Re: Star Wars: Episode IX - December 20, 2019
As I said, Luke went there feeling guilty, but his time there wasn't wasted, he started doing research, he achieved a deeper understanding and when Rey shows up, he knows the time has come to finally act. The resolution given by TLJ seems mediocre to me.
The problem with his exile being about breaking the cycle is that he left when the Dark Side was rising. At least Yoda left when the Dark Side had already won (and after many other considerations as well).
I do like the idealism behind the decision to leave, I don't buy the staying there and letting the Dark Side win decision.
Here's the problem with the idea of Luke using his time on Ahch-To to "prepare" for facing off against Snoke and Kylo: Luke faced down Darth Vader and the Emperor as a Jedi
Knight. Kylo and Snoke were not a bigger threat, especially to a Jedi
Master with 20+ years to become more skilled with the Force. If I was asked to believe that Luke would need to abandon everyone for several years because he wasn't well-equipped enough to deal with Snoke & Kylo as a Jedi Master, I would have given up on this trilogy. That storyline would have been unacceptable to me.
Remember, TFA had Luke exiled for a long time (several years by most accounts); if TLJ explained that long absence as Luke getting ready to take on Snoke & Kylo, I don't see how that could've been considered anything other than laughable. TLJ saved it for me by making Luke's justification more nuanced than "getting himself ready" or finding some hokey dues ex machina that he'd come back from Ahch-To with.
As you noted, the problem with Luke was the fact that he abandoned everyone for years - and stayed away while the Dark Side grew stronger. But, TLJ had
nothing to do with that. In my mind, TLJ did a semi-miraculous job of making Luke actually seem somewhat justified in leaving. Any of the alternate fan theories and "what-I-would-have-done" scenarios would not have been any better at having Luke's exile (TFA's doing) make more sense. TLJ had to give Luke a reason for staying gone all that time.
The idea that Jedi Master Luke would have spent those exiled years "preparing" himself while 5 planets were destroyed and Han Solo was murdered would have undermined his character, and would have undermined the entire concept of the Jedi. TLJ took a horrible idea (exiling Luke) and made it as palatable as possible by having Luke do it for a greater good (to end the cycle of darkness rising from within the Jedi ranks). Everytime someone blames TLJ for how exiled Luke was presented, it blows my mind. I just don't see how any other explanation for his absence would've done better justice to Jedi Master Luke. The exile itself while the FO grew in power (all TFA) should be what fans object to, if anything.
But dammit, I'm starting to think I'll have to watch TFA and TLJ again!
I'll hate myself if I start liking TLJ!
Although I doubt I'll be able to get over the Mom-jokes, immortal flying Leia, silly Rose or the utter lack of pacing and structure of the entire movie... I guess I'm safe in my disliking of TLJ...
I really do hope you watch both movies again. You know your stuff, abake; and I think you'll see where the real problem with Luke's characterization lies.
As far as the bad jokes, Leia Poppins, and Rose logic in TLJ, there's no getting around that. TLJ isn't perfect, and those things will always be regrettable. But the PT was full of regrettable instances too. If you can enjoy the PT, I think you can most certainly find a way to enjoy TLJ.
Even if you don't, I'll still continue to enjoy reading your take on these films.
