I want to make a thread about how incredible the final scene between Cloud and Biggs is in Final Fantasy 7 Remake and how subtly amazing it was for both of their characters. And how emotional that interaction is in retrospect and with context.

If you choose to ask him “what about him” at the pillar he will reposed that “don’t have to be a solider to make a difference” This line has a lot more depth than it lets on in the surface and requires us to dig into Cloud and Biggs dynamic a little further.

Biggs has made remarks in the past and when Cloud first arrived at the pillar that make me believe he felt in some way inferior to cloud. It’s clear he cares a lot about jessie and Cloud was the one receiving all of her attention.

Add onto that the fact that cloud can tear through enemies in a way Biggs can’t and it’s easy to see where feelings of inferiority might cm ome from. Even when he’s being worn down by shinra he sees cloud arriving and says “I have to do my part before you steal the show”

Taking into account these things and how Biggs feels like he wants to be as effective at fighting shinra as Cloud is, it puts his line “don’t have to be a soldier to make a difference” in a new light. I believe the deeper meaning behind this line is twofold.

1) it’s self reassurance for Biggs himself. He hopes that if he says the words they might be more true and this won’t be the end for someone who can’t fight like cloud. And 2) the line connects thematically to cloud’s childhood ideology about what it means to succeed.

As a child Cloud made a connection between success and becoming a solider. They became synonymous in his mind. However we know the truth. Cloud never became a solider and in a moment of weakness he escaped from the pain of his own self failure and created the persona of a soldier

Biggs’ line serves as an important reminder that you don’t have to be a solider to make a difference. Cloud doesn’t have to be his persona to make a change and help the people around him. It was wrong to ever conflate that meaningless rank and success

Biggs might not have been a solider but through his hard work and friendships he made a lasting impact on the world of ff7 and on the fans on a meta level. And so that line contradicts Clouds childhood delusions

Cloud CAN help those around him NOT because he is a soldier, but because Biggs believes that he is a good and kind person.