30 Day Geek Out Challenge – Day 2
Last Updated on September 3, 2023 by Jenn | The Nerd Mom
Megan over at A Geeky Gal blog created this challenge for fellow geeks to share all about what makes them nerdy. You can see her completed challenge post here.
Note: Most of my content is very family friendly, but I’m writing these geek out challenge posts in a more casual voice. They may be more PG-13. Fair warning.
The challenge question for Day 2 is:
What is your most recent fandom?
My most recent fandom is actually a ship.
| Quick caveat for those not familiar with fandom jargon. “Ship” is short for “relationship” and is the term used for (usually) romantic pairings in fandoms. It can be a canon relationship (meaning the two characters are actually romantically involved in whatever content they are from) or non-canon (the characters aren’t involved, but fans like to imagine they are). Ship can be a noun: “I love the Jon Snow and Daenerys ship!” Or it can be a verb: “I ship Harry and Ron so hard!” |
Anyways. I’ve been a Star Wars fan for many years, but it wasn’t until the last couple years that I also became a…
Reylo shipper (Rey and Kylo Ren/Ben Solo from the sequel Star Wars trilogy).
Yes. Almost immediately after I saw The Force Awakens, I was like, I want those two to bone.
It’s become a bit of a controversial ship in the fandom. Detractors range from those who still think they are going to turn out to be related to those who think strong female heroines should not be attracted to patricidal, negging man-boys with anger issues.
I feel that the idea that they could be related has pretty much been fully debunked at this point, so I won’t spend time on that here.
But there is some validity to the criticism that Kylo is not exactly someone with whom a healthy relationship can occur.
He kidnaps Rey, probes her mind, and tells her he sure think’s she’s swell even though she’s nothing but a lowly scavenger. Not exactly romantic gold, am I right?
But let me explain.
What draws me to this pairing is the intense and compelling chemistry they have as characters and as actors. They relate to each other because they both know pain and loneliness. They are equal to each other in their strength with the Force.
Would it be a healthy relationship? No. Not at the end of The Last Jedi, anyways. But there’s one more movie. And it hinges on Kylo’s possible redemption.
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I love that Rey shuts the door in his face after his temper tantrum on Crait. Badass women do not need that shit. So no, I don’t think that loving this ship means I support abusive relationships, as some anti-Reylos have accused.
Ben Solo has done some bad stuff, but the events in The Rise of Skywalker may lead to a change of heart for him. At that point, a real romance may flourish.
In the meantime, Rey and Ben’s story has a lot of dramatic elements that just get me right in the feels. Enemies to lovers. Star-crossed love. Bad boy redemption. These story arcs appeal to me, so I’m eating this up.
Okay, so also it’s because Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley are hawt.
Fan art. Fan fiction. Blog posts. I’m eating it all up. Sorry not sorry.
What is your most recent fandom? Do you ship Reylo? Tell me in the comments!
I am crossing my fingers for a Kylo redemption!
Me too! It seems to be where the story is headed, but I’m pretty open-minded. I’m not a Reylo shipper to the point where I wouldn’t enjoy the movie if it doesn’t happen.
That’s okay because if Rey and Kylo get together does that mean Poe and Finn can get together???
Yes! I can get behind Stormpilot!