WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 AHEAD! ONLY LOOK IF YOU WANT TO KNOW!
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As the credits began to roll after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, many realized just how different this ending was from the first installment. The final scene went to black with a character crying, rather than Star-Lord flying his team into the sky to the sound the Jackson 5.
If you were caught up in all of the emotion, you may have missed many of the subtle hints that were wrapped up in the film’s finale. Every storyline was given a moment to wrap up. And every storyline was then given a road map to Vol. 3.
So, what did all of this mean? Let’s take a look!
P.S. Just in case you missed it earlier, things are FULL of spoilers from here on out.
A Ravager Funeral
After Yondu died, and he was sent out to rest in the stars, a horde of other ships appeared. It was made clear that Rocket called all of the other Ravager captains – led by Sylvester Stallone’s Stakar Ogord – and that this was how their people celebrated the life of a fallen comrade.
What may not have been noticed was the significance of the fireworks. Each of the Ravager ships blasted off bright colors, creating a beautiful picture across the sky. Yes, this is just how the Ravagers honor a friend, but it’s a major reference to a line from earlier in the film.
When Stakar was exiling Yondu in the first act, he told him that they were no longer brothers because the latter ‘Broke the code’. (Yondu broke the code by agreeing to deliver Ego’s children to him on numerous occasions.) Stakar told Yondu that, when he died, “The Ogord colors will never fly at your funeral.”
The fact that Stakar showed up at the end, and he let his colors blast from his ship, means that Yondu was still a part of the Ravager brotherhood.
It’s also worth noting that the many of the Ravagers shown at the end of the film, along with Yondu, were all original members of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the comics.
Awesome Mix Vol. 3
It was made very clear in this movie that there was no way Peter would be getting another Awesome Mix cassette tape from his mom. She gave him the second mix on her death bed, and Ego crushed his Walkman.
However, one of the final scenes showed how music will continue to be a part of Quill’s life, and that there might be some more modern tunes next time around.
Kraglin gave Peter a Zune, the MP3 player that failed to rival the iPod. The device can hold 300 songs, and Yondu purchased it from a junker, in the hopes that he could give to Peter if he ever came back to the Ravagers.
When Peter started listening to his new device, he turned on the song ‘Father and Son’ by Cat Stevens. This had a bit of a double meaning.
Peter began reflecting on his relationship with Yondu, and what it meant to have a Dad that looked out for you. Then, when Baby Groot sits on his lap and asks for one of the headphones, Peter realizes that he’s already a father. Even though they aren’t blood-related, he has a responsibility to Groot. This is further echoed in the post-credits scene when he interacts with a teenage version of the tree.
Some Unspoken Thing
Ever since the first Guardians of the Galaxy, there has been a lot chemistry between Gamora and Peter. They have teased a relationship, on more than one occasion, but nothing more than that.
In this movie, Peter tried to get Gamora to admit she had feelings for him, but she wouldn’t budge. During their dance scene, he asked about their ‘unspoken thing’. She took the firm stance that there was nothing between them, and they moved on.
However, at the end of the movie, the two came together once again. Gamora looked up at Peter, and he asked, “What?” She replied with a smile saying it was “Just some unspoken thing.” Then, they both put arm around the other, and watched the fireworks of Yondu’s funeral.
This clearly means some kind of relationship is coming for Peter and Gamora.
What’s Next For Rocket?
Even though Peter was Yondu’s son, Rocket seemed the most affected by his death. The movie ended with Rocket crying as he said goodbye to his new friend.
Rocket was so broken up because he realized how similar he and Yondu are. He thought that no one in the world understood him, but Yondu did. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to be close for very long.
Now Rocket isn’t really sure what’s in store for him. He knows that he hasn’t treated the people he loves very well, but he isn’t really sure how to change the way he does it. In Yondu, Rocket saw someone who could teach him how to be better.
Going forward, into Infinity War and Guardians Vol. 3, Rocket will have a very personal story to explore.
Nebula’s Mission
In the Infinity Gauntlet comic, Nebula was the one who was vital to the defeat of Thanos. The Avengers needed her help in taking down her father, because she had the power to do so.
Nebula’s departure at the end of Guardians Vol. 2 started to unveil that very story.
We learned her backstory throughout the movie, so it made sense that she wanted to take out Thanos by any means necessary. As the film draws to a close, Nebula announces that she’s going to kill her father.
This teases the relationship that she will have with the other Marvel characters in the coming films.
Click Here To Read The Explanation Of The Various Post Credits Scenes.
