Star Wars: The Force Awakens

[Mark Moreland]

Just a Mort wrote:

Just a rant.

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

1) Just because Leia is strong with the Force doesn't mean that she's meant to/wants to become a Jedi. Jedi are simply members of a knightly order who employ the Force to do their work. But there are plenty of non-Jedi/Sith that use the Force to do their respective work. In Leia's case, as she indicates to Han in their heart-to-heart, she went back to doing what she does best after Ben/Kylo (and by extension Luke) left her life—she went back to being a leader. It's likely she uses the Force unknowingly in that role, in her diplomatic and strategic dealings with others. Combat it not the only use of the Force.

2) There's nothing indicating that Kylo Ren is a Sith. He and Snoke are certainly Dark Side Force users, but there can only ever be two Sith at any given time. The flashback Rey has when she touches Luke's lightsaber indicated that there are a handful or more Knights of Ren (and Snoke refers to Kylo as the "master of the Knights of Ren" at one point), so there are or were more than just the two of them at one point. According to Luke's account of the events on the second Death Star, Leia likely believes that even the most sinister of Dark Side tyrants has the potential to be redeemed, just like Vader was when he threw Palpatine into the reactor core. Can you honestly tell me that you would opt to kill your only (as far as we know) son when you believed there was a chance he could be returned to you alive?

3) Yes, because clearly someone as strong with the Force as him would just be turned away because some random guy on the Internet thinks the actor portraying him doesn't meet some arbitrary physical appearance standards.

[Mark Moreland]

Freehold DM wrote:

baron arem heshvaun wrote:

Krensky wrote:

Point of order...

The cheapest space fighter in use at Yavin was the TIE. The X-Wing was the most expensive and advanced production star fighter at in that engagement.

Actually there are two types of TIE fighters seen in The Force Awakens.

One the "standard" TIE and the second the two seater TIE/SF "Special Forces" variant that Finn and Poe took.

The TIE/SF combines standard dual laser cannons with a heavy anti ground turret and warhead launcher. Special Forces TIEs do have hyperdrives, deflector shields and high yield cells that provide additional power to onboard systems.

These versatile attack ships are used for everything from lead reconnaissance to surface combat operations.

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

I think Rey was picking apart the wrecked remains of a Y-wing while she was on Jakku. Those hunks of junk are worth more as parts than as viable warcraft for the Resistance.

[Mark Moreland]

JoelF847 wrote:

Another thought just occurred to me. Why is it The Force Awakens?

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

Likely because the only people using the Force that we have seen are ones who were trained in its use. My theory is that Luke, when facing the repetition of history of a Jedi student killing the rest of the order (see Ep III), took Yoda's tactic of a hermit's life, trusting the Force to find the next student. The Force awakens in Rey without her being guided, except by watching/feeling Kylo use the Force on her. She doesn't have an Obi-Wan or Yoda guiding her on her first steps toward mastering the Force—she does it on her own. And in so doing, she recognizes that she needs to seek out Luke, to show him that she is worthy of being his apprentice.

I believe Kylo was tempted by Snoke because he lacked the level of talent with the Force Luke or his peers expected of him, or that he expected of himself in order to live up to Vader's legacy. Rather than master the Force, he gives in to rage to a much greater degree than any Dark Side user we've yet seen, and in so doing he gains his strength. But his mastery of the Force is not refined; when faced with someone in whom the Force has truly "awakened" (Rey), he's bested despite his experience. This leads me to surmise that the awakening from which the film gets its subtitle is the very journey we witness within Rey during the film itself.

[Mark Moreland]

IMMA SPAM THIS THREAD WITH ALL THE RESPONSES TO THE POSTS I HAVE THE TIME TO READ FROM THE BOTTOM UP BECAUSE DANG THIS IS A LONG THREAD!

[Marc Radle]

Freehold DM wrote:

Marc Radle wrote:

Lemmy wrote:

Bill Dunn wrote:

Have you seen Star Wars movies before?

Oh, I agree Anakin was a Mary Sue... And we all know how likable a character he is in the prequels...

Either way, let's agree to disagree. This discussion will only go round and round.

I think that's a great idea, actually. I have to admit, it's kind of bumming me out to read these negative posts from (the admittedly few) folks who seem to have really not liked the movie and are determined to tell everyone else why they didn't.

I guess it's an odd quirk of human nature that, even though the overwhelming majority of people around the world who have seen the movie (including many who have seen it multiple times) and absolutely LOVED it ... a small minority of people going on and on about how much they disliked the movie can still make me sad for some reason.

I guess what they say about a small vocal minority can still threaten to drown out a much larger number of people who simply are not as loud and vocal is true ...

I think the reason these negative posts are such bummers for me is probably because I really loved the movie (minor flaws and all) and had a wonderful time seeing it with my son, and I'm filled with excitement for the next movie and for the future of Star Wars again (feelings I was sure I'd never feel again, especially after the prequels). Maybe I just need to give this thread a rest for a while ...

oh come on.

If I can survive whedon and brown being on TV and Facebook existing, you can survive people disagreeing with you about an awesome movie.

Fair enough

[Tacticslion]

SAW IT. LOVED IT. AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH.

[JoelF847]

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Another thought just occurred to me. Why is it The Force Awakens?

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

Seems reasonable, but still not my favorite title. I prefer titles to be a bit more directly tied to the events of the movie without having to guess and speculate what it really refers to. Even Phantom Menace was more directly tied to events in the film, in that Palpatine created the whole conflict to grab power.

[Mark Moreland]

JoelF847 wrote:

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Another thought just occurred to me. Why is it The Force Awakens?

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

But Palpatine's role as anything other than Senator of Naboo wasn't revealed until Revenge of the Sith. We who had seen the original trilogy knew that he was a bad guy, but his treachery was still hidden within the narrative of the prequel trilogy. It wasn't revealed that he was Darth Sidious until Episode III.

[thejeff]

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Another thought just occurred to me. Why is it The Force Awakens?

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Which meant the Menace was even more of a Phantom.

anti-spoiler:

I'm not spoilering prequel secrets.

[Kryzbyn]

The title comes from

Spoiler:

Snoke and Kylo Ren are having a conversation and Snoke says "There has been an awakening. Did you feel it?" And Kylo responds in the affirmative, thinking its Finn, but then later realizes its Rey (iirc; I've only seen it once).

[Krensky]

baron arem heshvaun wrote:

Krensky wrote:

Point of order...

The cheapest space fighter in use at Yavin was the TIE. The X-Wing was the most expensive and advanced production star fighter at in that engagement.

You are of course correct, with the exception of the omission of the TIE Advanced.

Further the TIE was less expensive because they were mass produced and The Empire had gave massive financial and manpower (slave labor) subsidies and backing to their manufacturer Sienar Fleet Systems.

My more evil twin Imperial get carried away sometimes.

Fanatics are funny that way.

Lack of life suport, hyperdrive, shield, or armor helps the cost too.

[GM Niles]

Thank you MarK Moreland!

[Irontruth]

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Another thought just occurred to me. Why is it The Force Awakens?

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

And there's some evidence that Palpatine wasn't actually intended to be the "phantom menace". There are comments from both Lucas and actors that point to a different character playing a greater role, but that the story line was scrapped after fan backlash.

I am also not using spoilers for movies that would be nearly old enough to drive.

[BigDTBone]

Irontruth wrote:

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Another thought just occurred to me. Why is it The Force Awakens?

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

And there's some evidence that Palpatine wasn't actually intended to be the "phantom menace". There are comments from both Lucas and actors that point to a different character playing a greater role, but that the story line was scrapped after fan backlash.

I am also not using spoilers for movies that would be nearly old enough to drive.

I'm guessing this is what you are talking about

Spoiler:

I think that is the origin of Snoke

Not really ;)

[pres man]

Thoughts after a 2nd viewing.

Spoiler:

Seriously, JJ Abrams has no idea about stellar distances and it is insultingly stupid. This time I caught that not only could you seem the big blasty beam from cantina planet, but you could actually see the planets exploding as well. WTF? I mean, even if cantina planet was in the same system, and there is no indication it is and if it is get ready for it to become like Ceti Alpha 5, it would still not be possible to see them being destroyed with the naked eye during the day. And why wouldn't you destroy cantina planet if it was in the same system. I mean, this is so dumb, "People won't believe it happened unless we show them everyone seeing it happening." That is like in Star Trek Nemesis where they had to make Picard's clone bald because they thought there was no way people would believe that Picard ever had hair as a young man.

How much better would it have been if instead of having R2 wake up for no reason at the exact right time with the rest of the map, that instead Rey actually stole it from the files while she was trying to escape. Kylo told her they had the rest of the map, it would have made sense for her to try to get it.

What if instead of mind controlling a guard to free her. She sees a bit of metal that looks to be just at her finger tips (but it is actually just out of reach as the audience can see). She actually moves it closer subconsciously while trying to reach it and then uses it to free herself.

In her flashback, the junk dealer is holding her arm (you can see his big sausage fingers) and telling her to be quiet. It would make sense that she knew a lot about the Falcon if she actually was his slave/servant when she was younger and she was forced to help do a lot of the changes to the Falcon. It might also explain how she knew how to pilot a ship, which nothing in the movie indicated why she would. Driving a tractor/swoop isn't going to prepare to a person to fly a ship.

Comparison to Luke: Luke did 3 things force related in the first movie. (1) Blocked beams from trainer, (2) received Obi-Wan's messages from the other side, and (3) hit the shot. Now, as Luke mentioned, he had experience hitting similar sized (and probably moving) targets in his youth in a similar setting (beggar's canyon vs. trench) so it was at least partially due to skills he had developed and due to the force. Also, in the added on film, we see that Biggs vouches for Luke to Red Leader, "He's the best bush pilot in the outer rim." And according to some Star Wars materials, the controls for the T-16 Skyhopper are almost identical to the controls for an X-Wing. Another issue was that I think there were more fighters than pilots on Yavin at that moment, so that is why he got a ship. Basically they were trying to put anyone with piloting experience into the air to give them their best chance (I mean Porkins doesn't exactly inspire a lot of thought that these were all elite pilots). You'll notice though that Luke's group was the last one to take a shot, probably because they were the least experienced.

Leia wasn't as badly acted as I first thought. Or maybe I just set a lower bar after the first viewing. Also Leia isn't a great general. All the people that talk during the planning of the attack are men, which is disappointing, Leia doesn't make any command decisions during this process. I am not suggesting she needs to come up with the ideas, but she needs to be the one that puts it together as a plan. Also, there is no back up plans made apparently. Nobody makes an effort to evacuate the base of non-essential personnel. Shouldn't at least half the command structure have ditched out in order to possibly regroup later. The original movie had the same problem on Yavin, the battle of Hoth seemed to be one of the few times this made sense.

[Black Dougal]

Irontruth wrote:

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Mark Moreland wrote:

JoelF847 wrote:

Another thought just occurred to me. Why is it The Force Awakens?

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

And there's some evidence that Palpatine wasn't actually intended to be the "phantom menace". There are comments from both Lucas and actors that point to a different character playing a greater role, but that the story line was scrapped after fan backlash.

I am also not using spoilers for movies that would be nearly old enough to drive.

Seriously, are you suggesting there's some validity to the Darth Binks theory?

[Irontruth]

I wouldn't put anything past Lucas at this point. Anything.

[BigDTBone]

Irontruth wrote:

I wouldn't put anything past Lucas at this point. Anything.

Except for 4 billion dollars and bow. Lucas isn't involved anymore.

[BigDTBone]

pres man wrote:

Thoughts after a 2nd viewing.

Spoiler:

Also, there is no back up plans made apparently. Nobody makes an effort to evacuate the base of non-essential personnel. Shouldn't at least half the command structure have ditched out in order to possibly regroup later.

Spoiler:

That's because there was no need. Even the characters knew they weren't in any real danger.

Han was like, "Ok, so it's a death star thing, let's just blow it up like every other time."
Lieutenant dude was like, "No, but it's really big this time dude, for serial. SCAAARRRRRRYYY!!!!"
Han was like, "Yeah, it's big, that's nice or whatever. Doesn't it have like an integral yet easily accessible and exploitable flaw in it's design? Like an exhaust port at the end of a trench or something?"
Lieutenant dude was like, "Yeah, probably. Maybe like a thermal oscillator? or something?"
Finn was like, "Yeah, it has one of those, and there are trenches near it."
Han was like, "Into the flight suit, garbage boy. You're coming with!"

There was literally NO suspense in the scene because even the characters knew it was a joke.

[Irontruth]

BigDTBone wrote:

Irontruth wrote:

I wouldn't put anything past Lucas at this point. Anything.

Except for 4 billion dollars and bow. Lucas isn't involved anymore.

I didn't say he was.

I'm saying, if you said that Lucas had previously had a stupid idea involving Star Wars, I would on the face of it, accept it as a possibility. Purely because Lucas has had many, many stupid ideas involving Star Wars. No idea is too stupid for Lucas to have had it.

Several years ago, I was having a conversation with some fellow gamers. The topic was "If you could play a game with anyone, who would it be and what game?" There were lots of great answers. Mine was:

George Lucas; Rochambeau

[Drejk]

Freehold DM wrote:

My only complaint:

** spoiler omitted **

My thought as well...

Spoiler:

Nor A-wings or B-wings... Y-wings at least were a bit old during the Rebellion Era if I remember correctly...

[Just a Mort]

To Mark:

Spoiler:

1) I get the impression that the lack of Jedi was why the First Order got so out of hand. If Leia led a new order of Jedi, there would be no need for the Rebellion?

2)I also have a sneaking suspicion that Ren was the rogue jedi who killed the rest of the apprentices, which caused Luke to stop training more Jedi. A person who has embraced the dark side of the Force undergoes changes, they can't just be turned by a few pretty words. By joining the Dark Side, and joining the First Order, Ren has chosen evil. He has lots of blood on his hands from the massacre of the first village. The punishment for murder is death penalty (in some parts of the world). By not attempting to kill him, they have let him live, to spread terror and destruction over the galaxy - which would cause more innocents to lose their families. Is your child more important then those who would die if he was not stopped? No. If I were Leia, I would tell Han to bring a tranquilizer gun and zap him at the first opportunity, then bring him back for a good long chat. Or even to kill him on sight. Han should have known better. Red lightsaber, black cloak, mask..if it doesn't spell Sith...I dunno what would be more obvious.

3) Ren's inability to control his temper is a serious flaw. If you want a dumb thug, thats fine.If I were the Sith Master, I would rather an apprentice with more self control despite being weaker in the force then a squalling brat.

[Irontruth]

Spoiler:

The dark side is about anger and letting your emotions get the better of you. Vader usually kept it under his helmet, but he got pretty angry and started choking people pretty regularly. It's Kylo Ren's anger that makes him vulnerable to the Dark side.

If you want control and calm, you stick with the Light side.

Han explicitly said that Kylo Ren was a student of Luke's; it was because of the betrayal by his student that Luke went into self-exile.

[BigNorseWolf]

Just a mort

Spoiler:

If you want a body top hop into, you want it young, powerful, and stupid enough to let you hop into it.

[pres man]

Spoiler:

Also don't compare Kylo in this movie to Vader in a New Hope. Vader was about 20 years older and of course more mature and controlled. Still that didn't stop him from killing officers at least one officer that hadn't really done anything wrong when they lost sight of the Falcon (because it was clamped onto their ship).

The writers have said that these movies will show not only the evolution of the hero(es) but also of the villains. So don't look at Kylo as an end result, but as a starting point for a villain.

[Peter Stewart]

So, some Rey details from a second viewing.

Spoiler:

It felt like Han knew who she was. Again, every time he started talking about her, the scene cut away. Whether it was to Maz or Leia, we never got Han's take on her, and it was very obvious and intentional. My off the wall theory is that Han was in her system to keep an eye on her, sort of like how Old Ben kept an eye on Luke. Out in the distance, but close enough if stuff went down.

Spoiler:

It also seemed as though Ren was very aware of the existence of a powerful force-sensitive girl. Watch the scene in which the officer comes to tell him the droid escaped. Watch his reaction when he's told that "a girl" was involved in the escape. "WHAT GIRL!" + Force Choke seemed like a pretty big reaction for a random nobody.

Spoiler:

Rey knew a lot more than she was letting on, or perhaps than she knew that she knew. Pay close attention to her interrogation scene with Ren. He's probing her mind, and drops this little bit that isn't as clear until the end of the movie, "You've seen the ocean... the island." You know, the ocean and island in which she finds Luke at the end, implied to be the site of the first Jedi Temple?

Makes me think she has some history there. Either way, they are absolutely baiting the hook with her, and I'll make no judgments on her character until we get the full story.

[Just a Mort]

BNW:

Spoiler:

Point conceeded. Sith Master is a genius then.

On point 2, I'm comimg to the conclusion that Kylo betrayed Luke. I hope he gets taken over by the big bad. Just desserts!

[Benchak the Nightstalker]

You guys remember when, in Empire Strikes Back, Luke gets caught by the wampa? He's stuck in the ice, and uses the force to pull his lightsaber out of the snow?

How did he know how to do that? Obi Wan never showed him how to manipulate items like that, and while Vader force-choked some dudes in the first movie, he never did so in front of Luke.

As to Another Issue:

Darth Vader had the whole black cloak, red lightsaber thing going, had terrorized the galaxy for years, and killed tons of people (not to mention the younglings).

And yet Luke still redeems him at the end of Jedi. Because Luke sensed good in him.

Leia sensed good in Ren, she knew he could be redeemed (Ren confesses this himself to Vader's helmet, talking about how he feels the pull of the light side).

My Rey Theory:

I am 100% on board with Rey being Han and Leia's daughter and Ren's sister. Twins are totally a thing in Star Wars/Anakin's bloodline.

Plus--Luke and Leia; Rey and Ren

[Cole Deschain]

Benchak the Nightstalker wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

Except his name is Ben, so far as the alliterative theory goes, it's out the window.

I think she might actually be Luke's kid by some unknown mother. A cousin, not a sister.

Or whatever. This is a series that recycles elements to a degree a Fremen stillsuit would envy.

[baron arem heshvaun]

My Life In Monsters: Meet the Animator Behind Star Wars Saga and Jurassic Park

Phil Tippett is the Oscar winning stop motion animator and designer behind some of the greatest fantasy creatures and sci fi set pieces in cinema history. From his humble beginnings as an alien patron in the iconic Cantina sequence from 'Star Wars: A New Hope', to pioneering stop-motion techniques used throughout 'Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return of the Jedi', to seamlessly merging practical animation and CGI in Jurassic Park and beyond.

In 'My Life in Monsters', VICE chronicles Tippett's legendary life work, illustrating the process behind his greatest creations, the emotional hardships of transitioning into Hollywood's digital revolution, and completing his return-to-form, stop-motion opus with the brutal, dystopian 'Mad God'.

[Irontruth]

Cole Deschain wrote:

Benchak the Nightstalker wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Or whatever. This is a series that recycles elements to a degree a Fremen stillsuit would envy.

Spoiler:

Brother vs Sister
Cousin vs Cousin

One of those sounds much more poetic than the other. It would also imply that Luke's side is more stable and capable of dealing with the Force responsibly than Leia's, which just seems odd.

I think it's more likely it'll be brother/sister, or completely unrelated.

I also think that introducing a new romantic relationship for Luke at this point would just be awkward, even if the "romance" portion of it were over many years ago. Luke's arc is easily completed by referencing the training he was providing for his students, he can be sad and mopey about that, he doesn't need a dead/lost wife as well. A living, present wife would be equally awkward.

EP 8 death prediction

Spoiler:

I bet either Luke or Leia dies.

Luke would have an Obi-wan style death. He'd achieve something, then sacrifice himself. Luke's death would push Rey into a more self-reliant phase (she's self-reliant now, but after training they'll want to reestablish this personality trait).

Leia would be revealed as Rey's daughter, with the tragic parting of "I'm so glad I found you, lets talk when I get back." Then get's killed in the next action sequence. This would be interesting in that it could serve to push Rey towards anger and have her wrestle with her hatred, having her almost go to the Dark side, after her mother is taken away from her... again.

Either could be interesting, but I think someone important will die again.

[baron arem heshvaun]

A pretty good TFA joke

The cast of Star Wars VII just finished their first read through.

Mark Hamill furrows his brow and pulls JJ Abrams to the side, and says,

"Can I please have a word?"

(I found it very ironic for Mark Hamill who has had an extremely successful career in voice acting over the last several decades gets one word in the film, his famous 'NOOO!' from The Empire Strikes Back)

[baron arem heshvaun]

After repeat viewings, Rey clearly has a masterwork smile, but her pout, even by conservative estimates is at least 4th Degree Mythic Black belt.

[baron arem heshvaun]

Pretty nifty Directors Guild of America Q and A with JJ Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan

[baron arem heshvaun]

Star Wars Cast Sings "Stayin' Alive"

[pres man]

Some random thoughts ...

Spoiler:

Some people have suggested that Obi-Wan and Padme might have been messing around behind Anakin's back. Now consider that Luke and Leia are fraternal twins. It is possible, however unlikely, that they may have different fathers. It could be that Luke is actually Obi-Wan's son and Rey is Luke's daughter and Obi-Wan's granddaughter.

Or it is possible that Obi-Wan fathered a child while in hiding. The order no longer existed so his oath to it would be null and void. Still he knew that attachments were dangerous. Sounds like a philosophy for "hit-it-and-quit-it" with a female smuggler making a stop over on Tatooine. It could be that Rey is Obi-Wan's grandchild descended from this illicit affair.

You'll notice Rey has a English accent like Obi-Wan, but not like anyone else outside of the Empire/First Order. Obi-Wan's voice is also heard during the vision.

Also, isn't it strange that Finn does not have an English accent despite growing up in the Order? Also, why does Finn know so much about the Resistances/Rebelling leadership? Would the First Order really teach their storm-troopers about Luke and Han? I doubt it.

Anybody else get a Arthur and Merlin vibe from the very ending. I mean Rey was proven by drawing/calling the sword.

[DM Beckett]

pres man wrote:

Some random thoughts ...

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

Honestly, the idea the Jedi cannot marry or have children only existed after the prequels. Somewhat irrelevant now, there was a lot of Expanded Universe material that stated otherwise, from Luke marrying later, to probably the most famous, Nomi Sunrider who only became a Jedi after her Jedi husband was cut down right in front of her, and later taught their daughter to become a Jedi as well. (Ironically, she also originally swore to never touch a Lightsaber as well).

There was some theory that this was also one of the things that Obi-Wan, Mace Windu, and Yoda where referring to in their discussion in Attack of the Clones about how these new generations of Jedi are arrogant and weak, because without the difficulties of close relationships with family, they did not have the risk of falling to the Dark Side or grounding that comes with those relationships.

[Marc Radle]

baron arem heshvaun wrote:

Pretty nifty Directors Guild of America Q and A with JJ Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan

That was really interesting! I would recommend that everyone give it a look - JJ pretty clearly addresses his less in more approach to plot exposition (interestingly, that advice came from Kasdan) and his and Kasdan's intentional mirroring of the main themes of A New Hope in order to introduce new characters and a new story.

You also really get a sense of how big a Star Wars fan he is, how talented and creative he is, and how much of a decent, nice guy he is.

Like I said, really interesting video

[CBDunkerson]

Irontruth wrote:

EP 8 death prediction

Unspoilered text; "Leia would be revealed as Rey's daughter..."

I'm gonna assume that you got that guess backwards.

Otherwise, the Skywalker family tree is gonna get complicated. :]

[BigNorseWolf]

CBDunkerson wrote:

Irontruth wrote:

EP 8 death prediction

Unspoilered text; "Leia would be revealed as Rey's daughter..."

I'm gonna assume that you got that guess backwards.

Otherwise, the Skywalker family tree is gonna get complicated. :]

Xavier: Dammit Summers, another of your kids is here from the future. You're getting neutered, for the good of the time stream

[Just a Mort]

Some random thoughts...

Spoiler:

I think Rey is Han's daughter. Han probably slept with another woman when he was staying away from Leia, the woman in question married someone else, and raised Rey. Han may/may not have confessed about his illegitimate daughter to Leia. If he did, that's why Leia gave Rey a hug, she forgave her husband for straying, and that they should all be one happy family. So Ren is Rey's half brother. The mechanical genius streak comes from both Anakin + Han.

Also about awakenings, I suspect Finn has jedi potential as well. Ren's a nublet who missed out his awakening. How the hell do you get onto any random vessel and mysteriously know how to operate the guns? Clearly, mysterious force powers at work. Granted, a little initial fumbling but after that it was pretty good to go.

Vader, on the other hand, had perfectly good reasons to betray the Emperor. The Emperor even offered Luke his position. I wouldn't want to serve under such a self serving bastard. Perhaps Vader naively thought that him and his son could rule the galaxy together after they got rid of Palatine. Again, its been a while since I last watched episodes 4,5 and 6, and unlike some die hard fans, I only watched them once - there may be some details that slipped past my mind.

The Legacy of the Force Series (probably not canon) now, was all really just an overblown up squabble in the Skywalker family, which really drives home to the point that Jedi should not be allowed to form attachments to others or at least not let those attachments colour their world view.

[BigNorseWolf]

Just a mort

Spoiler:

Rey is force sensitive, and POWERFULLY at that. Something that is usually inherited. Unless Han's blaster is a mitochlorian detector the chances of him winding up with two force sensitive women and having two kids are beyond astronomical

[Terquem]

Han's DNA:

Maybe Han is a recessive carrier of the "I got Big Mitochlorians" gene?

[Marc Radle]

spoiler:

Yeah, I think it's pretty clear Rey will turn out to be Luke's daughter. She may have even been in the beginning of her training with Luke when Luke's best student/padwan Ben Solo turned and killed most of Luke's students. I suspect Luke managed to get Rey out of harms way just in the nick of time - she may have even been the only one to survive the slaughter. A devastated and emotionally crushed Luke somehow Force wiped her memory and dropped her off on Jakku (under the care of Max Van Sidow apparently) and then went off into self-imposed exile, ala Yoda.

I think one of the interesting aspects of Episode 9 will be how Luke reacts to Rey. Will he reluctantly agree to train her, all the while fearing he will fail again? Will he keep the fact that he is her father from her and refuse to train her? That wordless cliff-hanger that ended The Force Awakens so perfectly sets up the next movie!

[Krensky]

Spoiler:

So Finn was able to work the Falcon's ventral turret... Ok, admittedly it IS the Falcon so its controls could well be weird and screwy but...

Since when is good UI design the Force?

[MeanDM]

baron arem heshvaun wrote:

After repeat viewings, Rey clearly has a masterwork smile, but her pout, even by conservative estimates is at least 4th Degree Mythic Black belt.

Frankly, she could hang out at my place just frowning or smiling. Whatever she wants.

Those freckles....

[Imbicatus]

Finn:

Spoiler:

Finn was a stromtrooper. He was raised from birth to be a soldier. While he wasn't given ship gunnery training, he was given extensive weapons training, which probably included E-web and other ground based heavy weapons. Firing gunnery turret is not that much different than what he was already trained to do.

[Krensky]

Firing a turret in Star Wars is basically a video game, but in real life.

Considering that there are dozens of examples of video games where you control a gun turret, it's not that weird that whatever company programed the targeting computers on the Falcon's turrets could hack something together to let a novice run the guns fairly effectively, especially against pilots with the "high level of training" that Imperial First Order pilots receive.

[JoelF847]

On a different note, what was up with Chewie's bowcaster being so badass? In prior movies it pretty much was just another blaster. Also, how did Han not know it was so badass, he and Chewie worked together for decades - but it was as if he had never seen the thing fire before.

[archmagi1]

Because it now shoots red lasers instead of green.