The Final Word, Maybe. How 'Star Wars: Episode 9' Can Work and Tie Together the Entire Saga

So you detested The Last Jedi, and you signed the petition to have that ill-fated episode stricken from canon. The effort will go nowhere, and though I’m one of those fans who abjectly loved the film, I’d of course have to admit it left many of us in a teeth-gnashing uproar.

If I did not admit as much, I’d be in denial.

I’m not in denial, and the box office grosses of Star Wars: A Solo Story said more about fan dissatisfaction with the direction Disney had been taking the franchise than any petition ever could.

I may disagree with the consternation—after all, episode eight was just another chapter in an ever-unfolding epic—but it doesn’t change the facts.

Perspective

A year after I first saw what’s since become A New Hope back in 1977, my local supermarket’s gum machines were selling "May the Force Be with You" stickers for a quarter a pop. I still have about 30 of them.

The Force has been arguably the main character of the ongoing saga from the beginning. More so even than Luke, or Darth Vader.

So follow me on that premise for a minute.

Ben Kenobi's Truth

“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.”

There were no midichlorians back then. In ‘77, the Force was not biological in origin. As the saga went on, however, the Force seemed to lose its ... focus.

But maybe it didn’t. I believed old Ben. I believed Yoda.

I considered how the Force seemed to change to serve those of different sensitivies. Sort of the quantum view. As opposed to those of differing Force sensitivities training to best channel it, I’m suggesting the Force is itself the sentient entity that makes those decisions.

I appreciate your indulgence.

Rey

The lack of a definitive answer as to Rey’s parentage was one of the three most commonly criticized aspects of The Last Jedi, the other two being Luke’s apparent change in character (which I believe is arguable, but nonetheless), and Snoke dying (before we knew him better, or even at all).

My contention is that the future of Star Wars, and of the Force in general, is contingent on episode nine’s treatment of Rey.

My Conclusion

Rey is the living embodiment of the Force.

Rey is the living embodiment of the Force.

Rey is the living embodiment of the Force.

We’ve trod this path before. If Anakin had no father, biblical allusions aside, Rey had no parents to speak of. She was raised by strangers. Kylo lied ... from a certain point of view.

Yin and Yang. Vader the former, who Kylo admires than any other. Rey the latter. Kylo assumes what he considers to be Vader’s legacy, and will become Vader himself (read on).

The Force encompasses the Dark Side, the Light, and the Gray. The Force as a whole is more powerful than the sum of its parts.

May of us thought, or hoped, that Rey would be revealed as Luke’s daughter in the last film. That would have been a mistake.

Rey being the living embodiment of the Force will cement her as the most powerful figure of the universe. The whole (I believe insulting) “Mary Sue” argument would be out the window, as not only does Disney appear to be heading in this direction, if Rey is indeed the Force personified she now has storyline reason to be so powerful.

Kylo Ren will go down in defeat with no redemption—he’s made his bed and cannot turn back unless Disney is willing to contend with cries of “Return of the Jedi ripoff!”—and the galaxy will be saved until, somewhere in a small corner of the universe, further trouble will brew.

By the way, to elaborate upon my prior reference regarding Kylo? As the Knights of Ren are rumored to be making their long-awaited appearance in Episode Nine, to stand out from the pack Kylo will legitimately become the new Darth Vader. As in, literally. A new version of Vader’s costume and mask, though he needs neither to survive, will be his. He will not have, as mentioned, Vader’s redemptive arc; instead, he will embody Vader as he has always seen him:

The epitome of evil.

He may return for future installments, though it’s been long said the quote-unquote “Skywalker Saga” ends in 2019.

Disney has stated they want to keep at least some of the new characters in adventures moving forward, so don’t be surprised if my hypothesis proves truthful.

Post-Script

However...

To trigger the chain and create a Return of the Jedi-worthy ending, Ray must not be one of those characters.

To save the galaxy Ray must die, and she must die a heroic death.

The Force must die.

Luke will figure into this in a way that will be fodder for a follow-up article.

Kylo will force Rey’s demise. This will also be Kylo’s crowning moment, though that celebration will end quickly. By being rendered powerless he will also become the veritable emperor with no clothes.

Useless.

The antithesis of the being he so admired.

Feel free to argue with me about these conclusions. I hold no special knowledge of any of this, but I’d be surprised if I’m not at least on the right track.