Let me be clear: this movie isn’t great. Aside from being rushed and awkwardly-paced, it has weird directing and writing. Some of the choices are bizarre, while others are downright offensive. But aside from a mishmash of poor decisions, some of which break the lore, I applaud the movie for never being boring. I also applaud it for doing certain aspects well, in particular the themes of legacy and found family. Let’s delve into that.
The character of Rey has always been difficult. In her introductory movie, there’s a mystery surrounding her lineage. She’s hinted at being more than a scavenger, though the truth isn’t revealed. In the sequel, that mystery’s expanded on with an anti-reveal: Rey’s a nobody. I’m not a fan of what led to that reveal, but it’s a cool subversion of expectations. It also caused massive backlash from long-time Star Wars fans who expected more, but Star Wars fans are often their own worst enemies…
It’s pretty obvious that JJ Abrams agreed with the fans on what Rian Johnson decided, as he “course corrects” and slips back into his initial plan of Rey being the Palpatine’s granddaughter. This is where the situation gets complicated, as fans are even more divided on this than the initial anti-reveal. The question remains: does the legacy help or hamper Rey’s character? I’d say it helps it, though not for the reasons most think.
I never liked Emperor Palpatine’s death in The Original Trilogy. Ignoring The Prequels, Palpatine was this megalith of evil who orchestrated everything. He was behind The Clone Wars, he corrupted Anakin Skywalker and he drove the Jedi to near-extinction. Even the trilogy’s conclusion, which marked his proper introduction, had him pulling the strings. He was a force to be reckoned with, nearly electrocuting Luke to death in front of Darth Vader.
So…why does he get discarded like a paperweight? I know this is supposed to be Vader’s redemption moment, but it’s always been unsatisfying. What’s worse, Palpatine doesn’t seem to put up a fight. He’s surprised by Vader’s betrayal, and his screams do him no favours. Palpatine’s defeat feels like the writers being trapped in a corner and copping out on a solution.
It's for that reason that, while a lazy retcon, having Palpatine back was wise in my mind. It feels like Abrams is acknowledging his initial death was lame and giving him another chance. It also helps that Palpatine had created Snoke, whom I was never thrilled with, as it resolves an issue I have with that character too. Essentially, this is Star Wars building on continuity instead of ignoring it. Yay?
So…why does he get discarded like a paperweight? I know this is supposed to be Vader’s redemption moment, but it’s always been unsatisfying. What’s worse, Palpatine doesn’t seem to put up a fight. He’s surprised by Vader’s betrayal, and his screams do him no favours. Palpatine’s defeat feels like the writers being trapped in a corner and copping out on a solution.
It's for that reason that, while a lazy retcon, having Palpatine back was wise in my mind. It feels like Abrams is acknowledging his initial death was lame and giving him another chance. It also helps that Palpatine had created Snoke, whom I was never thrilled with, as it resolves an issue I have with that character too. Essentially, this is Star Wars building on continuity instead of ignoring it. Yay?
This ties into the other part that I really like: Palpatine being Rey’s grandfather. Firstly, why not? Not only did he create Anakin via The Force, but Palpatine was an attractive-looking man as a Galactic Senator. I know it’s fun to joke about his haggardly appearance, even though there’s internalized ableism and ageism there, and how that’d “prevent him from having children”, but young Palpatine disproves that. Have you seen him?!
Secondly, when have The Sith played by the rules? If Anakin’s indication, The Jedi didn’t even play by the rules! But it’s worth calling this out since The Sith revel in temptation. Their shtick is engaging in pleasure, sex included. I, therefore, don’t buy Palpatine as an incel.
And thirdly, it’s Star Wars! Not only is The Force capable of anything, the lore allows for all possibilities providing it plays by the universe’s rules. Remember, a key plot-point of The Prequels is the Satan stand-in creating Space Jesus by magically impregnating a slave woman. This is the actual text, too: Anakin has no biological father, and he’s “The Chosen One”. If Palpatine can manipulate The Force to create a child once, then he can do it again. I don’t understand why this is controversial.
Secondly, when have The Sith played by the rules? If Anakin’s indication, The Jedi didn’t even play by the rules! But it’s worth calling this out since The Sith revel in temptation. Their shtick is engaging in pleasure, sex included. I, therefore, don’t buy Palpatine as an incel.
And thirdly, it’s Star Wars! Not only is The Force capable of anything, the lore allows for all possibilities providing it plays by the universe’s rules. Remember, a key plot-point of The Prequels is the Satan stand-in creating Space Jesus by magically impregnating a slave woman. This is the actual text, too: Anakin has no biological father, and he’s “The Chosen One”. If Palpatine can manipulate The Force to create a child once, then he can do it again. I don’t understand why this is controversial.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, more than any other film, resolves Rey’s parentage in a clever way. She’s built up as a Palpatine, and she’s destined to take her grandfather’s place as ruler of The Sith. The whole time, we’re waiting for the inevitable. So when it doesn’t happen, and Rey rejects her lineage, it’s a nice subversion of expectations. I think it also makes for better storytelling!
The end scene, where Rey adopts the mantle of Skywalker, is therefore a fitting conclusion to her arc. Sure, heading to Tatooine to bury Luke and Leia’s lightsabers might be odd, even with the symbolism associated with it, but her adopting another lineage is, I think, really clever. This is Star Wars addressing how found families can sometimes be healthier than biological ones, and anyone who grew up in a toxic household can relate. Besides, why shouldn’t that be Rey’s conclusion, given what we know about her real parentage?
Perhaps this only bothers me because it seems like an obvious conclusion. Or maybe the film’s original screenplay was superior, I’m not sure. Regardless, I think people both expect too much from Star Wars, and can’t be satisfied with what they get instead. Given what Patrick H Willems once said, it goes either way, honestly. And this is with recognizing that standards should exist.
The end scene, where Rey adopts the mantle of Skywalker, is therefore a fitting conclusion to her arc. Sure, heading to Tatooine to bury Luke and Leia’s lightsabers might be odd, even with the symbolism associated with it, but her adopting another lineage is, I think, really clever. This is Star Wars addressing how found families can sometimes be healthier than biological ones, and anyone who grew up in a toxic household can relate. Besides, why shouldn’t that be Rey’s conclusion, given what we know about her real parentage?
Perhaps this only bothers me because it seems like an obvious conclusion. Or maybe the film’s original screenplay was superior, I’m not sure. Regardless, I think people both expect too much from Star Wars, and can’t be satisfied with what they get instead. Given what Patrick H Willems once said, it goes either way, honestly. And this is with recognizing that standards should exist.
So yes, this movie handles legacy excellently. Maybe not other parts of the story, but definitely that!
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