The war between the Resistance and the First Order created a deep ideological and strategic conflict. Two figures stood on opposite sides, embodying the struggle for the galaxy’s future: General Hux and Rey. Domhnall Gleeson portrayed General Armitage Hux, a calculating and ruthless officer of the First Order. Daisy Ridley brought Rey to life, a scavenger from Jakku who became a Jedi and a beacon of hope for the Resistance. These two characters shaped the fate of the war, representing the collision of oppression and rebellion, control and freedom, darkness and light.
The Rise of General Hux: Power, Control, and Ambition
General Armitage Hux was born into a legacy of military power. As the son of Brendol Hux, a high-ranking officer of the Galactic Empire, Armitage was raised in an environment of strict discipline and unwavering loyalty to authoritarian rule. His father was instrumental in training a new generation of stormtroopers, and Armitage absorbed these teachings, developing an unshakable belief in the necessity of absolute control. However, unlike the Sith Lords or warrior-leaders of the Empire, Hux’s strength did not come from the Force or personal combat skills. His weapon was strategy, propaganda, and military might.
With the fall of the Empire, Imperial remnants regrouped in the Unknown Regions, giving rise to the First Order. Hux quickly climbed the ranks, using his cunning and ruthlessness to secure a position of power. Supreme Leader Snoke recognized his brilliance and placed him in command of Starkiller Base, a superweapon capable of destroying entire star systems. Hux’s dedication to the First Order went beyond duty; it was personal.
The destruction of the Hosnian system marked a pivotal moment in the war. Hux delivered a fiery speech to the First Order’s legions, declaring the New Republic weak and corrupt. The activation of Starkiller Base wiped out the Republic’s leadership in a single strike, showcasing Hux’s vision of complete dominance. However, this victory was short-lived. The Resistance launched a daring assault, with Poe Dameron and Finn infiltrating the base while Rey fought to escape capture. The battle ended with Starkiller Base’s destruction, dealing a significant blow to the First Order.
The failure did not break Hux’s determination. Supreme Leader Snoke still valued his strategic mind, though tensions between Hux and Kylo Ren grew stronger. Both vied for influence, each believing in different approaches to ruling the galaxy. Hux relied on order, discipline, and overwhelming firepower, while Kylo Ren, driven by his connection to the dark side, sought to establish rule through fear and personal strength. The rivalry between them would define the First Order’s inner struggles.
Rey’s Journey: From Scavenger to Jedi
Rey’s story began in the desolate wastelands of Jakku. Living as a scavenger, survival was the only goal. The past was a mystery, with only vague memories of abandonment shaping Rey’s longing for belonging. Everything changed when BB-8 crossed paths with Rey, carrying a critical piece of information that could lead to Luke Skywalker, the last Jedi.
Joining Finn and Han Solo, Rey became entangled in the war between the Resistance and the First Order. The discovery of Anakin Skywalker’s lost lightsaber triggered a powerful vision, revealing a deep connection to the Force. Rey’s abilities began to manifest rapidly, drawing the attention of Kylo Ren. Their first encounter ended in a duel on Starkiller Base, where Rey, despite no formal training, overpowered Kylo Ren. The victory confirmed raw power, but true mastery would require guidance.
Seeking the lost Jedi Master, Rey traveled to Ahch-To and found Luke Skywalker in exile. The legendary Jedi, disillusioned by past failures, resisted training a new student. However, Rey’s persistence and the Force itself reignited Luke’s teachings. Training revealed a growing bond with Kylo Ren, facilitated through Force connections manipulated by Snoke. Rey believed redemption was possible, hoping to turn Kylo Ren away from the dark side.
The confrontation aboard Snoke’s ship shattered expectations. Kylo Ren killed Snoke, taking control of the First Order. Rey refused to join him, choosing to fight for the Resistance. The escape from the Supremacy led to the Battle of Crait, where Luke Skywalker projected a Force illusion to stall the First Order, allowing the Resistance to survive. This sacrifice reinforced Rey’s commitment to the Jedi path.
With the Resistance diminished, Rey carried the responsibility of rebuilding hope. The search for answers about identity continued, leading to the revelation of a dark lineage. Emperor Palpatine, long thought dead, orchestrated events from the shadows. Rey was his granddaughter, but destiny would not be dictated by bloodline alone.
The Conflict Between General Hux and Rey
General Hux and Rey symbolized the war’s two dominant forces. Hux represented the calculated, brutal machinery of the First Order. Rey embodied the spiritual resilience of the Jedi and the will of the Resistance. Every battle between their factions was a battle between oppression and freedom.
Hux, as the mastermind behind First Order operations, sought to track and eliminate the Resistance. Rey, growing into the role of a Jedi, fought to ensure their survival. The battle on Crait was a significant turning point. Rey used the Force to lift the rocks blocking the escape route, ensuring the Resistance’s survival. Hux, meanwhile, faced Kylo Ren’s rise to power. The general’s hatred for Kylo Ren intensified, knowing that under Supreme Leader Ren, the First Order would become even more unpredictable.
Determined to weaken Kylo Ren’s control, Hux secretly turned against his own cause. While outwardly still loyal, a hidden agenda emerged. The rivalry with Kylo Ren drove Hux to sabotage First Order efforts, leaking critical information to the Resistance. However, Hux’s motivations were not noble. Defeating Kylo Ren was the true goal.
The Fall of General Hux
Betrayal came at a cost. Allegiant General Pryde, a loyalist to the true vision of the First Order, discovered Hux’s treachery. Without hesitation, Pryde executed Hux, eliminating a weak link in the chain of command. The First Order pressed forward, aligning itself with the Sith Eternal, the hidden army of Emperor Palpatine.
Hux’s death marked the end of one of the First Order’s most influential figures. His ambition, once driving the First Order’s dominance, ultimately led to self-destruction. The power struggle within the First Order ensured its downfall, proving that unity built on fear was destined to collapse.
Rey’s Final Battle and the End of the First Order
Rey’s journey led to Exegol, the hidden throne world of the Sith. Palpatine revealed the Sith Eternal’s fleet, an armada capable of crushing all resistance. The Resistance launched a desperate assault, but the true battle was fought through the Force. Rey, wielding both Luke and Leia’s lightsabers, stood against Palpatine.
The final duel against the Sith Lord required the strength of generations. With the voices of past Jedi guiding her, Rey channeled the Force to obliterate Palpatine. The Sith were destroyed, and the First Order, along with its secret allies, crumbled. Kylo Ren, after a moment of redemption, sacrificed himself to ensure victory.
The Resistance emerged victorious. The war ended, but the legacy of the Jedi and the struggle for balance remained.
Legacy of General Hux and Rey
General Hux and Rey shaped the fate of the war in different ways. Hux’s strategic mind and ruthless ambition made the First Order a formidable force. However, obsession with power and personal rivalries led to downfall. Rey’s journey from scavenger to Jedi proved that heroism is defined by choices, not lineage.
The collapse of the First Order demonstrated that tyranny built on fear cannot last. Rey, carrying the legacy of the Jedi, ensured that the light of hope would not fade. The galaxy had seen the fall of empires before, and new conflicts would eventually rise, but for now, the shadow of the Sith was gone.
