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Before I jump into the topic for my next video, I wanted to share some additional thoughts about #reylo and why I ship it. I barely scratched the surface in my video.
1. Rey is an incredibly forgiving and compassionate character. She believes in Ben Solo’s redemption.
1. Rey is an incredibly forgiving and compassionate character. She believes in Ben Solo’s redemption.
2. Despite their renewed fued in TROS, her hope in Ben’s redemption is rekindled in a moment when Leia gives her last breaths to reach her son. She sees not an enemy anymore, but the young man who condemns himself for what he’s done.
3. And though she doesn’t know what’ll happen once she heals him, Rey delicately touches Ben and gives him some of her life force to heal him in a powerful demonstration of love and compassion. She doesn’t owe him anything, but she still forgives him.
4. Rey and Kylo Ren use their fears and weaknesses against one another, but they cannot ignore the fact that they have a connection that means something. Never before in a SW movie like this have we seen such a union of dark and light side. It evokes a sense of balance to me.
5. Rey choosing to romantically connect with Ben makes sense when you realize they already share such a deep sense of intimacy because of their force/dyad bond. When you give that much of your heart to someone already, can anyone else really compete? I doubt it.
6. Ben embraces this intimate moment with Rey as he did when they touched hands because he longs to be wanted, and Rey has such a purity about her that he finds compelling.
7. One reoccurring theme in SW I love is the concept of redemption. It’s not something easily defined, because how can one measure a way to recompense for their sins? It’s less clear in reality for most. In fiction, there’s no reason to dismiss the concept.
8. We insert our moral arguments into fiction based on concepts of right or wrong we possess within, universally, but justice is more difficult to nail down. For some, death would be the verdict. Others - incarceration.
9. And others like myself, for someone like Ben Solo, being a part of the healing process for the galaxy is solution. If this was real life, it’s hard to say what I think would be appropriate justice for him. I’m not even sure I answer that cohesively.
10. It’s a shame we never get to see the force for good Rey and Ben could be together. Despite what TROS would have us believe, a conflict that massive could not be so easily ended. The fighting would continue for awhile.
11. And imagine how much good Kylo could have done, reaching out to the FO soldiers and officers, trying to convince them to give up this pointless dream of a fascist government. Maybe some would join him, maybe others wouldn’t.
12. Rey’s lineage would have been more effective had they not retconned it from TLJ, but the idea of a Palpatine and a Skywalker joining together was and could have been a true final insult to the legacy of the Emperor. If only it had continued.
13. The kiss itself is certainly a highlight for #reylo fans, but it feels like a fake olive branch from Lucasfilm/Abrams since it is followed by one of the most upsetting deaths in cinema history. How fans and non-fans of #reylo were supposed to be satisfied by this? 
14. The fact that Ben’s death means a sort of end for their relationship (sort of) gives future installments less leg to stand on, because these two were the heart and soul of the sequel trilogy. @DisneyLucasfilm would be idiots not to capitalize on their best characters.
15. They went to all this trouble to make all these new characters, but the whole trilogy is so fast and rushed - I feel like this is the beginning of their story. They need to capitalize on the fact that their actors are still young enough to continue playing the roles.
16. I’m not going to address the “toxic” or “abusive” arguments against #reylo because I’m sick of reading disingenuous takes on these characters. Condemning Ben to death and labeling him as abusive comes across to me as narrow-minded and judgmental and unimaginative.
17. I’m not interested in anything less than Adam Driver AND Daisy Ridley reprising their roles, because to me, these characters are not interchangeable with other actors. Sorry. And not animated. It’s not the same for me. Take it or leave it, Disney. #reylo
18. Also, dang - that kiss. Ok, lemme say - that is a beautifully shot scene. They really go for it, and it works so well. The lighting, music and everything make it a fantastic moment. #reylo
19. I’ve gone and made myself sad again. The thought of not seeing anymore of these two makes me sad for humanity. I wish I was in charge of Disney sometimes lol.
