'Star Wars 9' theory explains Dark Rey is part of Palpatine's evil plan
Rey and Kylo Ren's loyalties have long been divided between the Light and Dark sides.
It’s been a banner week for Star Wars spoilers, with a huge trove of information about the epic third-act showdown in The Rise of Skywalker revealed Thursday launching fan theorists into hyperdrive. Throughout the first two movies in the trilogy, Rey and Kylo Ren’s loyalties have been divided between the Light and Dark sides. Now, a new fan theory suggests we might see a major change in how these characters relate to the Force come December.
Warning! Huge potential spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker ahead.
According to recent Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker leaks from reputable outlets like Making Star Wars, Emperor Palpatine’s plan for galactic domination hinges on Kylo Ren and Rey’s (possibly unwitting) cooperation in his scheme to siphon energy from the Force. How does he intend to do that? By using Kylo and Rey as a “dyad”, exploiting the energy that draws together through their use of the Force. One fan’s particularly fascinating take on this dynamic predicts Kylo and Rey will ultimately switch sides to suit Palps’ plan.
Redditor u/4thBG acknowledged that Palpatine’s potential plan overlook the likely prospect of Kylo’s redemption. With “Bendemption” looming, wouldn’t Kylo have to be on the Dark side for Palps’ plan to work? Not necessarily.
Palpatine may not have considered the prospect of Kylo’s redemption, just as he never envisioned Anakin would eventually turn against him. If we’re to speculate, it would make the most sense for Kylo to turn toward the Light side of the Force well before the end of Episode IX. But Palps can’t use Kylo in the first place if he suddenly decides to be a good guy, right? The redditor essentially reverses the duos allegiances in this dyad to argue that Sheev’s strategy could still work, but it will have to be Rey who is on the Dark side instead of Kylo.
Kylo Ren could surprise even Palpatine and become a good guy again.
“…Palps finds a way to turn Rey to the dark side… Could this explain the Dark Rey vision? It seems that this Dyad is almost certainly going to happen, otherwise no final battle,” they write.
The theory offers a new perspective on how “Dark Rey” might come into existence. Perhaps if Sheev saw that Kylo was no longer an option, he could attempt to sway Rey to the Dark side instead. Of course, this implies Dark Rey isn’t just a vision, a fake-out, or even one of Palpatine’s clones. That’s not entirely plausible in light of Rey’s journey thus far and her clear desire to bring Kylo Ren to the Light side after the pair defeat Snoke in The Last Jedi.
Additionally, this theory only works if we’re to believe that Kylo will be redeemed at all. All signs seem to say yes — one recent leak said Han Solo would play a major role in redeeming his son. But that doesn’t mean it’ll happen early on in the The Rise of Skywalker. Whether or not Kylo and Rey will switch sides, Palpatine’s plan may simply need them because they’re both powerful Force users, Dark and Light sides of the Force be damned.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters December 20, 2019.
