Introduction

Upon the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the final chapter in the Skywalker saga, many discussions sprung up around the conflict between the Palpatines and the Skywalkers. A common question was whether Ben Solo (Kylo Ren) and his bloodline brought an end to the Skywalker legacy, or if Rey, who is genetically related to Sheev Palpatine, carries on the Palpatine bloodline, thus implying victory for the Palpatine side. This article delves into the interpretation of this conflict and concludes that the Palpatines, despite their DNA presence in Rey, won't truly prevail.

Beliefs and Goals: The True Battlefield

The traditional understanding of conflict revolves around the idea of competing in who can have more babies, but the Kylo Ren saga evolved beyond this common narrative. In the Star Wars universe, to assert victory, one must align with a set of beliefs and goals, not just biological lineage.

Rey, who is revealed to be related to Palpatine, chose her path following the moral and ethical guidance of her adoptive family, the Skywalkers and Solos. Her spiritual journey informed her choices, and she adopted the Skywalker-Solo clan's moral code. She didn't merely inherit biological traits; she embraced the values and beliefs that defined her heroism and her role in the galaxy's balance.

Bloodline Leadership and Legacy

While Rey, genetically speaking, carries some Palpatine DNA, she identified more with the Skywalker lineage, symbolically changing her name to reflect her new identity. The adoption of a new name serves as a transition and a sign that she is no longer a part of the Palpatine family. This act signifies a shift in the Skywalker bloodline, reestablishing their prominence even in the wake of the tragic end of the Solos and the fall of the Palpatines.

Moreover, the fact that no other descendants from any lineage are mentioned, especially from the Palpatine side, implies the extinction of this bloodline. This marks a significant victory for the Skywalker family as their name not only lives on but also continues to dominate, ensuring the legacy of the heroes who fought against the dark side.

Objective Achievements of Palpatine and Rey

When discussing the achievements of Palpatine, many argue that his ultimate goals were universal domination and the destruction of the Jedi Order, the restoration of the Sith Empire, and creating a new power dynamic through manipulation. However, upon examining his efforts, it becomes clear that he did not truly achieve his primary goals.

Both Palpatine and Rey are not ruling the universe, hence his goal of universal domination failed. Similarly, while the Empire was temporarily restored in Sith form, the Jedi have been rebuilt, and the Sith are largely vanished. The Sith acolytes, while many, did not form a cohesive empire, and their influence is much less significant.

Ultimately, while Palpatine's DNA is present in Rey, the question remains whether their conflict was resolved in favor of Palpatine. Given that the Skywalker legacy continued through Rey and her name took precedence, it’s clear that the Skywalkers maintained their dominance, suggesting that Palpatine’s only victory was his DNA continuity, which may or may not continue beyond Rey.

Is the Competition Really Between the Palpatines and the Skywalkers?

The dynamic between the Palpatines and the Skywalkers isn’t a straightforward competition. Unless Palpatine had a deeper and more significant connection with Anakin or with later characters, it’s arguable that their narratives did not truly intersect beyond the standard narratives of Sith vs. Jedi. The bulk of the conflict has always been about the light vs. dark sides of the Force, not direct familial competition.

In summary, The Rise of Skywalker effectively portrays a scenario where Rey, adopting the Skywalker mantle, redefines the rules of the competition. While Palpatine technically won in terms of DNA continuation, the Skywalker legacy continued, and Rey’s adoption of their name solidified this win. The elimination of other Skywalker blood as a viable branch ensures that the Skywalkers’ victory is unchallenged, in both the narrative and the broader context of the Star Wars universe.