I can’t argue against Malà’s screening with friends, and how they were confused about the ring. I would hope/think that isn’t everyone’s reaction?

However, I don’t think adding the shot of Rose’s hands here really works. Judging it by the standard Hal has set of making changes that are seamless and could pass for official, I think if the original intention in production was to have Holdo call out the symbol of the resistance, she would have held her hands up, or looked down at her hands, or there were have been a closeup of her clutching something that we cut back to when she reveals the ring. I do like that her hands shake when she says “the oppressed and the downtrodden know our symbol”, as if she was holding something. I’m just not sure it’s convincing enough.

I think if the ring is an issue, the best solution is cut the ring shot at the end. I know this was suggested before, though, and pointed out that it would be very difficult to make the cut work with the end music. If I get a chance in the next couple days, I could try to mock that up if that would help discussion.

Personally, I don’t find the ring to be an issue, as long as the audience recognized the symbol. The rebel alliance is not new, and these kids playing with Luke toys could reasonably have found a ring on their own in some way.