SPECULATION Ben's Redemption

kinda counter to a thread about redemption ~ hahahaha
i'm all for having a better big bad than Snoke. i think Snoke is lame.
but i'm hoping Hux rises to the occasion. i'd love a non-FS megalomaniac to actually seize power.
in TFA Ren is pretty obeisant to Snoke. he bridles, but obeys.
Hux is almost blatantly defiant.
i'd love to see Ren walk out and Hux goes in for the kill--he takes advantage of Snoke's watchdog gone, kills the fishy eyed toilet monster where he squats, and maybe even musses that perfect hair of his in the process ~ hahaha
and if he can steal Snoke's actual power? even better.

 

I think Kylo Ren is borrowing from the Exar Kun stories. That makes Snoke his master Freedon Nadd. Ren is supposed to be used but he strikes first.

 

I just can't see that happening.

 

if i can play wish-fulfillment checklist, i want Rey to find Ben Solo in the Force--the child he was who knows this has all gone so badly off the tracks.
and i want that child to reach out to her so that she can pluck the proverbial splinter from his eye.

Rey has to be able to empathize with him if she's going to be of any help. he almost clearly wants that.
just gotta get them on the same page somehow (you know, without all the light sabers and gouging and whatnot).

 

yeah, that's why i think she almost literally has to meet him on some other plane of existence.
because the audience too maybe needs manifest evidence of his very real internal battle.
and like you said, he isn't going to be receptive to his family: now more than ever he likely feels he's destroyed his chances of ever going home.
Rey is the person who can show him there's still something to come back to and people who will welcome him.

 

i have never had any objection to Rey and Ben falling in love (though i do loathe the "ship" name).
ultimately i'm for whatever the storytellers want to give us--just so long as Ben comes back to the Light ~ hahahaha

and since i'm about 99.8% confident it will happen, i've kinda moved on to seeing if anything can be done about the rest of the FO Lost Boys (and Girls).

 

Personally think his mother's death will lead him in the direction of redemption. Either that or someone sacrifices themselves for him? Maybe Luke?

 

If Kylo is to be destroyed, it will be because of his greatest flaw. And if he is to be redeemed, it will be because of his greatest flaw also.

And that flaw has been pinpointed by Snoke...

The Supreme Leader’s voice was flat. “You have compassion for her”

“No–never. Compassion? For an enemy of the Order?”

“I perceive the problem,” Snoke intoned. “It isn’t her strength that is making you fail. It’s your weakness.” The rebuke hurt, but Ren didn’t show it.
​

Kylo had two great opportunities to kill Rey. He didn't, much to the annoyance of Snoke. How many more times do you think Snoke will let this happen? I'll say none. If Kylo doesn't kill Rey the next chance he gets, his relationship will Snoke will be over. The trust will be shattered.

I think a possible foreshadowing of Kylo's redemption was already shown in TFA:



What if Kylo violates a direct order by killing one of his own Knights to protect Rey? Imagine the ramifications of that!

Side Point: I think the above gif is linked to the image below from the TLJ trailer...



Why does Rey still have Luke's lightsaber? Does he refuse to accept it from her?

Speaking about Kylo, Han did his utmost to redeem his son and I think his death will have a lasting impact. Leia is another who recognised the good within him and she too has the potential to make an influence. But for me the person who has the greatest potential to expose Kylo's weakness to its breaking point is Rey. But does Rey herself realise what that weakness actually is? Does she know that Ren's compassion will be his ultimate undoing? This is where Luke can play a pivotal role in TLJ. It's up to him to try and change Rey's perception of Kylo. She must undergo a transformation in how she understands the Skywalker mess she has gotten herself into if Kylo is to be redeemed. And again, I think the TLJ trailer might've alluded to this...



Why are we revisiting the exact same scene from Luke's past again? Is it because this will be intertwined with Luke telling Rey about the tragic fall of Ben Solo?

From Luke's point of view, he spent his entire life trying to mend the legacies of his father and the Jedi, but ultimately failed. Ben, for whatever reason, has bought into the false idea that his true destiny lies with the Dark Side and that he must fulfill the legacy of Vader. Luke, no matter how much it hurts him, must face the shadow of his father once more...



I think he will have to accept Rey is the greatest chance he has of exposing Kylo's light. The question I have is whether Luke is brave enough to let go of his past and risk losing another Jedi apprentice to the Dark Side? What if he feels he has to confront Kylo on his own? What if he refuses to train Rey?

From Rey's point of view, I think she expects to visit Luke on Anch-To, learn from a legendary Jedi master and become powerful enough to destroy the "monster" that is Kylo. Her hate of Kylo will be what motivates her. But that is not the Jedi way. That is not Luke's way. Hate does not conquer hate. Darkness does not conquer darkness. Luke showed us what does. A hero can not only inspire the good guys, but the bad guys also. Whatever happens, I sure hope Star Wars never loses that message.

 

I can see Ben being redeemed. Really, Ben Solo is the Jacen of NC. Though so far I prefer Jacen, but I'll wait until TLJ to get a better idea of Kylo. Still, I love the character, though. A lot more interesting than Rey. As for him turning to the light, I wouldn't be opposed to it. Heck, I'd give LucasFIlm some points if Rey turned to the dark side and Ben turned to the light. Because, within TFA, Ben's loss would be a lot better handled and if Rey's story is to mirror Luke's; it would be a complete reversal.

Do I think this will happen? Probably, not. I'm cynical in that I see LucasFIlm not wanting to go too far with their ST. Even though, RJ I could see, if left to his own devices, totally doing something like that. But overall, it is a cool concept.

 

The evidences are here.

 

I like this, a battle on a another plane of existence within the Force. This will be something new for a SW movie. And it has potential to visually look very interesting too.


For how I see this trilogy possibly ending:

Luke, Rey and Ben become a new iteration of the Mortis Trio, holding each other in check and living in seclusion or as a Jedi Council type of entity.
This way, Ben survives, but he has to live with the mistakes he made.

 

If Kylo has compassion he should try a less rapey affect.

 

Vader had light in him even while he did all his MWAHAHA-evil stuff. It's Star Wars. You gotta be patient for the redemption to out.

 

I could be fine with a return to the light for Kylo. That is a far cry from recommendation for Rey to give him a shot romantically.

I thought Driver's performance was amazing if they have a romantic relationship between him and Rey. Then my opinion of his performance will have to deal with how kreepy he was.

 

i hadn't really thought about it (and wasn't a fan of the Mortis arc), but yes, that's kind of how i see it too: the three of them in balance charged to keep the balance, though eventually Luke will cede it to them when they can handle it on their own.

 

I think the point of Reylo for most is that any romance would be with a redeemed, returned-to-the-light Ben, not with Kylo Ren per se.