STAR WARS: A CHARACTER STUDY OF HOLDO

Vice-Admiral Amilyn Holdo is no doubt one of the most controversial characters of the Sequel Trilogy. Many fans are disappointed in her actions throughout The Last Jedi and advocate that she is responsible for the lives lost during the Supremacy's attack on the fleet's escape to Crait. By the end of the film, the Resistance's numbers had reduced to so low a number that they fit comfortably on the Millennium Falcon. All she had to do is tell her plan to Poe. Why did she have to keep her plan such a secret?

No group can function or survive without truth collaboration. Leia and Holdo share deep trust between each other. In the novel "Bloodline", Leia's power in the force includes the ability to sense a person's motives, whether good or evil, which makes her an incredible judge of character. Holdo is not just a person that Leia trusts, she is Leia's best friend. That should have been enough for Poe to trust her as well.

Therefore, we must wonder what is so offputting about the vice-admiral.

There is a clear divide between an official military organization and a rebellion. Organized military enforces uniform styles and blindly followed orders. They don’t think freely. Rebellions are built on the concept of unconventional. Holdo embodies unconventional. She is a rebel by nature. Against the Empire. Against the First Order. Against convention itself.

The norm of her home-world of Gatalenta bears the most simplistic style. They don’t even wear color or express emotions. She always, even as a teenager, challenges convention. In “Leia: Princess of Alderaan”, she wears an outrageous style that makes her beautiful grey gown and purple hair in The Last Jedi look casual. Only when she befriends Leia, forging a strong trust in her future colleague’s opinion, does she learn to balance her style. Thus, she becomes the Holdo of The Last Jedi , a strong and confident leader and Leia’s oldest friend. Though their styles differ, they share the same passion for freedom and justice.

Together, they are rebels. Because of this strong relationship, they share respect, trust, and cooperation. In The Last Jedi Holdo remains faithful to Leia’s plan: escape to Crait where the Resistance can regroup and reach out to all remaining allies. That is Leia’s plan, not hers. Poe shows respect for the plan when Leia explains it to him. However, he treats Holdo like a traitor and a coward for enacting the same plan.

One could argue that Holdo simply needs to communicate better. She is speculated to be a bad leader, because she withheld crucial information from the (fleet). If she simply explains the plan, then Poe would not behave like such an obstacle. The same could be said about Poe. He does not disclose his plan to Holdo until it is too late. He, Connix, Finn, and Rose go behind her back. Poe becomes just as guilty as Holdo.

Thus, a sad truth comes to light. It would seem that without Leia, the Resistance breaks down. They lose trust for one another. Without trust, the Resistance is nothing. The Resistance is built on more than hope and faith in the Force. They rely on trust as well. Leia is a beacon of trust. Holdo’s purpose in Leia’s absence is to carry out Leia’s wish, which is exactly what she does. Though the two women differ in many ways, they share the same passion for freedom and justice. Holdo is chosen to replace Leia, because Leia trusts her to get the job done in spite of the obstacles.

In spite of Poe about whom Holdo’s judgment is correct. He is a “trigger-happy flyboy”, "impulsive" and "dangerous". Holdo withholds the plan from him, because he proves himself unworthy of trust. He disobeys orders from both women leading to unnecessary loss and his shameful, much-needed demotion. Is Holdo so wrong to uphold that demotion? Of course not.

Holdo tells him everything he needs to know:
“Stick to your post and follow my orders.”

The First Order that she fights so hard to destroy is built on control, intimidation, and lust for power. The Resistance, however, is built on trust, hope, and justice. Their regard for innocent lives is embedded in the two leaders Leia and Holdo. If Poe respects Leia’s authority, he would respect her orders regardless of who makes them. Instead, Poe only respects his own ego. He is as arrogant and dangerous as Holdo suspects. She is a smart, intuitive, and loyal leader, immune to Poe’s manipulation and charms.

The most important lesson in the Last Jedi is based on trust. Poe disobeys his interim commander. He fails to trust her leadership (when all she does is honoring her predecessor’s wishes). Thus, he sends Finn and Rose on a futile mission, and their failure results in the pointless destruction of the Resistance. Leia’s plan would have succeeded had Poe in his arrogance not interfered. Many lives would have been spared. All because of his lack of trust in a woman he instantly judges based on appearances instead of fact.

Her final act proves too late that she is the most trustworthy rebel of them all. She sacrifices herself to save the fleet. How many would go that far? Would Poe?

In the end, Holdo saves the Resistance, and the new Rebellion is born. Despite the fact that she is the most underrated character, she turns out to be the biggest here. Her inspiring words carry through the hearts of the rebels she saves, even Poe.

“We are the spark that will light the fire that will burn the First Order down.”

Indeed, the Rebellion will endure thanks to the selfless act of Vice-Admiral Amilyn Holdo.