Idk why Kylo and Finn’s arcs are seen as “one or the other” when 1) Finn and Kylo purposefully have the same arc, but as foils, they react to events differently & 2) the thematic importance of Finn’s arc makes him part of the “trio” with Rey & Kylo even if he is not w/ them.

Finn arguably has the best arc in TLJ. Like Kylo, he is confronted with the obstacle: “what side am I on?” One of my fav scenes in TLJ is the conversation between Finn and DJ - “live free. Don’t join.” DJ represents that concept of “the balance” that is wholly apathetic.

It does not integrate. It consumes each side equally b/c it does not care. Kylo accepts this concept after he kills Snoke, asking Rey to build a new empire that is away from allegiances but doesn’t look at WHY the dark and the light aren’t balanced.

Finn on the other hand also kills a master who has been tormenting him his whole life, but he chooses to side with what he sees as right—the resistance&the light. This climaxes in a great moment where Kylo is spiraling & Finn is committed to sacrificing himself for his friends.

But while Finn has come farther in understanding how to navigate the good and the evil within ourselves and within the world, he’s still not quite there b/c sacrifice is not the answer for him. This is when Rose delivers the point of the movie — wrapping up every character’s arc:

“That’s how we’re going to win. Not fighting what we hate. Saving what we love.” And that is all “the balance” is. It’s not consuming what both sides have to offer. It’s not creating new orders to run away from the past. It’s not young men sacrificing themselves. It’s love.

And we see that in Finn’s arc, Luke’s arc, Kylo’s arc, Rey’s arc — understanding somebody for who they are—the good in our psyches &the bad—& loving others is how to achieve true balance & peace. There was still a lot to look into here, so I am still sad we didn’t get a sequel

But ultimately every char in TLJ arrives at the same place — Finn learning from his past&Rose, Rey learning from her past&Kylo’s teachings&failings, Kylo learning from his own failings&Luke’s w/ his father’s memory in his hands — “Love people. That’s basically all Star Wars is.”