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Description

This is my rewrite for The Force Awakens. I thought it was an okay movie, but it played it too safe and thus became Star Wars: A Newer Hope. My rewrite isn't a total overhaul like my prequel series, as it keeps much of the original film. It also keeps a bit of pottery, but hopefully they are more thematic and appropriate than what we got. I may edit this more in the future, as I recall more things I would have wanted to change with TFA.

The biggest change is in the backstory, in that this incarnation of TFA actually has one. It isn't the main focus, obviously, but it is explored in the opening scroll. This backstory is inspired by then-current events, much Kim the original trilogy. The Rebellion's victory isn't total, and that is made clear in the opening scroll: half of the galaxy is still under Imperial control, and while the Empire is not the juggernaut it was thirty years ago, it's still a great power.[1] There is a tenuous peace, enforced by the construction of new Death Stars (or "Peace Stars," as the Republic calls them). The galaxy in chaos. The Hutts have taken control of large sectors[2], and both sides are using proxies to try and destroy one another. The Second Republic's biggest problem is ongoing terrorism from the First Order. The First Order in this incarnation isn't a shiny new Empire, it's the opposite. It's space ISIS. It uses old OT-era equipment, as opposed to the shiny new designs used by the Republic and Empire. It uses terrorist tactics, like suicide bombings, kidnappings, beheadings, the works.[3] it. Like ISIS, they have control of territory:

much of the Unknown Regions. The Empire backs the First Order clandestinely, supplying it with arms and money. The First Order even has control of some superlasers, which it claims to have built, but the Republic suspects that they were given to the First Order by the Empire. However, they haven't used them yet.

And of course, there's motivation. I find the canon First Order's motives...wanting. "Make the Empire Great Again" is really simplistic, and I want to make the First Order more compelling, like better interpretations of prequel-era Palpatine. Made up of ex-Imperial personnel loyal specifically to Palpatine and his Sith teachings, the First Order didn't get caught up in the crab pot games the rest of the Empire did after Endor. The First Order is Palpatine's Plan B, his grand scheme to bring the Sith back into power should he and Vader be killed simultaneously. While the Empire proper has lost its way and is now just an authoritarian military dictatorship[4], just as Palpatine has foreseen, the First Order is motivated by Sith ideology. This ideology is one of ruthless social Darwinism, believing that the galaxy belongs to those who command the Force (the Sith) and not those who allow the Force to command them (the Jedi). The Jedi and the Republic are wrong for their egalitarian beliefs; equality is a lie, nothing in nature is equal, it is only the powerful who deserve to survive and thrive. The galaxy must be commanded with the Force, and by force. The current state of affairs is unacceptable, not just because it is disorderly, but because it allows the weak to survive and even thrive. Even the Empire has lost its way, becoming corrupted and weak. They must all be swept aside.[5]

What about the Resistance? At first, I was going to remove them, because they seemed unnecessary. Why have the Resistance fighting, when the Republic can do it instead? But I have decided to keep them to put a bit of conflict among the good guys. The Republic, like the Old Republic, is already suffering from political division,[6] particularly on the question of the Empire. Some want peace, others, like Senator Organa, are extremely hawkish.[7] The Resistance here are basically the Republic's answer to the First Order: terrorists fighting to destroy the Empire, because the Republic cannot do so directly. The Resistance here isn't the Rebellion 2.0; they are much grayer, acting much like the Rebels in Rogue One. They are willing to fight the Empire and the First Order at any cost, but their motives are to bring peace to the galaxy by uniting it under the Republic.

The film begins at Jakku, as the First Order is taking the planet and the Resistance are left behind to fight them. The Resistance troops, led by Poe Dameron, are told by Senator Organa herself that Jakku cannot fall to the First Order under any circumstances. However, the Resistance lose. Kylo Ren shows up, does some badass Sith stuff, and forces the Resistance to retreat. Poe manages to escape, and he receives a super secret mission: find this girl named Rey and take her off Jakku and back to D'Qar, the closest Resistance base. He wonders who this is, and why she's so important, but he gets no answers except for a brief hologram and a tip that she's probably at some scummy town. Meanwhile, we cut to the village, where Kylo Ren does some ISIS-style beheadings at a village and waxes philosophical about pseudo-Nietzschean Sith stuff, and then orders the stormtroopers to gun down the rest. A stormtrooper, Finn, doesn't participate. He gets some death threats from Kylo Ren, but ultimately nothing happens. Kylo Ren then receives information from his superior, Supreme Commander Snoke, who gives him a "new mission." Kylo Ren reports that he felt a "familiar presence" on Jakku, and Supreme Leader Snoke says that is very interesting.

Poe eventually finds Rey, who was repairing BB-8[8], and tells her they have to leave the planet. Of course, Rey objects, and they argue. The argument ends when they run into some stormtroopers, the stormtroopers recognize Poe, and they get arrested. However, while in custody, they are released by one of the stormtroopers, who we later learn is Finn. Finn reveals that he's been thinking of defecting for a long time, having been conscripted as a child, and that since Poe is Resistance he took this chance. The trio have to find someone to smuggle them off-world, and who do they find but none other than Han and Chewie![9] He agrees to get them off-world gratis[10], after hearing that Poe is Resistance, and they manage to make it off-world.

Cut to Starkiller Base, the newest battlestation of the Republic. Yes, the Republic built Starkiller Base in this iteration, as they have the resources for it. Starkiller Base is the brainchild of some Republic politicians who believe that superweapons can bring an end to the Empire once and for all. Senator Organa is visiting this new battlestation, and she is skeptical of how effective it would be, since the Empire couldn't win its war with the Death Stars. The politicians in support of Starkiller Base retort that the base doesn't destroy planets, but entire star systems by inducing supernovas, and can do so through hyperspace. The base can essentially decapitate the Empire in one swoop. Leia, whose home planet was destroyed similarly, objects to the morality of this, and warns that this technology could be used against the Republic. We also learn that the station is still incomplete.

We cut to D'Qar, where our protagonists are talking to the Resistance leaders. They decide that Poe should go back on duty, Rey should be sent to Naboo at the request of Senator Organa, and they have no idea what to do with Finn. Before this could be finalized, the First Order attacks D'Qar, being led there by a transponder on Finn's stormtrooper armor. There's a big battle, and our protagonists are forced to retreat again. Han takes them to Maz Kanata, who Han says has gotten him out of trouble before. Finn asks why they can't go to the Republic, and Poe answers that they can't do that because their hyperdrive shows they came from D'Qar, which would make the Republic-Resistance connection clear, and the Empire could use that to declare war on the Republic. They get to Maz Kanata, who gives Rey Luke's old lightsaber as in the canon film, and she gets her visions. They discuss the events of the OT, and notably Han is evasive when it comes to the topic of Luke, even though he readily admits things did not work out with Leia. When prodded on the question of what happened to Luke Skywalker, Han says he doesn't want to talk about it. They also work out a plan to smuggle Rey, Finn and Poe to Naboo on a new ship, cleaning any ties they have with the D'Qar system. It turns out this "new" ship is an old one: the Millennium Falcon.

Cut to Starkiller Base, which has now been completed and is ready for use. Of course, it is suddenly attacked by the First Order. A massive battle occurs between Republic and First Order troops, Kylo Ren leading the charge. The Republic is defeated, and Kylo Ren captures the base in the name of the First Order. He comes into contact with Supreme Leader Snoke, who we now see clearly for the first time is Luke Skywalker. Kylo Ren has a very pathetic talk with Luke, basically asking if Luke is proud of him now. Luke is dismissive and treats Kylo like a street animal, calling his work of taking Starkiller Base "sloppy" and that he has "yet to master the Dark Side." He also mentions how he's a disappointing nephew and a disappointing apprentice. Luke gives Kylo a new mission; Kylo asks if it's to complete the battlestation by getting more crystals, and Luke says no: his mission is to find Rey. Kylo asks who Rey is, and he's effectively told that's above his pay grade. Kylo grovels and says he will do Luke and his grandfather, Darth Vader, proud. We then cut to Kylo talking to Darth Vader's old mask, saying that he can "still feel the tug of the light," and asking him to be the best edgelord he can be.

Cut to Naboo, where our protagonists have just landed, and they are told the bad news: Starkiller Base has fallen to the First Order. The Senate is up in arms, particularly because the project was kept secret from a good number of them. Han brings Rey to Leia. Meeting for the first time in years, and there's some tension between Han and Leia, but they get over it because of the crisis. Poe and Finn volunteer to lead an attack against the captured base, and Rey asks to join, but Leia objects. It's at this point that Leia tells Rey that she's the daughter of Luke Skywalker, and she was abandoned on Jakku after Luke[11] turned to the Dark Side and destroyed the Jedi Order. Therefore, Luke would want her as an apprentice, and she cannot fall into the First Order's hands. Cut to Starkiller Base, where Luke is addressing the First Order, waxing philosophical about Sith stuff, and saying that with Starkiller Base they can destroy the Republic and the Empire. The first target is Naboo. The Republic finds out about this[12] and orders an immediate evacuation. Leia ends up with most of the Senate, believing Rey has joined her, but nope! Rey has run off with the rest of the protagonists to attack Starkiller Base before it can destroy the Naboo system.

The battle of Starkiller Base begins. The Republic informed our protagonists that the base has a heat sink problem, much like the Death Stars, and that if that can be destroyed, the whole system can be set to blow. However, the shields have to be disabled from the surface. While Poe is fighting in space, the rest of our protagonists land on the surface. Much of the battle proceeds as in canon, including Kylo Ren killing Han to prove his edginess[13]. However, a key difference here is that Starkiller Base does not blow up. The protagonists succeed in destroying the cooling systems, but upon learning of this, the First Order simply powers down the hyperlight weapon.[14] More First Order reinforcements jump out of hyperspace shortly afterward, forcing the Republic to retreat. We also have the fight between Finn and Rey and Kylo Ren. Finn loses pretty quickly, getting injured by Kylo Ren, but Rey doesn't perform as well as she does in canon. Rey is losing to Kylo Ren, constantly on the defensive, until Rey gets more memories from the saber. These memories are Anakin's, from when he was executing Order 66 and killing Count Dooku. Tapping into the rage from this, Rey hacks and slashes away at Kylo, who is forced onto the defensive. He is injured, pinned down, and Rey is about to deliver the killing blow, but then Poe shows up and tells them they have to leave, because First Order reinforcements are coming.[15] Rey, Poe, Finn and Chewie leave Starkiller base with the rest of the Republic forces.

Cut to Naboo, which has been saved, but just barely. Our protagonists are awarded for their role in the victory, and there's a memorial service for Han Solo. But it's clear that the war has just begun, and the First Order remains a threat. The Senate is now discussing more direct action against the First Order. Cut to Starkiller Base, where Kylo Ren is looking dejected because he just got beat in a fight by a girl and got chewed out by Luke Skywalker. Cut to Rey looking at that old lightsaber, and we can tell she's asking what more it can teach her. Cut to credits.

[1] Yes, the new Empire is the Russian Federation to the OT Empire's Soviet Union. It's ruled by a Council of Moffs, the imperial throne left unclaimed because nobody could agree on who should succeed Sheev.

[2] They show up in Episode IX as part of a coalition to take down the First Order, but they are only mentioned in passing otherwise

[3] It's meant to be a dark mirror to the Rebellion, and a reflection of modern fears and concerns. Much like how the Empire was the USSR in space (sorta), we need to update our villains to make them contemporary.

[4] Also extremely corrupt and with ties to Hutt gangsters; when the Imperials show up in Episode VIII, it's clear their leaders are in it for the money.

[5] Apologies to @YeahOkayCool , as I was inspired by his Plagueis survives timeline . I recommend reading it!

[6] None of this is in the movie save for being mentioned in passing. Nobody wants to hear about trade disputes.

[7] I thought having her as a general was a bit stupid, but having her in a political role supporting the Resistance by makes sense. Like a space John McCain.

[8] Here, BB-8 is her droid, not Poe's.

[9] Yeah, this is a contrived coincidence for the sake of fanservice, but no worse than what we get with Star Wars.

[10] They aren't using the Millennium Falcon.

[11] The reason he did this was similar to Anakin: he believed that only by using the increased power of the Dark Side that he could finally defeat the Empire and unite the galaxy. Unfortunately, the rest of the Jedi Order tried to have him arrested for it, forcing him to retreat to the Unknown Regions where he hooked up with the First Order, where he really got into esoteric Sith philosophy. Also, I wasn't going to have an "I am your father" scene. I'm not that much of a hack.

[12] While they have lost control of Starkiller Base, the Republic still has access to its communication systems. Our protagonists are listening in on Luke's speech.

[13] And doubtless to fulfill a term in Harrison Ford's agreement to be in the movie in the first place.

[14] One of my main complaints with the movie is that the threw out Starkiller Base too soon. It should have been an everpresent threat throughout the trilogy, which is what I have here. Starkiller Base will be destroyed, probably by a Death Star, in Episode IX.

[15] Yeah, I'm setting up a hero/villain swap here. One of the more interesting theories I've heard is that this is what will happen with the sequels: Kylo Ren will become good again, and Rey becomes evil. I like the idea of Rey becoming the apprentice Luke always wanted, and being much better at being a Sith lord than Kylo Ren.

Description

This is my rewrite for The Force Awakens. I thought it was an okay movie, but it played it too safe and thus became Star Wars: A Newer Hope. My rewrite isn't a total overhaul like my prequel series, as it keeps much of the original film. It also keeps a bit of pottery, but hopefully they are more thematic and appropriate than what we got. I may edit this more in the future, as I recall more things I would have wanted to change with TFA.

The biggest change is in the backstory, in that this incarnation of TFA actually has one. It isn't the main focus, obviously, but it is explored in the opening scroll. This backstory is inspired by then-current events, much Kim the original trilogy. The Rebellion's victory isn't total, and that is made clear in the opening scroll: half of the galaxy is still under Imperial control, and while the Empire is not the juggernaut it was thirty years ago, it's still a great power.[1] There is a tenuous peace, enforced by the construction of new Death Stars (or "Peace Stars," as the Republic calls them). The galaxy in chaos. The Hutts have taken control of large sectors[2], and both sides are using proxies to try and destroy one another. The Second Republic's biggest problem is ongoing terrorism from the First Order. The First Order in this incarnation isn't a shiny new Empire, it's the opposite. It's space ISIS. It uses old OT-era equipment, as opposed to the shiny new designs used by the Republic and Empire. It uses terrorist tactics, like suicide bombings, kidnappings, beheadings, the works.[3] it. Like ISIS, they have control of territory:

much of the Unknown Regions. The Empire backs the First Order clandestinely, supplying it with arms and money. The First Order even has control of some superlasers, which it claims to have built, but the Republic suspects that they were given to the First Order by the Empire. However, they haven't used them yet.

And of course, there's motivation. I find the canon First Order's motives...wanting. "Make the Empire Great Again" is really simplistic, and I want to make the First Order more compelling, like better interpretations of prequel-era Palpatine. Made up of ex-Imperial personnel loyal specifically to Palpatine and his Sith teachings, the First Order didn't get caught up in the crab pot games the rest of the Empire did after Endor. The First Order is Palpatine's Plan B, his grand scheme to bring the Sith back into power should he and Vader be killed simultaneously. While the Empire proper has lost its way and is now just an authoritarian military dictatorship[4], just as Palpatine has foreseen, the First Order is motivated by Sith ideology. This ideology is one of ruthless social Darwinism, believing that the galaxy belongs to those who command the Force (the Sith) and not those who allow the Force to command them (the Jedi). The Jedi and the Republic are wrong for their egalitarian beliefs; equality is a lie, nothing in nature is equal, it is only the powerful who deserve to survive and thrive. The galaxy must be commanded with the Force, and by force. The current state of affairs is unacceptable, not just because it is disorderly, but because it allows the weak to survive and even thrive. Even the Empire has lost its way, becoming corrupted and weak. They must all be swept aside.[5]

What about the Resistance? At first, I was going to remove them, because they seemed unnecessary. Why have the Resistance fighting, when the Republic can do it instead? But I have decided to keep them to put a bit of conflict among the good guys. The Republic, like the Old Republic, is already suffering from political division,[6] particularly on the question of the Empire. Some want peace, others, like Senator Organa, are extremely hawkish.[7] The Resistance here are basically the Republic's answer to the First Order: terrorists fighting to destroy the Empire, because the Republic cannot do so directly. The Resistance here isn't the Rebellion 2.0; they are much grayer, acting much like the Rebels in Rogue One. They are willing to fight the Empire and the First Order at any cost, but their motives are to bring peace to the galaxy by uniting it under the Republic.

The film begins at Jakku, as the First Order is taking the planet and the Resistance are left behind to fight them. The Resistance troops, led by Poe Dameron, are told by Senator Organa herself that Jakku cannot fall to the First Order under any circumstances. However, the Resistance lose. Kylo Ren shows up, does some badass Sith stuff, and forces the Resistance to retreat. Poe manages to escape, and he receives a super secret mission: find this girl named Rey and take her off Jakku and back to D'Qar, the closest Resistance base. He wonders who this is, and why she's so important, but he gets no answers except for a brief hologram and a tip that she's probably at some scummy town. Meanwhile, we cut to the village, where Kylo Ren does some ISIS-style beheadings at a village and waxes philosophical about pseudo-Nietzschean Sith stuff, and then orders the stormtroopers to gun down the rest. A stormtrooper, Finn, doesn't participate. He gets some death threats from Kylo Ren, but ultimately nothing happens. Kylo Ren then receives information from his superior, Supreme Commander Snoke, who gives him a "new mission." Kylo Ren reports that he felt a "familiar presence" on Jakku, and Supreme Leader Snoke says that is very interesting.

Poe eventually finds Rey, who was repairing BB-8[8], and tells her they have to leave the planet. Of course, Rey objects, and they argue. The argument ends when they run into some stormtroopers, the stormtroopers recognize Poe, and they get arrested. However, while in custody, they are released by one of the stormtroopers, who we later learn is Finn. Finn reveals that he's been thinking of defecting for a long time, having been conscripted as a child, and that since Poe is Resistance he took this chance. The trio have to find someone to smuggle them off-world, and who do they find but none other than Han and Chewie![9] He agrees to get them off-world gratis[10], after hearing that Poe is Resistance, and they manage to make it off-world.

Cut to Starkiller Base, the newest battlestation of the Republic. Yes, the Republic built Starkiller Base in this iteration, as they have the resources for it. Starkiller Base is the brainchild of some Republic politicians who believe that superweapons can bring an end to the Empire once and for all. Senator Organa is visiting this new battlestation, and she is skeptical of how effective it would be, since the Empire couldn't win its war with the Death Stars. The politicians in support of Starkiller Base retort that the base doesn't destroy planets, but entire star systems by inducing supernovas, and can do so through hyperspace. The base can essentially decapitate the Empire in one swoop. Leia, whose home planet was destroyed similarly, objects to the morality of this, and warns that this technology could be used against the Republic. We also learn that the station is still incomplete.

We cut to D'Qar, where our protagonists are talking to the Resistance leaders. They decide that Poe should go back on duty, Rey should be sent to Naboo at the request of Senator Organa, and they have no idea what to do with Finn. Before this could be finalized, the First Order attacks D'Qar, being led there by a transponder on Finn's stormtrooper armor. There's a big battle, and our protagonists are forced to retreat again. Han takes them to Maz Kanata, who Han says has gotten him out of trouble before. Finn asks why they can't go to the Republic, and Poe answers that they can't do that because their hyperdrive shows they came from D'Qar, which would make the Republic-Resistance connection clear, and the Empire could use that to declare war on the Republic. They get to Maz Kanata, who gives Rey Luke's old lightsaber as in the canon film, and she gets her visions. They discuss the events of the OT, and notably Han is evasive when it comes to the topic of Luke, even though he readily admits things did not work out with Leia. When prodded on the question of what happened to Luke Skywalker, Han says he doesn't want to talk about it. They also work out a plan to smuggle Rey, Finn and Poe to Naboo on a new ship, cleaning any ties they have with the D'Qar system. It turns out this "new" ship is an old one: the Millennium Falcon.

Cut to Starkiller Base, which has now been completed and is ready for use. Of course, it is suddenly attacked by the First Order. A massive battle occurs between Republic and First Order troops, Kylo Ren leading the charge. The Republic is defeated, and Kylo Ren captures the base in the name of the First Order. He comes into contact with Supreme Leader Snoke, who we now see clearly for the first time is Luke Skywalker. Kylo Ren has a very pathetic talk with Luke, basically asking if Luke is proud of him now. Luke is dismissive and treats Kylo like a street animal, calling his work of taking Starkiller Base "sloppy" and that he has "yet to master the Dark Side." He also mentions how he's a disappointing nephew and a disappointing apprentice. Luke gives Kylo a new mission; Kylo asks if it's to complete the battlestation by getting more crystals, and Luke says no: his mission is to find Rey. Kylo asks who Rey is, and he's effectively told that's above his pay grade. Kylo grovels and says he will do Luke and his grandfather, Darth Vader, proud. We then cut to Kylo talking to Darth Vader's old mask, saying that he can "still feel the tug of the light," and asking him to be the best edgelord he can be.

Cut to Naboo, where our protagonists have just landed, and they are told the bad news: Starkiller Base has fallen to the First Order. The Senate is up in arms, particularly because the project was kept secret from a good number of them. Han brings Rey to Leia. Meeting for the first time in years, and there's some tension between Han and Leia, but they get over it because of the crisis. Poe and Finn volunteer to lead an attack against the captured base, and Rey asks to join, but Leia objects. It's at this point that Leia tells Rey that she's the daughter of Luke Skywalker, and she was abandoned on Jakku after Luke[11] turned to the Dark Side and destroyed the Jedi Order. Therefore, Luke would want her as an apprentice, and she cannot fall into the First Order's hands. Cut to Starkiller Base, where Luke is addressing the First Order, waxing philosophical about Sith stuff, and saying that with Starkiller Base they can destroy the Republic and the Empire. The first target is Naboo. The Republic finds out about this[12] and orders an immediate evacuation. Leia ends up with most of the Senate, believing Rey has joined her, but nope! Rey has run off with the rest of the protagonists to attack Starkiller Base before it can destroy the Naboo system.

The battle of Starkiller Base begins. The Republic informed our protagonists that the base has a heat sink problem, much like the Death Stars, and that if that can be destroyed, the whole system can be set to blow. However, the shields have to be disabled from the surface. While Poe is fighting in space, the rest of our protagonists land on the surface. Much of the battle proceeds as in canon, including Kylo Ren killing Han to prove his edginess[13]. However, a key difference here is that Starkiller Base does not blow up. The protagonists succeed in destroying the cooling systems, but upon learning of this, the First Order simply powers down the hyperlight weapon.[14] More First Order reinforcements jump out of hyperspace shortly afterward, forcing the Republic to retreat. We also have the fight between Finn and Rey and Kylo Ren. Finn loses pretty quickly, getting injured by Kylo Ren, but Rey doesn't perform as well as she does in canon. Rey is losing to Kylo Ren, constantly on the defensive, until Rey gets more memories from the saber. These memories are Anakin's, from when he was executing Order 66 and killing Count Dooku. Tapping into the rage from this, Rey hacks and slashes away at Kylo, who is forced onto the defensive. He is injured, pinned down, and Rey is about to deliver the killing blow, but then Poe shows up and tells them they have to leave, because First Order reinforcements are coming.[15] Rey, Poe, Finn and Chewie leave Starkiller base with the rest of the Republic forces.

Cut to Naboo, which has been saved, but just barely. Our protagonists are awarded for their role in the victory, and there's a memorial service for Han Solo. But it's clear that the war has just begun, and the First Order remains a threat. The Senate is now discussing more direct action against the First Order. Cut to Starkiller Base, where Kylo Ren is looking dejected because he just got beat in a fight by a girl and got chewed out by Luke Skywalker. Cut to Rey looking at that old lightsaber, and we can tell she's asking what more it can teach her. Cut to credits.

[1] Yes, the new Empire is the Russian Federation to the OT Empire's Soviet Union. It's ruled by a Council of Moffs, the imperial throne left unclaimed because nobody could agree on who should succeed Sheev.

[2] They show up in Episode IX as part of a coalition to take down the First Order, but they are only mentioned in passing otherwise

[3] It's meant to be a dark mirror to the Rebellion, and a reflection of modern fears and concerns. Much like how the Empire was the USSR in space (sorta), we need to update our villains to make them contemporary.

[4] Also extremely corrupt and with ties to Hutt gangsters; when the Imperials show up in Episode VIII, it's clear their leaders are in it for the money.

[5] Apologies to @YeahOkayCool , as I was inspired by his Plagueis survives timeline . I recommend reading it!

[6] None of this is in the movie save for being mentioned in passing. Nobody wants to hear about trade disputes.

[7] I thought having her as a general was a bit stupid, but having her in a political role supporting the Resistance by makes sense. Like a space John McCain.

[8] Here, BB-8 is her droid, not Poe's.

[9] Yeah, this is a contrived coincidence for the sake of fanservice, but no worse than what we get with Star Wars.

[10] They aren't using the Millennium Falcon.

[11] The reason he did this was similar to Anakin: he believed that only by using the increased power of the Dark Side that he could finally defeat the Empire and unite the galaxy. Unfortunately, the rest of the Jedi Order tried to have him arrested for it, forcing him to retreat to the Unknown Regions where he hooked up with the First Order, where he really got into esoteric Sith philosophy. Also, I wasn't going to have an "I am your father" scene. I'm not that much of a hack.

[12] While they have lost control of Starkiller Base, the Republic still has access to its communication systems. Our protagonists are listening in on Luke's speech.

[13] And doubtless to fulfill a term in Harrison Ford's agreement to be in the movie in the first place.

[14] One of my main complaints with the movie is that the threw out Starkiller Base too soon. It should have been an everpresent threat throughout the trilogy, which is what I have here. Starkiller Base will be destroyed, probably by a Death Star, in Episode IX.

[15] Yeah, I'm setting up a hero/villain swap here. One of the more interesting theories I've heard is that this is what will happen with the sequels: Kylo Ren will become good again, and Rey becomes evil. I like the idea of Rey becoming the apprentice Luke always wanted, and being much better at being a Sith lord than Kylo Ren.