Fuuuuck, spelling it out like it that makes it so good. In a way, it fits really well with what we’re already doing with Restructured. We all know that TFA is guilty of being a little to similar to ANH. But since the whole film has been establishing that similarity, when the Rebels 2.0 actually fail to blow up the Death Star 3.0 in time, it should actually be surprising to the audience. The film had set them up to expect our heroes to save the day in the nick of time, just like ANH.

With this version of Rey vs Kylo, we expect Rey to “use the Force” just like Luke and be victorious. Although Rey is also victorious, the audience should be surprised that our hero used the dark side to win. Whoa. Wasn’t expecting that.

But it makes sense, because no one has taught Rey the difference between the good side and the bad, and seeing her potential raises the stakes for why she needs some guidance. I know I’ve said this before, but these changes really change TFA’s weaknesses sort of into strengths when you use those weakness to surprise the audience in the third act.

It definitely makes me realize the Sith eyes are a simple, efficient way to show the audience that she is channeling the dark side. You wouldn’t be 100% sure any other way.

Why did you swap out the voices of Finn/Chewie for the Force whispers. I mean, I think it works, but I think her using her friends’ pain to feed her anger also worked well. It helped show the audience what she was thinking/feeling. Are those dark side whispers specifically? I felt like the whispers she hears on Ahch-To, for example, never felt like “dark side whispers” in particular to me.

I know it didn’t fit, but with you leaning into this dark side direction, it sort of makes me wish Han’s alternate death track was used when Rey beats Kylo!