beneath his entirely ordinary surface was absolute, perfect nothingness. Darkness beyond darkness.
What if Rey and Kylo search separately for this McGuffin, this perfect weapon, only to realize that it's their union that will save the galaxy? It's their love, a love they are struggling to deny in order to remain on opposing teams, that needs to be expressed and allowed to blossom? Ths result: unlimited Force powers.
I am here for it. What do you guys think?
Rey and Kylo’s Union Will Redefine the Force
“Luminous beings are we. Not this crude matter.” –Yoda
First and foremost, what I’m about to lay out for you is essentially my headcanon. While I will provide some research to back up my assertions, I’m not saying that this is what will happen in Episode IX. It should could happen, but for now this is just a cool idea that came to me while I was writing Reylo fan fiction. And I’ve wanted to share it ever since.
Before I get started I want to say that I am not an expert in all things Star Wars. I have not consumed every single shred of Star Wars media. I am aware that there may exist a line of canon content that contradicts everything I’m about to say. But I’m going to say it anyway. I’m going to tackle the big equation and solve for…
The Force
Yep, you heard me right.
There are a lot of great metas out there that describe in great detail all the reasons why Rey and Kylo Ren will come together. From a literary and archetypal standpoint, it must happen, and thankfully after TLJ, it’s looking more and more likely. I do have a literary background and am admittedly obsessed with all aspects of great storytelling, but right now I want to approach this topic from a different angle. Like I’ve already said, I want to talk about the Force.
Arguably, the Force is the coolest part of the whole Star Wars universe, but it’s not very well understood or clearly communicated. At its best it’s a metaphysical power harnessed by enlightened beings to accomplish amazing feats, and at its worst it’s a brazen plot device. So what is it really? Does anyone actually know? Even Force-user Rey didn’t seem to have a firm grip on it.
Luke: What do you know about the Force?
Rey: It’s a power that Jedi have that lets them control people… and make things float.
Luke: Impressive. Every word in that sentence was wrong.
Okay, maybe that wasn’t the best example because Rey did eventually float the rocks, even if she looked very unsure of herself while she was doing it. But the point I’m trying to make is that there is more to the Force than just the observable powers of the user.
According to my research, the Force has two main components that exist symbiotically. The Living Force and the Cosmic Force.
The Living Force
Described as the energy of living things because all life contains it, the Living Force is what makes Force powers possible. Dark and light are both part of the Living Force and each can be accessed similarly. Think of it like a current of energy that connects all living things and can be drawn from by Force sensitive beings. When one says to “feel the Force” I believe this is the Force they are talking about because it is readily at hand.
The Cosmic Force
Described as the energy that binds the universe together, the Cosmic Force is the fabric of spacetime that exists between everything and gives matter shape. Since it is powered by the Living Force–the Living Force flows directly into it like a stream–transition from the physical world to this realm is possible (e.g. Force ghosts. I’ll get to that in a minute). But unlike the Living Force that can be harnessed and manipulated, the Cosmic Force is unchanging. It can be accessed, but it can’t be altered. For this reason, the Cosmic Force is sometimes thought of as the will of the Force. This is where Jedi like Yoda look for visions of the future. Sometimes the Cosmic Force is referred to as the Unifying Force. It has no light or dark side. It just is. When one says, “May the Force be with you,” they are probably talking about the Force as a whole, but maybe the Cosmic Force carries more of the weight. It’d be like saying, “May fate be on your side.”
If you’re into physics like I am, a fun way to look at the Living Force and the Cosmic Force is as Dark Matter and Dark Energy. But that’s a meta for a different day.
Force Ghosts
Like the Force, the rules that govern Force ghosts are pretty nebulous, but I think there are some things we can almost say for certain.
Force ghosts are manifestations of the Force. They are Jedi who have become one with the Cosmic Force, but have managed–through intense meditation and training–to retain their identities. Only when one understands their true self can they achieve this ascension. The final step of the process is to simply “let go” which is perhaps why the death of a Jedi transitioning into a Force ghost is always portrayed peacefully.
When all things die they return to the Cosmic Force, but a Force ghost is able to stay in contact with the physical plane. As we’ve seen, Force ghosts can affect the physical world, but they rarely do so because they lack the Living Force required to carry out such tasks. So they must siphon the Living Force from other living beings if they want to, let’s say, call down lighting and torch a sacred tree.
Force ghosts exist in a realm called the Netherworld of the Force, which is probably just a different interpretation of the Cosmic Force. Because they are now one with the Cosmic Force, Force ghosts can traverse spacetime freely. They also possess farsight–they can sense events taking place across many lightyears. And finally, Force ghosts have incredible prophetic powers that allow them to interpret the will of the Force.
Yoda’s Trials
In The Clone Wars episodes “Voices,” “Destiny” and “Sacrifice,” we see Yoda go through a series of tests meant to set him on the path to becoming a Force ghost. First he is contacted by the voice of Qui-Gon Jinn who sends him on his journey. Then Yoda encounters the Force Priestesses who guide him through three tests that probe the deepest parts of his psyche. In the first test he faces a dark alter ego that represents his hubris (pride). Dark Yoda says,
“Know your true self. Face me now or I will devour you.”
So Yoda confronts his own darkness and kicks its ass. Because to deny that darkness would be to empower it.
Next Yoda must face his pain and prove that he can bear its heavy burden. In this test he is shown a vision of peace that he has to see for the lie that it is. Though the truth is harder to accept, he must do it. And he does.
Yoda’s final task is to resist the temptation of the dark side. On the ancient Sith homeworld of Moraband, he says to an eerie vision of Darth Bane’s spirit,
“I have come to learn.”
Yoda is obviously able to resist what the darkness offers, but in turn he does learn a valuable lesson. When he returns to Coruscant, he tells Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu of his new understanding. He says,
“No longer certain that one ever does win a war I am. For in fighting the battles the bloodshed already lost we have. Yet, open to us a path remains that unknown to the Sith is. Through this path victory we may yet find. Not victory in the Clone Wars, but victory for all time.”
Unless this was meant as a nod to the religious idea of the unavoidable struggle of life and the reward of heaven–which I dearly hope it was not–there’s something very important about the idea of transcending realms. So let’s talk about how a couple of Force sensitive lovebirds might do just that.
Reylo Union in Episode IX
One thing every trilogy movie has done (sometimes to the intense displeasure of the SW fanbase) is introduce new Force powers. From bonds to projections to Mary Poppins-ing your way through space, there’s always a new Force ability that the audience discovers right alongside the characters. So wouldn’t it be great if IX connected all the powers in a profound and awesome way? I think so.
So here’s what I’ve been getting at all along, what smacked me upside the head while I was writing and forced me to figure out how to make it all work…
The eventual romantic partnership of Rey and Kylo Ren will unite the Living Force with the Cosmic Force, gaining them access to Force ghost-like powers.
Now don’t get me wrong, they both have a long way to go before they get there. Kylo Ren must find his way to redemption and he must do it on his own, because he wants it. And Rey must figure out what belonging means to her. Whether it’s rigid and one-sided or broad enough to include some darkness. But that’s it. A visually rich, superbly written and acted movie could do all that in an hour and a half easy, leaving the final hour for a badass display of Force power. And my body is ready.
Like Yoda’s first test, Kylo Ren’s redemption will require him to face his darkness and take back the power it holds over him. Then, like Yoda’s second test, Kylo Ren will have to accept his reality, not only his own pain but the pain he has caused others, and start on the path to easing it. Rey will follow a similar arc, but I think hers will lead back to Kylo Ren and the inescapable bond they share. It is part of the reality that she has to face as a young woman coming to terms with her identity.
Once they are together, once their love is professed and then finally expressed, they will have unlocked these new powers. Still don’t believe me. Well, I think their Force Bond is proof that they have already started uniting the Living and Cosmic Forces in the physical plane. For starters they can see and speak to each other across vast distances–a Force ghost ability. (Note that they can only do this with each other.) And what happened when they touched hands through the bond? They saw visions of the past and future–another Force ghost ability. Now where could those visions have come from? From the freaking Cosmic Force! Yes, their bond is already revealing the Force’s true, unified nature, something that has never happened before, not for the Jedi or Sith, not even for the enlightened Force ghosts. And when the potential is finally realized–when two living beings who possess the Living Force can freely access the Cosmic Force–they will have the tools they need to end the war.
Now how do I see it all unfolding? Back to my headcanon…
A battle between the First Order and the Resistance is looming on a barren planet. This is the battle to end all battles. Special weapons that will ensure victory are in place, and both sides are ready to fight to a conclusion. But before the first shots are fired, Rey and Kylo Ren walk onto the battlefield hand in hand, unafraid. They stand between the armies and when the war erupts around them, they channel the Cosmic Force, opening a door in spacetime and directing the hellfire through it. In the excruciating bubble of heat and energy, the Force ghosts of Luke and Leia and Anakin, Yoda, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon are all there lending their help so that the effort will not destroy Kylo and Rey. When it’s over, none of the weapons possess the energy to kill anymore. Both sides are at a stalemate, shaken by the new display of Force power. Perhaps Kylo’s sacrifice could come here. He’s weaker than Rey and near death, but her love brings him back. Because their love is a freaking miracle.
Or something like that.
In my fan fiction The Middle Place I describe (in lurid detail) how Rey and Kylo Ren’s union unlocks this new power. At first it was meant to be symbolic or just a cool way to describe really good sex, but then I thought, “Holy fuck! That’s the way they save the galaxy.” Not only by having sex, but…
By bridging the dimensional divide between the physical plane and the cosmic. A feat that is only possible for living beings through a total immersion in love.
Because Love is the Force.
There is no light and dark. There is only love and the incredible range of power it has to transform a person for better or worse. The Jedi and the Sith both knew this, but what they never accepted, what Rey and Kylo Ren will accept is…
True love is the balance. And when love is pure and good, it can carry out the will of the Force.
And if you tell me that’s cheesy, I will cut you.
Consummate Love
So you might ask, why can’t a father’s very last minute love for his son be enough to harness the full power of the Force? Or what about the strong love that develops between platonic friends? Why does it have to come from a sexual/marital union?
As the helpful picture above shows, a total and complete love is not only a physical bond of passion, but also a bond of intimacy (friendship) and commitment (family). The strongest kind of bond there is comes when two individuals choose to join their lives in a way that is all-encompassing. It’s very like the notion of soul mates only I think choice is far more meaningful than destiny.
A marriage (whether literal or symbolic) is the joining of two lovers and friends to become family. And the sexual union that results can literally create life. Talk about power!
(art by @elithien )
Why It Could Work
Firstly, the Jedi were always divided about which aspect of the Force they should pay more attention to. Qui-Gon Jinn followed the Living Force which focused on the present moment and trusting one’s instincts; whereas, Yoda relied heavily on the prophetic wisdom found in the Cosmic Force and was so absorbed in the future that he failed to see the revival of the Sith right under his nose.
Perhaps balancing the Force means respecting both the order of the universe (Cosmic) and one’s ability to change it (Living). Using the Force to justify long-held beliefs has repeatedly been shown to lead to conflict. Instead it must be embraced for what it is and for the enormity of all it contains.
Secondly, for thousands of years, both the Jedi and the Sith discouraged romantic love because it led one away from the poles of light and dark to the middle. For the Jedi, it led to feelings of jealousy and possessiveness which were in direct conflict with their ideology of selflessness. For the Sith, it led to feelings of pity and compassion which diluted dark side powers.
So for two Force users on opposite sides to find their way to the middle and fall in love despite the conventions that would keep them apart… well, who knows what kind of power they could unlock. Because it’s likely never happened before. At least not in the core canon of the trilogy films.
The Chosen One
One last thing before I go.
I’m willing to grant you this might be a stretch, perhaps just a bending of the story to suit my wildly sprawling headcanon, but after all this I feel like having a little fun. So here goes…
What if the Chosen One prophecy was never about Anakin or Luke bringing balance to the Force?
What if it’s about Rey and Kylo Ren becoming one?
What if one = union?
The Chosen Union
Maybe… no… who cares…?
It’ll be a wild ride no matter what, and I can’t wait two whole fucking years to see it!
Conclusion
One of my favorite movies of the past decade is Interstellar (2014, Christopher Nolan). At a pivotal moment in the film, Anne Hathaway’s character, Dr. Brand, delivers one of the most beautiful lines in all of science fiction.
“Love isn’t something that we invented. It’s observable. Powerful. It has to mean something. Maybe it means something more, something we can’t yet understand. Maybe it’s some evidence, some artifact of a higher dimension that we can’t consciously perceive. Love is the one thing that we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.”
I’ve always liked the idea of love being a physical power, a definable figure that could be plugged into physics somewhere, the glue that holds everything together. As far as we know, in our world, it can’t be those things. But in a galaxy far far away, maybe it can.
***
References/supplemental material:
Wookieepedia
SW: The Clone Wars TV show
Nerdist: Star Wars History
Comic Vine blog
If you liked this meta check out my breakdown of the elevator scene that turned out to be pretty accurate after RJ spoke about the scene at a fan screening.
Also here is another prediction I made a while back about a possible big bad in Episode IX.
Let’s talk in the comments. And thanks for reading! ✌
Yes, I am reblogging my own post because I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT! Come on, Reylos!
Reblogging my meta with an excerpt of the TLJ Junior Novelization for context.
The Force = Love 💕 (I’ve always thought so)
I'm curious what your thoughts are on the "trilogy" as it's used in storytelling. The obvious answer would be that the pieces represent beginning, middle and end, but from an academic standpoint or even just an observant one, can you comment on the conventions of each individual story and the structure of the narrative as a whole?
I’m getting to this question so late - my sincerest apologies!
The short answer is that – to properly answer your question – I can’t actually do so in an ask. It’s complex and requires an essay or meta to fully explain it.
The somewhat longer, not-fully-explained answer – from an observant standpoint – is that the narrative structure of trilogies is a known quantity to readers. Like archetypal characters and visual motifs that are used to signify a greater meaning, this known quantity is comforting in our ability to predict what will happen next, therefore it is something folks are drawn to.
For example: if you are reading a trilogy, you know there will be a definitive beginning/middle/end, and that Book 3 will wrap up most if not all all narrative plot points. From the length of trilogies, you can also infer the rough pacing of events, and what will happen where. In general people are not fans of uncertainty (i.e. a book series that goes on forever with no definitive end point).