brash_stryker said:
If they really had to have Starkiller base, I think the Resistance ought to have failed to destroy it (only disabled it). This would have subverted our expectations and made it less of a rehash of ANH/ROTJ. Also it would have made it much darker (Han died for nothing, and Luke is now the Last Hope for the galaxy, just as he was once the NEW Hope).

I too felt disappointed with Starkiller and even had similar thoughts (in my mind, I thought somehow the Resistance would have to take control of it while they figure out its weakness). However, the more I thought about it, Starkiller achieved A LOT than we imagined, compared to the other two Death Stars. The first Death Star was only used for intimidation and only destroyed one peaceful planet, Alderaan. Death Star II only destroyed a few Rebel cruisers but never any other planets. What did Starkiller do? It destroyed actual military targets! It basically wiped out entire Republic fleets. Without a Republic fleet, the Republic is really no more, no more control over a galaxy. Starkiller is no longer really needed at this point, it served its purpose. Now yes, First Order got their crushing blow from the destruction of Starkiller, but it appears it’s no big deal considering how Snoke took it lightly and only instructed that Kylo Ren be returned safely to him for more training. This galaxy has a power vacuum, and it’s up to both the Resistance and the First Order to quickly reclaim control.