Deep Dive… The Rise of Skywalker

Deep Dive… The Rise of Skywalker – Episode 49

Recorded: June 28th, 2021

Episode Overview

The sequel trilogy comes to its conclusion as Chewie and Pip wrap up their three-part retrospective with an in-depth discussion of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. After revisiting The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, the hosts examine J.J. Abrams’ attempt to unite a divided fanbase while bringing the Skywalker Saga to its long-awaited conclusion.

Throughout the episode, they explore the film’s relentless pacing, the return of Emperor Palpatine, Rey’s true lineage, Kylo Ren’s redemption arc, and the controversial storytelling decisions that continue to divide Star Wars fans. While acknowledging the film’s numerous plot contrivances, they also discuss why The Rise of Skywalker remains an entertaining and emotionally satisfying experience despite its flaws.

The conversation also covers Carrie Fisher’s posthumous performance as Leia Organa, the return of Lando Calrissian, C-3PO’s most emotional moment in the franchise, Force healing, the Knights of Ren, Exegol, the Dyad in the Force, and the film’s climactic Battle of Exegol. Along the way, Chewie and Pip compare the sequel trilogy to the original and prequel trilogies while discussing what worked, what didn’t, and how they would have approached the final chapter differently.

Topics Discussed

The Rise of Skywalker retrospective
Completing the sequel trilogy review
J.J. Abrams vs. Rian Johnson
Fixing the sequel trilogy
The return of Emperor Palpatine
Mustafar opening sequence
Sith Wayfinder
Exegol
Rey’s lineage
Rey Palpatine reveal
The Dyad in the Force
Kylo Ren’s journey
Ben Solo’s redemption
Carrie Fisher’s final performance
Leia Organa’s role
Lando Calrissian returns
C-3PO’s memory wipe
Force healing
The Knights of Ren
Ochi of Bestoon
The Sith dagger
Light-speed skipping
Babu Frik
Chewbacca fake-out death
Star Wars visual effects
The Battle of Exegol
The ending of the Skywalker Saga
Ranking the sequel trilogy
Final thoughts on Episode IX

Episode Chapters

0:00 – Intro and Returning to the Sequel Trilogy
1:04 – Why The Rise of Skywalker Had So Much Riding on It
3:06 – An Entertaining but Flawed Film
4:31 – J.J. Abrams Tries to Fix the Trilogy
6:01 – Looking Back at The Last Jedi
7:04 – The Opening Crawl and Palpatine Returns
8:03 – The Sith Wayfinder and Mustafar
9:53 – First Impressions of Emperor Palpatine
13:55 – Snoke, Cloning and the Final Order
16:46 – Rey’s Mystery Returns
19:26 – Reuniting with Poe, Finn and the Falcon
21:37 – Rey’s Jedi Training
23:18 – Carrie Fisher’s Final Performance
27:20 – Rey’s Past and Luke’s Lightsaber
30:01 – The Search for Exegol Begins
31:06 – Rose Tico and Fan Backlash
36:01 – Leia’s Final Scenes
36:57 – Kylo Ren’s Reforged Mask
37:20 – Pasaana and Lando Calrissian Returns
40:20 – Lando Explains the Sith Wayfinder
41:34 – Speeder Chase Across the Desert
42:14 – Ochi’s Ship and the Sith Dagger
45:44 – Force Healing Arrives
46:32 – Rey vs. Kylo’s TIE Fighter
47:27 – Force Lightning and Chewbacca’s “Death”
51:24 – Journey to Kijimi
52:13 – Babu Frik and C-3PO’s Memory
53:16 – C-3PO’s Most Emotional Scene
56:14 – Chewbacca Lives
56:56 – Rey’s Lineage Revealed
57:46 – Rey Palpatine and the Dyad in the Force
1:00:05 – Does the Dyad Concept Work?
1:08:42 – Death Star Ruins and the Sith Dagger
1:20:51 – Han Solo Returns
1:28:40 – The Battle of Exegol
1:42:26 – Ben Solo’s Redemption
1:52:03 – Rey vs. Palpatine
2:01:18 – The Ending of the Skywalker Saga
2:09:34 – Final Ratings and Overall Thoughts
2:15:42 – Ranking the Sequel Trilogy
2:20:10 – Closing Thoughts and Outro