Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (#5)
Finally, after months of discussion in different areas we arrive at the finale of my series of pieces discussing The Rise of Skywalker. Although there was multiple delays getting to this finale, I hope you all find it as useful as it was for me to write it! And with The Rise of Skywalker now out digitally, go give the movie another chance. Let’s dive right in!
The True Heir to the Throne
Finally, after months of discussion, we arrive at what is arguably the most divisive part of the film among the fanbase. To our knowledge as of this point in the story Rey’s parentage was considered to be a non-factor, as Kylo exclaims they were junk traders who sold her to Unkar Plutt for drinking money. This built up the powerful theme of anybody could be a hero, but it seems that this wasn’t the entire story. Rey was in fact, Palpatine’s grandson, and in the Emperor’s mind, the true heir to the throne of the Sith. In addition, Rey and Kylo are a force dyad, meaning they have a power not seen for generations that makes them two pieces of one massive puzzle. In a moment we’ll speak of the force dyad, but first I want to return to the idea presented in The Last Jedi, where Rey was considered a nobody with no special history.
I have come around partially to the idea of Rey being a Palpatine, and this saga being a battle between the Skywalkers and the Palpatines, but I truly believe this story would have been better served if Rey continued on as a nobody who became one of the most powerful force users of her time. In my opinion, Star Wars was never truly about special families doing battle, but about everyday people learning they had a larger place in the universe than they were raised to believe. Characters like Rey, Luke, Anakin, Han, Finn, and Poe. All of these characters grew up in small lives that changed over time. Whether they were a slave podracer, or a spice runner, they all believed themselves to be a non-factor in the grand scale of the universe. Whether they sought to be more or not, they were all at one point or another nobodies, who became somebody. Now, let’s talk about the situation of the force dyad, and it’s implications on the Star Wars saga.
A force dyad: something we haven’t ever really heard of at any point in the history of the films or any medium. Created for this film: the claim that Rey (as a Palpatine) and Kylo (as a Skywalker) were essentially one being within the Force is as interesting idea on it’s own accord. When placed in the greater context of the film without any previous build towards even it’s mention makes it feel like a sort of means to escape a sticky situation created by “how do we rejuvenate the emperor?” When you attempt to push three movies worth of hinting into one film, it ultimately is left feeling heavy handed. A lot of this ties back to the ultimate choice to use the Emperor in this story, and Rey as a Palpatine in general. Again, there are ways to get across this same point without her being a Palpatine, and I think I would have really enjoyed this beat if there was more build up towards it’s reveal. In addition, some of the story beats involving this dyad and Rey as a Palpatine’s foreshadowing could have been removed from the story and still made the film feel like a satisfying conclusion.
Rey’s nightmares of sitting on the throne with Kylo? That sequence was already out of left field, so removing it would have been easier. The sith dagger connecting to her parents and Ochi? It makes sense for the Palpatine narrative, but if it was removed the story could have flowed just as easily with Ochi just being someone who hunted for artifacts for him. Palpatine’s interest in Rey could have been similar to that of Snoke’s: her raw power is something unseen in the history of the force outside of perhaps the chosen one himself. Finally, the dyad as a concept could have been lifted from the story, and Rey and Ben’s lifeforce being drained through dark side tampering with the force’s connections to life could have worked well, instead of creating a term that meant their power could be drained and their story was that of a future Romeo and Juliet style.
Reflecting on this choice for the story, Rey as a Palpatine, whether you like it very much comes down to whether you preferred the idea of nobody becoming someone, or the story of two families intertwined over generations. I won’t fault anyone for believing Rey Palpatine was the right move, and it’s something I can accept while watching the film, but I would have chosen the opposite. In the end, it’s the path chosen by this saga and story group, and while by the end of the film she makes a choice to determine who her real family is. That’s where our discussion leads to next.
Peace Across the Galaxy
As The Rise of Skywalker came to a close, I found myself overcome with emotion. In the midst of a story full of divisiveness, one singular moment brought it all back home for me. The moment the camera pans towards the sky as Rey calls for all the Jedi who came before to be with her, I felt the weight of this story and everything that came before. Hearing voices like Luke, Anakin, Obi Wan, Yoda, Mace Windu, Qui-Gon Jinn, Ahsoka, Kanan, and many others from the animated properties, it brought connective tissue in a way we haven’t seen ever in this franchise, and really helped to encompass this saga and franchise as one singular entity. When Rey rises, and brings balance to the force by eliminating Palpatine as she proclaims she is all of the Jedi, the swell of emotion hit a tipping point.
When Ben emerges from the pit and saves Rey from death, it’s just as powerful seeing these two characters finally meet their destiny. Outside of Ben’s kiss and die, it was an excellent beat for these characters, and a fitting end for Ben Solo, redeemed in nearly the same way as the man he idolized so much. There’s a sense of brevity from this point in the film through to the final shot like after so much loss of life and so much fear, the darkness is gone. Seeing everyone arrive back on Ajan Kloss, and embrace one final time is some of the best imagery this trilogy has had. After everything that’s happened, they did it, they brought peace to the galaxy.
But, there’s one thing that I demanded this film do, and god is it beautiful. Rey and BB8 return to Tatooine, where this story began way back in 1977. Rey explores the former Lars homestead, seeing where Luke grew up and began his journey, and really where it ALL began. Then, deeming it is time, she wraps up the lightsabers of both Leia and Luke, and buries them below the sands near the homestead. As she rises, she ignites her new lightsaber with the color of brilliant yellow. Then, a passerby sees Rey, proclaims that no one has passed through these lands for some time, and asks who Rey is. Unsure, she looks into the distance and sees Luke and Leia’s force ghosts smiling upon her, giving her their blessing. Here, after 42 years, at the place that spurred our hero Luke’s search for a larger purpose, Rey recognizes her own purpose, declaring herself Rey Skywalker, taking the name of the closest people she’s ever had to family. As Rey turns to leave with her lovable companion, BB8, the final shot of the film shows their silhouettes staring into the distant binary sunsets just as her teacher once had.
A beautiful ending shot for this film, that closes out not only her story, but that of the Skywalkers’. While there were plenty of ups and downs for me throughout this closing chapter, I find that I am ultimately left satisfied. There’s things I wish would have been done differently, but no matter what, it holds a special place in my heart as a life-long fan of these characters and this world.
Reflecting on the Sequel Trilogy, and the Future of Star Wars
If it isn’t clear by now, I’m a definite fan of the sequel trilogy of films. Sometimes it seems difficult to believe that that is possible with the massive outpouring of differing opinions regarding these stories, but like I said before, everyone has their own journey whether they liked them or not, and that’s OK no matter where someone lands on that spectrum. I can’t ignore the clear problems though that come with creating a trilogy without a clear through line, something mentioned by multiple critics throughout the film stratosphere. There’s also some clear things between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker that feel like retcons, smoothly attempted, but clear as day in their intentions.
Moving away from the trilogy requirement that comes with franchises is a smart move for the future of these stories, allowing creators to build their own stories that don’t fit a specific format. I’m excited to see more one off films based on characters new and old, but most important: more television series in the Star Wars world. The Mandalorian points out a clear future for Star Wars that isn’t on the silver screen. If you would have told me that when the sequel trilogy began, I would have called you insane, but now the universal acclaim that that series has received shows that there’s a way to tell longer stories in a format other than films every other year. Favreau and Filoni are the future guiding posts of this franchise on TV, and hopefully one day in theaters as well. And with Ahsoka Tano being cast in Season 2 of The Mandalorian, we could see even more connective tissue and more focus on television, as Bob Iger has teased spinoffs from characters introduced throughout the series. I could go on for days about Star Wars as everyone knows, but to simply state: my love of Star Wars has never waned, and it only burns brighter.
Thank you all so much for coming along for this journey with me as I found my way in what was without question one of the more challenging stories in this universe for me to find my footing on. Star Wars continues to be a massive part of my life, and I cannot wait for what comes next. I also apologize for the massive delays on this finale, as recently I began writing my very first novel and have been putting a large amount of focus on that. Articles may not be every week as they once were, but I promise content will still come. And with everything going on in the world right now, we could all use a bit of sit back and chill time that these quarantines will provide. Stay safe, and may the force be with you!
