The Last Jedi: The most compassionate member of the Resistance
Rose Tico is the most caring and compassionate member of the Resistance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
One of the best things about the new Star Wars film The Last Jedi, is the addition of the character Rose Tico. Not only is Kelly Marie Tran such a wonderfully inspirational human being, but the character she portrays is so incredibly strong and sensitive.
Star Wars has done this cool thing recently, where characters who rise to prominence throughout the film come from nothing – Rose Tico being no exception. She comes from a poor mining colony, her people are oppressed, and she has risen above it all and joined the resistance.
Even in her service to the resistance she “hangs out behind pipes all day,” but she becomes an invaluable member of the movement as she works alongside Finn to save the Resistance fleet. Rose showcases the fact that you don’t have to be someone to become someone.
“We’re going to win this war, not by fighting what we hate, but saving what we love.”
Rose is softhearted and visibly burdened by the pain of others, one of the many character traits that makes her so loveable.
This burden is especially prominent in the colorful Canto Bight sequence where Rose reveals to Finn the cruelty that lurks beneath the surface of the lavish casino town.
As an animal lover, the thing that really made Rose’s character instantly rise in my esteem was her expressed disdain for Fathier racing. Like horse racing in our world, Fathier racing is far less glamorous than it seems on the surface.
As evidenced by the up-close look that Finn gets through the viewing binoculars, the favorite past time of Canto Bight is cruel. Fathiers – the giant horse-like creatures with sad eyes and huge, floppy ears – are shown being whipped with electrified riding crops by their jockeys and the stable staff.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
When Finn and Rose appear in the stables, we get a quick view of the cramped quarters the majestic creatures are forced to live in. On one of the Fathier’s necks, we see scars from the repeated electrified whipping of the jockeys during the races.
The novella “Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing” that is one of the four novellas in the Canto Bight book, gives an even more gruesomely in-depth look at the brutality of Fathier racing. It’s truly horrifying!
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Fortunately, this particular herd of Fathiers is freed by Finn and Rose as they escape the city of Canto Bight. On the back of the Fathiers, Rose and Finn put a symbolic fist through the terribly beautiful city.
Unfortunately, even after the two heroes ride out of the cities and into the hills, they are not able to escape the CBPD.
Even as they’re cornered, Finn tells Rose he feels like it’s been worth it because they manage to hurt the corrupt city.
In one of my favorite moments in the film, Rose walks up to the Fathier whose back the two escaped on and pulls off its racing saddle.
Upon doing this, she turns to Finn and says: “Now it’s worth it” as the Fathier gallops off to join his, now free, herd. This action epitomizes Rose’s character – she is full of compassion. She finds purpose and fulfillment in helping those who cannot help themselves.
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That is the kind of person you want to serve in the Resistance. It’s like she tells Finn at the end of the film:
"We‘re going to win this war, not by fighting what we hate, but saving what we love."
If you haven’t already, make sure you go see Rose do her thing in Star Wars: The Last Jedi! It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!