Star Wars: What other endings for Ben Solo could there have been?
By Nik Edlund
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Ben Lives in isolation on Tatooine
The last scenario that The Rise of Skywalker could’ve ended with, would’ve been with Ben choosing to live in isolation on Tatooine. After their victory over Palpatine and Ben’s bringing Rey back to life, and that sultry kiss, Ben has to break the news to Rey. He’ll explain to her how he’ll never be accepted by the members of the Resistance for what he did. He will also feel guilt for killing his father and all the innocents he killed directly or was involved in.
He will explain to her that if he goes back, the Resistance will kill him. Ben would then tell her that he will live the rest of his life in isolation on Tatooine the way Obi-Wan Kenobi did. The ending would be very similar, as Rey could still accompany him to Tatooine and bury the family lightsabers. Together they could see the Force Ghosts of Luke and Leia. Rey would then take off in the Falcon, returning to the Resistance, as Ben watches her fly into the twin sunset, and we fade to black.
The problem with this ending is that it would include deception on Rey’s part. She would be hiding a huge secret from Poe and Finn, and everyone else in the Resistance. Doing so would be considered a step towards the Dark Side, and it could lead to her fall from the light. Rey would also be tempted to go back to Tatooine to see her love, and someone would eventually catch on to that.
Conclusion
As much as it sucks, Ben Solo had to die at the end of The Rise of Skywalker. His story was complete, as he was redeemed from the Dark Side because he found love. If he would’ve lived, it would’ve created many complications. How does a person who was involved in mass genocide come back from that and live a normal life? He either would’ve been imprisoned, or sentenced to death, or isolation. This was the best ending for his character, and really the only “happy” ending he could have had.
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Do you agree that Ben Solo had to die at the end of The Rise of Skywalker?
Episode IX is available on Blu-Ray and digital download.