I think his thinking about and discussions about TLJ inspired him to return to the series. There's a lot that he likes about the movie. I just think the more he thought about the elements he liked, the more he wanted to discuss those elements on their own and dive deeper into them as sort of stand-alone topics (like the nature of the Force moving forward, etc). It's not like he just takes a massive shit all over the movie.

We'll see where he takes this, but my hope is that we'll get more depth of conversation and discussion as the series progresses and a dialogue can happen between him and his followers.

that was my read as well. If he approaches this topically he might have an easier time discussing TLJ in that context.

A friend and I watched this again for the first time in about a month, and damn this is definitely my favourite Star Wars film. It is official. It has the most beautiful shots in all of the franchise, I ADORE the Rey/Ben exchanges, I love the Yoda scene, Luke's death scene, the silent explosion when Holdo sacrifices herself.

I love that it's so brazen in wanting to expand the universe and what is possible within it. The throne room scene might be my favourite Star Wars stuff ever, and the conversation after the fight just hammers home what this film was aiming to do.

"Let the past die... kill it if you have to. It's the only way to become what you are meant to be."

"It’s time to let old things die. Snoke, Skywalker. The Sith, the Jedi. The rebels. Let it all die."

The way Ben gets really angry and delivers, "No, no, you’re still holding on!" is like the film talking to the crazy fanboys/girls who are so resistant to any kind of challenge/change in the franchise.

Yeah, I know everything I just said has been discussed ad nauseum but I really love this movie.

A friend and I watched this again for the first time in about a month, and damn this is definitely my favourite Star Wars film. It is official. It has the most beautiful shots in all of the franchise, I ADORE the Rey/Ben exchanges, I love the Yoda scene, Luke's death scene, the silent explosion when Holdo sacrifices herself.

I love that it's so brazen in wanting to expand the universe and what is possible within it. The throne room scene might be my favourite Star Wars stuff ever, and the conversation after the fight just hammers home what this film was aiming to do.

"Let the past die... kill it if you have to. It's the only way to become what you are meant to be."

"It’s time to let old things die. Snoke, Skywalker. The Sith, the Jedi. The rebels. Let it all die."

The way Ben gets really angry and delivers, "No, no, you’re still holding on!" is like the film talking to the crazy fanboys/girls who are so resistant to any kind of challenge/change in the franchise.

Yeah, I know everything I just said has been discussed ad nauseum but I really love this movie.

A friend and I watched this again for the first time in about a month, and damn this is definitely my favourite Star Wars film. It is official. It has the most beautiful shots in all of the franchise, I ADORE the Rey/Ben exchanges, I love the Yoda scene, Luke's death scene, the silent explosion when Holdo sacrifices herself.

I love that it's so brazen in wanting to expand the universe and what is possible within it. The throne room scene might be my favourite Star Wars stuff ever, and the conversation after the fight just hammers home what this film was aiming to do.

"Let the past die... kill it if you have to. It's the only way to become what you are meant to be."

"It’s time to let old things die. Snoke, Skywalker. The Sith, the Jedi. The rebels. Let it all die."

The way Ben gets really angry and delivers, "No, no, you’re still holding on!" is like the film talking to the crazy fanboys/girls who are so resistant to any kind of challenge/change in the franchise.

Yeah, I know everything I just said has been discussed ad nauseum but I really love this movie.

That's what's great about how Ben has been written so far. Killing Snoke is a BIG thing for him to do, but then all he can think of is essentially take his place but with Rey at his side as co-ruler. Thus, history is doomed to repeat itself.

I'm thinking/hoping that Luke got through to Rey a little and that she has slightly bigger ambitions in what she wants to happen. Is it merely a hope of achieving balance? Is it a Batman/Joker thing where they eventually realise that they both need each other to survive. Two sides of the same coin. But what does that mean in terms of the big picture? Will everyone still be constantly at war?

I also hope they avoid any romance stuff, because the next film really doesn't need it.

General Hux: Finish this? Who do you think you're talking to? You presumed to command my army. Our Supreme Leader is dead! We have no ruler!

Kylo Ren: [Force chokes Hux] The Supreme Leader is dead!

General Hux: [Choking] Long live the Supreme Leader.

Also, the Story and Star Wars podcast about this was excellent. I don't 100% agree with his take, but I loved his insights, especially those regarding different eras of film and filmmaking/style in the movie. That was really great insight.

It’s just pure over your head. No big deal. You don’t have to like everything. Hamill wasn’t a fan either until he saw it. He’s not still going on about it though. I’m kinda done with this film. But for mostly different reasons than yours. This one won’t truly land and be appreciated for what it is until we get episode 9. I been saying that a couple of years and I Stand by it.