#ame's analysis

[acharnemcnt-a]

I love Hux's precise emotional control. His practiced apathy and self control certainly contributed to his rise in the ranks. Along with his skepticism & analytical tendencies. That is also why he is successful when challenging Snoke & Kylo Ren.

[acharnemcnt-a]

Reading the TFA novel again was a great reminder that Hux is a bad bitch. He's so fearless and resolute when facing Kylo Ren and even Snoke, later on. It is clear that he has his own mission & agenda that aligns with someone that existed before Snoke’s reign. I'm disappointed that the movies didn't explore that internal conflict within the First Order.

[acharnemcnt-a]

During his visit to The Absolution in the Phasma novel, Armitage Hux remarks that he is the highest ranking officer on the ship. Which means he outranks the Admiral that Commands The Absolution and all of the other officers attending the assembly taking place there.

I am certain Hux is not including Kylo Ren ( who is also aboard The Absolution for the assembly ), considering Kylo isn't part of the First Order ranks. But it's interesting to me that Hux is at such an elevated status even though he only bears the title of General. I am guessing this authority is due to his position as Commander/Director of Starkiller alongside being co-commander of The Finalizer.

[acharnemcnt-a]

When you command a fleet, helped direct a major weapons project and helped develop the plans for the First Order’s mobile capital/largest star destroyer.

[acharnemcnt]

Imperial presence after the battle of Endor : a deep dive analysis - part 1

* This post does not include any spoilers from the new mandalorian season. But it does include spoilers from the Aftermath & Bloodline novels.

For those who are mildly confused by the Imperial presence in the Mandalorian, it's deeper than that. The Aftermath novels convey a Galaxy where Imperial control is still rampant. Which is realistic, considering how far & wide the Empire reign spread, and how deeply ingrained it was into the lives of so many people. Aftermath shows us that there are still several planets that are unaware that Emporer Palpatine is dead, even a year after the battle of Endor. Because of the New Republic's campaign to de-militarize, many planets remain under Imperial control for a significant amount of time after the war ends. A lot of these planets are rich planets that flourished under the Empire’s reign. This inconsistency leads to the senate splitting into a bipartisan system consisting of: the centrist party ( who desire a centralized military to promote structure in the galaxy ) and the populist party ( who believe in a very hands-off, purely democratic approach ). This government structure is outlined in the novel, Bloodline. While the populist party is very idealistic, the difficulty arises in the fact that not all planets have a stable government or military. Especially after the war. So there is a big disparity for planets that cannot defend themselves against attack or gang infestation. An overreach of military control is also flawed, because that gives individual planets less control and runs the risk of another tyrant taking control.

But I digress... ultimately the centrist party ends up funding the First Order in secret. The party, itself, is a blend of: Idealists who believe that the "positive" aspects of the Empire should be preserved ( military presence to eliminate gangs, security etc ) and the use of violence & force should be omitted. And those who supported and idolized the Emporer and his advisors. ( It is a generalization but most of those who idolized the Emporer were rich supporters. The idealists in the centrist parties tend to be of middle class. ) This separation in the party also echoes the disparity of views within the First Order itself, i.e. those who stood by the original founder vs those who prescribe to Snoke’s ideals when he takes control.

[acharnemcnt]

I really enjoy the contrast of villainy between Armitage Hux and his father, Brendol Hux. The narrative makes it evident that they are both villains who have done unspeakable and undeniably unforgivable things. It does not apologize or validate either of them. But rather, it illustrates two different natures and paths to villainy. There a moments when you witness Armitage ( in various forms of canon media ) being gentle, kind, patient and understanding, amongst his deception and viciousness. And several of these actions are presented with out ulterior motives. Thus the implication that Armitage was not an inherently cruel person. His path to wickedness was forged by nurture more than nature. Despite the fact that he is naturally wily and ambitious. As those characteristics could still surface within a person who is not cruel and gravely immoral.

Contrarily, you never see Brendol displaying kindness or acting in a way that does not benefit him ( in the various forms of canon media he is displayed in). His actions are always driven by his own pride and greed. And his acts of "kindness" are always presented with a clear ulterior motive. While elements of his childhood are not presented to us as they are for Armitage, this narrative alone makes it fairly evident that Brendol's cruelty is heavily shaped by nature.

As I stated previously, this does not negate the fact that Armitage Hux is a villain nor does it excuse any of his actions. It just makes it clear that Armitage may have taken another path if the events and influences of his childhood were different.

[acharnemcnt-a]

Hux: 🙄 💅