What Episode IX Needs to Be

Written By Austin Hall (@ADWAustin)

For the first time in over 40 years, the space saga known as Star Wars is going to end with its final episode next year. That won’t be the last movie we see from the franchise, but it will be the end of the main story.

Now, as excited as I am to see the end, I have some misgivings for two reasons: 1) it’s hard, if not impossible, to make what will certainly be the most hyped movie ever truly great, and 2) the third movie of any trilogy is usually the worst of the three (though Return of the Jedi is one of my favorite Star Wars movies).

I, unlike most Star Wars fanboys and fangirls, am okay with this. I’ve been blown away with the story more times than I can count, I don’t need to be blown away one more time.

I do, however, need a satisfying ending. Here’s what I think they should do, and here’s what I think they need to do:

What Should Happen

Anakin speaks with Kylo:

A cool set up that the newest trilogy has put in place is how much Kylo Ren represents a young Anakin Skywalker, right up to his brash moodiness and scar. As suggested on Reddit, Anakin should come back, as a Force Ghost in his young Jedi form, scar and all, and talk to Kylo. This would help redeem the prequels by having Anakin (Hayden Christensen) show how he has grown since his son saved him all those years ago. It would also redeem the edits made to the original trilogy when Christensen was subbed in during the last scene of Return of the Jedi. Anakin has been there before and can show Kylo the path to redemption, and take it or leave it, based on the direction of the movie.

Rey constructs a double lightsaber:

Another Reddit suggestion, this one has her construct a double-bladed lightsaber that resembles Darth Maul’s. It is perfect because Rey is adept with a staff already and continues the theme of taking the Jedi in a new direction. It’s a symbol of the resourcefulness that she had with her on Jakku when she beat up those robbers, and shows how the new crop will have to be just as resourceful.

Finn and Poe Dameron fall in love!

I know this is very fanservice-y, but everyone deserves a good love story. Finn and Poe have more on-screen chemistry than anyone else other than Rey and Kylo, and this would help lead the characters in a new direction, including a new version of the type of Democracy that Obi-Wan Kenobi was screaming about in Episode III.

What Needs to Happen

Rey teaches new Jedi:

I think we should simply have this as the last scene, since this is what they’ve been building to, and is the final step in a Jedi’s life anyway. She could have a single padawan or a whole group of students as Force Ghost Yoda and Luke look on. I’m choking up just thinking about it.

Finn has a new character ark:

Finn gets scared; Finn runs away; Finn is convinced to stay; Finn stays and does heroic things. We have seen this same arc in the last two movies, and it’s been a huge let-down for a character with so much promise. A Stormtrooper joins the Resistance: this is new and exciting, so give him something new and exciting to do; don’t have him learn the same lessons he’s had to learn twice already.

General Leia needs a fitting end:

I’m certain this has kept J.J. Abrams up at night, but to give a fitting end using archival footage from a deceased actor (Carrie Fisher), feels like an impossible task. I think they can pull it off by doing more with less. Don’t get all sentimental. Just give the character a final scene or two that lets us know where Leia stands, and move on with the movie.

God-willing, some, if not all of these features will be implemented. Even if they aren’t, the powers that be make the final call. May the Force be with us all.

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