Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
Star Wars: The Last Jedi was full of many shocking moments, with more twists and turns than ever before.
Shocking. Thrilling. Unexpected. Those words sum up Star Wars: The Last Jedi in a nutshell. Rian Johnson uses familiar plot devices from previous Star Wars films, leading us to places we’ve never seen before.
Let’s dive into the Unknown Regions of a galaxy far, far away together, to that very place. For those of you who have not seen the film, save this post to your favorites until after you’ve seen The Last Jedi.
Spoilers for The Last Jedi are ahead. You are now warned.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
General Hux is a funny guy
A subtle, yet surprising addition to General Hux was using his character humorously. His bantering with Poe Dameron was a surprise, but a welcome one, for sure.
Domhnall Gleeson displayed his incredible range and diversity in the film, stealing the show during the opening frame.
The tone quickly shifts, when Hux disappoints Supreme Leader Snoke, almost losing his life in the process, but, it was fun while it lasted.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
Luke throws the Skywalker lightsaber off a cliff
The fate of the galaxy lies in the hands of Luke Skywalker. Hero. Jedi Master. Legend. When the symbol of that very hope, the Skywalker lightsaber, rests in the hands of Luke for the very first time in decades, many thoughts are running through the audiences’ heads.
Luke tossing his father’s lightsaber off a cliff was not one of them, a move that received a combined gasp and chuckle from the audience.
With Luke initially refusing to train Rey, this act represented the small chance the Resistance has in defeating the First Order, without the assistance of Luke Skywalker.
Leia’s Super Woman moment
"You’re wrong, Leia. You have that power too. In time you’ll learn to use it as I have. The Force is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. My sister, has it."
After Return of the Jedi, it was assumed that Leia would become a Jedi like her brother and her father before her. However, she politely declines the offer of Luke, turning to the world of politics instead.
However, in the Star Wars canon, there are hints that Luke did, in fact, teach Leia in the ways of the Force. Maybe not entirely, but enough to be dangerous, for sure.
Is Leia as strong in the Force has her legendary brother? After viewing The Last Jedi, the answer is a resounding yes. Not only can she sense the waves and currents of the Force, but apparently, Leia can use it in ways that seem impossible.
In a chilling moment, Leia survives by using the power of the Force to fly through space, mirroring Superwoman, which Leia truly represents. This epic moment is one that will be talked about for ages to come, sending Carrie Fisher off in grand fashion.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
Kylo Ren and Rey can communicate through the Force
Those of you who were hoping for a Kylo Ren and Rey romance — also known as Reylo by fans –you got that very wish granted to you. Well, almost, that is.
Never before seen in a Star Wars film, Kylo Ren and Rey displayed some Force talents that some would consider to be unnatural.
Evidently orchestrated by Snoke to test his apprentice, Rey and Kylo Ren were connected and able to communicate from a distance, with the intent of luring Rey to the Supreme Leader.
Both young Force users take the bait, developing a close bond mirroring lovers. Rey senses the good within in Kylo Ren, while the former Ben Solo has plans of his own.
Snoke goes down like a chump
Speaking of Snoke, the Supreme leader went out like a chump. That is no typo; we did not mean “champ.”
His overconfidence was his weakness, by believing that he had Kylo Ren wrapped around his grimy little fingers.
Kylo Ren had the last laugh, using the lightsaber of Snoke’s greatest enemy, Skywalker, to cut him in half.
No one saw that moment coming, with Rian Johnson pulling off the biggest upset of all time in this brilliant move. Bravo, Mr. Johnson. Bravo.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
Rey is a “nobody.”
During the trailer for The Force Awakens, Rey flat out says that she is no one. Many believed that to be a tease for her real connection to someone powerful — such as Luke Skywalker, Sheev Palpatine, Obi-Wan Kenobi, or even Yoda. Okay, probably not Master Yoda.
Anyways, Kylo Ren reveals that Rey is connected to deadbeat parents, who gave her up for a little cash, who ended up dead, buried in a remote graveyard on Jakku.
Rey also learns from Kylo Ren that she can be someone special if she joins him, a temptation that she “flirts” with, but ultimately refuses.
Will more surface on Rey in Episode IX on her parentage? Could this be a red herring and misdirection? Hopefully, not. Rey being a “nobody” is a breath of fresh air, one that is a less likely origin than being connected to someone powerful, but a more fitting one.
Luke led to Ben Solo’s downfall
A tear-jerker, to say the least, we discover that Luke Skywalker was responsible for the fall of Ben Solo into Kyo Ren. The surprising aspect of that tragedy is that Luke nearly killed Ben Solo in order to stop him from turning into the next Darth Vader.
Luke withdrew from those impulses, with Kylo Ren retaliating by wiping out Luke’s entire Jedi Order, then joining Snoke’s side as his apprentice in the process.
The jaded Jedi Master then runs away from it all, refusing to train anyone ever again. That is until Rey shows up, with a surprise visit from one of his former Masters, as well.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
Master Yoda drops by
With Luke Skywalker still drowning in his sorrow, he receives a “pick me up” from his former Master, Yoda. Returning from the netherworld of the Force, Yoda provides Luke with life-changing advice, both figuratively and literally.
Yoda reveals to Luke that the Jedi Order needs to continue, but down a different path, looking towards the future and not back on the past — letting the past die.
Luke and Yoda both burn the sanctuary containing ancient Jedi texts, but unknowingly to them, Rey embraces her inner scavenger, taking them with her.
Luke Skywalker transcends into a true Jedi Master
"Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter."
We discover that Luke Skywalker turned off his connection to the Force itself while on Ahch-To, meaning he did not know of the death of his dear friend Han Solo or the state of the galaxy.
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After listening to the instruction of Master Yoda, Luke finally understands his “place in all of this.”
He ultimately focuses on the here and now, as well as not focusing on the physical.
In maybe the coolest and unique Star Wars moment ever, Luke uses the Force to appear to the Resistance who was fighting within the remote world of Crait.
We get our Luke and Leia reunion, no doubt leaving a stream of tears flowing down your cheeks.
Not only does Luke Skywalker provide them with hope, but he backs up his words with action. He faces Kylo Ren, so his friends can escape.
The now luminous being bests Kylo Ren, then disappears, mocking Kylo Ren with the words of his father, Han Solo upon his departure.
"See you around, kid."
Luke becomes one with the Force on the ancient Jedi world, but not before twins suns remind him of time’s past, coming full circle. A poetic moment and fitting “end” for Luke Skywalker.
Next: Brief spoiler-free review of TLJ
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