10 Things About the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy That Made Absolutely No Sense

In a time period from 2015 to 2019, the sequel trilogy of Star Wars, comprising three movies, endeavored to continue the saga’s heritage by introducing fresh heroes, reintroducing old characters, and offering grand battles. As a fan like myself, I was excited to explore this universe once more, but some decisions left us questioning and discussing what was effective and what wasn’t.

The trilogy showcased breathtaking visuals and a new lease of life, but certain narrative choices seemed unexpected and jarring, contradicting the established universe or leaving storylines unresolved. Here are ten instances throughout these films that left me puzzled, questioning the thought process behind them.

10. Rey’s Sudden Mastery of the Force in ‘The Force Awakens’ (2015)

In ‘The Force Awakens’, the character portrayed by Daisy Ridley as Rey, surprisingly uncovers her innate Force powers. Remarkably, she rapidly transforms into an impressive figure. In an unexpected turn of events, she overpowers Kylo Ren in a lightsaber battle despite having no previous training – a feat that seems extraordinary, even for a character endowed with exceptional abilities.

Instead of gradually building her skills under the guidance of a master, as we saw in earlier Star Wars films with characters like Luke and Yoda, Rey seems to have suddenly mastered her Force abilities. Although her potential is intriguing, it leaves me wondering how she could surpass a well-trained Sith like Kylo Ren so quickly.

9. Finn’s Underused Arc in ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017)

In ‘The Force Awakens’, Finn, played by John Boyega, transitions from a stormtrooper to a rebel. However, in ‘The Last Jedi’, it appears that Finn’s storyline takes an unintended turn. His joint mission with Rose Tico to Canto Bight seems to consume significant screen time without significantly contributing to Finn’s development or the primary plot progression.

The casino tale delves into the topic of war profiteering, yet fails to establish a strong link between these themes and Finn’s personal dilemmas as a former stormtrooper. I was hoping for a deeper exploration of his internal conflict with his past, rather than a subplot that doesn’t fully develop.

8. Snoke’s Abrupt End in ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017)

In the movie ‘The Force Awakens’, Supreme Leader Snoke is portrayed as a formidable adversary. Throughout the film, his status as a significant antagonist is emphasized. However, in ‘The Last Jedi’, he is unexpectedly eliminated by Kylo Ren with minimal background given. The manner of his demise, for such an influential villain, comes across as surprisingly abrupt.

Leaving Snoke’s background and intentions unexplored, his departure from the narrative has created a void in the storyline. As a spectator, I found myself puzzled about the sudden dismissal of such a potent character without further elucidation regarding his significance within the cosmos.

7. The Return of Palpatine in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

The surprising return of Emperor Palpatine in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ seems like an afterthought, as it wasn’t properly set up in the previous films leading up to his death in ‘Return of the Jedi’.

Revising the statement for a more natural and easier-to-understand flow:

The brief and unclear depiction of cloning and dark rituals in the story has left me puzzled about how Palpatine managed to survive. His reappearance seems to undermine the triumphant ending of the original trilogy and could have benefited from more development to make it feel more genuine.

6. Leia’s Force Flight in ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017)

As a devoted fan, I found myself utterly spellbound during ‘The Last Jedi’, when Leia, portrayed by the inimitable Carrie Fisher, miraculously endured a space explosion and, through the power of the Force, effortlessly returned to her vessel. However, this captivating scene seemed somewhat unexpected for a character like Leia, who hadn’t previously demonstrated such dramatic use of the Force.

In earlier movies, it’s suggested that Leia has a connection to the Force, but this extraordinary display seems out of place without any preceding evidence of her training. I found myself in awe of the stunning visuals yet perplexed as to why this power suddenly manifested.

5. The Holdo Maneuver’s Logic in ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017)

In ‘The Last Jedi’, the daring lightspeed maneuver executed by Admiral Holdo on a First Order vessel is an awe-inspiring moment, yet it leaves us pondering about the Star Wars universe’s combat strategies. Given that a single ship can inflict such destruction, one might wonder why this tactic isn’t employed more frequently.

In simpler terms, it seems this tactic is more like a unique event instead of a common occurrence in the ongoing battles of the universe. As a spectator, I found myself questioning why such a pivotal move wasn’t discussed earlier or later on.

4. Rey’s Parentage Flip-Flop in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

In ‘The Last Jedi’, it is revealed that Rey’s parents were ordinary people, which was an unexpected and empowering twist as it made her strength her own. However, in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, it is disclosed that she is the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine, undoing this twist and creating a less fulfilling connection to the legacy of the Skywalkers.

The dialogue between characters in this case seems to blur Rey’s character development, giving an impression of responses to fan discussions instead of a well-thought-out narrative strategy. I found it disheartening that the series didn’t manage to maintain a consistent idea about her identity throughout.

3. Poe’s Spice Runner Backstory in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

In the movie ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, it’s disclosed that Poe Dameron, portrayed by Oscar Isaac, once operated as a spice smuggler in the past. This unexpected piece of information seems unrelated to his character development and appears to be an effort to make him appear tougher or edgier.

In contrast to his previous movies where there was no trace of this past, the introduction of it now appears contrived and seems unrelated to his character as a Rebel pilot. Instead, I prefer that the narrative delves deeper into his development as a leader, rather than inserting an unexpected criminal background.

2. The Force Healing Power in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019)

In ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, a new power called Force Healing emerged, enabling characters such as Rey to mend injuries or even resurrect the deceased. This fresh capability seems more like a storytelling shortcut, disregarding traditional Force guidelines.

In the hypothetical scenario where such a potent ability was present, one might wonder why it wasn’t employed earlier, for instance, to rescue characters like Qui-Gon or Anakin’s mother in previous films. As an avid viewer, I found this introduction felt out of place and lacked clear justification.

1. The Lack of a Unified Plan Across the Trilogy

In simpler terms, the three films that make up the new Star Wars series – “The Force Awakens”, “The Last Jedi”, and “The Rise of Skywalker” – seem to have conflicting themes instead of moving in one unified direction like the original trilogy did with its storyline. The sequels appear to lack a well-defined overall narrative that ties them together.

In simpler terms, the different perspectives of directors J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson sometimes lead to sudden changes in the storyline, such as Rey’s origins or Snoke’s function, which left me feeling confused as a spectator. If they had a shared vision, it might have made the Star Wars trilogy flow more seamlessly.

2025-07-18 13:45