Star Wars: The Force Awakens Friendship

Poe really means it when he says this, even though BB-8 is just a droid and considered pretty much a slave (or, at best, a pet dog). What does it say about Poe that he's still willing to go back for BB-8…even if they don't need that map anymore?

Rey is just as fast on the upswing as Poe, and figures it out pretty quick, too. BB-8 is important to the galaxy, yes. But more importantly, she's willing to give up food for him, on a planet where survival is a day-to-day thing. That's going above and beyond.

We don't think much of names, but the process of naming is really important. That's why parents agonize over it. Poe is a free spirit, but he knows the meaning of giving his new friend a proper name.

This is one of those moments that we live for in Star Wars: these two just doing the kind of goofy, spontaneous things that friends do. There's a rule in screenwriting: show, don't tell. This is showing a friendship instead of just telling us that they're friends.

Rey is mirroring Poe's words to BB-8 at the beginning of the film, and it's another sign that she's more than just an owner.

Now, here's a good friend: the whole galaxy is at stake, with planets blowing up and whatnot, and he's only interested in getting his buddy back. Funny thing about Star Wars: saving a friend often means saving the galaxy, too.

Ah, Han's not so bad. He even makes sure Finn knows that he's a buddy.

It just wouldn't be right not to acknowledge that Star Wars'oldest, closest friends—the first ones we ever see—get their moment.

We kind of believe that, too. More importantly, though, it represents a pledge on Rey's part: no matter what might happen to them, they're bound by ties no amount of distance—even hyperspace—can breach. Almost as if they're going to be buddies in another movie or two.

Again, Poe is helping his friend—raised by faceless military goons to be a faceless military goon—find an identity to help him determine who he is. That's real friendship.