What we learned about Hux from the Phasma book

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Spoiler warning if you have not read the book yet!

The Phasma book was the most enjoyable Star Wars book that I have read in a while. It is an exciting read from start to finish that you definitely don’t want to miss. The book reveals Phasma’s past and what makes her tick as a person. We are also given a few more snippets about Armitage Hux that are really useful in further understanding him as a character! 

1. It is common knowledge in the First Order that his father hated him.

Brendol looked at him, then … well, like perhaps a father would.

Which was a way Brendol had never looked a this own son, Armitage. (p 311)

We can’t be certain whether Brendol was actually proud of Cardinal or if he was just manipulating Cardinal to think so. Regardless, even Cardinal, who seemed to be oblivious to many of the darker motives of his First Order superiors, still noticed the lack of fatherly affection Brendol had towards Armitage, which means Brendol never even tried to hide his dislike for his son. 

2. But Armitage probably hated his father even more.

The look he shot Brendol was pure loathing. (p 286)

Armitage definitely has some father issues for sure. This matches up with what we learned about Armitage in Empire’s End, that he had been raised by an abusive father who could not care less about his son except perhaps in using him for the First Order. 

3. He can handle children pretty well.

“We’re going to space,” he said. “To become good soldiers for the First Order. I was once very little and took a ride o a ship like this, and look how big I am.”

He smiled at the child, and hen shot a measuring look at Phasma, as if trying to guess whether she might be friend or foe. (p. 285)

Perhaps this talent comes from dealing with the orphan children or the young stormtroopers in training. (Or maybe he has children as well? You never know.)

4. Rae Sloane remains a soft spot for him. 

“Sir, if I may say so, if Admiral Sloane were here -” 

“Well she’s not,” Armitage snaps. “Any other threats you’d like to hold over my head?” (p. 304)

It’s not completely clear if Rae Sloane is dead or just on a different ship. If Cardinal is threatening to tell her about the situation then it is clearly the latter, but Cardinal could have also been speaking hypothetically about if Sloane were alive. Either way, Armitage clearly still considers Sloane an important figure in his life. 

5.  He planned the murder of his father with Phasma.

“I know Phasma killed him, and I’m glad the old bastard is dead. We agreed on the right time for it to happen. I told her it had to be untraceable and it shall remain so.” (p. 304)

Brendol literally liquefied in a bacta tank from a poison beetle bite. If there were any doubts that Hux had any affection left for his father, then they were vaporized with Brendol’s organs. This information also shows that Phasma and Armitage are allies and are probably on the same page about their plans for the First Order.

6. Hux knows everything.

“Of course I knew. I always know. I know everything.” (p. 304)

Nothing goes unnoticed under General Hux’s watch. This characterization is consistent with how he was the described in the TFA novelization as being excellent at reading the people around him. 

7. He resents the past and the way his father did things. 

Cardinal saw how the man treated his son. If he knew anything about the human heart, he should’ve understood that the stronger Hux would rise to supplant the weaker, older Hux eventually.

…

The ends justify the means, and the First Order cannot be held back by outdated ideals.  (p. 308)

Let’s see what Hux will do next. 

8. He does not like to keep Kylo Ren waiting. 

(((OOC: A good informational post about Hux for anyone interested in a character analysis on him! The Phasma book has a lot of good stuff on him.)))