I don’t get why people bring up Vader’s redemption when saying Kylo should survive IX and be forgiven. Vader died in the end, even though he was redeemed. It would be really weird if he survived and showed up in the celebration scene of RotJ wearing white armor or something, with everyone being friends after a short apology like it’s an episode of My Little Pony.
Ben has to face some type of consequences or else it cheapens the impact of his previous actions. At the very least, even if he’s redeemed, he should exile himself like how Ulic Qel-Droma did.100% agreed. I’ve seen good civil conversations on this site so far and hope nothing I say comes off as rude or condescending to anybody. Just my thoughts, so correct me if you feel. Firstly, I don’t even understand how the whole Reylo is a good message for the future generation. You can’t have Kylo violate Rey’s mind in front of the ashes of his victims, murder his own father, allow the destruction of entire planets, and have him be forgiven because love. It makes sense for Luke to want to redeem his father despite Vader’s actions, because Luke only ever cared about his father growing up. Rey barely knows Kylo and had to endure a lot of pain and suffering because of him, so she can’t fall in love with him no matter how sorry she feels for him after only one conversation in a hut, unless she’s severely damaged in the head.
If Anakin survived ROTJ, then he would face the consequences of his actions. He was only redeemed in Luke’s eyes and to the force itself by fulfilling his prophecy. Leia would certainly not forgive her father for years, probably decades. I feel like if they really wanted to shock the audience and have the story be satisfying to more people, then Leia should’ve been the one that was tempted to kill her son for becoming a new Vader, not Luke. This way, Leia learns something about forgiveness and maybe understands Anakin better, and the audience can finally see her deal with Vader being her father, since it’s almost like she doesn’t really care (other than in Bloodline by Claudia Grey).
This is a good post and I like your line of thinking with Leia.
+1
I think the whole Reylo outcome would be a really bad idea. Your deeds and actions, particulary bad ones, should have consequences in the Star Wars universe. Ben Solo may be redeemed, but if he survives, he should spend his remaining days atoning for his crimes, and teaching others to not fall in the same trap he did. Ben Solo following his personal desires, and needs through a relationship with Rey would be one of the worst messages to give to viewers. If he lives, he should become a tragic figure, redeemed in the eyes of some, but despised by many.