That’s a good question, since it’s pretty obvious I am an unapologetic fan. 

I do believe someone can identify stepping stones a character’s path that can evoke a level of empathy that can make that character interesting, while not necessitating that one also accept the actions that are a culmination of that person’s past and choices.

In Hux’s case, I can empathize with the fact that I am not sure whether he would have been the person he became had he not had a different experience as a child. After years in the mental health field, and my studies in anthropology, I am far more inclined to believe in the power of nurture over nature. 

Hux, however, actually more closely (according to what we see in our “behind the scenes” information and the very fact of his acts of remorseless destruction) fits the definition of a psychopath, which is generally considered to be innate / a genetic predisposition. Unfortunately, the distinguishing factors between psychopathology and sociopathy are blurred in narratives and often mixed together in clusters of traits that are actually rarely found in both definitions. This being said, I honestly think that Hux would have turned out like he did, to some degree, no matter his environment, but his upbringing absolutely cultivated the worst traits and impulses, and honed them into an art. Do I apologize for his actions? Absolutely not. This character trait is the first thing to go in many fictions, because, I imagine, it’s very difficult to empathize with and recreate. The Hux for many of us in the Kylux fandom, I think, is a construct / amalgamation of traits that we are able to understand and relate to, but when it boils down to it, I don’t think he has a defense (and the “real” Hux wouldn’t see the need for one, in my opinion).  

Kylo, on the other hand, is pretty clearly written as a sociopath. This diagnosis implies that his character is impulsive, has a pervasive pattern of disregard for others, is deceitful and manipulative, is prone to aggression, has difficulties forming attachments or may form an attachment to a person or group of persons that they perceive as like-minded. Unlike the psychopathic character, sociopaths are largely considered by the psychology community to be created by their environment. Take the most popular representation of such a person in modern television (Dexter), whose trauma at the age of four dictated his ability to connect with humanity for the rest of his life. He grew up and became a serial killer. Sociopathy is often a response to such childhood trauma or abuse. Some folks don’t think that Ben Solo actually was a victim of trauma, but I don’t agree. Snoke, according to canon, began to manipulate Ben while he was still in the womb. He went on to feel abandoned and rejected by all the adults in his life that he should have reasonably expected to care for him. As a social worker, I see patterns like this in childhood behind almost every personality disorder that I work with. 

I suppose in this respect I am much more likely to WANT TO let Kylo Ren “off the hook” if it were up to me, solely because I can empathize with him far more. I relate, personally, to his story. Despite my personal feelings, do I LOGICALLY apologize for him / condone him? No, I don’t.