I've been debating making this topic, but it's early morning at work and I'm bored. So, let's go! I recently did a rewatch of Stranger Things and it suddenly hit me how Stranger Things, a show mostly about a bunch of kids, has more sex/romance than Star Wars. Both stories are "coming of age" stories and romance is pretty much inherent in these sort of tales. Yet, the recent sequel trilogy seems anemic to any sort of romantic displays of affection. Now, it's not like the OT was chalk full of sex (well, it was it just became weird when Leia became Luke's sister) but it was there. The prequel trilogy has it most, even if it wasn't great. And, Empire's entire secondary plot was about romance and love. On the other hand, Stranger Things has everyone trying to hook up, even the kids with love being the driving motivator for most characters.
Meanwhile, we're going into the third SW film of the trilogy and we have no romance. The one kiss we got in TLJ came out of nowhere, with zero build up, and was completely unwanted by the receiving character. And, the words "love" is spoken twice, once talking about Ben's parents and second in the aforementioned Rose scene. The only person we see who seems to have romantic interests, prior to Rose's sudden display, is Finn and he's told he's a selfish asshole for doing so. Rey seems oblivious to romantic affection, Poe is more in love with his droid, Han & Leia broke up, Deejay loves money, Luke apparently never had a fling (patiently awaits EU reveal of some shenanigans), Swolo makes love to his grandpa's helmet. Like, what gives?
And, please don't give me that, "does it need romance? Why does Rey have to be with anybody?" I'm not just talking about Rey, I'm talking in general. Although, why can't Rey get somebody? It's weird.
Where is the love?
Meanwhile, we're going into the third SW film of the trilogy and we have no romance. The one kiss we got in TLJ came out of nowhere, with zero build up, and was completely unwanted by the receiving character. And, the words "love" is spoken twice, once talking about Ben's parents and second in the aforementioned Rose scene. The only person we see who seems to have romantic interests, prior to Rose's sudden display, is Finn and he's told he's a selfish asshole for doing so. Rey seems oblivious to romantic affection, Poe is more in love with his droid, Han & Leia broke up, Deejay loves money, Luke apparently never had a fling (patiently awaits EU reveal of some shenanigans), Swolo makes love to his grandpa's helmet. Like, what gives?
And, please don't give me that, "does it need romance? Why does Rey have to be with anybody?" I'm not just talking about Rey, I'm talking in general. Although, why can't Rey get somebody? It's weird.
Where is the love?
