Continuing my tribute to character dynamics while honoring cosplay, too.
Next up: Bodhi and the Guardians. Or, as I would certainly say, Bodhi and his space dads.
The first time the Guardians meet Bodhi, Baze tries to strangle him. Because of his uniform. But then the Death Star strikes Jedha city, and Baze makes a decision to save Bodhi. Cassian asks to release him, and we are led to believe Baze is going to shoot him, but reluctantly, he’s saved.
Once they’re aboard the U-Wing, Is omg think it takes long for Baze (who is probably told by Chirrut) to realize that Bodhi has suffered some psychological trauma. But Baze, being a soldier also, can probably also see the physical damage he’s sustained.
I still firmly believe Bodhi had to have met the Guardians when he was a child, but whether or not this actually happens, we know that Bodhi and the Guardians have a special, unspoken bond now: their home has been destroyed. Jedha. The Jedha boys are without Jedha.
But their trust in Bodhi continues to Eadu, and doesn’t stop until they end. They don’t argue with Bodhi, but trust in him. And Bodhi trusts them.
In the original script, and even in the first shoots, this trust is even greater.
As Bodhi sets out to hook up the cable, Baze and Chirrut cover him: they protect him, and just when it seems like Bodhi is going to be shot, he’s saved by them.
Sadly, some shots do hit Bodhi and he tragically crawled back into the shuttle: Riz tells us he’s thankful that was cut. But one thing is clear: the Guardians truly become Bodhi’s Guardian, even if the re-shoots hadn’t happened.
Had the events of the movie not happened as they did, I think Baze and Chirrut truly would have taken care of Bodhi. I think Chirrut would have helped Bodhi meditate and calm himself, and I think Baze would have, lovingly, helped to toughen up Bodhi.
I would like to make a shout out to my Baze’s and Chirrut’s. To my Guardians on the West Coast, and to my Guardians on the East Coast. And special mention to @shounensoul who I met here on Tumblr and had the pleasure of spending time with at NYCC and “guarding” K-2SO.
@rogueoneanniversary
