Kylo while putting on his new mask: slipped up and let everyone see me cry. can’t let that happen again.

eysky and Reylo during the wait for TLJ. And in a way that makes your current confidence about the general story direction for IX more affirming, because I can say from the past that you aren’t just emptily reassuring your followers or making up conspiracies like antis do.

Thanks! Of course, having a decent track record of being right (which I do in no small part because I myself listened to people whose interpretations I have reason to trust) doesn’t mean that one can’t be wrong. But barring abysmally bad writing, I think we can expect a movie that a) is not stagnant and static character-wise (so no Kylo starting and ending as a villain, no Rey starting and ending being disillusioned by him, etc.) and b) provides satisfying emotional closure to this journey, which includes Kylo’s arc and his dynamic with Rey.

I’ll be the first to say don’t get too attached to specific headcanons (whether it’s my own Rey unmasking Kylo scenario, a reylo kiss, Kylo definitely surviving, or else) but I genuinely see no reason to worry that the trilogy will suddenly pivot on itself and turn into a narrative that prioritizes retribution over compassion, grimdark acceptance that “some people can’t be saved” over hope and redemption, and punishes both Rey and Kylo for developing feelings for each other—feelings that, so far, have only inspired them to do heroic, compassionate, selfless things (crossing the galaxy to try to bring Ben back / comforting and nurturing Rey in her moment of despair and later killing Snoke to save her).

As long as we expect these few things in broad strokes, and remain open to the fact that the details and specific context will vary and probably subvert your expectations in some aspects, I think we’ll be fine.

If the mask comes back, then he’s going to need a way to remove it for good that’s on par with slamming it into the elevator in TLJ. My vote is to go for intimacy over violence, like if Rey approaches him and reaches for the mask, Kylo gently grasps her wrists as if meaning to stop her from removing it, because he’s afraid, and uncertain, but let’s go after a moment and she takes it off. So it would still be a narratively huge moment just in an opposite way to the way the mask went in TLJ

emperorren:

*squealing noises*

*slams fist on table*

THIS

Controversial opinion: but I do like the idea of half a mask. Like something that covers the top half of his face and is there for a barrier between him and the world. A way to keep up appearances and dramatics as a result of realizing there’s no way he can hide his emotions.

I feel that they have to go back to Jakku at some point in IX. Thematically it’s so fitting, and the new eu and lore has done so much to make Jakku both important historically, but also as a place of intrigue and mystery (secret Palpatine research facilities ? The planet is partially a weapon. etc)

Also Finn getting to do this when he hears they’re going back to Jakku:

lol if the Resistance ever works with the Hutts, then you can bet your ass Leia and Luke’s Force ghosts will be haunting whomever made that piss poor choice for an eternity to come.

usethehorseluke:

If there’s any truth to them going back to Jakku, then maybe Ben’s e-vite to go dig up Rey’s parents and beat them with a stick was real after all

notbythehairofmyfinnyfinnfinn:

y’all.

I’ve always expected them to return at some point to Jakku at the end of the trilogy. Too much has happened in that place and thematically I think it could tie a lot together.