Like many ‘children’ of my generation, I was raised on Star Wars. I saw the movies on VHS with my dad when I was young, and he took me to see the original trilogy in theatres when they were digitally remastered in the late 90s. I am unabashedly a Star Wars purist: the original trilogy is the best, and the prequel trilogy is... not, in my books. Yes, the graphics and effects are better in Episodes I-III, and the podracing is cool, but the story line is just so much better in Episodes IV-VI.

My personal favourite Star Wars movie has always been Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. I have no particular reason for it other than maybe because the Ewoks are adorable little cannibals, and C-3PO as a God is pretty entertaining. (Yes, I am going to spoil the plot. No, I will not feel bad because this movie came out in 1983, almost a full decade before I was born). There’s also the immense satisfaction of Darth Vader, a.k.a. Anakin Skywalker having his redeeming moment, sacrificing himself and returning to the Light Side by throwing Emperor Palpatine to his death.

This brings me to my main point: Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi will be coming to theatres on December 15th, and I will for sure be going to see it at some point before 2018. I’ve seen a lot of fan theories about this, and I have a few of my own. For example, a co-worker of mine and I have been arguing about Rey’s parentage for nearly two years now (SHE ISN’T A SKYWALKER, JOHN), amongst other things. The fan theory that I find the most intriguing is that, based on the trailer for the movie, Luke will be giving up on teaching Rey and she therefore turns to Kylo Ren, born Ben Solo, who turned to the Dark Side and idolizes his grandfather, Darth Vader.

Here's where my theory comes in: if Darth Vader turned back to the Light in the end, presumably a young Ben would’ve been told that. His seduction to the Dark Side by Supreme Leader Snoke doesn’t make sense if Anakin was exalted as a hero in his dying moments. Therefore, I suggest that Kylo Ren is a ruse. Even his name is taken from two heroes of the rebellion: S(ky)walker, for his uncle, and So(lo), for his father. My thought is that Kylo will betray Snoke in the end, because like his grandfather before him, he is a hero.

I also super ship StormPilot (Finn and Poe Dameron), so I’m looking forward to seeing more of my OTP, as well as my favourite droids, in the new film.

Do you have any strong feelings about Star Wars? Let’s meet up for coffee and argue! Send me an email at EIC@TheQuill.ca!