Poe Dameron may not have had a huge role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens , but that doesn't mean he didn't capture viewers' hearts. Poe, the Resistance pilot who loves his droid, his mission and rocks a superb head of hair actually (spoiler alert) kicked off the entire film after being captured by the First Order on the planet Jakku, and then escaping with Finn. Despite the importance of his character, Poe doesn't show up again until much later in the film, and even then not much of his character is explored — other than his loyalty to General Leia and his adoration for BB-8 and Finn (FinnPoe forever). However, fans have hope that Poe, and actor Oscar Isaac, will be featured more prominently in upcoming Star Wars films, and that more of his backstory will be explored. In the meantime, fans have their own theories on Poe's character, most of which involve the Force and his potential relationship with Luke. But does Poe know Luke Skywalker?
Before people start theorizing about Poe's parentage, let it be known that the official Star Wars website declares that Poe is "the son of a rebel fighter pilot and a rebel commando" who grew up as part of the Resistance and idolized Leia, Luke and Han Solo from a young age. It seems that the young Resistance pilot grew up hearing about Leia, Luke and Han from afar, not from specific familial relationships. According to the Star Wars Databank, Poe is a commander for Leia's Resistance and "can fly anything," making him a crucial part of the Resistance forces.
Poe's talent behind the wheel of the X-wing has had many fans talking about a possible connection between Poe and Luke Skywalker, who was also known for being the best pilot in the universe. Some fans have theorized that Poe might actually have the Force helping him in the pilot's seat, suggesting that he might have been one of Luke's students alongside Kylo Ren. This theory, however, seems unlikely given Poe's backstory described in Marvel's "Star Wars: Journey to The Force Awakens — Shattered Empire" comic. In the comic, Poe is revealed to be from Yavin IV, the planet where the medal ceremony in the original trilogy takes place and where the Rebellion has a strong foothold. According to the comic, Poe grew up living next to a Force-sensitive tree gifted to his family by Luke Skywalker. Some fans believe that perhaps Poe's proximity to the tree has given him some power of the Force, however small, that Poe might tap into subconsciously.
Poe's official backstory also states that he became a pilot from an early age, learning to fly when he was just six years old. His skill as a pilot coupled with the allegiance of his parents to the Rebellion suggests that Poe joined the Resistance early on, meaning his relationship with General Leia likely goes back years. With that in mind, it's fair to assume that he might have met Luke Skywalker before he went missing after Kylo Ren went over to the Dark Side. It would make sense, then, that he alone would be trusted to retrieve the map to Luke Skywalker from Lor San Tekka on Jakku.
Whatever Poe's relationship to Luke Skywalker and the Force, it's clear from The Force Awakens that Poe is loyal to the Resistance, and thus loyal to Luke and his sister Leia. Hopefully we'll get to see more of him fighting on the Light Side against Kylo Ren and the First Order in Episode VIII.
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