[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

So here's what's really interesting to me now...

Spoiler!

Was Snoke just a complete red herring? Because other than being a guy at the academy who pushed Kylo to the dark side, and a generic evil bad guy leader, he now seems completely unimportant.

He's like a discount Emperor who's backstory is pretty meaningless at this point.

It's either that or JJ had some grand design for him and Rian convinced the Lucasfilm/Disney brass it would serve the story better if he were offed.

I'll admit to being a little disappointed that the most powerful force user in the galaxy isn't going to have a big deus ex machina showdown with someone now. I really liked him when he was on screen.

Spoiler!

Snoke was the McGuffin.

He was killed by Kylo Ren and takes his place as the Supreme Leader of the First Order. With no Republic and less than 20 Resistance fighters, all of whom fit inside the Millennium Falcon, Kylo Ren achieved what Darth Vader could not: Ruler of the Galaxy.

What needs to happen in Episode IX is that either Kylo Ren, once again, destroys the Jedi Order led by Rey, or Rey destroys Kylo Ren.

There can be no redemption for Kylo Ren.