[hider=#2]See, the beginning makes it sort of feel like the First Order is the Empire, but then as the movie progresses they give off more of an organized Neo-Nazi Vibe. The Republic and the First Order don't seem to be at war, but they do seem to share the same space, which makes it look like the First Order is just a really powerful para-military force within the Republic. I guess I could see a situation where that is all true, and the Resistance is another Paramilitary force that the Republic is secretly supporting while they publicly try to hold the government together. 

But I'm probably overthinking it way too much. It didn't diminish the movie for me in any way, it's just something I kept trying to put together when I was watching, and still haven't completely wrapped my head around. [/hider]