Who are Rey's Parents?
- Jul 10, 2017
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2019
Today's post is about one of the most beloved fandoms of all time: Star Wars. This post specifically discusses an issue from Episode VII of the sequel series, The Force Awakens. Fans, for the most part, raved about the first installment of the series' reboot, as well they should have. Apart from being superbly acted, directed, and written, The Force Awakens was a far cry from the CGI-ridden mistake of Episodes I-III, much to viewer relief. However, after leaving the theater, fans were left with a lot of questions they would have to wait 2+ years to get answers to. So, as they do, viewers began to formulate their own theories about the gaps in the movie. What is pretty clearly the most discussed issue though, is that of Rey's parentage. Below are my opinions and feelings about the most circulated theories. (Obviously, spoilers ahead)
Han (and/or Leia):
During the film, it is not difficult to notice that Rey and Han share a sort of kinship, or bond. Han warms up to her rather quickly (and a lot more quickly than he warms up to Finn), which is a little out of character for him. Both Han and Rey have a natural skill in both mechanics and flying. The way they fly the Falcon together is fluid and natural, though they had only known each other a short while. Han even offers her a spot on the Falcon, something that he's only ever shared with Chewie before. However, I don't think Han is her dad, and here's why. Though the two work well together, there isn't much of an emotional connection between them. Rey easily brushes off his offer to stay on the Falcon, and Han doesn't push it. If he had really just found his long-lost daughter, I'd hope he wouldn't be willing to let her go again so easily. There's also the evidence of the oh-so-terrible bridge scene. I am of the opinion that as he walked onto that bridge, Han Solo knew there was at least a chance he would die. He does not stop to tell Rey that he is her dad, nor does he even say goodbye. He had multiple chances during the course of the movie to tell Rey he was her father, but he never did. And that's enough to shut down the theory for me.
But what about Leia? She only interacts with Rey a couple of times, so it would be plausible to assume she was waiting for a better moment to tell Rey she was her mother. The two share an emotional bond, and if Leia is the mother, it would explain where Rey got her Force abilities from. But, I don't think this one is right either. It would mean that Leia either had a child somehow before or during the original trilogy (which would make the timeline rather complicated), or that Leia cheated on Han and had a child outside of their relationship (which is too off-character for her). So, let's move on to perhaps the most widely held opinion, that being that Luke is the father.
Luke:
This is the theory that oh so many fans seem to be clinging to. And I have to give it to them--this theory is the most probable one on the list. The timelines match up. The abilities match up. It completes the parallelism between this trilogy and the originals. Rey even has a special connection with Luke's old lightsaber, which she wields well. The end scene in the movie seems almost to be a giveaway itself: we're left looking at Luke and Rey, together, united, on a mountain, each looking hopefully at the person opposite them. If Luke were the father everything would fall into place in one fluid, satisfying plot reveal. But that's essentially my problem with it. It's too obvious. It would be unsurprising and unfulfilling. The Star Wars franchise has built up the mystery of Rey's parentage to such an extent that to give the answer everyone is expecting feels a little cheap to me. There is just such an opportunity for the writers to completely shock their audience, and I'd hate to see that opportunity wasted. One more thing: we know Rey was left on Jakku by her family as a child. Now, as little as I like Luke, this seems like the opposite of the kind of thing he would do. He's the hero! And furthermore, he knows himself what it feels like to grow up without one's parents, and I have a hard time believing that he would wish the same kind of pain on his child. But I digress. I'm not dismissing this theory--in fact, I think it's very likely--I'm just hoping that it isn't what turns out to be true. Fingers crossed.
Obi Wan (as her grandfather):
I like this one more than either of the two theories above, but not by much. It just doesn't seem very likely, it's too much of a stretch. Also, there wouldn't be much closure for fans since Obi Wan is long dead. The main piece of evidence for this one is the hint of Obi Wan's voice we hear when Rey picks up Luke's old saber for the first time. But that's about it. While I don't think it's likely, it's not impossible either. I continue to like this one more than the previous two only because--let's be honest--it allows me to continue shipping Reylo in peace.
Jyn Erso:
Here we have a more recent theory: could Rey be Jyn Erso's daughter? Since Jyn clearly didn't live through the end of "Rogue One" it would give us a way to see her again a little bit, perhaps through the use of flashbacks. Fans have noted that Jyn leaving behind Rey as a child to protect her would make a lot of sense--after all, didn't Jyn's parents do the same thing to her as a child? Also, the two women bear a striking resemblance to one another. However, as cool as this would be, I don't think it would work either, for one reason: the timeline simply doesn't match up very well. Jyn would've had to have a child at a rather young age in order to have dropped her off on Jakku before the story in "Rogue One" even begins. Ah, well.
The Emperor/other Sith Leaders:
If the theories weren't improbable enough already, people have theorized that Rey could be the child of Palpatine, or basically every other major Sith leader in canon that fits in with the timeline. Sure, it's possible, but come on. If a Sith had had a child, the last thing they would do is leave that child alone on a planet. No, the Sith are all about teaching the next generation of evil leaders, and if one of them had a child--a child powerful with the force no less--they would keep that child and train them in the dark side of the force before they could even talk. So, I don't think this will happen, but if it did...man that would be a plot twist rivaling the reveal of Luke's parentage in V.
The Force:
Others theorize that much like Anakin before her, Rey is a child of the force. They speculate she either has only one, or no, human parents. Again, while this would technically work, it would not be a wise move on the studio's part. People want answers. They want to know who Rey's parents are. Saying she has no parents is a bit of a cop- out. Also, do we really want to bring back anything from the prequels? Didn't think so.
Previously Untitled Characters:
This one is a bit similar to the one above. Some people think that whomever Rey's parents are, we haven't yet met them yet in the Star Wars films. There would be no conflict in this answer, and I have to admit, I kind of like this option. Yes, it's also a bit of a cop-out, but it also would be an impartial solution. People wouldn't have to argue about whether she should've been Han's child, or should've been Luke's. She would be neither. Plus, it would probably mean we would get introduced to a cool new force-wielding character, and who isn't game for that?
And fianlly...
Jar-Jar Binks:
Just, no.
So, that's it! My thoughts and opinions on who exactly Rey's parents are. Unfortunatly, all we can have for now are theories and debates. December 15th can't come soon enough.
Comments