Captain Phasma, played by Gwendoline Christie, and Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver, were two of the most formidable figures in the First Order. One commanded the stormtrooper legions with unwavering discipline, while the other wielded the power of the dark side, seeking to destroy the Jedi. Though they served the same cause, their relationship was far from cooperative. Both operated under Supreme Leader Snoke, yet their ideologies and ambitions placed them at odds. One prioritized structure and obedience, while the other embraced chaos and raw power. Their interactions were marked by tension, rivalry, and an unspoken struggle for influence within the First Order.
The First Order’s Structure and Power Struggle
The First Order was built on remnants of the fallen Galactic Empire. Supreme Leader Snoke ruled from the shadows, shaping the organization into a force capable of challenging the New Republic and, later, the Resistance. Leadership was divided among powerful figures, each with distinct roles.
Captain Phasma, as the commander of the stormtrooper corps, upheld the First Order’s ideals of discipline, loyalty, and military superiority. Personally overseeing the training of stormtroopers from childhood, Phasma ensured that every soldier under command followed orders without hesitation. Efficiency, order, and control were the foundations of Phasma’s leadership.
Kylo Ren, however, embodied a different philosophy. As a Force-sensitive warrior trained in both the Jedi and Sith ways, Kylo Ren operated with a mix of calculated brutality and emotional instability. Tasked with eliminating the Jedi and leading special operations against the Resistance, Kylo Ren answered directly to Snoke, wielding influence beyond military ranks. This dynamic placed Kylo Ren outside the traditional First Order hierarchy, often bypassing figures like General Hux and Captain Phasma.
The differences in their approach created tension. Captain Phasma maintained a strict chain of command, while Kylo Ren often disregarded protocol in pursuit of personal vendettas. Their roles were complementary in theory but frequently clashed in execution.
Starkiller Base: A Moment of Divergence
The destruction of the New Republic’s Hosnian system cemented the First Order as the dominant power in the galaxy. Starkiller Base, the superweapon at the heart of this attack, represented the peak of the First Order’s military might. Both Captain Phasma and Kylo Ren played key roles in its operation, but their priorities differed significantly.
Kylo Ren was obsessed with locating Luke Skywalker, believing that eliminating the last Jedi would ensure the dark side’s victory. This fixation led to the capture and interrogation of Rey, whom Kylo Ren sensed had a strong connection to the Force. While Kylo Ren focused entirely on breaking Rey’s mind, Captain Phasma remained committed to maintaining order within Starkiller Base.
When Finn, Han Solo, and Chewbacca infiltrated the base, Phasma’s leadership was put to the test. Captured by her former stormtrooper, Finn, Phasma was forced to deactivate the planetary shields, allowing the Resistance to launch its assault. This moment of submission was uncharacteristic of Phasma, revealing an element of self-preservation. Kylo Ren, who demanded absolute loyalty and viewed weakness as betrayal, would have regarded Phasma’s actions with contempt.
Supreme Leader Snoke’s Influence
Both Captain Phasma and Kylo Ren were shaped by Supreme Leader Snoke, yet their relationships with him differed greatly.
Phasma rose through the ranks by demonstrating unwavering dedication to the First Order. Trained as a warrior from an early age, Phasma was feared and respected by those under command. Strength, loyalty, and efficiency made Phasma one of the First Order’s most trusted leaders. Snoke valued this military control but ultimately saw Phasma as a tool rather than a potential successor.
Kylo Ren, on the other hand, was Snoke’s personal project. As the grandson of Darth Vader, Kylo Ren was viewed as the key to achieving what the Sith had failed to do—complete domination of the galaxy through the dark side. Snoke often belittled Kylo Ren, reminding him of his weaknesses and emotional instability. Despite this, Kylo Ren was given authority beyond that of standard officers, creating resentment within the First Order’s ranks.
Phasma and Kylo Ren were both instruments of Snoke’s vision, yet only one was truly valued. While Phasma represented the First Order’s military might, Kylo Ren embodied the dark side’s potential. This imbalance created an underlying tension between them, as Phasma’s control over the stormtroopers meant little in the eyes of a Supreme Leader who prioritized the power of the Force.
The Fallout of Starkiller Base
After the destruction of Starkiller Base, the First Order was thrown into chaos. General Hux managed to evacuate key personnel, including Phasma, while Kylo Ren faced his own crisis after losing to Rey in a lightsaber duel. The loss of the superweapon was a devastating blow, but rather than focusing on military strategy, Kylo Ren remained obsessed with Rey and the pursuit of power.
Phasma, however, had unfinished business. Finn, the traitorous stormtrooper, had humiliated Phasma during the attack on Starkiller Base. When the First Order launched an assault on the fleeing Resistance fleet, Phasma saw an opportunity for revenge.
The Final Confrontation on the Supremacy
The battle aboard the Supremacy in The Last Jedi became the defining moment of Phasma’s story. While Kylo Ren was preoccupied with overthrowing Snoke, Phasma hunted Finn, determined to eliminate the soldier who had defied the First Order. The duel between Finn and Phasma was brutal, with Phasma displaying superior combat skills and resilience. However, an explosion created by the Resistance caused the ship to collapse, leading to Phasma’s downfall.
Kylo Ren, now Supreme Leader, showed no interest in Phasma’s fate. With Snoke dead, Kylo Ren had achieved the power he craved, and the survival of the First Order’s officers no longer concerned him. Phasma’s fall symbolized the shift in the First Order’s leadership—from a structured military force to an empire ruled by fear and unchecked ambition.
The Inevitable Conflict That Never Happened
Had Phasma survived, conflict with Kylo Ren would have been inevitable. The First Order under Kylo Ren’s rule was vastly different from the one Phasma had pledged loyalty to. Kylo Ren operated through emotion and personal vendettas, while Phasma believed in efficiency and discipline. A clash between them would have been unavoidable, as Phasma’s loyalty was to the First Order itself, not to Kylo Ren’s personal ambitions.
With Kylo Ren’s leadership, the structured military command Phasma upheld crumbled. The Sith Eternal, hidden on Exegol, later introduced the Final Order, but without leaders like Phasma, the stormtroopers became pawns rather than disciplined soldiers. This shift marked the beginning of the First Order’s downfall.
Legacy in the First Order’s Downfall
Captain Phasma and Kylo Ren represented two sides of the First Order. Phasma stood for discipline, military control, and unwavering loyalty. Kylo Ren embodied chaos, emotional instability, and the raw power of the dark side. Their uneasy alliance was never meant to last.
With Phasma gone, the First Order lost its structured command. Without order, the First Order became a dictatorship fueled by Kylo Ren’s personal grievances rather than strategic military objectives. The loss of figures like Phasma contributed to the eventual defeat of the First Order, proving that raw power alone could not sustain an empire.
