“Star Wars was built and branded around the Skywalker name, a legacy of the righteous Queen of Naboo and the Chosen One, princess and best pilot in the galaxy and all passed down to the little prince. I have no problem with Rey taking the Skywalker name at the end of the film, if it wasn’t for how the life and legacy of Ben was handled. No mention of him after his death, no recognition that the infamous Kylo Ren had come home like his mother always thought he would, nothing but a few seconds in Rey’s arms until he disappeared. He didn’t get a funeral like his grandmother and grandfather before him, no homage to his sacrifice was mentioned. He didn’t even appear as a force ghost in his family’s home as a final goodbye and to give closure to the Skywalker legacy. Disney had so much potential for this trilogy, for Ben Solo, and instead they gave it to Rey without even honoring the Skywalker lineage. It was a pathetic end for a story line that’s been going on since 1977.”
–Ayanna Branham, ‘The Tragedy of Ben Solo’ (Comicbook Debate)
THIIIISSSSS.
Although he should have just… lived. Full stop. His death was unnecessary from the very beginning. It added nothing to the story or the overall plot, in fact the opposite- it actually took something away. Evidenced above.
Needless character death like this is cheap and unconscionable. It’s a cretinous tactic. It’s used by people who can’t think of something better. These people are supposed to be professionals. To say I’m disappointed is a massive understatement.
Exactly, all this. Redemption was a choice Ben made without any expectation of forgiveness or reward. Why kill off the good man making amends? Rehabilitation is the most rewarding “justice” there is. Ben Solo had a lot to offer the galaxy, and not just because he is half of the most powerful Force duo ever. I’m so sad for Rey too, her soulmate died… the heroine didn’t get everything she deserved on her own heroine’s journey. She and Ben would have been such a fantastic power couple, a strong force for good in the galaxy. There is no point in killing the good man when Kylo Ren was already gone forever. It also hurts that Han and Leia both died for nothing while their tormented son was allowed mere moments of happiness before death. Ben was so unique in that he had traits of Anakin, Padme, Han and Leia—but no, they had to kill off ALL the Solos and Skywalkers including their legacy baby and fuck up the heroine’s story along with it. It’s just such a bleak empty ending for a nine-movie saga meant for 12-year olds. I don’t think I’ll ever stop being sad about it.
