Unless you watched the prequels first like some kind of chronological purist, the reveal that almost everyone in Star Wars is one big dysfunctional family is one of the biggest surprises. Ever since the casting was announced for the new movie, everyone ha been speculating as to what the big "No, I am your father" moment was going to be, and who it would pertain to in the story. Spoilers for The Force Awakens ahead. For example, is Daisy Ridley's Rey the daughter of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Force Awakens ?
You guys, I loved this rough and tough Little Orphan Annie girl so much. Rey was so initially confused by hand-holding and human kindness, it was adorable. Her parentage is definitely significant, but as it turns out, The Force Awakens doesn't actually answer the question. We know one blood connection between the next generation and the last, but it's not Rey. Villain Kylo Ren is actually Ben Solo, the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa. However, many fans are speculating that similarly, Rey is Luke’s daughter, even though in the Old Republic, the Jedi weren't allowed to marry or have children — like Catholic priests or the Night's Watch. Does this mean the rules have changed or Luke went against them?
While it is still being kept under wraps (she even refers to herself as "classified" in the film) there are plenty of clues that seem to point towards her being the continuation of the family that has taken us on this whole journey. Here are a few that I picked up on upon my first viewing of the movie.
1. Luke's Drama Island
Kylo Ren did some creepy poking around in Rey's mind, and mentioned that Rey dreams of an island. Sure enough, at the end of the film, Rey travels to a planet and finds Luke Skywalker on the top of a mountain, where he has presumably been standing for 30 years. Just kidding! How was Rey dreaming about this island? Was Luke calling her to him by way of the Force? Had she been there before? Who is her mother?? It was a huge clue that has me so pumped for Star Wars: Episode VIII.
2. That Force Dream
I need to see the movie a thousand more times for this reason. In Maz Kanata's basement, Rey not only found Luke's old lightsaber (not the green one he wielded during Return of the Jedi — Maz must have gotten it by then) but experienced a scary flashback to her childhood. It looked like not only was she was abandoned on a sandy planet, just like Luke, but Kylo Ren might have been there as well, and we know Luke was his teacher. That nightmare also included the image of Luke speaking to R2D2 before peace-ing out and triggering R2's "low power mode."
3. She's A Good Pilot
Just like Luke, and Anakin before him. Piloting and mechanic skills run in the Skywalker family alongside the Force. That said, the fact that she and Han Solo were finishing each other's sandwiches left and right while talking about the Millennium Falcon makes me think that she's Han and Leia's daughter (and therefore Ben's sister) instead. If I'm being honest with myself, "secret cousins" doesn't have quite the same ring to it as "secret siblings."
4. The Resemblance Is (Star)Killer
OK, so she looks more like the women in this family (Padme and Leia) than Luke and Anakin with their blonde locks. Recessive genes will get you that way, man. She also looks a heck of a lot like Adam Driver, who — don't hurt me — was giving me major Hayden Christensen vibes.
5. The Blue Lightsaber
"The wand chooses the wizard, Harry." "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor." "Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is likewise King of all England."
While the elegant, ancient weapon is not quite as legendary as Excalibur, we've heard it all before. Rey is definitely some kind of Chosen One. While it was cool to see Finn wield the saber, and prove that you don't have to be a Jedi to swing a laser sword, the hilt ultimately went to Rey. Even Maz Kanata sensed that it was calling to her.
Honestly, whoever Rey's parents are, I think I'm on board. Still, you can't deny these clues — and keep watching for more as you go back to The Force Awakens a dozen more times!
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Images: Disney; Giphy (5)
