# Star Wars VII, VIII, IX possibly to be retconned away {Warning Spoilers for other Star Wars movies}

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-wars-vii-viii-ix-possibly-to-be-retconned-away-warning-spoilers-for-other-star-wars-movies/913809>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** movies\
**Created:** [June 30, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-wars-vii-viii-ix-possibly-to-be-retconned-away-warning-spoilers-for-other-star-wars-movies/913809 "2020-06-30T16:38:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 485

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-wars-vii-viii-ix-possibly-to-be-retconned-away-warning-spoilers-for-other-star-wars-movies/913809/485 "2021-07-14T19:39:09Z")

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Continuing a sequels-related discussion here instead of hijacking [the “suspension of disbelief” thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-your-willing-suspension-of-disbelief-stop/945746/168):

> [@Where does your ‘willing suspension of disbelief’ stop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-your-willing-suspension-of-disbelief-stop/945746/169):
>
> Rey grew up as some sort of indentured laborer making a living from scrap. I could maybe see her picking up enough piloting skills to re-park or transport vehicles around the lot under close supervision, but I don’t really buy her employer giving her the freedom to just go hot-dogging across the galaxy, or zooming through canyons.

Rey doesn’t appear to be an indentured servant. When we first see her as an adult, she’s living on her own, and bartering with the scrap guy. We learn in the third movie that she was left there by parents who cared for her, but couldn’t keep her because of the danger they were in, so its unlikely they _sold_ her. More likely, they paid him, probably with the understanding that they’d be back to get her when it was safe. After a few years, when its clear they aren’t coming back, it’s “Time to start earning your keep.” Instead of, “close supervision,” I imagine it more like, “Pilot this ship over to Outpost 17 and drop it off with the Rodian. Here’s ten credits for the bantha ride back. See you in three days.” And Rey’s, like, twelve years old.

> [@](#):
>
> Finn says he works in “sanitation” . While perhaps this is just punishment, or maybe all stormtroopers have second jobs because the First Order can’t afford contract laborers, it still doesn’t lend itself towards having a lot of extensive training in melee combat as a shock trooper.

Well, [this guy](https://starwarsblog.starwars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/First-Order-Riot-Control-Stormtroopers-1536x864-397036155406.jpeg) apparently got some melee training, so it’s something Stormtroopers learn. Finn’s a Stormtrooper. Melee combat remains surprisingly viable despite the high tech settings. Doesn’t seem a stretch to assume the guy who’s been a soldier literally since childhood might have had some training with a sword at some point.

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