10 Major Star Wars Mistakes I Hope Get Fixed This Christmas

This Christmas season, my heartfelt wish is for the Star Wars franchise to acknowledge and rectify ten major decisions in its movies and television shows that fans feel fell short. Over the years, various plot developments, character arcs, and even certain deaths have disappointed audiences. While the sequel trilogy, often criticized for its narrative choices, certainly bears a large part of the blame, it’s essential to recognize that these issues have existed since the saga’s inception.

Even beloved characters have faced unsatisfactory storylines. Although not every flaw can be mended, I believe that with inventive storytelling, the following ten missteps can be addressed in future projects. This holiday season, I implore the creators of Star Wars to revisit these ten blunders that still trouble me.

Ben Solo’s Death Lacked Reverence

Family Absence During Ben’s Death

Among the many critiques aimed at Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, one of my most significant concerns is the treatment of Ben Solo’s death. As one of the most multifaceted characters in the sequels, Ben’s journey deserved a grander resolution. The movie hinted at his redemption, aligning with the series’ theme of personal growth, but instead, he sacrificed himself without the comfort of his family—Luke, Leia, or Anakin—appearing as guiding Force ghosts.

This oversight is especially jarring given that the franchise has long championed the idea of redemption. Ben’s actions, while misguided, pale in comparison to the atrocities committed by Darth Vader, who was ultimately forgiven. Adding insult to injury, Luke and Leia were present at the conclusion of The Rise of Skywalker, yet their absence during Ben’s demise was a bitter disappointment.

While resurrection isn’t feasible for Ben Solo—risking another “Palpatine return”debacle—upcoming projects could at least pay homage to his sacrifice. Whether through a Force ghost cameo or narrative acknowledgment, the franchise has a chance to honor his legacy in future storytelling.

The Acolyte’s Untimely Cancellation

The Acolyte Deserved More Chances

The Acolyte faced unexpected backlash, much of which materialized before the show had even aired. The responses from fans—ranging from hateful comments to outright harassment directed at the cast and crew—were shocking. Unfortunately, Lucasfilm failed to adequately support its talent, remaining silent on these troubling behaviors. Shortly after the airing of its finale, the show was canceled.

Despite its flaws, I was taken aback by the rapid cancellation of The Acolyte. The finale hinted at promising arcs for future seasons, particularly involving Darth Plagueis, who made his debut in the last episode. This decision seems miscalculated, as further development could have enriched the storyline. While Lucasfilm claims backlash wasn’t the reason for the cancellation, the optics of this decision are unfavorable for the franchise.

There are numerous paths that Star Wars could pursue to address this situation. While a revival of The Acolyte seems increasingly unlikely, Lucasfilm could take measures to ensure better protection for its cast and creators moving forward, indicating a commitment to avoid repeating such circumstances.

Padmé’s Reaction to Anakin’s Actions Is Unclear

Padmé’s Inadequate Justification Remains Unexplained

Padmé Amidala is one of the most esteemed characters in the Star Wars universe, known for her intelligence, kindness, and compassion through the prequels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Thus, her inconsequential reaction to Anakin’s admission of slaughtering the Tusken Raiders is perplexing and troubling. This moment seemed at odds with the character’s established morals, and yet, the franchise has provided no satisfactory explanation for this dramatic shift.

Though the timeline may make it difficult to amend this narrative oversight, Padmé’s significance within the saga warrants an effort to provide clarity. Given that Star Wars continues to reference the prequel trilogy and Clone Wars, a deeper exploration of this moment between Padmé and Anakin seems plausible. While the resolution remains elusive, audiences deserve an explanation that reconciles Padmé’s moral choices with her character development.

Satine Kryze Largely Ignored

Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Love Interest Needs Recognition

The Clone Wars introduced numerous captivating characters, not least of whom is Satine Kryze, revealed to be Obi-Wan Kenobi’s romantic interest. Although some fans resisted the idea of a romantic connection for Obi-Wan, considering his traditional adherence to the Jedi way, this storyline added depth to his character. Obi-Wan’s internal struggle with attachment sets him apart from Anakin’s passionate love for Padmé, and his reluctance to compromise his commitment to the Jedi Order underscores this complexity.

Despite the intrigue surrounding Satine’s character, she has regrettably faded from subsequent Star Wars narratives. After her tragic demise at the hands of Darth Maul in The Clone Wars, her legacy remains largely unaddressed, feeling like a missed opportunity. Furthermore, as the sister of Bo-Katan Kryze, her memory deserves acknowledgment, especially in recent portrayals of Bo-Katan.

This disconnect is easily rectifiable. Future projects featuring Bo-Katan offer a perfect backdrop for her to reminisce or honor her sister’s legacy. Given Bo-Katan’s evolving role, such discussions could enrich the narrative and deepen connections between the characters. Likewise, Obi-Wan’s own journey could naturally incorporate memories of Satine, reinstating her significance in the broader storyline.

Rey’s “Nobody”Roots Were Abandoned

The Original Narrative For Rey Was Superior

Fans expressed significant discontent regarding Rey’s storyline throughout the sequel trilogy, particularly due to her unexpected lineage tied to Emperor Palpatine, revealed in The Rise of Skywalker. This revelation not only contradicted the earlier narrative established in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which depicted Rey as a “nobody,”but also risked rehashing cliched storytelling elements by associating main characters with prominent bloodlines.

Rey’s origin story once encapsulated the essence of Star Wars’ message: that anyone can rise to greatness, regardless of their background. The notion of Rey being a true outsider—her parents being mere junk traders—was a refreshingly novel twist that stood in stark contrast to long-standing trends of tying characters to the legendary Skywalker lineage. However, the revelation of her ties to Palpatine undermined this theme.

While reversing this lineage is not feasible, future narratives featuring Rey could explore her mother’s history. There remains significant potential to craft deeper story arcs examining Rey’s connection to Palpatine, potentially emphasizing her evolution into a Jedi and her struggles with that legacy.

Hera Syndulla and Ezra Bridger’s Reunion Disappointed

Hera and Ezra’s Expected Reunion Did Not Deliver

Star Wars Rebels holds a special place in the hearts of fans, and the live-action adaptation of characters in Ahsoka heightened anticipation for their reunion. However, the culmination of this reunion fell short of expectations, with Hera and Ezra merely observing each other from afar in Ahsoka’s finale, rather than engaging in an emotional embrace reflective of their profound bond.

Despite the understandable initial shock, especially for Hera, their long-awaited reunion felt muted and lacking in dynamism. Viewers are hopeful that Ahsoka’s second season will rectify this disappointment by deepening their bond and allowing them to celebrate their reunion in a manner befitting their connection.

Padmé’s Death Lacks Satisfactory Explanation

Padmé’s Disappointing End Needs Addressing

The circumstances around Padmé Amidala’s death remain one of the most disappointing elements in Star Wars lore. While audiences understood that her fate was predetermined, the portrayal of her passing in Revenge of the Sith fell short of expectations. This moment undermined Padmé’s established strength, suggesting she simply succumbed to hopelessness, which feels inconsistent with everything she had fought for.

The widely-held belief that Padmé “died of a broken heart”fails to align with her tenacious character history. To honor Padmé, Star Wars should clarify the truth behind her death. An ideal approach could involve exploring Palpatine’s influence, showing how he drained Padmé’s life force to keep Anakin alive. This would restore Padmé’s dignity and complexity while simultaneously underscoring Palpatine’s villainy.

Palpatine’s Return Remains Unexplained

The Rise of Skywalker Left Questions Unresolved

The contentious return of Emperor Palpatine in The Rise of Skywalker continues to generate debate among fans. While the idea of his resurrection has roots in Star Wars Legends, his reappearance felt hastily executed. It came across as a desperate attempt to unify the sequel trilogy’s disparate arcs, leading to significant confusion among audiences.

To better contextualize Palpatine’s return, further elaboration is essential within future narratives. While some groundwork has been laid through concepts like Project Necromancer, the franchise must still clarify the logistics behind his revival to lend credibility to this plot twist.

Finn’s Jedi Potential Was Overlooked

Finn Was Snubbed in the Sequel Trilogy

Finn’s treatment in the sequel trilogy is one of its most significant disappointments. Despite being heavily marketed as a central Jedi character, Finn was ultimately sidelined throughout the story. While he wielded Anakin Skywalker’s iconic lightsaber in The Force Awakens, he never fully transitioned into a Jedi role.

To remedy this, future Star Wars installments should explicitly embrace Finn’s potential as a Jedi. However, actor John Boyega has voiced his frustration regarding Finn’s progression, indicating he may be less inclined to return, thereby complicating any future attempts to explore this storyline further.

The Conclusion of the Skywalker Saga Remains Ambiguous

Star Wars Lacks Clarity on the Future of the Skywalker Saga

Arguably, the most perplexing decision made by Star Wars recently is the proclamation that the Skywalker Saga has ended. The lack of clarity surrounding what this truly entails has left fans puzzled. Characters from the Skywalker lineage continue to feature in ongoing stories, as seen with Anakin’s return in Ahsoka, signalling the saga’s ongoing significance.

While the events of The Rise of Skywalker indeed seem to mark the closure of the direct bloodline, Rey’s eventual embrace of the Skywalker name complicates this assertion. Episodes ten through twelve may be on the horizon, which further blurs what “the end”can truly signify for the Skywalker Saga.

These ten issues highlight persistent challenges within Star Wars, yet they also unveil opportunities for redemption in future storylines. With creative storytelling and keen acknowledgment of fan concerns, Star Wars can evolve to meet the expectations of its devoted audience.

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