I just think having Rey’s power being tied to a male bloodline feels so lazy and totally defeats her purpose in my eyes. And regardless if you feel she needs to be related to someone, I think cramming all that information into the last movie was a mistake. If they wanted her to be Rey Palpatine, they should’ve told Rian that’s the direction they want to go in. But once his movie was out and she wasn’t, Abrams should’ve continued painting that picture rather than trying paint over what was already on the canvas.
I actually agree with you in spirit - I’m not sure if you saw my post where I said to Broom Boy that I love the movie but not necessarily the sandpit it’s playing out in. I’ve never liked Force genetics, not since the Leia fiasco of '83! But since this is how it is now, I think the Palpatine connection really ties up Rey’s power levels and behaviour in the previous films. In TLJ she lifts a billion boulders and looks completely surprised. I found this annoying because to me it diminished the importance of training (and Luke’s entire arc) in the previous instalments. Now we know why - she’s a Sith Lord! Even the anger she displayed whilst beating Kylo that first time - the Palpatine connection actually makes all this coherent for me. I agree that these bozos should have written a trilogy before filming it! But I think given what he had to work with, JJ tied it all up really well.