I've been baffled by suggestions that The Last Jedi somehow undoes what The Force Awakens did in regards to Rey's parents. The "hype" for that particular mystery was 100% fandom hysteria and nothing in the actual text.
The Force Awakens clearly establishes that Rey knows who her parents are and doesn't like hearing the truth that they're never coming back.
On Jakku, Rey tells BB-8 she's waiting for her family who will come back someday.
There's no reason for her to lie to the droid in such a quiet moment. She's waiting for her family.
There's no reason for her to lie to the droid in such a quiet moment. She's waiting for her family.
On Takodana Maz tells her, and I quote, "Dear child, I see your eyes - you already know the truth. Whomever you are waiting for on Jakku, they're never coming back... but, there's someone who still could."
Rey responds, "Luke..."
Rey responds, "Luke..."
This is clear. Her family is who she was waiting for: they're out of the picture completely. Luke, the central driving mystery of the film, is who could come back with her help if she abandons that need.
"The belonging you seek is not behind you, it is ahead. I am no Jedi, but I know the force. It moves through and surrounds every living thing. Close your eyes, feel it. The light. It's always been there. It will guide you. The saber - take it."
That quote is EXACTLY the plot of The Last Jedi. She seeks that belonging in the light with Luke, but finally lets it guide her when she confronts him about his absence. She takes the saber to the Supremacy after rejecting it in TFA...
That belonging she sought? It was never felt more strongly than when Poe introduces himself to her on the Falcon as though he's a nobody and she's somebody. And that peace she finds talking to Leia. Surrounded by friends.
Rian Johnson delivered the promises of TFA brilliantly.
Rian Johnson delivered the promises of TFA brilliantly.
Actually, the perfect moment of that belonging doesn't even happen on the Falcon. It's the scene before. She surrenders to the light with the task of "lifting rocks..."
Finn and Poe, shrouded in shadow, get close-ups of the rocks being lifted and being bathed in the sunlight of Crait.
Then when Rey sees Finn, she's elated. And their embrace is so pure and platonic. THAT's the belonging she sought.
