fadingbirdparadise

[fadingbirdparadise]

With Rise of Skywalker teaser, Rey is a Palpatine, and here’s why

Episode I: The Phantom Menace 

Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Episode III: Revenge of the Smith

Episode IV: A New Hope

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

Episode VII: The Force Awakens 

Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker 

And there it is. The titles for all nine episodes. I loved the teaser trailer, and it got me thinking that the winning theory is.... Rey is a Palpatine! Specifically, his granddaughter. I am going to lay out all the evidence that points to this being her heritage in IX. 

I. The Jakku Observatory 

We know from Bloodline that Palpatine had an observatory on Jakku. This was a strategic outpost for the Empire. Jakku is also Rey's home planet. Coincidence? Nope! 

II. Rey's Parents Can Still Be Nobodies

In TLJ, Kylo Ren tells Rey that her parents are filthy junk traders who sold her for drinking money. There is a reason for him telling her this. We are now going to get into some theorizing. 

What if Palpatine had a child, and placed that child on Jakku to control him/her? No, I am not talking about Rey; I am talking about her mother or father. Her one parent met and fell in love with her other parent, resulting in Rey. Rey's parents then had to stay under Jakku because they were under the Emperor's thumb. This could have caused familial strife, to say the least. 

Fast forward to Palpatine dying at the end of ROTJ. Rey's parents are now free to leave the planet. But they see that Rey is showing Force powers and tendencies in line with her grandfather. Fearing another Emperor, the parents sell Rey off for drinking money and attempt to leave the planet. Confused, betrayed and enraged, Rey blasts their ship out of the atmosphere so that they crashland into a "pauper's grave in the Jakku desert."

So, you see, Kylo doesn't have to be lying about Rey's parents. But he could still be lying....... by omission, in not telling Rey who her grandfather is. Why would he do this? Well, Rey must know who Palpatine is; Kylo doesn't want this information to drive her away. Kylo also might fear Rey a little - he doesn't want Rey (Palpatine's descendant) to rule over him (Vader's descendant). So, he figures they should rule together - as partners and not as Master and apprentice. 

III. Symmetry. 

Darth Vader was a child of the Light drawn to darkness. Luke was a child of Darkness drawn to light. Kylo was a child of Light drawn to darkness. We need some child of Darkness drawn to Light. That child is Rey.

IV. Luke's Reluctance to Train Rey 

Luke was full of it when he asked Rey "Who are you?" In TLJ. He knows damn well who she is. And he does not want to be responsible for training the Emperor's granddaughter. Rey telling Luke she is from Jakku just confirms for Luke that she is descended from evil. 

V. Rey's Fighting Style 

Folks have talked about this before. But Rey and Palpatine's fighting styles are similar, leaning heavily on jabs and slashes. Also, look at this picture of Rey from the teaser. She looks evil here, doesn't she?

VI. Naturally Drawn to the Dark Side 

The reason Rey went right for the Dark well on Ahch-To is because she is naturally drawn to the dark side. It is in her blood - her grandfather's blood. 

VII. Palpatines and Skywalkers Have Always Been Attracted to Each Other 

Palpatine took a special interest in Anakin in the prequel trilogy. It is poetic then that the opposite has occurred in the sequels: Ben Solo (a Skywalker) takes a special interest in Rey (a Palpatine). 

VIII. Rey can still be a Skywalker 

In being descended from Palpatine, who is now confirmed as the founder of the Skywalker bloodline, Rey can still be a Skywalker... or at least, a distant Skywalker relative. In order for everything to make sense, the family tree looks like this: 

 Unidentified Woman - Palpatine --- Shmi

           I                                              I

           I                                              I

           I                                              I

Rey's Dad --- Rey's Mom   Anakin - Padme 

                    I                                      I

                    I                                      I

                    I                                      I

                 Rey               Luke & Leia - Han 

                                                            I

                                                            I

                                                            I

                                                         Ben 

 Here's what this means: one of Rey's parents is a direct cousin of Anakin, making Rey and the Skywalker twins second cousins. And that makes Ben Solo the second cousin once removed of Rey. And that means..... 

IX. Reylo Can Still Happen

Cousins who are distant enough have been known to marry. Rey and Ben's relations are distant enough that they could still marry and it would not be incest. 

A Few Unanswered Questions: 

The Anakin Skywalker lightsaber calling to Rey: Why would the lightsaber of a Skywalker go to a Palpatine? I honestly don't know. One of the most critical things that saber ever did was save Palpatine from murder, thus it and its wielder (Anakin) submitted to a new Master. Maybe....? 

 The Cave Mirror: This one is more easily explained. Rey asked to see her parents (who are apparently nobodies). She didn't ask to see her grandparents, otherwise the mirror would have shown Sheev. The Mirror did exactly what she asked it to do. 

[fadingbirdparadise]

The Formula for Relationships in Cinema Points to Reylo as Endgame. Here’s How.

Honestly, does anyone else feel in agony that there is just under two years to go before Episode IX? I cannot even imagine the pain of having to wait three years between SW films in the late 70s-early 80s and again in the 2000s. TLJ is slipping out of theaters right about now, and March is gonna be a huge curtain call for Episode VIII. And #Reylo is looking stronger than ever. 

Yet some are worried about the TLJ novel leaks and how they might damage Reylo. And then of course, there’s that horse poop at the end with..... Rey and Poe? I know, I know, Daisy shot it down and thank goodness she did. But does anyone not expect Poe “I’m-a-Ken-Doll, Nice-House-Nobody’s-Home” Dameron to not make a play in IX? He’s gonna try and steal second base. Good news is: he’s already lost. And Kylo Ren doesn’t even have to pull out his lightsaber.

Which brings me to my main point: how many of you have seen Hunger Games? Harry Potter? Twilight? Gilmore Girls (how does that relate, you ask? I’ll explain why in a minute.)? Anyway, I’m assuming all of you have. Every single one of those stories had at least two, if not multiple suitors for the main heroine. And every single one of those love triangles, or love squares or love pentagons or what have you (seriously guys, a hella lot fellas were chasing after Lorelai’s caffeine induced skinny jeans) followed a simple formula:

THE GUY WHOM THE MAIN GIRL SHOWS SEXUAL TENSION/ATTRACTION TOWARDS FIRST WINS HER IN THE END. 

Notice what I did not say. I did not say the guy whom the girl MEETS first. If that were true, everyone would be losing it over #FinnRey, and even Team Gale. 

Bella shows attraction to Edward FIRST

Katniss shows attraction to Peeta FIRST

Hermione shows attraction to Ron FIRST

And Lorelai shows attraction to Luke FIRST

And Rey shows.... wait for it..... attraction to KYLO/BEN FIRST. Not Finn. KYLO/BEN. 

Whether this is symbolic of a sexual awakening in the heroine..... we won’t get into that here. Likely this is true of Rey, and DEFINITELY true of Katniss. Lorelai doesn’t fit that mold, but hey.... she's Lorelai. The point is, in all of these instances, these are the men who lay claim to the heroine’s heart, and though she might stray as the story progresses, she will always come back to “her first true love.”

So what does this mean for Rey and Poe? Rey didn’t become attracted to Poe first. Hell, he’s the what..... fifth guy she’s met in the trilogy. And it takes her two movies to do so! Love triangles, or alternative threats to whom we will call The First True Love, happen way earlier in a storyline, especially ones as condensed as a trilogy (see my post on the toxicity of #Damerey for more details on that). Poe’s already lost out. Will he still try and make a play and woo her? I predict YES. But we already know it is doomed, based on the Formula, and the fact that this will be the third and final act. Rey will not requite Poe’s attraction. She might not even be tempted, and will instead want to stay faithful to Ben. But Poe might, ahem..... FORCE the issue. How, we don’t know. There might even be a forced kiss (just writing that made me throw up in my mouth a little). But the whole thing is going to look forced - so forced, in fact, that it’s funny. And what will that cringe-inducing moment do? Make Ben jealous. Somehow (likely through the Force Bond), he’ll find out about it, but misconstrue that Rey was being unfaithful. Because remember:

Bella strayed with Jacob.

Katniss strayed with Gale.

Hermione strayed with Victor Krum (McLaggen doesn’t count)

And Lorelai strayed with Max..... and Christopher..... and Jason..... and Christopher again.....

But they all went RUNNING right back to their First True Love in the end.

And that is EXACTLY what Rey will do by the end of Episode IX. She will go running right back to Ben. #Reylo is endgame, whether anyone likes it or not.   

[fadingbirdparadise]

JJ Abrams STARTED Reylo. He WILL Finish It

This is a concern that has been floating around lately, that JJ will crap all over the Reylo development that Rian did in VIII. Let me state this even more plainly than others have: in case anyone has forgotten, JJ directed and STARTED Reylo in Episode VII. He WILL finish it in IX. 

Look at that moment. Right there, look at it. You wanna know who directed Adam Driver to sweep a swooning Daisy Ridley off her feet? Why, JJ Abrams! 

Or how about this moment, where Rey CHECKS Kylo Ren OUT. You wanna know who directed Daisy to do that? JJ Abrams!

These very subtle #Reylo moments were directed into the TFA FOR A REASON. If JJ did not want anything to do with #Reylo or have it in the story, he would not have directed these very subtle romantic moments. 

Also, there is JJ’s commentary from TFA DVD, which has already been quoted at length and need not be repeated here. 

When Rian took control of VIII, JJ trusted him to take Reylo and ratchet it up to 11. And Rian did just that. JJ was executive producer on VIII, and has said he LOVED the script. If he did not like #Reylo being made blatant, don’t you think he would have let Rian know about it?

Also, is it possible that Collin Trevorrow did not want to make #Reylo endgame in his version of IX, so Disney fired him and trusted that story with someone they knew would: JJ Abrams?

If JJ didn’t approve of #Reylo, he never would have laid these foundations in the first place so that someone like Rian could reasonably run with them. 

#Reylo is endgame, and JJ will take it into the end zone.

[fadingbirdparadise]

My #Reylo Medley

Many folks have been adapting songs to #Reylo clips on YouTube. Some of my favorites have been adapted, some not. For me, this is a starting list of all the songs I think are very much #Reylo:

Written in the Stars from Disney’s Aida Suspended in Time from Xanadu Fixer Upper from Frozen Alone in the Universe from Seussical A Place Called Home from Alan Menken’s A Christmas Carol Only Us from Dear Evan Hansen You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen Pulled from The Addams Family Evermore from Beauty and the Beast When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2 If I Never Knew You from Pocahontas

Some of thee songs seriously have to be adapted into #Reylo videos!

[fadingbirdparadise]

Why Episode IX can only end with either BOTH Rey and Ben Dying, or BOTH of them Living

There will be plenty of predictions and theories over the next two years of how Star Wars Episode IX will end this latest trilogy. None the least of which will revolve around our two main characters (and star-crossed lovers). Reports have swirled that IX will be the end of the Skywalker saga, which some have interpreted to mean that Ben Solo, the last Skywalker descendant, has to die. Redemption arcs aside and how much suffering Ben will have to go through to atone for his sins (OHTZE has some greater in-depth articles on that), there is a way to end the Skywalkers WITHOUT KILLING BEN. How? By making him sterile - unable to have children with the woman he loves (Rey). Reports have also surfaced that Daisy Ridley said she is "done" playing Rey after IX. She may have had to walk back or clarify these comments, but I cannot confirm that at the moment. Anyway, both of these tidbits imply that one character or the other will die in IX. Either Rey or Kylo Ren will perish. But here's the thing: that will NOT happen. In fact, it CANNOT happen. Narratively, it is impossible. And how do we already know this? Answer: the Force Bond between #Reylo. We know that Force Bonds are very strong between two people and are almost impossible to break. In fact, it is said that if one member of a Force Bond dies, the survivor feels incomplete and is left in indescribable pain - almost like missing a limb. And the stakes are only raised higher when we consider that Rey and Kylo are the two halves of the Force that must bring balance to it. If one of them were to die, but not the other, the Force would be thrown out of Balance all over again. The only two ways this can end is for Rey and Kylo to both live happily ever after, or for both of them to die. It's that simple. Remember, this is not like Harry/Voldemort. Their connection centered around a prophecy that literally stated they could not co-exist. Their mind meld did not further understanding, only more animosity. Their differences were irreconcilable. That is not the case with Kylo and Rey. Either they co-exist, or neither one of them exists at all. If Harry/Voldemort embody the phrase "Neither can live WHILE the other survives," Kylo/Rey embody the phrase, "Neither can live WITHOUT the other." If Rey and Kylo both LIVE, they will almost certainly have fallen in love and might even marry, resolving to raise a next generation of Grey Force-users who are neither Sith nor Jedi. Speaking of which, if only Ben were to die, then how could these students learn about the Dark side? If only Rey died, how could these students learn about the Light? Rey and Ben are both needed to train these students, and that can only happen if both survive. Whether Rey and Ben conceive a child of their own is up to debate. In my view, a #Reylo baby would not be necessary, as the Force would be presumably already be in balance. Star Wars history would.... end. On the other hand, a baby would be fascinating, as he/she would be - I kid you not - the Balance of the Force MADE FLESH. A product of the avatars for both the Light and Dark sides of the Force. A Christ-like figure. This baby would not have to BRING Balance to the Force; he/she IS the Balance to the Force! If Rey and Kylo both DIE, it will probably be because one of them gets hit in battle and goes first. But this would only be brief, as the survivor, wracked with grief, would likely commit SUICIDE to be with their lost love. Yeah, you read that right. I can easily see either Rey dying in Ben's arms, or vice versa. Then the survivor might run him/herself through with the partner's lightsaber. That would be tragic to see. If this scenario played out and I had my preference, I would want Ben to kill himself after Rey dies in his embrace. Although the opposite would be compelling and give off a Romeo & Juliet vibe. It could go either way. But my prediction is that Ben will be redeemed and be allowed to live. And be allowed to have his beloved Rey. Remember: this love story is believed to be Anidala in reverse. Episodes I - III were a tragedy. Episodes IV - VI were a redemption with some tragedy (Vader's death). Episodes VII - IX will be a triumphant redemption that avoids, even conquers, death. Both Rey and Kylo will live, or neither will. We either leave Episode IX with #Reylo intact, or no remains of #Reylo at all.

[fadingbirdparadise]

Why #Damerey is even more dangerous than the fake dangers of #Reylo

After seeing TLJ, some fans came away thinking that the meeting between a certain pilot and a certain Jedi meant something more. I admit, when I saw the exchange in theatres, I blurted out "Are you kidding me?!" It took me a few days to digest the scene and calm my Reylo heart. And the more I thought about it and read others' interpretations, the more I became convinced that Poe is no threat to our boy Ben. First, the group that ships #Damerey is quite small bc.... they have one 5-second meeting after two films in a trilogy. A love triangle with Poe as the challenger would make very little sense - no third of such a triangle has ever been introduced this late in the game. OHTZE has addressed this in more eloquent terms than I have. Second, Daisy Ridley has shot it down, like #Finnrey before it. Thirdly... have any of you seen how Oscar Isaac rolls? The man could have chemistry with the flipping Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story! And those scenes with Holdo.... I seriously thought at one point he was gonna make out with Laura Dern! Laura Dern! (Who has aged exquisitely and looks fantastic, by the way). On to the main point: I can see only one way for something even close to romantic happening between Poe and Rey, and it would serve the sole purpose of making Ben jealous. Because besides looking really forced, the message that #Damerey would send to young boys and girls is actually dangerous. What it would tell young girls is that you can only get a guy if you are pretty, and you should only pursue romance with someone because he's.... hot. A relationship is not physical attraction alone, and #Reylo and even #Finnrey prove that. You also need time and emotional connection to build a romance... time that Poe and Rey have not had and an emotional connection that cannot be realistically built in a single 2 hour, 2.5 hour movie. And the potential messaging is just as detrimental to young guys, especially those who might not feel good about how they look or have low self-esteem. A #Damerey endgame would basically say, "Sorry guys, but unless you naturally look like Oscar Isaac, you're out of luck getting the girl!" Rey might very well be drawn to Poe to distract herself from pining for Ben in IX.... but I don't believe it will last. That might be what it would take for Rey to see that she has already given her heart away... to Ben Solo.