Should Kylo Ren be Redeemed?

I voted no, but because I don't think the story is about redemption. I think this trilogy is about bringing true balance. Rey is the light, Ren is the dark. Either they survive together or destroy each other to bring balance.

 

Only if using dark side to bring Han solo back and dies in doing so. I never forgave Anakin for killing the Younglings.

 

I think that depends largely on what the actual threat is in this trilogy.
If Snoke amounts to "nothing more" than a new emperor ( whoever he is ) anything could happen.
If on the other hand Snoke's nature is what I hope it is ( a truly *ancient* fear ), Kylo might have no choice but to back away from the ultimate design he is unwittingly working for.

 

I think redemption should always be possible in Star Wars. As easily as human nature can be seduced by darkness, the power of love/light should never be underestimated. That is one of my favorite aspects of the OT.

That being said, I would personally like to see Kylo choose to stay evil, because a good villain always riles audiences up emotionally, making for more dramatic story telling. *mischievious laugh*

I'm open-minded though & can't wait to see what writers/directors/Adam do with the character. Only a year and a half to go...

 

If the ultimate goal is to have Kylo be redeemed to mirror Vader, then IMO, JJ made a major blunder by having him whack his own father.
Because there's just no coming back form this sort of thing.

 

Personally, I would prefer that Kylo overtly stays dark. Although it's unclear if Snoke / Kylo is a true Sith relationship, I want to see Kylo rise to ultimate power by defeating Snoke himself. Where Anakin defeated Palpatine only after turning back to the light, it would be a nice change to see the story play out as Kylo gaining enough power to defeat Snoke as an agent of the dark side to seat himself as the ultimate power. I hope that's how episode VIII plays out, and then episode IX deals with the demise of "Supreme Leader Kylo Ren"

At the same time I hope that we continue to see Kylo struggle with resisting the pull to the light...but that he mostly succeeds in his resistance. (Maybe a momentary lapse or two of light-side tendencies.) One thing that has not been explored or talked about much is how Kylo is going to deal with Mom. In the SW universe we have quite a bit of father-son happenings but have not yet had to deal with the Maternal relationship...other than Anakin having such a fierce love of his mother that her demise partly led him to the dark side.

So Kylo killed off dear ol' Dad....(and ended up feeling quite a bit conflicted over it). Could he do the same to his Mom? I want to see Kylo continue to be the "Anti-Anakin".

 

Only after finn whoops his a**

 

They killed any chance of making him a compelling villain.

 

Through the dialogue between Han and Leia, I got the feeling Ben was troubled even before he was sent to Luke's summer camp. Maybe he had secret Vader posters hanging in his closet or Boba Fett underoos.

 

We already know you don't like TFA, but why do you think he can no longer be relevant as a villain? I'm not being argumentative, I respect your opinion, but shed some light on your perspective if you don't mind.

 

I think there are many people who would agree with you, maybe most people. And that's why it's probably a bad idea for them to do it.

But I personally believe in redemption and a messy redemption could be compelling. What if the good guys absolutely need Kylo Ren in order to defeat Snoke? What then? And if Ren never forgives himself for what he has done then what will he do? Maybe go into self imposed exile? Could he take up Luke's place as the hermit on D'Qar? I can imagine that while nobody else might forgive him, Luke probably would. And what if Luke was advocating for Kylo Ren even when Ren wouldn't advocate for himself? I don't know if it would be the Star Wars people would want to see, but I would love to see it.

 

I can't believe how many people would like to see another redemption, or even accept it.

 

The concept of redemption and the power of the Force to deliver any lost person from darkness into light has always been a central SW theme. NO matter how many atrocities a person commits, anyone can let go of hate. Now, I would not confuse this concept with the Catholic notion of accepting Jesus Christ. If you repent for your crimes, all the sins will be absolved and the kingdom of heaven available. No, in Star Wars Anakin's actions ripple long after his death, especially in the EU. He should still be accountable for all his crimes. The point of letting go of darkness is disarming oneself from corruption, pain.

One of the best films that deals with this issue is Ben-Hur. The final scene where he rejoins his mother and sister after their miraculous healing, he talks about seeing Jesus on the Cross and saying: "He took the sword from my hand!" meaning surrender, letting go of hate that causes oneself and all around pain!

 

You're not a compelling villian .

 

This is my first ever post, but LONG TIME lurker. My opinion is that in the end killing his father is what will ultimately turn him back towards the light side. I think that killing his father didn't have the effect he or Snoke thought it would. Instead of making him completely unemotional it will make him overcome with emotion and ultimately complete remorse. He will start to crave redemention from murdering his father. It will he a slow and painful process for him, but in the end he will except that the only way to take away that pain is to fully embraced the light.

 

Hey! Welcome to the Cantina!
I think you might be on to something here! I've been thinking for a while now that Kylo Ren will most likely be redeemed, but I couldn't draw the line as to *why*. I like your possible explanation. It does a lot to make Han's sacrifice mean something.

 

Yeah I agree. And I loved that Han got the last "word" in their confrontation. Ren was honestly being torn apart but made the conscious decision to kill his father. Like a brat he says "Thank you" after he kills him. But instead of screaming or something, Han just caresses his son's face as he is dying. I think this act of selfless love is something that Ren will be thinking about for the rest of the series.

--- Double Post Merged, Jan 6, 2016, Original Post Date: Jan 6, 2016 ---

Yes, he should definitely be held fully responsible for war crimes, etc. What is the appropriate punishment for someone who commits war crimes but then turns and saves the galaxy? I'm not sure, but going of scott free definitely isn't the answer.

And I would clarify that even the Christian notion of redemption doesn't free someone from accountability for their actions. You may have forgiveness from God but you still have to face the law of the land and do the time for whatever you've done.

 

I don't think we need a mirrored redemption story. However, that plot line could be used.

In Ep. VIII, should Kylo have a face to face with his mother? Would she kill her too? Would he ask her to kill him and end his pain?

I'd very much like Leia force-throw her son against a wall for his actions, but eventually giving in and forgiving him.

Also, what does compelling villain even mean? I want believable characters, just that. I don't care if they are heroes, villains, good, bad or conflicted.

 

Great post! Welcome to the Cantina!

--- Double Post Merged, Jan 6, 2016, Original Post Date: Jan 6, 2016 ---

When I think of Han's last gesture, my eyes start watering for no reason lol. But great point anyway.

 

It's a very interesting point of view. However Kylo does say "thank you" as his father falls from the bridge, I felt like his facial expression conveyed some kind of release. Of course it could be a number of emotions boiling up inside, remorse, temporary release, etc.