Snoke remains mystery in The last Jedi

Because people want to know his origin. I agree with you early on in the Franchise's inception, there was much we didn't know to even question and speculate like we're doing now. We watched ANH and took everything at face value, and then ESB changed everything with the twist. And now with the investment in back stories (i.e. the PT) it's natural to want know "what came before" and how "characters tie together". I don't think there's going to be any "unringing of the bell" here... this kind of speculation is going to be par for the course from here on out. I personally hope that RJ does just enough to end the Snoke-Plagueis speculation (in the same way I expect that they'll confirm that Luke isn't Rey's father without revealing who her actual father and mother is)

 

But even with the PT we didn't get exposition of who characters were. Literally no info about Maul. Jango Fett was a bounty hunter and while we got know him we didn't get any history. Syfo Dias never on screen. Doku former Jedi left for reasons of principal. Grievous literally no backstory in the films. All of who the are came from sources beyond the films.

 

Agreed, there were new characters added to prequel stories, but the purpose of the prequel (IMO) was to give a more comprehensive exposition of characters introduced in the OT. There isn't enough time to give everyone's back story (especially characters to whom we are first introduced to in the PT). I mean heck, we are just now getting a Han Solo back story and he's a main character. It's a question of bandwidth, there's only so much available for back stories... but I think since they did the PT, there's always going to be a drive by the fans to be given a back story or link from new characters to existing ones. It's unavoidable now I think.

 

You know, I really don't know what to make of Snoke. I really don't think he's someone who we've met before in the Star Wars universe. I used to believe it was possible that he was a reincarnation of Palpatine, but I'm pretty convinced that he isn't a previously established character.

I think the mystery surrounding the character is an important aspect of the Sequel Trilogy, though, and I think they should continue to slowly reveal details about his past and his identity, although if anyone is expecting some grand reveal where he ends up being another character, I think they'll be disappointed. I do think that his background may be significant, but he's not necessarily someone with a past in previously released Star Wars canon.

Taking Han and Leia's conversation about Snoke into consideration, and the fact that he's apparently been tempting Ben from the beginning, I do think that he plays an important role in the whole idea of the balance of the Force that will be addressed in The Last Jedi and possibly Episode IX as well. Where he came from will definitely be important, and I think whatever it is should enforce that he is even more powerful than Palpatine was. If Snoke is to be such a big part of the new trilogy, they really need to make him feel like he matters. He shouldn't just be "the evil authority figure" to take the place of Palpatine. I'd like to see him end up being some superbeing that is more powerful than even Kylo Ren is aware. He has potential, but they really need to make the audience care about him. People are definitely interested in him now because they want to know who he is, but I don't think it's really a matter of "who," but "what." Whatever he is and wherever he came from, he's more powerful and significant than he lets on, and I think that will definitely come into play, particularly in Episode IX.

 

Other than being Plagueis, Yupe Tashu would be the next most "known" interesting person to be Snoke. If Palpatine planned it all out perhaps he intended for Yupe to take those artifacts and his Holochron to the center of Jakku. Snoke would then be a mix of Palpatine and Yupe holding himself together with all the Force Power he can muster.

 

If I was forced to give my official theory.

Snoke is an undead ancient master like Freedon Nadd in the old EU (or Exar Kun). Nadd lived centuries before the PT and was trapped in some sort of deathlike state he was discovered by Kun who he taught many dark side secrets. Kun betrayed him and rekilled his master and lead a war against the Jedi. After Kun was himself defeated. He like his dark side master returned in a sort of undead state and caused problems for Luke and his students.

I think they are mashing those ideas up and reworking them. Exar Kun feels like a similar feel to Kylo Ren. They have the same punch.

My theory since before TFA is Kylo was found and messed with by the undead Snoke. Pulling to the dark side. Now thst Kylo popped his old man he will not be thrilled with Snoke and he will take out Snoke and become the new leader of the 1st Order