This week, the last trilogy of this era of Star Wars draws to a close with The Rise of Skywalker, and we have no end of questions. Has Emperor Palpatine really returned? What are the odds the internet’s beloved Baby Yoda shows up? And what is it that audiences actually want out of a Star Wars movie? Check out our coverage of The Rise of Skywalker below.
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January 15, 2020
The Alleged Trevorrow Script Would Have Prevented a Lot of the Problems of ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’
But even assuming the Reddit description of it is legit, there’s no guarantee it would’ve delivered a better onscreen experience than ‘The Rise of Skywalker’
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January 9, 2020
John Williams Defined the Sound of ‘Star Wars’—and Remained the Franchise’s Most Reliable Piece
The legendary composer was the most consistent part of the franchise. What will happen now that he’s stepped down?
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January 3, 2020
Death by a Thousand J.J. Cuts: Why the Studios Will Always Win
Unsatisfied ‘Star Wars’ diehards are demanding the release of a rumored original J.J. Abrams cut of ‘The Rise of Skywalker.' Unfortunately for those fans, their pleas echo futile movements behind other past cultural institutions.
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December 24, 2019
‘Binge Mode: Star Wars’: Ask the Underscore on Rey’s Yellow Lightsaber—Spoiler Breakdown
Mallory and Jason deep dive into ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ yellow lightsaber theories and what it means for Rey’s character
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December 24, 2019
The Last Skywalker: On Kylo Ren’s ‘Star Wars’ Arc
‘The Rise of Skywalker’ brings an end to many things, some more satisfying than others, such as the culmination of the saga’s most compelling villain
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December 24, 2019
What’s in a Color? The Significance of Rey’s Lightsaber at the End of ‘The Rise of Skywalker.’
The last film in the Skywalker saga may have left a bad taste in people’s mouths, but the latest ‘Star Wars’ entry did end on an intriguing hue
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December 23, 2019
At the Box Office, ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Underperforms and ‘Cats’ Bombs
‘Episode IX’ didn’t make as much over opening weekend as its predecessors, but it grossed a whole lot more than Tom Hooper’s film
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December 23, 2019
‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Exit Survey
The ‘Star Wars’ Skywalker saga has ended—not with a bang but with a whimper. Dejected but still harboring some hope, the Ringer staff divulged their thoughts on the movie.
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December 23, 2019
But Seriously, How the Hell Is Emperor Palpatine Alive?
‘The Rise of Skywalker’ doesn’t go to great lengths to explain his return, so we tried our best to make sense of it
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December 23, 2019
The Debate Over ‘Star Wars’ Is Almost As Old As ‘Star Wars’ Itself
Social media has supercharged the passion and toxicity of ‘Star Wars’ fandom, but the franchise has been the subject of debate (and controversy) long before hashtags
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December 22, 2019
84 Lingering Questions After ‘The Rise of Skywalker’
The latest installment of ‘Star Wars’ has us wondering about a few dozen things. Like: On which date do you tell a prospective partner that you’re a Palpatine?
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December 20, 2019
‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Didn’t Kill the Past—the Past Killed It
Without any interest in charting a new course, the last ‘Star Wars’ film in the Skywalker saga is a shot of nostalgia that quickly wears off, leaving only unfulfillment
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December 20, 2019
‘Star Wars’ Is at War With Itself in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’
J.J. Abrams’s ‘Episode IX’ is so desperate to please fans that it ends up throwing any semblance of intrafilm cohesion out the window
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December 19, 2019
Making Sense of Emperor Palpatine’s Return
Darth Sidious is back. But how? And what does it mean moving forward?
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December 19, 2019
Where Does ‘Star Wars’ Go From Here?
Breaking down what’s next for the iconic franchise
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December 19, 2019
What Works and What Doesn’t in ‘Rise of Skywalker’ (Spoiler Reaction)
Sean and Mallory discuss the last installment of the Skywalker saga
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December 19, 2019
What Do We Want Out of ‘Star Wars’?
After ‘The Last Jedi,’ the audience has been split into two camps, and appeasing both may not be possible
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December 19, 2019
Will ‘Star Wars’ Find a Way to Represent Gray Areas?
The franchise has, for the most part, been comically clear about dividing good and evil. Can ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ keep the momentum built by its predecessors and break that trend?
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December 18, 2019
‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Might Be the Last Hurrah for Nice Droids
In the ‘Episode IX’ trailer, things look bleak for the lovable, helpful C-3PO. Will later depictions of droids reflect our deteriorating relationships with our computers?
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December 17, 2019
How Is It Possible That Emperor Palpatine Is in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’?
How could he have survived? Is he some kind of Sith poltergeist? Is he a clone? HOW UNLIMITED IS THIS DUDE’S POWER?
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December 16, 2019
Are We Sure the Jedi Are Good?
As the final film in the third ‘Star Wars’ trilogy, ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ will have the last word on whether the Jedi are helpful or hurtful, necessary or dispensable
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December 13, 2019
Here’s What the Resistance Should Do to Govern Effectively After Defeating the First Order
In ‘The Rise of Skywalker,’ the good guys will presumably topple the bad guys. But the good guys in the ‘Star Wars’ universe have been particularly bad at keeping the peace. Here’s how Rey and the gang can prevent the rise of another Sith lord.
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December 13, 2019
‘Rise of Skywalker’ Romances, Ranked by Probability
Is Rey and Kylo’s chemistry undeniable? Who does Finn love? Can droids reproduce?
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December 11, 2019
How Will ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Handle Leia Organa?
The late Carrie Fisher is set to appear in ‘Episode IX’ through unused footage from ‘The Force Awakens.’ Hopefully J.J. Abrams’s creative choices will give the actress and her character a proper sendoff.
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December 10, 2019
Will Rey’s Parents Still Be a Mystery in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’?
In ‘The Last Jedi,’ Kylo Ren told her that her parents were nobodies—"filthy junk traders"—but recent interviews from J.J. Abrams and Daisy Ridley hint at other, saga-shifting possibilities