Needs To Touch Grass

CAPTAIN REX OUR BELOVED

I think if any of the senior Jedi Masters, like Yoda or Obi-Wan, had truly listened to Anakin when he was hurting or scared – had validated his emotions, sympathized, and said something like “How can I help you?” – like Cody had listened, sympathized, and validated Rex’s fears and emotions, Anakin probably would not have turned to the darkside. 

Palpatine would have been like “I can save Padme from dying.” and Anakin would just be like, “Oh? My boi Obi-Wan, Mace Windu, Yoda, Rex, and Cody are all on it. We’re even going to have a party when the twins are born, with uj cake and everything.” 

What even is the power of the darkside, or even the Force, when you don’t have to hide your fears or wants or basic human needs like friends and comfort and people you can trust not to laugh at you or treat you like you’re sick. Like seriously. All Yoda had to do was be like, “It’s hard to be the one that survives in a war, Anakin. It’s painful. I know you’re so scared to lose your wife and friends like you lost your mom, fellow Jedi, clone comrades. I’ve been there. Just talk to me. You’re not crazy.” 

And just look at Cody’s facial expression. It’s the face of someone who wants to help, to hear what his brother is saying no matter what it might be. He sees Rex in a bad place and doesn’t judge him or give him some unwanted advice. Instead he opens up, becomes vulnerable as he dredges up all those memories of other battles (ones we unfortunately did not get to see and will never see) where he felt the same way. He encourages Rex to talk instead of telling him to stop crying around or feeling sorry about the past. He welcomes emotion, allows others to display it. He also takes the time to remind Rex of his value as both a soldier, leader, and friend (”Rex is one of our best, sir….”). 

Clone Wars might not be perfect, especially in how little spotlight they give any clones outside the 501st (just one example), but at least they continued this tradition of Cody just being there for people (see many of the EU books and RoTS). A true servant leader, friend, and genuine human being. I love watching him quietly move through this show and the movie, through little scenes where he builds up people (promoting Echo and Fives to ARC troopers, calling 99 a true soldier and friend, checking on/comforting the clone personnel in prison during “The Citadel”, speaking highly of Rex in front of superior officers…), treats them like people instead of minions or robots.

Side notes: 

I really need to make a painting or something of this. 

I kinda hope that we never see Cody again because I don’t like the thought of the showrunners just turning him into some mad, irredeemable villain. Just let me have this Cody, the one that takes the time to care and talk to his friends. 

I need to get my thoughts/essay down about the comparison between the Jedi and the clones during the clone wars, how Anakin and Obi-Wan kinda mirror Rex and Cody, plus Order 66. I also need to write an essay about how annoying the “by the book” description is of Cody because it’s overused and kinda stereotyping of any clone that isn’t “sassy” or overtly rebellious. :P

Ok I love this so much.

It reminds me of another post I saw a while back comparing the scenario where Rex lost Echo to the bad batch and when Anakin lost Ashoka. While Anakin reacted with anger, confusion, and desperation, Rex reacted with mournful acceptance and even gratitude. Like he was happy his vod was leaving, because he knew Echo would be happier that way.

Of course those situations were different but I also agree that if the Jedi as a community were more accepting and supportive, Anakin wouldn’t have turned. Rex was able to let Echo go because as a community the clones are so damn understanding and close-knit. Rex is more emotionally prepared to handle these situations because he has people like Cody who SUPPORT and UNDERSTAND him. Anakin never had that. We see him struggle to let go of everything in his life, his mother, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan (during his fake death), and finally, Padme. But if he had just been HEARD OUT and made to feel like it was OK to have these feelings, like the clones do for each other, things wouldn’t turned out soooo much differently for him.

We’ve known each other a long time.

Ever since that tiktok vid put the ‘leaves from the vine’ uncle iroh audio over the shot of jesses helmet I’ve been extra emotionally unstable about his death

I juat had a thought.

Rex is a captain, Keeli was a captain, Howzer is a captain, and Gregor is a captain.

We have agreed that Rex Keeli and Howzer were batchmates.

Now it's been confirmed that Rex knew Gregor before Rebels.

So what if all FOUR are batchmates??????

HC ACCEPTED