Star Wars ComLINKS: Favorite The Last Jedi Scene

Welcome to the twenty-fifth Star Wars ComLINKS! This the very first monthly link up centered around a galaxy far, far away. The purpose of this link up is to inspire fans to write/talk about various topics (which are assigned each month) pertaining to our favorite fandom. Each link up will take place on the second Wednesday of every month. You will be able to share a link to your Website, Blog, YouTube, Podcast, etc. on a special widget here on AAHA and also view other posts from fans!

The Topic for January is "Favorite The Last Jedi Scene" and begins today through January 24th!

After you've seen The Last Jedi with your favorite people once, twice, maybe even five times and enjoyed celebrating the most wonderful time of the year, we all want to know what your one favorite scene from the film was. Was it a scene that shocked you? That you hoped for? How did it resonate with you? What made it different from the rest of the film? These are just a few prompts to help you get started.

GUIDELINES

1) Your Website, Blog, YouTube, Podcast, etc. does NOT have to be SW related.
2) Your entry must be family-friendly.
3) Please include a link to (or mention) "Star Wars ComLINKS" in your entry and don't forget to use the hashtag #starwarscomlinks when applicable!

An InLinkz Link-up

Having still only seen The Last Jedi once (don't ask) I don't know how vivid this action sequence between Ben, Rey, and the Praetorian Guards will be in my head. All I know is, I NEED to talk about it. But first, let's back up a little.

Prior to seeing the film I was hoping that Kylo and Rey would team up in some way. I adored the chemistry they had in their scenes together in The Force Awakens and was secretly hoping for another lightsaber battle where they were fighting alongside each other. I was also constantly going back and forth between the idea of them being a couple. Folks, I fell hard after seeing The Last Jedi and I'm now a Reylo fan. Even though I have well over three dozen Reylo fanart pieces saved to my phone and a document full of quotes, links to animated GIFs and everything else you can think of pertaining to these two characters, I'll be ok if they don't end up together in the final film of this trilogy. Because regardless of what their relationship is, it is a relationship. I recognize that the foundation is rocky and that they are surrounded by darkness, lies (thanks to Snoke) and an intense longing to fill an emptiness within themselves. Danger signs, I know. But behind all of that are two people who have a lot in common and who understand each other in a mysterious and intimate way. For all we know they could be related or perhaps even have had a past together that we are unaware of. Yes, I am one of those fans who believes that just because Ben saw who Rey's parents were doesn't make it true. Speaking of which, let's briefly discuss that force connection.

(Created by: Yours Truly)

I believe that Snoke knew that Kylo and Rey had a connection and used that to his advantage by creating a gateway to allow them to communicate. I believe this because of the interactions they had in The Force Awakes. Snoke may have opened the door to allow them to fully connect and create a future that both of them believed to be real but he didn't control their actions or words during that time. They chose to continue to converse with one another and they definitely chose to touch. Through this connection they gained a better understanding of each other and recognized the fact that they were both going through similar life circumstances though they were on very opposite sides. Rey thought she had Kylo all figured out. When she learned the truth of his tragic downfall, she felt for him and wanted to help him use his abilities for good. Rey, as we know, is someone Kylo has heard of and is obviously intrigued by for various reasons. He not only witnesses the power she has in the force but is also moved by her strong-will and compassion for him. I think, for both parties, this connection meant a lot to them. Rey was alone for the majority of her life and so to have someone with whom she felt so in tune with filled that empty hole. As for Ben, he didn't have anyone who believed him and saw him for who he was like Rey did. His father warned him that Snoke was using him, which I'm sure he was at least slightly aware of, but having heard that said aloud probably confirmed it for him and made him realize he literally had no one.

Before I get even deeper, because really I could go on and on about these two, I do want to get into the reasons why I love the Ben & Rey vs. the Praetorian Guards scene. Everything leading up to this battle made it all the more intense but I definitely have to say that I loved that there was only one moment when Director Rian Johnson took us to another scene to focus on someone else's story. All too often in film when an incredible moment just begins and it's about to reach it's peak of awesomeness the camera cuts to a different scene and you have to stop yourself from shouting (or maybe you have). This usually happens several times. However, this sequence is able to play out beautifully from beginning to end with one short cut. At several points we see unique lightsaber techniques used that we've never seen in any other films which makes this sequence all the more exciting. I was also pleasantly surprised by the Guards and the tactics they used with their various weapons. They put up a good fight!

(Photo by: Mark Edwards Photographer | Kylo: Alphaignition | Rey: Leiaaurora)
*Thanks to my friend John (Kylo) for letting me use this awesome shot from an epic shoot he and some friends put together. Check out his Instagram for more photos!

Ben and Rey are more determined than ever, especially because at this point each of them believes that the other is going to join them. Can you imagine the intensity of the anxiety that each of them felt hoping that they would make it out alive in order to be able to have that conversation? Rey must think because Ben chose her over Snoke and destroyed him he must be on her side while Ben on the other hand must think because she's fighting with him against the guards she'll surely join him. In the mean time, they use their own unique abilities to coordinate with each other and struggle to survive the several guards who approach them with no mercy. I only say "struggle" because I think it's very clear that neither of them would've made it had the other not been there. Rey is still early in her training and while she holds her own pretty dang well, she's still a little rusty. And even Ben who has had years of training found it difficult to fight off several Guards at a time while keeping his eye on Rey and in the end found himself in a predicament that Rey helped him out of by tossing him her lightsaber. Speaking of aiding each other, I really love the moment when they are back-to-back and Ben allows Rey to lean against him while holding onto his thigh to kick at a Guard. I couldn't help but think of the fact that it wasn't long ago that they were fighting each other and now to see how they partner together so gracefully is such a beautiful thing.

Overall, I really just loved the way this scene was put together. The visuals, the choreography, the music, everything. What about you? What did you think about this scene? Tell me your thoughts in a comment below and also let me know if you're interested in me writing more about my thoughts on Reylo. Because I definitely have more.