Luke’s act of defiance at the end of the film, while more symbolic, mirrors his heroic act at the end of ANH. The destruction of the first Death Star lit the fire that would destroy the Empire. Another Empire has to be beaten by a struggling rebellion, and another fallen Jedi apprentice has be be conquered by a new hope. We’re narratively right back to square one, which seems completely at odds with the idea, that TLJ puts the franchise in a new direction.
Ok, here’s where I have to step in again. I find that entire paragraph - hard to argue with.
BOOM
See what I did there? Like TLJ, I went in a different direction than you may have anticipated.
My post rhymed with Dre’s. It’s Rian Theory®
I don’t have as much of a problem with the reset as some. However, I will say I’m a bit disappointed that it was all billed as some sort of radical new direction for the franchise and really ended up just being a reset. For the record, I didn’t much care either way what the film would be with regard to the franchise. I have my two films, so anything else is just gravy. If it all helps the franchise become more respected and fun, even better.
Now JJ is free to do whatever he wants - and that’s not a bad thing. Maybe he’ll come up with what a great many of us had hoped TFA would have been. He has a clean slate and a few characters fans like and are following.
Personally, I hope he gives Rose a much more substantial role and deepens the character, and of course, you can never have too much Chewie. Beyond that, I’m fine waiting to see what they do. The way TLJ blew up everything and cleared the board, they could start a new trilogy now. The past two films could serve as a prequel duology for Rey, Finn, Poe, and Rose. We know why they’re here, now lets go on an adventure with them.