History Fridge / TheForceAwakens

* Luke's beard. While it at first just looks like something used to make the character look older, one will notice that it makes Luke look a lot like his old mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Which means that Luke grew the beard to better emulate the man who taught him the ways of the Jedi. It really shows that Luke is stepping up to his position as a Jedi Master and a teacher to others.
** According to Creator/MarkHamill, that was exactly the intention.

* A lot of people had wondered why Kylo would idolize DarthVader when it was Palpatine who came up with the plan to kill the Jedi and start the Empire, and thus be the one who "started" what Kylo intended to "finish". But then again, who do you remember more, Vader or Palpatine? Not to mention, although Palpatine was the Emperor; Vader was his ultimate enforcer and the one who did most of the leg work when a situation needed some extra ''Imperial Presence,'' as such most inhabitants of the system would likely be far more familiar with the image of Vader than that of the Emperor.
** Also, sine Vader is [[spoiler:Kylo Ren's grandfather]], he would hear talking about him more than the Emperor.

* The music track that played when [[spoiler: Rey uses the Force to pull Anakin/Luke's old lightsaber into her hands]] is a part of the Burning Homestead track from ''A New Hope''. The scene that the track played back then is when Luke discovered that his uncle and aunt were killed by The Empire and his home destroyed. Before that, Luke was apathetic to the whole 'fighthing-the-Empire' business and rejects Obi-Wan's offer to train as a Jedi, preferring to just go back home and living the simpler albeit unhappy life, much like Rey does in this movie. She wants to just go back to Jakku because it's the only home she knows, even if she had to struggle to survive day by day while futilely waiting for her parents to come back to her. During the scenes where this specific track played in both films, it's the moment when both characters accepted that they cannot escape their destiny and finally accepted the legacy that was meant for them.

* The music track that played when [[spoiler: Rey uses the Force to pull Anakin/Luke's old lightsaber into her hands is a part of the Burning Homestead track from ''A New Hope''. The scene that the track played back then is when Luke discovered that his uncle and aunt were killed by The Empire and his home destroyed. Before that, Luke was apathetic to the whole 'fighthing-the-Empire' business and rejects Obi-Wan's offer to train as a Jedi, preferring to just go back home and living the simpler albeit unhappy life, much like Rey does in this movie. She wants to just go back to Jakku because it's the only home she knows, even if she had to struggle to survive day by day while futilely waiting for her parents to come back to her. During the scenes where this specific track played in both films, it's the moment when both characters accepted that they cannot escape their destiny and finally accepted the legacy that was meant for them.

** According to Creator/MarkHamil, that was exactly the intention.

** It is confirmed that the Empire fractured due to various Governors and Generals infighting and that the First Order was the most powerful faction to emerge from the fighting. Oscar Isaac also pointed out that Rebellion implied an active, offensive role while Resistance implied a defensive role, because the Resistance is no longer as powerful as the old Rebellion after 30 years of warfare.

** The wielders of that lightsaber have been grievously injured on more than one occasion - Anakin landed up being dismembered by Obi-Wan after fighting him with it, and Luke lost his right hand during his very first duel. If the sight of Rey crying over a body in the trailer is any indication, Finn chose to wrong weapon to fight Kylo Ren with.

* Kylo Ren's lightsaber. Compared to most, his is very unstable, sporting a flame-like appearance, along with needing three beam ports to stabilize it. Perhaps a representation of his mental state as a LonnyFan?

** Though it would create more added symbolism in regards to Anakin's legacy. The Blade itself if depicted to be used to fight evil in the sequel trilogy would be symbolic as they are trying to redeem the lightsaber, and by extension Anakin's legacy, which the Knights of Ren would tarnish further as they worship Darth Vader and likely want anything related to Anakin belonging to them.

* Although the new names for the Empire and Rebel Alliance - the "First Order" and "The Resistance" sound more like something from modern YA dystopian literature, the names make perfect sense once you think about them in political terms. The Rebel Alliance was rebelling against the Galaxy's legitimate government, the Empire, the legal successor to the Republic (Although his regime was monstrously evil and corrupt, Palpatine assumed power and the position of Emperor legally in RevengeOfTheSith). The Empire ceased to exist with the death of the Emperor, and the First Order is effectively an illegal occupying force - like the Germans invading France in 1940. The Resistance is fighting the First Order with the claim to be the legitimate successor to the Republic.

* Any attempts to depict Anakin's lightsaber as a reminder of Anakin's better side will be stymied by [[VillainyDiscretionShot remembering]] that there is the [[WouldHurtAChild blood of Jedi younglings]] (figuratively) on its blade.

* Any attempts to depict Anakin's lightsaber as a reminder of Anakin's better side will be stymied by [[VillainyDiscretionShot remembering]] that there is the [[WouldHurtAChild blood of Jedi younglings]] (figuratively) on its blade.
** Could be made even ''worse'' if WMG, Finn's a Decedent or reincarnation of Mace Windu.

* Any attempts to depict Anakin's lightsaber as a reminder of Anakin's better side will be stymied by [[VillainyDiscretionShot remembering]] that there is the [[WouldHurtAChild blood of Jedi younglings]] (figuratively) on its blade.

* FridgeBrilliance:
** Although the new names for the Empire and Rebel Alliance - the "First Order" and "The Resistance" sound more like something from modern YA dystopian literature, the names make perfect sense once you think about them in political terms. The Rebel Alliance was rebelling against the Galaxy's legitimate government, the Empire, the legal successor to the Republic (Although his regime was monstrously evil and corrupt, Palpatine assumed power and the position of Emperor legally in RevengeOfTheSith). The Empire ceased to exist with the death of the Emperor, and the First Order is effectively an illegal occupying force - like the Germans invading France in 1940. The Resistance is fighting the First Order with the claim to be the legitimate successor to the Republic.
** Kylo Ren's lightsaber has a crossguard made of beam energy, making it look more like a longsword than a normal lightsaber. What organisation is he a member of? The ''Knights'' of Ren!
** When telling Finn and Rey about the Force, Han using the term "Dark Side" instead of "Sith" makes a lot of sense - it goes to show that the Sith were so unknown to the public that even their true name was forgotten. Furthermore, it's justified by the fact that he never heard Obi-Wan or Luke mention the term "Sith" in conversation.
** It's been at least thirty years since the original trilogy's events, so it seems strange that they had basically become legends. Even more strange is that the prequel trilogy takes place at least ''fifty'' years ago. Things from thirty-fifty years ago aren't exactly aged enough to be considered myths. But then again, when you hear about the events themselves, would ''you'' believe that they actually happened? Would ''you'' believe that a teenage moisture farmer who had only joined the Rebel Alliance managed to single-handedly fire the shot that destroyed an entire space station? No wonder people would believe they were legends.
** A lot of people had wondered why Kylo would idolize DarthVader when it was Palpatine who came up with the plan to kill the Jedi and start the Empire, and thus be the one who "started" what Kylo intended to "finish". But then again, who do you remember more, Vader or Palpatine?
*** Not to mention, although Palpatine was the Emperor; Vader was his ultimate enforcer and the one who did most of the leg work when a situation needed some extra ''Imperial Presence,'' as such most inhabitants of the system would likely be far more familiar with the image of Vader than that of the Emperor.
** Leia being given the title of General actually makes a lot of sense, as she was never really born into a royal family. Yes, she is the daughter of one of Naboo's former queens, but the position of Queen is actually an elected position rather than one that is to inherited. And her mother, Padmé actually resigned from that position several years before Leia and Luke were born. True, she was raised as royalty by Senator Bail Organa, but she was only adopted. So, by now, she may have come to accept the fact that she's not really royal by blood and therefore has decided not to call herself Princess anymore.
* FridgeHorror:
** Any attempts to depict Anakin's lightsaber as a reminder of Anakin's better side will be stymied by [[VillainyDiscretionShot remembering]] that there is the [[WouldHurtAChild blood of Jedi younglings]] (figuratively) on its blade.

** Leia being given the title of General actually makes a lot of sense, as she was never really born into a royal family. Yes, she is the daughter of one of Naboo's former queens, but the position of Queen is actually an elected position rather than one that is to inherited. And her Padmé actually resigned from that position after she had served her two terms. True, she was raised as royalty by Senator Bail Organa, but she was only adopted. So, by now, she may have come to accept the fact that she's not really royal by blood and therefore has decided not to call herself Princess anymore.

** It's been at least thirty years since the original trilogy's events, so it seems strange that they had basically become legends. Even more strange is that the prequel trilogy takes place at least ''fifty'' years ago. Things from thirty-fifty years ago aren't exactly aged enough to be considered myths. But then again, when you hear about the events themselves, would ''you'' believe that they actually happened? Would ''you'' believe that a teenage moisture farmer who had only joined the Rebel Alliance managed to singe-handedly fire the shot that destroyed an entire space station? No wonder people would believe they were legends.

* FridgeHorror:

** When telling Finn and Rey about the Force, Han using the term "Dark Side" instead of "Sith" makes a lot of sense - it goes to show that the Sith were so unknown to the public that even their true name was forgotten. Furthermore, it's justified by the fact that he never heard Obi-Wan or Luke mention the term "Sith" in conversation.