Star Wars The Force Awakens has been in theaters for a few weeks now, and we are still left with a tidal wave of questions. One of the biggest mysteries in the film has to do with the main character: Who is Rey? We know that we love her, but what is lying just beyond the surface for this heroine?
This is your only warning for potential SPOILERS AHEAD for THE FORCE AWAKENS.
As Star Wars fans, we want to know everything about her present, past, and future, but we also love not knowing. Who is the simple junker that was left on Jaaku? There have been many wild speculations about key details of Rey's life, but we really don't know much.
Here is what we do know: Rey was abandoned on Jaaku for reasons that we do not know yet. She is a force user, but has only begun to understand how to use it. Rey's costume is very reminiscent of the Jedi and even the color palette that they chose for her is similar. Maz Kanata has Luke/Anakin's lightsaber in her possession, and when Rey touches it she can see things from the past and the future. She is a natural pilot, and is not afraid to make choice for good.
First thing is first, let's focus on why she was left on Jaaku. There is no reason given, although in the scene from the film that she is being left, it appears that the one she's left with is Unkar Plutt (Simon Pegg), the junk merchant on Jaaku. That is just speculation, but that is who it looks like to me. Why would she be abandoned on Jaaku, and who did it? Some feel that it was Han Solo, that is why she instantly bonds with him in the film. I don't think this is the case. I also do not think that Rey is Kylo Ren's sister. That is more of a long shot theory to me. At times I tend to think that she might be Luke Skywalker's daughter, but if Luke followed Jedi doctrine, then he would have never married or been intimate with anyone.
This leaves me with only one conclusion: Rey was a Padawan when Kylo Ren turned against the new Jedi Order. This would explain why her costume is reminiscent of the Jedi. This would also explain why Luke seemed to recognize her at the end of the film. According to the script, Luke recognizes Rey, which means that he knew her in the past and possibly knows why she is there. A point backed up by the script from the film, "HOLD ON LUKE SKYWALKER'S INCREDIBLE FACE, amazed and conflicted at what he sees, as our MUSIC BUILDS, the promise of an adventure, just beginning..." This could be the clue that we have all been searching for.
If Rey was an abandoned Padawan at an early age, then this would explain why she lives a secluded hermit life. It would also explain why she might not remember how to use the Force, or maybe that her training had not yet gotten to that point. The Padawan connection would also explain why Rey instantly sees memories when she touches Luke's lightsaber. The Lightsaber could have been implanted with the memories, unlocking only for a user of the Light Side of the Force.This is an ability that is canon in Star Wars. In A New Hope, Luke uses the Force to help him fly, so why is this not a possibility with Rey.
These are just a few theories that I have come up with. You take what you want from them.
We will certainly find out more details about Rey when Star Wars: Episode VIII hits theaters May 26, 2017.
