Why did BB-8 stay with Rey?
In "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," the encounter between Rey, the desert planet Jakku’s lone scavenger, and BB-8, a droid with a secret of galactic importance, sets the stage for a narrative teeming with courage, friendship, and an unexpected journey toward destiny. One notable incident is when BB-8, upon being rescued by Rey from a scavenger named Teedo, insists on accompanying Rey rather than journeying alone to Niima Outpost. This seemingly small decision by the diminutive droid profoundly impacts the narrative trajectory of the Star Wars saga, proving pivotal not only for Rey's personal journey but also for the larger battle between the Resistance and the First Order.
BB-8, carrying the map to Luke Skywalker's location, is no ordinary droid but a key figure that influences the events of the story. His insistence on traveling with Rey could be interpreted from several angles. From a practical perspective, BB-8 is alone and vulnerable on a desert planet teeming with dangerous creatures and potential enemies. It would be strategic for the droid to align itself with someone who has demonstrated both kindness and competence, as Rey has when she freed BB-8 from Teedo.
However, in the Star Wars universe, where the mystical power of the Force pervades, this alliance between Rey and BB-8 may not be purely coincidental or pragmatic. The Force, which flows through all living creatures, might be subtly influencing events to ensure that Rey, a key player yet unaware of her significance, is placed on her destined path.
Moreover, droids in the Star Wars universe, although not biological, are known for their distinct personalities and seemingly intuitive understanding of the world around them. In the tradition of beloved Star Wars droids like R2-D2 and C-3PO, BB-8 isn't just a robot but a character with agency, wit, and its unique charm. Hence, BB-8's decision to accompany Rey might be indicative of the droid's understanding of the importance of the mission it carries and the need to ally with the right people to fulfill it.
Rey, on the other hand, represents a figure of sympathy, skill, and mysterious potential. Living a solitary life on Jakku, she spends her days scavenging parts from old shipwrecks to trade for meager food portions. She showcases her resourcefulness, courage, and inherent kindness in her interactions with BB-8, traits that would serve her well in the adventures to come. BB-8's insistence on accompanying her could be perceived as an affirmation of these attributes, foreshadowing her pivotal role in the events to come.
This early alliance between Rey and BB-8 is more than just a survival strategy or a circumstantial pairing. It signifies a confluence of destiny, the Force's machinations, and sentient droid wisdom. It sets in motion a chain of events that leads Rey away from her isolated existence on Jakku and towards her destiny as a key figure in the galactic battle between good and evil. The droid's insistence echoes a familiar Star Wars theme – the extraordinary emerging from the ordinary. Their chance meeting isn't just a chance, and BB-8's decision to stick with Rey reveals an intuition that this scavenger from Jakku is destined for far more significant things.
In conclusion, BB-8's decision to accompany Rey is a pivotal moment in "The Force Awakens" that helps drive the narrative forward. It demonstrates the power of intuition, the pervasive influence of the Force, and underlines Rey's qualities and potential. This intersection of destinies – of a lost droid and a solitary scavenger – charts the path for the resurgence of hope in a galaxy gripped by the specter of the First Order.
