I ship what I ship, but I sleep first...zZ

Breakdown video of animated artwork!  I tried to capture fully my work pipeline, this is how I usually make my artworks x) 

Hi,

As you may know by now, I’ve been re-doing my whole island, and with that comes the greatest pleasure of all time : finding new designs! So under this, I’m going to list all the creator code that I’ve saved in my game, enjoy 🧡

Resurrection themes have always surrounded Kylo/Ben’s journey, and I think that his journey is not at an end. The resurrection theme is still in play and is implied in multiple ways throughout the trilogy.  

The Cross-guard Saber 

There has certainly been heavy symbolism in the design of Kylo’s saber. Cross-guard swords were designed in the Medieval times to protect the wielder’s hand. With Kylo this principle was inverted. The cross-guard saber, unlike the blade, offers no protection and only increases the danger of self-harm, and the self-harm and self-destruction have been an ongoing motif for Kylo. In some ways, the cross-guard was a sign of knights/chivalry. In this case, it was an indication of his chivalry and protection, particularly towards the lady (Rey). Now, for the purpose of this meta, the final theme of the cross-guard carries the most weight: the religious themes of the fall of Lucifer and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Initially Kylo represents the fallen angel who was cast out of heaven (The Jedi Temple) by God the father (Luke) and the padawans (fellow angels). At the end of the trilogy, Kylo transforms back into Ben to serve as a Christ-like figure. Palpatine throws him into the pit (the descent to hell and the harrowing of hell) and he ascends again to save Rey (sacrificing himself for the sins of his predecessors). Now that he has ascended from the Earth plane and entered purgatory (world between worlds) we start to see Dante’s Divine Comedy (purgatorio) themes. The final resurrection of Ben Solo would be a remerge of the soul, and half of it lives in Rey. The sins are being resolved/absolved in purgatory (world between worlds), and Ben’s soul will be reunited with its other half in the land of the living and then they will finally depart the earthly plane together, as a whole, and ascend back to heaven. 

The Dyad, the Cosmic Force, and the Living Force

The word “Dyad,” which is derived from the Greek dyás (δυάς) meaning “pair,” is the most basic human social group. The dyad is the absolute foundational human relationship, whether it’s husband and wife, parent and child, or teacher and student. No social group could come to exist without this foundational connection. 

The Dyad also represents the duality of nature. Light and dark, black and white, night and day, masculine and feminine. One may not exist without the other, for one only exists at the contrasting juxtaposition of the other, and vice versa. There would be no light if the darkness didn’t exist as the contrast. There would be no masculine were there no feminine to provide the contrast, etc. A dyad in the force carries the same principle; there is no balance or even the existence of the duality of the light and the dark if the two parts of the whole aren’t in coexistence. And currently, the force isn’t in balance due to half of the dyad not existing with the living force. Unless the dyad is made complete again, the living force will once again be imbalanced, this time in the light. 

Artwork source

If half of the dyad is remaining with the living force, the other half also cannot become one with the cosmic force.  It will remain tethered in limbo/purgatory until reunited with its other half. Ben cannot truly pass on to become one with the force without his counterpart Rey. 

A Dyad is one being split into two corporal forms. Ben and Rey are together are “the original dyad” or otherwise known as “The Prime Jedi.” Several pieces of imagery in the movies & artwork as well as references in written cannon materials have indicated that the Prime Jedi is reincarnated once more (as Ben and Rey) and that it has chosen to bring balance to the living force once more not by coming to the living world as one being but as two halves, whose coming together will achieve the balance (Keep in mind though, the foundational darkness in the Prime Jedi is not the same as the perverted darkness created by Palpatine). 

A blatant reference to this ancient soul being reincarnated once more is made by Han Solo in The Last Shot:  “Little Ben looked up groggily, those dark eyes settling on Han, studying him. Han had no idea how a two-year-old could have such ancient eyes. It was as if Ben had been waiting around for a millennium to show up at just this moment in history.”

The directors have also alluded to this duality in Rey and Ben:  

Two sides of the same coin 

Two halves of the protagonist 

It isn’t until Ben Solo is ten years old and begins his Jedi training that the other half of The Prime Jedi is reincarnated in Rey. That Rey’s birth coincided with Ben Solo’s Jedi training is a form of “activation” by the cosmic force. Now that the journey to finding balance has begun with Ben Solo’s training, the other half of the soul is born to complete the activation. The activation is however separate from the “awakening,” which doesn’t happen until “The Force Awakens.” 

The Awakening does not occur until the souls come into close proximity with one another, which happens when Ben/Kylo lands on Jakku (for the first time in his life). This “Awakening” is preplanned by the soul to happen at a particular point in time before it chooses to be reincarnated. As soon as Kylo landed on Jakku, their fate & destiny are set in motion by Rey meeting BB-8, which subsequently leads to meeting Finn. Due to being affiliated with these two, Rey has to board the millennium falcon (which has curiously been on Jakku, waiting for her until the awakening), leading to a meeting with Han Solo, which brings her closer to her other half, Han Solo’s son Ben Solo. From following Han to Takodana, Rey finally meets her other half, a meeting that was destined to occur at that point in time. And also experiences her “call to serve” with the lightsaber vision. 

From the very beginning, cannon materials heavily imply that these two recognize each other and that they are drawn to each other. 

She had seen this man before…in a daydream. Or a nightmare.

She found herself inexplicably drawn to…to….“YOU”

The girl I’ve heard so much about 

Don’t be afraid, I feel it too 

These aren’t actual memories or recognition of each other from this incarnated lifetime. It is from cellular memory on the spiritual plane. Half of the soul recognizes the other half and has memories of the other half that transcend this life cycle. 

Since the activation occurred on Jakku, the two halves of the soul have been subconsciously and through the cosmic force seeking to be united with each other. Like magnets drawn to each other, they seek completion. The merge of the halves officially occurs when Rey and Ben enter each other’s minds. Once the merge occurs it can no longer be undone. Once the merge begins, it keeps strengthening to bring the halves to each other, which we see in their ever-strengthening bond. The merge transcends space time, eventually strengthening to the point that the halves can enter each other’s physical surroundings. 

In TLJ, we see the soul beginning to “know” the other half once more. We see Rey being drawn to the darkness and Ben being drawn to the light. 

This dynamic is drawn from Taoism (Yin and Yang), Buddhism, and Gnosticism. And the imagery littered throughout the sequel trilogy (as well as the star wars universe itself) is drawn heavily from those belief systems. We see continuous parallel shots with Rey and Ben to represent this duality. Both are presented in contrasting surroundings that represent the duality of the masculine and the feminine. In many shots half of their figure is bathed in light and the other half is bathed in the darkness. This is the process of coming to “know” the memory of the other half of the soul following the merge. 

At the end of TLJ we see the halves creating an unnatural separation between themselves, but this is folly because the separation is not sustainable and is not one that can be created through the living force, for the soul is merged through the cosmic force. The more they persist with trying to create this unnatural separation, the stronger the reaction becomes every time the separation fails. Therefore, when “the bond” reopens at the beginning of TROS, we see that it is stronger than ever. Objects can be transferred through the bond and can be activated on purpose by each other, which we see Ben doing several times in the beginning to try to reach Rey. 

This connection is as spiritual as it is romantic. As Jason Fry explained, romance is merely the analog we have in the living force for this deep spiritual bond. In the living world, the halves of the soul finds unity through romantic coupling, which is the basis for the concept of “soulmates” or “twin flames.” This is a form of bond that cannot be broken and was destined to occur due to the soul being split in order to seek completion in the physical plane. One cannot live and be happy without the other, and we see this frustration/anger in Ben at the beginning of the movie. He has become increasingly angry and thrown-off balance into darkness once more due to being separated from his soulmate. We see that Rey is also thrown off balance and regressed completely into the light due to being separated from her soulmate. Both are incredibly frustrated at this outcome and are struggling to connect with the cosmic force due to this separation. We see this struggle in Rey from the beginning when she’s meditating and try to become one with the other Jedi but cannot achieve this until she is completely merged once more with the other half of the soul (which we finally see at the end of the film). We also see Ben struggling to reach his grandfather and other predecessors on several occasions throughout the trilogy, and although we do not see it on screen, much like Rey couldn’t have defeated Palpatine without help, Ben could not have found the strength to climb out of the pit without assistance from the cosmic force. The living force between them had dwindled (equally) and the strength of the cosmic force was necessary for Ben to climb, reach the other half, and transfer the remaining living force to revive Rey. 

Now this transfer of the living force is NOT a transfer of the other half of the soul into one being. The living force is separate from the cosmic force. The soul exists in the cosmic force. Without enough living force to sustain the cosmic force of the soul in the physical plane, Ben’s soul is no longer existing in the physical plane. However, as long as the other half of the soul continues to exist in the physical plane, becoming one with the cosmic force is not a possibility for the soul that has been split in half. This is why we do not see a force ghost for Ben. He cannot become one with the cosmic force as half a soul. Only the two of them together can become one with the cosmic force. Therefore, Ben’s half of the soul is being tethered in the in-between world (the astral plane, limbo, purgatory, world between worlds, etc) by Rey’s half of the soul remaining in the physical plane, unable to become one with the cosmic force or the living force due to the living force being diminished for half of the soul. The living force must be replenished in the other half of the soul during its stay in the in-between world, remerge once more with the other half on the physical plane, and depart TOGETHER at the end of the soul’s life cycle in order to become one with the cosmic force. 

We even hear Palpatine allude to this: “Die together!” 

Halves cannot die separately. One cannot depart while the other is still alive. Additionally, the balance is once again thrown off in the living force by only half of this great cosmic force existing on the plane. Palpatine remarked that Ben and Rey’s bond is strong enough that it is a form of life in itself. By only Rey existing in the physical plane, the scale is once again tipped, this time to the light side. In order for balance to attained fully, Ben Solo must be resurrected and reunited with his other half, Rey. 

We only see Rey rising in TROS. We do not see Ben rising. “Darkness rises and light to meet it.” Conversely, if the light must rise, so must darkness to meet it in order to achieve balance. Therefore, Ben must “rise” once more in the physical plane for the cycle to be complete. 

The World Between Worlds 

In Rebels, we are introduced to the concept of “The World Between Worlds.” Although not infinite like the cosmic force, the WBW is not constrained by the laws of space time. On this plane, anything that has ever happened or will ever happen exists simultaneously, not in a linear timeline, which is how time is experienced on the physical plane. 

In Rebels, when he enters the WBW, Ezra sees Ashoka battling Darth Vader (which occurs in the past on the the linear timeline of the physical plane). In order to save Ashoka from her impending death at the final blow by Darth Vader, he pulls her through a doorway/portal which brings them both back to the physical plane, with Ashoka alive again. To clarify, the souls who have already become one with the cosmic force cannot be returned to the physical plane and the living force unless they choose to reincarnate. Only the souls who are trapped in the in-between world may be brought back by another to the living world. Those who are one with the cosmic force can return to influence the physical plane as “force ghosts,” but those who are in the in between world cannot do this. They are essentially trapped in the world between worlds until they are either merged with the cosmic force or “resurrected” in the living force. We do not see a force ghost for Ben, which indicates that he is not one with the cosmic force and is currently trapped/tethered in the world between worlds. 

Another movie that explores this higher dimension in depth is Interstellar. Cooper is drawn into a “world between worlds” or a dimension higher than the physical plane through a black hole, in which time does not exist in a linear fashion. All of the moments that have happened or will ever happen in his daughter Murph’s bedroom are organized into a tesseract system by beings of higher dimensions so that cooper (a being of only three dimensions) may influence these events and send Murph messages through manipulating gravity within her bedroom. 

Other hints or foreshadowing of Ben not being one with the cosmic force after he vanishes

“My son is alive.” -Han Solo in TFA and TROS This quote in particular is emphasized throughout the trilogy. While it means that Ben Solo can still be redeemed, like many statements in the sequel trilogy, it has a double meaning. This is also a foreshadow that Ben is still “alive.” 

“Skywalker lives! As long as he does, HOPE lives in the galaxy!” - Snoke in TLJ Many of us have noted how this “Snoke-ism” was referring to Ben, particularly because he pops into the frame as soon as the word “hope” is said. This is also another multi-meaning foreshadow. Hope cannot exist in the galaxy if Ben isn’t in the living world, reunited with his half. 

“The last Skywalker.” - Palpatine referring to Ben in The Rise of Skywalker  Although we are all rightfully disgruntled about Rey taking on the Skywalker name, the title was not meant to refer to her. Particularly when paired with Palpatine’s description of Ben as the last Skywalker, the title of the movie is rather curious. Much like many other statements, it is likely a foreshadowing of Ben’s eventual rise to complete the “Skywalker” together with Rey. 

“The Story Lives Forever.” - TROS trailer over a shot of Ben and Rey   Another foreshadowing that although the saga is ending, the characters that the trilogy is about does not end. This phrase was not put over a shot of Rey, but over both Ben AND Rey, which can only imply that their story won’t be over at the conclusion of the saga. 

“We’re not done yet.” - Kylo to Rey in TFA  A really early foreshadow that Ben and Rey aren’t “done yet.” The story is not “done yet.” 

“I’ll come back for you sweetheart, I promise.” - Rey’s dream in TFA novel  Many of us have picked up on the similarity to Han Solo in that term of endearment. It is believed in many cultures and belief systems that we enter higher dimensions in our dreams. Some claim of accessing the astral plane through their dreams. In this dream when Rey hears this, she goes looking for the person who said it and comes face to face with Ben. Ben only exists in her future in this life cycle so this was Rey being attuned to a dimension not limited by space time. And we know that even though Rey appears to be upset about Ben’s “passing,” she doesn’t seem distraught, which she absolutely would be if she started sobbing so strongly when she stabbed him on the death star. This statement was said by Ben to Rey after they kissed through their bond before he leaves her. This is why Rey is not distraught. She knows that this parting is not their end due to this assurance. 

“No one’s ever really gone.” - Luke in TLJ referring to Ben  This is another multi-meaning foreshadow that was on the surface referring to Ben’s return from the persona of Kylo Ren but is also a foreshadow about Ben not really being “gone” at the end of TROS. 

The multiple instances of healing and resurrection we see in TROS  Many are healed and resurrected both physically and spiritually: The creature, Ben Solo, Palpatine, and Rey. All of this resurrection foreshadows that the last Skywalker can also be resurrected. 

In any case, “Hope is like the Sun. If you only believe in it when you see it, you’ll never make it through the night.” -General Leia Organa 

Put a Character + a Color Palette in My Ask Box and I’ll Draw it!

With the end of Palette Challenge 2: Electric Boogaloo, now comes the opening of Palette Challenge 3: The Search for Art!

Like with the last challenge, I’m starting clean, so feel free to send a character I’ve already done if you want.  My only rules are no robots and try to only send one character per ask.  You’re absolutely welcome to send multiple separate requests, though.

Stuff I’m already familiar with and ready to draw would be nice, like magical girls (Sailor Moon, LoliRock, Winx Club, Miraculous Ladybug, etc), superheroes (Marvel, DC, The Posterchildren, etc), and assorted other things I’m into (Riordanverse, Critical Role, Voltron, She-Ra, The Dragon Prince, etc), but if I can google it and get a decent reference, it’s fair game!  Send me some fun stuff!

You can also see every palette challenge I’ve done so far for all challenges in the palette challenge tag on my blog.

For those of you who don’t know, Disney has released official playlists for several Star Wars characters, including new characters such as Rey, Finn, BB-8, and Kylo Ren, on Spotify. These playlists are collections of songs that are meant to encapsulate the personality and emotions of the characters. Some of the songs featured on the playlists are hilariously spot-on, while others kind of make you stop and go, “what”? The latter situation comes up quite frequently with Kylo, who happens to have a lot of love songs (or what can pass for love songs) on his playlist. At some point people started to ask, “why”? All three characters that this meta is about have love songs featured on their playlists. What is interesting here is that each character has different types of love songs that the selection tends to skew towards. For the short of it, Rey’s love songs are passionate, Kylo’s are emotional, and Finn’s are surprisingly pessimistic. 

There have already been numerous metas written about the interpretation of the song selections on Rey and Kylo’s playlists. Much has been said about those two, but I have yet to see anything about Finn’s playlist in relation to theirs. Actually, I haven’t really seen anything about Finn’s playlist, period. I feel like we can get a whole new understanding for each character, as well as their relationships with one another, if we look at their playlists as a whole.

Also, just a not before we get started, I would’ve included Poe in the mix, but he doesn’t have an official playlist. This just adds to the idea that the new trio is indeed Rey, Finn, and Kylo, not Rey, Finn, and _Poe _like everyone had assumed. Now to the nitty-gritty.

REY

I mentioned above that many of Rey’s love songs could be described as passionate, but a lot of them are down right sexual. Her playlist is easily the most sexual out of the three. Along with these passionate songs comes imagery of fire, burning, and ashes, which is interesting. Know what other character is heavily associated with fire in their playlist? Kylo. 

But there are other songs that are a little more light hearted that I would categorize as “adventure songs” even though they mention a partner (ex. We’ll Be the Stars, Alive Tonight, Runaway (U & I), Shut Up and Dance, and Daylight). Finn has some similar songs as well.

It’s no secret by now that Finn has a very obvious crush on Rey. Whether Rey feels the same is up for debate, but I’m putting my money on it being unrequited for right now. I have noticed that many of the relationships in these songs are typically not what one would call “wholesome”. I can’t help but feel that these songs are not supposed to be about Finn, but about Kylo. Below is a selection of some of the love songs found on her playlist (I can’t do every song, that would take forever). I will also do this with Kylo and Finn.

Compass // Zella Day

We can build a tree house in the pine trees We can keep out secrets buried underneath Wild flowers crash between your fingers Clinging to the wild things that raised us

Compass points you home Calling out from the east Compass points you anywhere Closer to me If we make it out alive from the depths of the sea Compass points you anywhere Closer to me Where you are, I will be Miles high, in the deep Where you are, I will be Anywhere, in between

[…]

I will take the pieces, put them back together Even when the grass isn’t green enough Taking all the branches, build ourselves a mansion Love you in the way that you needed love

If you subscribe to the theory that Rey and Kylo share a Force Bond then this song makes a whole hell of a lot more sense. I also feel that the two lines “I will take the pieces, put them back together” and “Love you in the way you needed love” are significant. We all know that Kylo is a broken individual who felt abandoned and unloved by his family. Kylo may feel that he can no longer get love from his family, but he is still in desperate need of it.

Force of Nature // Bea Miller

I don’t know why but my hands are shaking I can see you coming and I stand here waiting Yeah, I get tongue tied in the conversation It’s an F’d up, bad, sick situation

[…]

‘Cause you’re a force of nature Look at what you’ve done I can taste the danger but I don’t wanna run So pull me to the ground and I won’t put up a fight I’m a caution taker, but baby you’re a force of nature

I feel your lips move in and they take under You know just what to do, how you make me want you And I know I’ll be broken when it’s over Oh, but I can’t help but pull you closer

Finn may be a lot of things, but I would not call him a “force of nature”, nor would I call the type of relationship him and Rey would have as an “F’d up, bad, sick, situation”.

We Found Love // Calvin Harris 

Love and life I will divide Turn away cause I need you more Feel the heartbeat in my mind It’s the way I’m feeling, I just can’t deny But I’ve gotta let it go

We found love in a hopeless place

At this point I think it might be worth mentioning the music videos of some of these songs. I think that the music video for We Found Love is pretty infamous for portraying an abnormal and unhealthy relationship. I don’t really think there’s that much to the lyrics, but that video…Again, not the sort of relationship Rey and Finn would have. Not that I really think Rey and Kylo would have this sort of relationship, but there is an echo of the “fucked up” relationship that people would equate to them having.

Blue Jeans // Lana Del Rey

Blue jeans, white shirt Walked into the room, you know you made my eyes burn It was like James Dean, for sure You’re so fresh to death and sick as ca-cancer

You were sorta punk rock I grew up on hip hop But you fit me better than my favorite sweater, and I know That love is mean, and love hurts But I still remember that day we met in December

Oh, baby I will love you till the end of time

This is another one where I think the music video behind the song is fairly important. I think it pretty much comes down to Lana and Bradley Soileau sharing a striking resemblance to Rey and Kylo. 

I mean…

Also, James Dean? The guy known as the “classic bad boy”? Okay Rey, I see what type you like. 

(This isn’t even the only song that mentions James Dean, New Americana does as well.)

Bloodstream // Transviolet

Adonis, baby   Jumping frames and strobing light Fingertips drip down my spine Cruel desire, danger in our consequence You look my way and I lose my…

Hey, you wanna rule the world? Outlaw love, make you lose control Hey, hey, boy you got me like whoa White hot adrenaline, baby  In my veins, you got me praying

My pretty blue lips begging Take me, I need you in my bloodstream Hold me, break me, break me

Lucid reverence, floating in your sacred sin Need your fire against my skin Cosmic violence, chills dripping like acid rain Keep coming back cause it’s you I crave

Hey, you wanna rule the world? Desperado, take control

Did I mention that Rey’s songs were sexual? There is no way this song is about Finn. World domination and nicknames like Outlaw and Desperado don’t strike me as very Finn-like, but it’s right up Kylo’s alley. 

KYLO REN

Like the other songs on Kylo’s playlist, his love songs are extremely emotional. Many of the songs highlight strong emotions such as self-loathing and feelings of inadequacy. Yet he craves love and intimacy. Kylo’s love songs are about his duality as a character; he understands he has made mistakes, but he also knows that love just might be the thing he needs to pull through.

Dark Side of Me // Coheed and Cambria

In those discouraging days I always missed the mark When we were comfort and close I would neglect to keep

Oh, you’re safe and unexposed A portrait of time repeats This moment now replaced With an empty wish to give I give, I gave

I gave my everything For all the wrong things In this cold reality I made This selfish war machine Oh, this has become hell How can I share this life with someone else?

I promise you There is no weight that can bury us Beneath the ghosts of all my guilt Here in the dark side of me

Granted, this song could also be about Kylo’s father, but I think it can apply to the way he would view love as well, especially if his loved one is so steeped in light like Rey is. The thinking behind this song is “how can someone love a monster like me?”

Out of Time // A Day To Remember

I’ve never felt so sober  I’ve never felt the low that I feel tonight Your words made everything drag on and on I finally found her, and when I did I just couldn’t make things right Is this really happening? Oh God, I think I just ruined my life

What the fuck am I doing? I can’t tell the difference between wrong and right I second guess my decisions ‘Cause I haven’t been this person in my whole life I think I need something new here When I keep longing for what I had No need for second opinions I do the best i can to ruin what I have                             

There’s that good old self-loathing and indecision again. 

A Cross and a Girl Named Blessed // Evans Blue

She wears a butterfly on her wrist  But she might as well cut it’s head off She’s holding out for weapons to kill the ghost inside Or at least kill the thought she has of killing her mind She says “I love you” with her hands She says “I hate you” with her eyes

[…]

There’s a pretty girl somewhere, with a pretty name But I could never let you know how much this means I swear we’ll end this war, cause we both know It wasn’t worth fighting for

[…]

She, she said to me I will be driving in the wrong direction Did you ever think, that maybe your life Is heading in the wrong direction, baby

The first two bolded lines harken back to some of Rey’s more passionate songs. Here is also another instance where we have insight that Kylo knows that what he is doing is wrong. The lines “I swear we’ll end this war, cause we both know/ It wasn’t worth fighting for” and “Did you ever think, that maybe you life/ Is heading in the wrong direction, baby?” may also foreshadow Kylo’s realization that his destiny is not with the First Order. Han was the first one to voice these fears to Kylo, but it may take someone else to finally push him into action.

The Answer // Savages

 If you don’t love me You don’t love anybody Ain’t you glad it’s you

There are things I know we should Better not do but I know you could Sleep with me And we’d still be friends Or I know I’ll go insane Love is the answer

[…]

This was a hard year And I can’t see No brighter future Wish me luck I saw the answer  It was a girl Will you go ask her

I remember I showed this song and Bloodstream to one of my friends and the first words out of her mouth were “Oh, they’re gonna fuck”.

But in all seriousness, this is another song that calls out the importance of love for Kylo.

Satellite // Rise Against

 And you can’t truly love until you’ve given up on it    That’s why we won’t back down We won’t run and hide Yeah, cause these are the things that we can’t deny I’m passing over you like a satellite  So catch me if I fall

That’s way we stick to your game plans and party lines But at night we’re conspiring by candlelight  We are the orphans of the American Dream So shine your light on me

She told me that she never could face the world again So I offered up a plan We’ll sneak out while they sleep And sail off in the night We’ll come clean and start over the rest of our lives When we’re gone, we’ll stay gone Out of sight, out of mind It’s not too land We have the rest of our lives                    

This one is really intriguing because this song implies that Kylo might follow through on leaving the First Order. This song combined with some songs found on Finn’s playlist (which we will discuss later) may imply that Rey will be leaving as well. A future story arc might include Rey and Kylo on the run from both the First Order and the Resistance. They realize neither the First Order or the Resistance is completely right, or completely wrong, but can’t stay with either of the organizations because they just don’t belong. Together they will try to bring balance to the Force, and to each other. Other people have already speculated that this may happen, and I don’t think they’re pulling that plot out of their ass.

FINN

Finn’s songs are deceptive. At first listen they sound fairly happy, but if you look at the lyrics you start to realize that there is a lot of bitterness simmering beneath the surface. In a way, these songs are a lot like Finn himself; on the surface he appears happy, but underneath things aren’t so sunny. If a person were just to watch the movie they would probably think Finn is a fun and lovable person, but if you supplemental material like Before the Awakening by Greg Rucka you learn that Finn was the perfect Stormtrooper. He out performed everyone and was on track to becoming one of the best soldiers the First Order has ever produced. I think this post sums it up pretty well.

But onto the love songs. Like his other songs they sound happy enough, but reveal a lot about lost loves, missed opportunities, and heartbreak when looking at the lyrics. His songs fluctuate between hopeful and adventurous love (like Not a One, Gravity’s Rainbow, and Always Where I Need To Be) and pessimism (like the songs below, as well as few others like Believe, Always Alright, and Don’t Turn The Lights On). 

Take Me Out // Franz Ferdinand

So, if you’re lonely You know I’m here waiting for you I’m just a crosshair I’m just a shot away from you And if you leave me here You leave me broken, shattered, I lie I’m just a crosshair I’m just a shot, then we can die

I know I won’t be leaving with you

Finn certainly has a crush a Rey, but maybe he knows thats all it might end up being? Unrequited love is a bitch, isn’t it?

Flux // Bloc Party

If your right hand is causing you pain  Cut it off, cut it off  If your colors have started to run Let them all run, run away from you There is lightning in this room Above our heads waiting to strike I’m a thinker, not a talker Put your faith, your faith in God

We were hoping for some romance All we found was more despair We must talk about out problems We are in a state of flux

There’s that hopeful romance thing again. But here we see that even though he wanted a romantic relationship with Rey, he didn’t get it.

Slow Hands // Interpol

Yeah, but nobody searches   Nobody care somehow When the loving that you’ve wasted Comes raining from a hapless cloud And I might stop and look upon your face Disappear in the sweet, sweet gaze See the living that surrounds me Dissipate in a violet place Can’t you see what you’ve done to my heart And soul? This is a wasteland now

[…]

I submit my incentive is romance I watched the pole dance of the stars We rejoice because the hurting is so painless From the distance of passing cars But I am married to your charms and grace I just go crazy like the good old days You make me want to pick up a guitar And celebrate the myriad ways that I love you                             

His songs really do swing between hopefulness and bitterness. Finn is bitter that Rey has wasted their love, but still feels strongly for her.

Sound of Your Heart // Shawn Hook

I was stone, weighing us down   You were the angel I chained to the ground I miss the way you undress, I miss your head on my chest Can’t stop this bleeding, can’t stop believing I’m missing the sound of your heart beating

Baby, you were mine to lose I’m missing the sound of your heart beating

You showed me heaven, you rang up bells I played with matches, it hurt like hell Asleep and awake, you’re all I see I can’t escape you, can’t set you free

It’s interesting to note that this song is also on Rey’s playlist, but I feel that it has more importance in relation to Finn. This is another one where the music video definitely colors the way I view it’s significance. 

If you can’t tell, the woman is holding a gun. In the music video she makes a gun with her fingers and “shoots” him.

It’s songs like this one that makes me think that Rey will leave (whether it’s because she fell to the Dark Side, or ran off with Kylo, who knows). Finn will feel betrayed by Rey’s actions, but at the same time will not quite be able to get over her. In the music video we see a clear shot of the woman falling into black water. This could easily be symbolic of Rey falling to the Dark Side, and Finn feeling that he has lost someone very important to him.

Recover // CHVRCHES

And if I recover   Will you be my comfort Or it can be over Or we can just leave it here

[…]

I’ll give you one more chance To say we can change or part ways And you can take what you need And you don’t need me

[…]

Blow by blow Honest in every way I know You appear To face a decision I know you fear

Yet again we see this pervasive knowledge that Rey does not want a romantic relationship with Finn (“And you can take what you need/ And you don’t need me”), but for the first time Finn seems okay with the situation (“Will you be my comfort/ Or it can be over/ Or we can just leave it here”). 

But I think there is hope for Finn since there are rumors that Kelly Marie Tran’s character is going to be introduced as a possible love interest of Finn’s. So, there’s that at least. Or he could just fall in love with Poe.

I’ve been picking at this comic for over a month now, scratching away at it when feeling absolutely blocked as a means of therapy.