The release of Star Wars fans around the world. The conclusion to the Skywalker saga has either been satisfying or disappointing depending on which way fans choose to analyze and critique the sequels. The use of the Force, the mix-and-match plot, and even some characters have been scrutinized with a fine-tooth comb by the die-hard fans, which is arguably justifiable.
One plot point in particular got a lot of attention after the release of the final installment, and that is about Rey and her origins. We took a look at each side of the totem pole and determined 5 things The Rise of Skywalker got right and 5 things it got wrong about Reys origins.
WRONG: Rey retcon
The Last Jedi revealed that Rey is nobody, literally nobody, in a statement from Kylo Ren. The comment itself felt like it was something Rian Johnson decided to add in to hush all the speculation going on from fans at the time about who Reys parents are. What better way to do that than by making the characters say as much?
The Rise of Skywalker completely ignores this bit of information, acting more like a sequel to Rey is the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. Talk about a turn of events.
RIGHT: Staying consistent with the saga
Despite the unclear direction each film of the sequels has moved, The Rise of Skywalker did something the first two didn't and that's include the same enemy the Skywalkers have been facing in the entire saga.
It's only fitting that the enemy of the saga is returned, even if the man himself doesn't appear until the final film.
WRONG: Palpatine is not relevant
The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi did nothing to hint at Palpatine still being alive. In fact, there was a new enemy to be trifled with and yet Kylo Ren killed him before the trilogy completed.
While this does make a good opening for Palpatines return, it does not fit the plot of VII and VIII no matter how many flimsy excuses were mentioned within the film.
RIGHT: "Some things are stronger than blood." -Luke Skywalker
Luke tried to encourage Rey by saying that blood isn't everything, and he made an excellent point. The overall theme of the sequels has to do with Rey wondering where she comes from, only to discover it's a question she doesn't like the answer to.
She fought the only family she had left, which is the one thing she had been searching for her whole life. She found family in the arms of her friends and her mentors, and ended up taking the Skywalker name for herself, and in turn, making Rey a Skywalker all along.
WRONG: Missed opportunities
The Force Awakens opened the doors for endless possibilities of who Rey could be, and The Rise of Skywalker chose for her to be a Palpatine-Skywalker, but what if she was a nobody or someone else significant? Say, a Kenobi?
Imagine a Rey Kenobi scenario. It would remind fans of the bond Anakin and Obi-Wan shared in the prequels as an unstoppable duo and further tie in the sequels to the other trilogies. Obi-Wan and Anakin worked amazing together, and when Rey and Ben are partnered they are equally as unstoppable. And when they're pinned against each other? Both pairings are ferocious and dedicated to what they believe in. History has a tendency to repeat itself, and this would have been the perfect way to solidify that concept.
RIGHT: Re-establishing the Vader/Palpatine relationship
In episodes II and III we see how Palpatine is able to manipulate Anakin in turning to the dark side, and in the original trilogy we see that the two Sith lords make devastating rulers. Unlike the Anakin and Obi-Wan relationship, we don't see as much of the Palpatine and Vader relationship other than mentor and mentee.
The Rey Palpatine direction doesn't fix this, but it's certainly moved in the right direction. It is clear these bloodlines are drawn towards each other, and The Rise of Skywalker gave fans their fill on how that dynamic functions and could have functioned given different circumstances.
WRONG: Misuse of parallels
Episode IX carried a lot of parallels from the prequels and originals that didn't quite fit into who Rey was born as. A few key points in the film hint at parallels more towards Skywalker and Kenobi versus Palpatine.
For example, Rey retiring on Tatooine just as Obi-Wan did for his exile. Rey staring out at the double suns on Tatooine just as Luke did in A New Hope, and lets not forget about the epic lightsaber duel between Rey and Kylo that mirror Obi-Wan and Anakin in Revenge of the Sith, just with less lava and more water.
RIGHT: The use of irony
It's interesting to see how it's a Palpatine trying to turn a Skywalker to the light side of the Force, and succeeding, whereas it was just the opposite in episode III when Palpatine pushed Anakin to go dark.
Another ironic occurrence is how Rey seemingly goes off the rails trying to search for the Sith Wayfinder, and Kylo is the one directing her to stop, he's not even the one to initiate their fight on the Death Star.
WRONG: It doesn't make sense
To put things simply. It doesn't. First of all, let's address the bantha in the room: who would want to be romantically tied to Palpatine? Sure, MAYBE he was charming back in his politician days but let's be real here, the man is evil. It's hard to believe he would make time for such desires when he is trying to rule the galaxy.
A one-night-stand sounds more realistic, particularly with a prostitute young enough to still bear children. We know he didn't have a child post-dating the Galactic Empire for the sake of his physical appearance and the timeline for Reys age. So, prequel era one-night-stand it is.
RIGHT: Reys parents
When we first learned about the "nobodies" that are Reys parents in The Last Jedi, fans were surprised. It is a bold move on Disneys part to give her parents a background of junk trading and imply alcoholism. But as we all know, that didn't stay the case for long.
Reys parents did not have to be anybody in order for them to protect her from a Jedi hunter, although it makes for an easier explanation. There is more of a story to tell when prime names are involved, but there would not be as strong of a plot if they were simply nobodies, drunks or otherwise.
