This is supposed to be my Harry Potter blog (with other stuff). But... Obviously things change. This is my main blog. I mainly have food porn, Harry Potter (and other movies), Emma Watson, and the like. But if you want really random stuff, click on my pottermore username above. Don't be shy, go ahead.
I was strapped aboard the Reylo ship from that first scene of the Space Cakes in that steamy forest on Takodana. Really, I was primed for it since that smoky, desperate demand, “what girl?”.
I’ve gone through the grief of Ben’s death, and the interesting, constricted filmmaking choices thereafter. And I’m still ok.
Perhaps it’s because when Ben faded and became one with the Force, I knew he had found peace. Because I remember the Jedi lore. Because I have tried to find so many paths into Rey’s and Ben’s future.
Yes, I was devastated when Ben died. I loved him, and I wanted more than anything for him and Rey to ride dewbacks away into the sunset. And have all the explicit sex scenes. I spent way too many months writing a 60,000+ word Reylo fic trying to prep this. I inexplicably was and am a die-hard for the ship and am still determined it is my OTP.
But I never truly saw a way to make my hopes and dreams happen despite all my best efforts.
Who knows how many people Ben/Kylo murdered? Including his father, and that village on Jakku, and his fellow students at Luke’s academy, it’s pretty safe to say that number is irredeemable. Plus, he was happy to carry on as Supreme Leader of the FO, despite the FO happily taking credit for obliterating those entire planets in the Hosnian system. And he was cool with the prospect of ruling the galaxy as the new, dark emperor after removing Palpatine.
I know he was emotionally tortured and seduced by Snoke/Palpatine/the dark side, etc. Regardless, whether you want to mutually exclude Ben and Kylo or not, they both had the same brain.
But that’s part of the beauty of Star Wars— restitution, and a sprinkle of redemption. But Ben Solo wasn’t trying to redeem himself or save the galaxy when he sought to rescue Rey, just like Anakin wasn’t for Luke. He was, very understandingly, seeking love and belonging from someone he valued and admired. And I am so, so happy he was able to get that from Rey, and save her, whatever the consequences. That kiss and smile meant the galaxy to me. And I’m beyond thrilled that she was able to receive the same happiness from him, despite his tragic, sickening, horrible history. And more so, back to my original point, Ben was able to become one with the Force. What more could we hope for him?
That he and Rey live happily ever after?
In what universe could he just be reintegrated into society?
In what universe would Rey be willing to run away with him and abandon all of the other people she loves, and the potential of redeveloping the Jedi?
In what universe could she face a future with him that offered her the time to reflect on the things he had done, and reconcile herself to his history (no matter what had been done to him)?
We love Ben. We love his portrayal by Adam Driver. We even love Kylo in knowing what made him him. But I hope we love Rey just as much, and understand that they could not truly live and love each other in peace into the future— especially if she is to lead a new generation of Jedi as a Jedi.
They were given something that I consider to be pretty close to the best that could be written for them, more than I could have expected, and I’m so grateful for that.
No Star Wars script is going to please everyone. And to be blunt, I value Rey more than I value Reylo. I freaking love Rey, and they allowed her character so much more than I ever could have hoped for. So I’m ok. She can be who she wants and needs to be to fulfill the promise and potential she offers as an amazing individual. And a true Jedi.
But I truly don’t believe she could have lived that life with Ben physically by her side. Who in her world would trust her? How could she truly be a Jedi? Though, I’ll certainly say, with hope, that with Ben as a Force ghost… I could see some possibility there.
Now, if Reylo means more to you than Rey, I tip my hat to you here and we can part ways on this issue.
Whichever way, in the end, I’m ok. In fact, I loved the movie. I loved what they allowed Rey to become. I loved what they allowed Ben to become. And I loved the potential it left us with— however we want to engage that potential.
Perhaps most of all, I still love all of Star Wars, including what I consider to be its flaws. And I know JJ Abrams and everyone who worked on it does too. Honestly, the person I have the least faith in here is Lucas himself for selling it, so I don’t put much stock in his lack of presence at the premiere or his stated opinions. I see no reason why people who grew up adoring this space drama shouldn’t have a go at continuing its story. We can praise or tear apart any plot point into infinity, but I don’t believe anyone making this film had nefarious intentions for any of our beloved characters. More so, I deeply feel that JJ also loves Rey, and wanted to give her as much as he possibly could. Even if that resulted in a bumpy process. As far as pacing goes, I’m with everyone who thinks it did some damage to the overall effect.
As a final note, I have never been disappointed in anything about Star Wars as much as in the parts of its fan-base that have devolved into toxic hatefulness. Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect everyone’s. Don’t read this as me telling anyone they’re wrong or don’t deserve disappointment— I just feel a need to explore and respect the intentions and opinions of JJ, who created Reylo from the beginning, and Adam and Daisy, who signed up for it. And I just can’t see a reality where JJ could let Ben and Rey actually ride off into that sunset. Maybe I’ve lived under a rock in the Reylo community this whole time. In any case, the hate I have read spewed about within the Reylo community has made me so, so sad—for the people who are taking this all so hard, but also that people feel the need to bash because of it. Especially knowing that Reylo is now canon. And both Rey and Ben have been given the opportunity to know the love they did. Reylos exist because of our imagination, and we have some fertile grounds to keep growing with.
