The Force Awakens Rey's Origin (Speculations) *Spoilers*

[jaqua99]

To me, that's a theme that the film's have already embraced. Regardless of Rey's lineage, she is representing the light side part of Anakin's legacy. And I respect the opinion that making this series a Skywalker family feud would seem played out. My reason why I really want nay it to still be a Skywalker family feud is so that we don't immediately think of the entire family tree as being largely cursed with one white sheep in Luke. The fight over Anakin's legacy feels more real to me if it's his blood on both sides.


Even the phrase "circumstantial evidence" is a bit of an overstatement; there's an implied specificity to it that often involves more cohesive names and history, circumstantial evidence to me would be to establish that Luke did have at least a lover, or have Rey remember some fragment of who left her behind. Right now, I'd argue that it's more "thematic parallels" between Rey, Anakin, and Luke; all three are the main Jedi protagonists of their trilogies, all three have used the same lightsaber, and all three are prodigies with the Force.

And it's that parallel that I think is making the Rey Skywalker theory the biggest to the mainstream audience. All my friends and family who have commented on it have said something like "She's Luke's kid, right?" The qualifier at the end shows that they know there's no substantial evidence and that even the circumstantial evidence is thin.

And that ties into my argument against your last point. To geeks, there has to be more of a twist coming; this is JJ Abrams on Star Wars, we basically expect some kind of brilliant play on a Kansas Co Shuffle in one way or another. But to most other people, there's no need for the twist. And I'd argue that there's a great dramatic reason to both use thematic parallels with Rey to hint at a Skywalker connection without stating it outright even toward the end, as you have noted: the reveal is the Lightsaber-In-The-Snow sequence, and it's the best way to execute the moment for emotional resonance without clouding up the rest of the story, and provides a great hook to the next film.

Think about this argument this way:

1) Revealing too many hints that Rey is a Skywalker ruins the fun of her escalating Force powers towards the end of the film, and distracts from Finn's more complete (for this film specifically) character arc. If we know she's a Skywalker, or have any huge reasons to feel that's implied, than its no surprise at all that she takes on and defeats Kylo Ren. We know that they kind of wanted that idea kept secret; Boyega's still a co-lead, but they gave him more clear advertisement space because they wanted people to go "OHHHHHHH..." When she grabs the lightsaber, like people did in my theater. Twice.

2) Luke and Rey's meeting is more emotionally powerful without dialogue. As much as some of us complain about Hamill getting zero lines, it might have taken some of the magic away from the moment to have them reveal some kind of family connection through blunt dialogue; the moment was about having two skilled thespians wordlessly communicate deep feelings and internal conflict while an Oscar winning composer scores the scene beautifully. It also goes directly against one of the primary flaws of the Prequels, that of saying instead of showing.

3) It adds one more powerful tug to the next installment for viewers. This film was all about leaving the situation more destabilized and cliff hanging than any film in the franchise. Finn and Kylo are down, Han's dead, the Republic's military might is shattered, and we leave not just on a questionable training scenario, but also having just had the second possible hint at Rey's parentage with her dream island matching Luke's hideout. The fact we have a thread dedicated to discussing the possible implications of who her parents were or weren't speaks to the success of that strategem. And honestly, even if the reveal is just a quiet and quick one towards the start of the film like Kylo's parentage, it'll be worth it.

Well, I don't need to argue this stance anymore. Well said my friend! I agree completely

 

[Drewbi-Wan]

I put this in the other Rey thread so I will put it here as well...

Why are some people so intent on there being an ESB twist????

Vader being Luke's father came out of nowhere. It's a completely different setup this time. There are heavy hints that she is a Skywalker (most likely Luke's). The lightsaber moment being the biggest one.

"That lightsaber belonged to Luke and his father before him. Now it calls to you."

Gee, I wonder why it would do that? Seriously, if she ends up being a random after this movie you'll have 1% of fans saying I told you so, maybe 5% of us eating crow and the other 94% of fans which are casual being like WTF?

And I know the Vader reveal left audiences shocked as well but did it because it made it a better story. They didn't do a twist for the sake of a twist.

 

[X Knight]

Right. Which is why I think it's acceptable if she's Luke's, the daughter of Anakin's child.

A random force user who is THAT powerful and that good doesn't work in my opinion. But since being a "Skywalker" has held the quality you've stated for years, I have no issue with what she did if she's a Skywalker

exactly!

 

[X Knight]

To me, that's a theme that the film's have already embraced. Regardless of Rey's lineage, she is representing the light side part of Anakin's legacy. And I respect the opinion that making this series a Skywalker family feud would seem played out. My reason why I really want nay it to still be a Skywalker family feud is so that we don't immediately think of the entire family tree as being largely cursed with one white sheep in Luke. The fight over Anakin's legacy feels more real to me if it's his blood on both sides.


Even the phrase "circumstantial evidence" is a bit of an overstatement; there's an implied specificity to it that often involves more cohesive names and history, circumstantial evidence to me would be to establish that Luke did have at least a lover, or have Rey remember some fragment of who left her behind. Right now, I'd argue that it's more "thematic parallels" between Rey, Anakin, and Luke; all three are the main Jedi protagonists of their trilogies, all three have used the same lightsaber, and all three are prodigies with the Force.

And it's that parallel that I think is making the Rey Skywalker theory the biggest to the mainstream audience. All my friends and family who have commented on it have said something like "She's Luke's kid, right?" The qualifier at the end shows that they know there's no substantial evidence and that even the circumstantial evidence is thin.

And that ties into my argument against your last point. To geeks, there has to be more of a twist coming; this is JJ Abrams on Star Wars, we basically expect some kind of brilliant play on a Kansas Co Shuffle in one way or another. But to most other people, there's no need for the twist. And I'd argue that there's a great dramatic reason to both use thematic parallels with Rey to hint at a Skywalker connection without stating it outright even toward the end, as you have noted: the reveal is the Lightsaber-In-The-Snow sequence, and it's the best way to execute the moment for emotional resonance without clouding up the rest of the story, and provides a great hook to the next film.

Think about this argument this way:

1) Revealing too many hints that Rey is a Skywalker ruins the fun of her escalating Force powers towards the end of the film, and distracts from Finn's more complete (for this film specifically) character arc. If we know she's a Skywalker, or have any huge reasons to feel that's implied, than its no surprise at all that she takes on and defeats Kylo Ren. We know that they kind of wanted that idea kept secret; Boyega's still a co-lead, but they gave him more clear advertisement space because they wanted people to go "OHHHHHHH..." When she grabs the lightsaber, like people did in my theater. Twice.

2) Luke and Rey's meeting is more emotionally powerful without dialogue. As much as some of us complain about Hamill getting zero lines, it might have taken some of the magic away from the moment to have them reveal some kind of family connection through blunt dialogue; the moment was about having two skilled thespians wordlessly communicate deep feelings and internal conflict while an Oscar winning composer scores the scene beautifully. It also goes directly against one of the primary flaws of the Prequels, that of saying instead of showing.

3) It adds one more powerful tug to the next installment for viewers. This film was all about leaving the situation more destabilized and cliff hanging than any film in the franchise. Finn and Kylo are down, Han's dead, the Republic's military might is shattered, and we leave not just on a questionable training scenario, but also having just had the second possible hint at Rey's parentage with her dream island matching Luke's hideout. The fact we have a thread dedicated to discussing the possible implications of who her parents were or weren't speaks to the success of that strategem. And honestly, even if the reveal is just a quiet and quick one towards the start of the film like Kylo's parentage, it'll be worth it.

well said!

especially about Point #2.

there was a lot of emotion in the look and expressions on both Rey and Luke at the end. Rey was practically crying or on the verge of tears when she presented the saber to Luke. And Luke had this sort of somber look of acknowledgement on his face.

Like Rey's face was saying "I have so many questions. Who am I? Are you who I've been searching for? We need to talk."

and Luke's expression is like him saying "I know."

there's more to that scene than just some desert girl who's meeting a man she's only heard about in legends and giving him his saber back.

 

[jmc]

Even the phrase "circumstantial evidence" is a bit of an overstatement; there's an implied specificity to it that often involves more cohesive names and history, circumstantial evidence to me would be to establish that Luke did have at least a lover, or have Rey remember some fragment of who left her behind. Right now, I'd argue that it's more "thematic parallels" between Rey, Anakin, and Luke; all three are the main Jedi protagonists of their trilogies, all three have used the same lightsaber, and all three are prodigies with the Force.

And it's that parallel that I think is making the Rey Skywalker theory the biggest to the mainstream audience. All my friends and family who have commented on it have said something like "She's Luke's kid, right?" The qualifier at the end shows that they know there's no substantial evidence and that even the circumstantial evidence is thin.

And that ties into my argument against your last point. To geeks, there has to be more of a twist coming; this is JJ Abrams on Star Wars, we basically expect some kind of brilliant play on a Kansas Co Shuffle in one way or another. But to most other people, there's no need for the twist. And I'd argue that there's a great dramatic reason to both use thematic parallels with Rey to hint at a Skywalker connection without stating it outright even toward the end, as you have noted: the reveal is the Lightsaber-In-The-Snow sequence, and it's the best way to execute the moment for emotional resonance without clouding up the rest of the story, and provides a great hook to the next film.

Think about this argument this way:

1) Revealing too many hints that Rey is a Skywalker ruins the fun of her escalating Force powers towards the end of the film, and distracts from Finn's more complete (for this film specifically) character arc. If we know she's a Skywalker, or have any huge reasons to feel that's implied, than its no surprise at all that she takes on and defeats Kylo Ren. We know that they kind of wanted that idea kept secret; Boyega's still a co-lead, but they gave him more clear advertisement space because they wanted people to go "OHHHHHHH..." When she grabs the lightsaber, like people did in my theater. Twice.

2) Luke and Rey's meeting is more emotionally powerful without dialogue. As much as some of us complain about Hamill getting zero lines, it might have taken some of the magic away from the moment to have them reveal some kind of family connection through blunt dialogue; the moment was about having two skilled thespians wordlessly communicate deep feelings and internal conflict while an Oscar winning composer scores the scene beautifully. It also goes directly against one of the primary flaws of the Prequels, that of saying instead of showing.

3) It adds one more powerful tug to the next installment for viewers. This film was all about leaving the situation more destabilized and cliff hanging than any film in the franchise. Finn and Kylo are down, Han's dead, the Republic's military might is shattered, and we leave not just on a questionable training scenario, but also having just had the second possible hint at Rey's parentage with her dream island matching Luke's hideout. The fact we have a thread dedicated to discussing the possible implications of who her parents were or weren't speaks to the success of that strategem. And honestly, even if the reveal is just a quiet and quick one towards the start of the film like Kylo's parentage, it'll be worth it.

It's not so much there having to be a twist. It's just thematically it doesn't make sense to hold over the information to the next film. You could very well be right in that the looks Rey and Luke gave each other in the end are enough to signify the she is his daughter, however the evidence it still far too vague to assert one way or another what that look entails. What is he emotional about? The argument could be made that Luke is in fact reacting to the lightsaber itself, the very item that changed his life 30 years earlier, but because Rey is there it clouds the situation. It seems at least there's a connection with her I will concede. It's interesting to note that Han Solo essentially played the Obi-wan role in this film. On paper anyway it looks like Luke could end up playing something of a Yoda role. That muddies the waters even more for me.

The problem comes with the next film. You can't have that information hanging over that movie for long, otherwise it's going to cloud the experience with everyone just waiting for the ball to drop, that suddenly becomes the focus of the film. If Luke is Rey's father that information should have been delivered to us and to Rey at that moment in TFA, because it would have signified the end of the first part of her journey - she discovers her family after waiting so long. There's no emotional payoff in the next film if it's mentioned early, or even in the opening crawl. It's basically pointless having that thread hanging only for it to be solved early in Episode VIII and makes even less sense to stretch it out for an hour or so.

This is why I feel there's got to be more going on here than meets the eye with Rey because if Luke is her father it doesn't makes sense structurally. The only reason I believe you keep it vague is either a) you're keeping your creative options open, b) you're trying to copy the ESB formula, or c) you're intentionally misdirecting people based on past experiences. If misdirection is the goal it's working 100%. People are filling in the blanks already and interpreting what they believe to be true, basically confirmation bias.

Now, it's entirely possible Lucasfilm is giving people exactly what they expect. In this day and age of production line cinema it won't surprise me in the least. I personally think that is a mistake going in that direction. One of the main criticisms of TFA is that it borrows too heavily from ANH. If Episode VIII is going to be where Luke reveals he's her father then essentially we are going down territory we've been before, and that's not going to do much to drive the series forward. At some point the series has to move away from what came before, otherwise we're just going to be going around in circles and as much as I like Star Wars I can only handle so much repetition. For all the crap the prequels rightfully get they at least tried to be bigger and different from the original films.

Maybe it just comes from being a very skeptical person but there's just too many holes at present. If it's so obvious they are father and daughter thematically the revelation needed to be the climax to the film, it would have given Rey, and to an extent us, closure. Episode VIII then become about Rey becoming a Jedi. I don't think you keep it vague unless you're keeping your creative options open. My hope is Lucas film isn't simply trying to copy the formula of what has happened before just to keep fans happy. I'd like to think Lucasfilm is smarter than that and that TFA was meant as a way to reestablish the universe only, not to be the start of what equates to nothing more than a glorified reboot.

 

[Drewbi-Wan]

well said!

especially about Point #2.

there was a lot of emotion in the look and expressions on both Rey and Luke at the end. Rey was practically crying or on the verge of tears when she presented the saber to Luke. And Luke had this sort of somber look of acknowledgement on his face.

Like Rey's face was saying "I have so many questions. Who am I? Are you who I've been searching for? We need to talk."

and Luke's expression is like him saying "I know."

there's more to that scene than just some desert girl who's meeting a man she's only heard about in legends and giving him his saber back.

Could not agree more! That scene was powerful! Even my wife who could not care less about this stuff was like 'omg'. My five year girl's (who I slyly got her obsessed with Star Wars through the Clone Wars tv show) jaw was hitting floor watching that. She freaked when R2 turn back on but to see that scene play out without dialogue and have a five year old get it shows how well it was done.

 

[Drewbi-Wan]

It's not so much there having to be a twist. It's just thematically it doesn't make sense to hold over the information to the next film. You could very well be right in that the looks Rey and Luke gave each other in the end are enough to signify the she is his daughter, however the evidence it still far too vague to assert one way or another what that look entails. What is he emotional about? The argument could be made that Luke is in fact reacting to the lightsaber itself, the very item that changed his life 30 years earlier, but because Rey is there it clouds the situation. It seems at least there's a connection with her I will concede. It's interesting to note that Han Solo essentially played the Obi-wan role in this film. On paper anyway it looks like Luke could end up playing something of a Yoda role. That muddies the waters even more for me.

The problem comes with the next film. You can't have that information hanging over that movie for long, otherwise it's going to cloud the experience with everyone just waiting for the ball to drop, that suddenly becomes the focus of the film. If Luke is Rey's father that information should have been delivered to us and to Rey at that moment in TFA, because it would have signified the end of the first part of her journey - she discovers her family after waiting so long. There's no emotional payoff in the next film if it's mentioned early, or even in the opening crawl. It's basically pointless having that thread hanging only for it to be solved early in Episode VIII and makes even less sense to stretch it out for an hour or so.

This is why I feel there's got to be more going on here than meets the eye with Rey because if Luke is her father it doesn't makes sense structurally. The only reason I believe you keep it vague is either a) you're keeping your creative options open, b) you're trying to copy the ESB formula, or c) you're intentionally misdirecting people based on past experiences. If misdirection is the goal it's working 100%. People are filling in the blanks already and interpreting what they believe to be true, basically confirmation bias.

Now, it's entirely possible Lucasfilm is giving people exactly what they expect. In this day and age of production line cinema it won't surprise me in the least. I personally think that is a mistake going in that direction. One of the main criticisms of TFA is that it borrows too heavily from ANH. If Episode VIII is going to be where Luke reveals he's her father then essentially we are going down territory we've been before, and that's not going to do much to drive the series forward. At some point the series has to move away from what came before, otherwise we're just going to be going around in circles and as much as I like Star Wars I can only handle so much repetition. For all the crap the prequels rightfully get they at least tried to be bigger and different from the original films.

Maybe it just comes from being a very skeptical person but there's just too many holes at present. If it's so obvious they are father and daughter thematically the revelation needed to be the climax to the film, it would have given Rey, and to an extent us, closure. Episode VIII then become about Rey becoming a Jedi. I don't think you keep it vague unless you're keeping your creative options open. My hope is Lucas film isn't simply trying to copy the formula of what has happened before just to keep fans happy. I'd like to think Lucasfilm is smarter than that and that TFA was meant as a way to reestablish the universe only, not to be the start of what equates to nothing more than a glorified reboot.

I think by even hinting so much about this they have gone in a different direction though. There was no misleading when came to the Vader being Luke's father twist. This would be misleading just to obtain the same shock value as ESB which to me would be more pandering then if she is of Skywalker lineage. That's my opinion as of now, I am open to anything as long as it makes sense instead of it being just for the shock value.

I compare it more to the revelation of Yoda saying 'No, there is another' when Obi-Wan says 'That boy was our last hope'. Then when Luke is hanging off the beams he weakly calls for Leia who hears him through the Force and it's obvious that's who Yoda is referring too but it doesn't get confirmed until the next movie.

 

[LukeStarkiller]

Hey guys. First post ever here. Been checking out the site pretty much since this movie was announced. Seen it a few times. And I think I got a theory.

My theory is this. She is ben/kylos little sister. Therefore the daughter of Han and Leia. The reason they don't recognize her. And why Ben somewhat recognizes when his lieutenant tells him of a girl from Jakku. Is because Han and Leia think she is dead. And haven't seen her since she was very very young.,Before she was brought to Luke's Jedi academy. Kylo was the one that brought her to Jakku in he first place. Knowing the killings were going to take place. He could not bring himself to kill his little sister. (Grandfather I feel it again. The pull of the light). He saved her. He's the only one that knows she is alive. .. Luke also thinks she died in the massacre. And more than likely told Han and Leia that, and also probably told them it was snoke. As to not totally taint Ben in their eyes. (Which is why Leia still wants Ben back. And blames everything on snoke).

This. Or Luke hiD her away and told them she had died.

But I think the fact that Ben saved Rey (don't think Rey is her real name) would add another dimension to their next meeting.

Maz tells Rey that the people that left her on Jakku are never comin back (Ben is never coming back, he has given himself to the dark side). This could be understood as. "Luke is not coming back you have to go to him" but I took it as. The "people that are never coming back " and the "people you must go to" were two different things.

Her memory could have been wiped. Because she was dropped on Jakku at a fairly old age she would have remembered something.

I think she is definitely a skywalker though. Star Wars is about that family.

I also think the intense emotion coming from Luke at the end of the movie stems from the fact that he is seeing someone who he was sure was dead. Which has me leaning to the theory that Ben was the one that saved her.

Anyway just trying to figure this out.

 

[godisawesome]

I've put a poll and thread on this topic in the Star Wars Sequels board; I think the discussion is still strong here, but I feel the fallout of the answer, in whatever way it may be, is more likely to impact the next two films in a major way. If you guys wouldn't mind...?

 

[X Knight]

Could not agree more! That scene was powerful! Even my wife who could not care less about this stuff was like 'omg'. My five year girl's (who I slyly got her obsessed with Star Wars through the Clone Wars tv show) jaw was hitting floor watching that. She freaked when R2 turn back on but to see that scene play out without dialogue and have a five year old get it shows how well it was done.

right!! ( and you're a sly dad, you )

I've never cried during a SW film before. never found these films to be that emotional.

but maybe it's because I just watched the OT again days before seeing TFA that I had a more "immediate" connection to Luke, Leia, and Han.

but I cried when Han and Leia hugged each other, because I knew what was going to happen.

and I cried when Han did die.

and I was shaking and crying at the end seeing old, weary looking Luke and the emotional, sad expressions Rey and Luke had at the end, coupled with the rousing music in the background.

that final scene really got to me.

 

[X Knight]

Hey guys. First post ever here. Been checking out the site pretty much since this movie was announced. Seen it a few times. And I think I got a theory.

My theory is this. She is ben/kylos little sister. Therefore the daughter of Han and Leia. The reason they don't recognize her. And why Ben somewhat recognizes when his lieutenant tells him of a girl from Jakku. Is because Han and Leia think she is dead. And haven't seen her since she was very very young.,Before she was brought to Luke's Jedi academy. Kylo was the one that brought her to Jakku in he first place. Knowing the killings were going to take place. He could not bring himself to kill his little sister. (Grandfather I feel it again. The pull of the light). He saved her. He's the only one that knows she is alive. .. Luke also thinks she died in the massacre. And more than likely told Han and Leia that, and also probably told them it was snoke. As to not totally taint Ben in their eyes. (Which is why Leia still wants Ben back. And blames everything on snoke).

This. Or Luke hiD her away and told them she had died.

But I think the fact that Ben saved Rey (don't think Rey is her real name) would add another dimension to their next meeting.

Maz tells Rey that the people that left her on Jakku are never comin back (Ben is never coming back, he has given himself to the dark side). This could be understood as. "Luke is not coming back you have to go to him" but I took it as. The "people that are never coming back " and the "people you must go to" were two different things.

Her memory could have been wiped. Because she was dropped on Jakku at a fairly old age she would have remembered something.

I think she is definitely a skywalker though. Star Wars is about that family.

I also think the intense emotion coming from Luke at the end of the movie stems from the fact that he is seeing someone who he was sure was dead. Which has me leaning to the theory that Ben was the one that saved her.

Anyway just trying to figure this out.

hey!! Welcome to the Hype!!

and I agree mostly with your theory. very close to what I and others have put forth.

however, based on new information from the writer of the Visual Dictionary clarifying the timeline, it seems Rey was already on Jakku at the time Kylo massacred the students at the academy. so that's a hole in the theory that Kylo spared Rey from the massacre and dropped her off at Jakku.

however, that doesn't mean something else could have happened earlier that involved Kylo and Rey.

as you said, Kylo mentioned he had been tempted by the Light before. And Leia mentioned to Han that Kylo had too much Vader in him and she sent him to Luke so Luke could help him.

that suggests Kylo did something dark in the past, and that could have involved Rey.

maybe he felt jealous of Rey because she showed more Force potential or Luke favored her because she was his daughter.

so, he took her on an outing. was tempted by the Dark Side to kill her but couldn't go through with it and spared her by erasing her memories instead. He then dropped her off at Jakku. That was his temptation by the Light.

Kylo told Leia, Han, and Luke that Rey died in an accident or something. they could never find her or sense her through the Force, so they thought she was dead.

 

[X Knight]

I think by even hinting so much about this they have gone in a different direction though. There was no misleading when came to the Vader being Luke's father twist. This would be misleading just to obtain the same shock value as ESB which to me would be more pandering then if she is of Skywalker lineage. That's my opinion as of now, I am open to anything as long as it makes sense instead of it being just for the shock value.

I compare it more to the revelation of Yoda saying 'No, there is another' when Obi-Wan says 'That boy was our last hope'. Then when Luke is hanging off the beams he weakly calls for Leia who hears him through the Force and it's obvious that's who Yoda is referring too but it doesn't get confirmed until the next movie.

this is a perfect example.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I think whoever stole the Millennium Falcon is the one who brought Rey to Jakku, then fled in another ship. That's why the Falcon is still there. Also, wasn't Unkar Plutt the one that had taken Rey? And wasn't the Falcon in his possession when Rey/Finn/BB-8 took it? Maybe some sort of deal was done there?

Ahhhh....so many questions!

 

[LukeStarkiller]

I think whoever stole the Millennium Falcon is the one who brought Rey to Jakku, then fled in another ship. That's why the Falcon is still there. Also, wasn't Unkar Plutt the one that had taken Rey? And wasn't the Falcon in his possession when Rey/Finn/BB-8 took it? Maybe some sort of deal was done there?

Ahhhh....so many questions!

Maybe Ben stole it? Dropped off Rey and the ship. Made a deal for another ship. Ahh I'm just making everything fit my theory ha.

 

[Just_Human]

Posted this in the other Rey thread:


By the way that ship in Rey's vision, the one that dropped her in Jakku, looked like one of the rebellion jets from ROTJ.

Maybe Luke hooked up with a lady pilot on Endor?
And the mom took Rey away from Luke because she didn't want her to be trained

 

[NewYorkSpider]

Maybe Ben stole it? Dropped off Rey and the ship. Made a deal for another ship. Ahh I'm just making everything fit my theory ha.

That's what I was thinking. Like I said before, it's no coincidence the Falcon is there. I'm gonna stick with what I've read and seen so far that she's Han and Leia's daughter.

 

[Just_Human]

By the way LukeStarKiller, very interesting theory.

 

[LukeStarkiller]

By the way LukeStarKiller, very interesting theory.

Thanks. Took me a view viewings to put it together. It also might come from my desperate hope that she does not end up being Luke's child. It's so contrived and cliche. And the fact that Ben may have saved her from the massacre himself, would lend a whole new dimension to their relationship, and add some inner turmoil to reys character instead of just "I don't want to be part of this". It can be "am I really going to kill the guy who saved my life? Can I bring him back?" And I feel as though a lot can be done for Bens character from this angle.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Exactly. I have a few other reasons for not wanting Luke to be Rey's father:

1. Haven't we done the "every major character is related to every other major character" bit already? A couple of times? Give it a rest, writers. This is getting worse than "Guiding Light." Can't a character have significance without being related to one of the Big Three?

2. As stated above, it makes Luke worse than irresponsible. He basically ditched his daughter and ran. Thanks for nothing, dad!

3. For Rey to have been one of Luke's students (which she pretty much has to be), if she's related to Luke, why don't Han or Leia act like they know who she is? Obviously they'd know her. Yet they don't.

And before you say, "Luke wiped their minds too, for Rey's protection", c'mon, that's BS. Did Luke wipe EVERYBODY'S mind? And if he could do that, why couldn't he control Ben Solo's snotty little ass? That couldn't be harder than erasing peoples' memories...

I know Rey is too young to be Obi-Wan's daughter, but she's not too young to be his granddaughter, and I'd accept that scenario more readily than her being Luke's child.

1. The Skywalkers and extend family in the series so far:
Shimi
Anakin
Padme
Luke
Leia
Han
Ben
Rey?

How does that make every major character related again?

2. Why do you assume Luke dropped her off?

3. They think she is dead or don't know that Rey was ever born. It really isn't hard. It is no different then Anakin not knowing his kids.

 

[jmc]

I think by even hinting so much about this they have gone in a different direction though. There was no misleading when came to the Vader being Luke's father twist. This would be misleading just to obtain the same shock value as ESB which to me would be more pandering then if she is of Skywalker lineage. That's my opinion as of now, I am open to anything as long as it makes sense instead of it being just for the shock value.

I compare it more to the revelation of Yoda saying 'No, there is another' when Obi-Wan says 'That boy was our last hope'. Then when Luke is hanging off the beams he weakly calls for Leia who hears him through the Force and it's obvious that's who Yoda is referring too but it doesn't get confirmed until the next movie.

That was subtle though, and in no way did it indicate there was any family connection. Compare that to TFA which is like blunt force hit to the head.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

That was subtle though, and in no way did it indicate there was any family connection. Compare that to TFA which is like blunt force hit to the head.

They removed the intimate kiss and the only people who show telepathetic abilities are Luke, Vader and Leia.

 

[Just_Human]

1. The Skywalkers and extend family in the series so far:
Shimi
Anakin
Padme
Luke
Leia
Han
Ben
Rey?

Almost reads like:

S
A
B
E
R

 

[TheVileOne]

I just hope it's not casually revealed in the opening crawl.

 

[Drewbi-Wan]

That was subtle though, and in no way did it indicate there was any family connection. Compare that to TFA which is like blunt force hit to the head.

Really? So Yoda talks about another hope for the Jedi which then leads them to Bespin where Vader reveals his parentage to Luke who then calls Leia through the force and it didn't make you think that holy ****! They are related? Huh. Well I guess everyone is entitled to take what they will from the films.

 

[Drewbi-Wan]

And I think the comparison is more then just the family thing. It's a revelation that is important and is like 'ah that makes sense'. It's not meant to be **** your pants altering. Remember the general audience isn't on a message board discussing Rey's parentage. They will take what is given and not look any deeper. You would confuse the majority of the audience by intentionally pulling the rug out from them just for the hell of it. I'm open to her not being a Skywalker but they have to make sure they explain it where all these hints in this movie aren't seen as purposefully misleading.