Nerd Alert: Theory Time – STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

So, you’ve seen EPISODE VII. You loved it! And now you want to get all nerdy about Kylo Ren, Snoke, Rey, Luke Skywalker, etc? Well then, you’re “home”.

Here’s a couple of theories, including one incredible mind-blower.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Do NOT read this unless you have seen THE FORCE AWAKENS. 

Check out my earlier SPOILER FREE review here.

---

EPISODE: REY

First, let’s tackle the most obvious theory. With one I’m sure a lot of STAR WARS fans already think themselves. Let’s talk about Rey. Before we do, don’t ruin FORCE AWAKENS. If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t read this article.

I’m also writing this without reading any spoiler reviews or any other theories on the Internet. This is freshly squeezed nerd sweat.

When we all saw the casting of EPISODE VII we began speculating, like every good nerd should. The most obvious predictions from early images were stuff like Adam Driver is Han Solo’s son because of that vest he wore on a magazine cover. At the time; however, I didn’t expect him to be a Darth Vader looking Kylo Ren.

The next photo prediction was Domnhall Gleeson is Luke’s son because of their similar appearances. Ditto for Finn and Lando/Windu – because they are black (I mean, really?) The other popular guess going around the Interwebs was the lineage of Daisy Ridley’s character Rey. Some of us thought she would be Luke’s daughter. Now that I’ve seen the movie there’s some “evidence” for this theory.

Rey is definitely Force sensitive. We see this in several scenes, most significantly with Kylo Ren’s interrogation. Naturally, I’m thinking she’s a Skywalker. Her interactions with Han in the Falcon’s cockpit made me think she was Han’s daughter. They were finishing each other’s sentences. Then there was the emotional hug with Leia near the end. This begs the question, if Rey is Ren’s sister, why was she hidden away like Luke was from Padme?

BIG TIME SPOILERS NOW – last warning.

The other Skywalker is still out there in the universe. Somewhere. The whole movie is a quest to find Luke. When Rey finally finds him, she offers the lightsaber to the grizzled old hermit, living in seclusion like Obi Wan. He doesn’t accept it, but he doesn’t deny it either. He just looks on in amazement.

You have to expect this Jedi Master knew Rey was arriving. He had to see the Falcon land. The million stairs ensure he had time to think on this, as well… but then he sees her – and doesn’t say a thing, because this is the daughter he has never seen, who was hidden away from him years ago.

Rey is definitely strong in the Force, but she also has strong mechanical skills with droids and excellent instincts for piloting – like Luke at her age.

Extra twist here is Luke could be employing the same strategy his father used. Earlier in the series, Vader eventually decided to not seek Luke out. It was more effective to put his son’s friends in danger and lure him. Instead of Luke trying to find his daughter, risking capture from his enemies, he waited for her. I don’t think he is evil, but it is possible. I think we could get teased that he’s gone Dark next episode. However, the Chosen One should be able to balance the Dark with the Light, like Anakin did at the time of his death. Perhaps Jedi bred by Jedi are more powerful with the Force (the main reason why Jedi aren’t allowed to form relationships)?

---

EPISODE: kylo REN

Ren is a complex character. Adam Driver’s performance is layered with subtlety. The biggest question about this villain is: How evil is Kylo Ren? When Han confronts his son (named Ben. perhaps to honour Kenobi’s sacrifice), Ren manipulates Solo with his only weakness in order to defeat him. Han shows compassion in his last moment, touching his son’s cheek. Ren is scarred emotionally by the betrayal of his father (killing Han may weigh on him in the future), before the same spot gets physically scarred later.

The wonder of this confrontation comes from questioning the honesty of Ren’s emotions. He says he isn’t strong enough… to do what’s right(?). I’m thinking Kylo Ren still has a chance.

There’s more to Ren. He hides behind the mask, like his grandfather. We knew he worshiped Vader from the trailer, but now we have some deeper context. When Ren removes the mask we can see how defenseless he is. The vulnerability comes across from his soft voice, as well as his more whiny and sniveling characteristics. Ren needs the mask to intimidate. He needs his voice to be more imposing. The mask acts like Batman’s costume, instilling fear. Ren has incredible pressure to fill Vader’s shoes, imposed by himself and by Snoke.

When Han confronts Kylo he yells out, “Ben!” Perhaps giving us the biggest indication that this villain will be redeemed. Obi Wan failed with Anakin, but may succeed with Ren in a round-about kind of way. This mirrored parallel would be beautiful if orchestrated well. Perhaps Ren will be inspired by his noble namesake and Old Ben’s hope for balance in the Force, rather than his last name’s tie to the Dark Side?

---

EPISODE: SNOKE

Upon first seeing Snoke, I experienced my first slight disappointment in FORCE AWAKENS. The visual just wasn’t so impressive. The large character’s appearance reminded me of the giant head sculpture in PROMETHEUS. However, the more I thought about Snoke, the more I appreciated its design. By the end, it is revealed that the big bad Sith Lord was a hologram. Who knows where this throne he sits atop is actually located?

My first theory with Snoke is he is the WIZARD OF OZ. In reality, he is a meek being, small and timid in stature. This hologram allows him to appear more intimdating and imposing to instill fear. Sound familiar? This hologram parallels Kylo Ren’s use of the mask. Snoke’s hologram is his mask.

My super out-there theory involves Kylo and Snoke. By the end, we see Ren has a scar on his cheek (as mentioned with Han Solo above). It seemed like Snoke had a scar along his eye as well. I know he’s an alien species from STAR WARS canon, but what if someway somehow this was Kylo Ren himself?

What?! How?! I know there’s no place for time travel in STAR WARS… until now. Depending upon the execution, I would probably be disappointed if they chose this path. That said, perhaps future Kylo can communicate into the past with advanced technology combined with the Force?

Better yet, present-day Kylo has no idea he learns from his future self. It has been established that Force Visions of the future, won’t necessarily come true. Yoda and Obi Wan urged Luke in RETURN OF THE JEDI that the vision is just one possible future. What if future Kylo tries to ensure his supremecy over the galaxy, or he tries to alter it?

I don’t want this to actually happen. It’s just the craziest theory I could come up with, while my other observations are more grounded (for this fantasy).

---

What do you think?

Leave a comment below.

Check out my spoiler free review, and stay tuned for an in-depth spoiler review.

tweet tweet @slipthroughnerd