Rey’s parentage was one of the biggest mysteries in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Fans speculated endlessly about who her family could be and how she was connected to the larger Star Wars universe. In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, it was revealed that Rey is actually the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. This shocked many fans and raised a lot of questions about the implications of this lineage. In this article, we will analyze the evidence for and against the idea that Rey is related to Palpatine, and explore what her being his granddaughter could mean for the Star Wars mythology.
Evidence For Rey’s Relation to Palpatine
There are several pieces of evidence that point to Rey being the descendant of Emperor Palpatine:
- In The Rise of Skywalker, Palpatine explicitly states that Rey is his granddaughter. This seems to confirm the relationship pretty definitively.
- Rey has an extremely strong connection to the Force and an affinity for the dark side, just like her grandfather. This innate power had to come from somewhere.
- The film’s visual dictionary explains that Palpatine had a son who renounced his father and went into hiding. Rey is descended from this son.
- Rey can sense Palpatine’s presence through the Force, and he is able to sense her as his bloodline. This implies a biological connection.
- Palpatine wants Rey to take his place as Empress and rule the Sith. He wouldn’t offer this to someone unrelated to him.
Overall, the film provides several clear indications that Rey is meant to be Palpatine’s heir and carries on his bloodline. The explicit verbal reveal from Palpatine himself is the strongest proof.
Evidence Against Rey’s Relation to Palpatine
Despite the seeming confirmation in The Rise of Skywalker, some fans are skeptical about Rey’s connection to Palpatine for a few reasons:
- There are no prior hints about this lineage in The Force Awakens or The Last Jedi. It seems to come out of nowhere.
- Having such an important character related to a prior villain could seem derivative and unoriginal.
- Rey has personality traits and moral beliefs completely opposed to Palpatine’s evil nature.
- The story surrounding Palpatine’s son is vague and not fully fleshed out.
- Previous Star Wars lore has never mentioned Palpatine having a family.
While Palpatine states their relationship explicitly, some fans feel the backstory connecting them is flimsy and underdeveloped. The reveal conflicts with what viewers knew about Rey from the first two films.
Significance and Impact of Rey’s Lineage
Assuming Rey is indeed Palpatine’s heir, this dramatic new lineage has significant implications for the character and broader mythology. Here are some of the notable impacts:
- It positions Rey as the “heir to evil” archetype in contrast to others like Luke.
- It connects the sequel trilogy back to the original films by making Palpatine a continuous villain.
- It adds new context about the seductive power of the dark side of the Force.
- It gives Rey a deeper inner conflict by having to overcome her evil ancestry.
- It makes Rey’s capacity for good that much more powerful given her dark origins.
Overall, making Rey a Palpatine demonstrates that anyone from any background can choose between good and evil. Despite her infamous lineage, Rey forges her own path as a hero.
Rey’s Inner Conflict
Learning that she is the descendant of one of the greatest villains in the galaxy gives Rey a whole new personal struggle to wrestle with. She now has to reconcile her innate pull towards the light with her hereditary pull towards the dark. Rey has to confront the ominous implications of being Palpatine’s heir while still retaining her moral principles and loyalty to her friends. She is terrified of becoming what her grandfather wanted her to be. In the end, she rejects her evil heritage and proves that destiny is not predetermined by bloodline. Her inner strength overcomes any darkness within her.
The Allure of Power
Palpatine tempts Rey with the promise of ruling the galaxy and inheriting great power if she will take his place. This demonstrates the allure the dark side can hold, even for naturally good characters. The temptation of authority and strength is cast as a challenge Rey must overcome. But by staying true to the light side, Rey resists this attraction and takes down the Sith instead of joining them. Her ability to reject Palpatine’s offer shows tremendous inner fortitude.
The Capacity for Good
Despite having an evil maniac for a grandfather, Rey maintains a kind, noble spirit devoted to helping others. Her moral integrity withstands her lineage. This represents an optimistic perspective that good can prevail over evil origins. Rey’s choice of the light despite her background makes her even more of an inspirational hero. She does not let her past define her.
Conclusion
The reveal that Rey is actually Emperor Palpatine’s granddaughter shocked Star Wars fans. But upon closer look, this dramatic new lineage has narrative implications that give Rey’s character greater depth and conflict. She must confront the pull towards darkness within herself while still choosing to be a selfless, brave hero. Rey defines her own destiny by what she does, not where she comes from. So in the end, being related to Palpatine only makes Rey’s triumph over evil more meaningful. Bloodline does not have to determine one’s fate.