Genuine surprises, sure. But not well thought out good ones. He literally just thought of doing what the fans didn't expect to see, but not in a good meaningful/thought provoking way. He literally turned it into a joke. He is not a good story teller.
I'm fine if they/he wanted Luke to be a tragically flawed character. It's how he went about it.
So many ways he could've told a compelling story, rather than what he thought would simply be an unexpected one. This isn't the fan fiction I had in my head, in fact I had none before seeing TLJ, I just expected to seethe characters continue on the journey/ their journey come to an end. But in a meaningful way.
A compelling story would've been Luke retreating to find the origins of the Jedi as to ensure none of this happens again. To embrace his failures and right a wrong. To admit he failed with Ben and how he tried to resurrect the Jedi based on the old ways. To find the knowledge to help him break the cycle and try again. To train an a new generation of protectors/defenders that won't fall into the same trap the Jedi did. To embrace the force in all it's glory and move away from light/dark, good/bad, Jedi/Sith. Actually teach Rey and show her what was right and wrong within the Jedi order, and how she can avoid/break the circle and the importance to stop/redeem Kylo before his fall is complete. He senses the struggle within him and there is still time....
So many good strong lessons and story telling potential. Instead we get a coward. The sad part is, this is how JJ seemed to be going with the mysterious disappearance of Luke. That there was a reason for his seclusion and departure, Not that he cowardly slinked away into hiding after failing his sister and best friend. Hiding away from the galaxy to simply die.
Rian must've had a sad childhood if this is how he wanted to continue/end the Skywalker legacy. He turned heroes into cowards, except Leia of course.
