While the Skywalker saga ended in December 2019 with the release of The Rise of Skywalker, the character of Ben Solo remains a huge talking point among Star Wars fans. Adam Driver's character was arguably the best thing about the sequel trilogy, acting as the perfect antagonist throughout all three movies. Unfortunately, he didn't survive the series, sacrificing himself in order to bring Rey back from the dead after her dramatic triumph over Emperor Palpatine on the planet of Exegol.
For now, he's very much gone from a galaxy far far away. But, with Star Wars not shying away from resurrecting characters in the past, it's feasible we'll see Kylo Ren again one day. So, here are 10 plot holes that could be addressed in a future TV series on Disney+.
Why Did He Leave His Mother If He Loved Her So Much?
Ben Solo loves his mother, Leia Organa. This is apparent in The Last Jedi when he fails to bring himself to kill her, despite First Order TIE fighters closing in from all angles. In the end, she's the one who brings him back to the light side of the force, with her death in The Rise of Skywalker convincing the conflicted Jedi to shed his identity as Kylo Ren and join the fight against Palpatine.
But, if he loved her so much, why did he break her heart by leaving? We never really got an answer as to why he transformed, which is certainly a blank that needs filling in.
Why Did He Hate Han Solo So Much?
Ben makes it clear he has no love for Han Solo, ruthlessly executing his father on Starkiller Base during The Force Awakens. He later mocks Rey over this, telling the former Jakku scavenger that the Rebel Alliance hero would have "disappointed her." In the end, Han helps his troubled son switch sides in The Rise of Skywalker atop the remains of the second Death Star.
However, it's still unknown as to why Ben felt so strongly against Han. He was potentially jealous of his father's standing in the galaxy, yet even that doesn't seem like a sufficient enough answer given he'd surely feel the same about his mother. Han didn't exactly seem like the ideal father but, until an explanation is given, it's something still worth thinking about.
Why Was Luke Surprised?
Ben Solo's transformation into Kylo Ren appalled Luke Skywalker. Despite resisting the temptation to kill Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi, Mark Hamill's character attempted to slaughter his nephew in cold blood after sensing a "darkness" within his relative. This was a divisive move, and one The Rise of Skywalker somewhat retcons.
In that movie, Luke reveals Leia Organa gave up her training due to the dark presence that surrounded Ben, even before his birth. So, if that's the case, it makes Luke's actions all the more confusing. He should have anticipated his nephew's change, but, instead, it seems like he was taken aback.
Was He Told About Darth Vader?
Given that Ben grew up with Darth Vader's daughter as his mother, you'd think he'd be aware of the villain's story. Anakin Skywalker was coerced into joining the dark side by Emperor Palpatine during the dramatic events of the Revenge of the Sith, and, after the death of Padme Amidala and his defeat to Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar, stayed loyal to Ian McDiarmid's character for many years. He eventually saw the light, however, with Luke managing to bring him back to the good side and defeat the Emperor in the process.
Yet, the way Kylo Ren behaves throughout the sequel trilogy suggests he was never given the full picture. He's eager to finish what his grandfather started and doesn't seem to know that Vader transformed, regretting his actions right at the end. This feels like an oversight on Disney's end, one that should be corrected one day.
Why Join Supreme Leader Snoke?
Supreme Leader Snoke is a pretty difficult person to please, as his two appearances in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi highlight. In the latter, he outright bullies Ben Solo, slamming him for his defeat to Rey on Starkiller Base, mocking him for being a "child in a mask" and also suggesting that his murder of father Han Solo had broken his spirit. All in all, he's not somebody we'd want to spend much time with.
So, it begs the question: why did Ben choose to abandon his loving family in order to serve under a monster? Anakin joined Palpatine because he thought it would save Padme, whereas Kylo Ren seemingly turned his back on his loved ones... just for plot purposes. And Snoke isn't his only master, either.
Why Join Emperor Palpatine?
Palpatine appeared to die in Return of the Jedi, but, for the final installment of the Skywalker saga, was brought back to life to play the villain once again. Kylo Ren encounters him on Exegol, agreeing to team up after being shown a huge army of Star Destroyers resurrected from the ground below.
However, Ben Solo really had precious little reason to agree to an alliance. As Supreme Leader of the First Order, he already possessed a sizeable army capable of triumphing over the Resistance, especially given how they begin the movie in a state of disarray following their unanswered rallying cry on Crait.
Why Did He Say 'What Girl?'
In The Force Awakens, it's hinted that Kylo Ren knows who Rey is when he screams "what girl?" in anger following the escape of BB-8 on the planet of Jakku. In the end, this turns out not to be the case with their paths first crossing on Takodana.
But, the way Kylo said it suggested that, somehow, he had prior knowledge about her nonetheless. That wouldn't be surprising given how Palpatine was behind Snoke the whole time, puppeteering the assault on Rey and the Resistance while possessing the knowledge he's her grandfather. He could have easily foreseen a Jedi rising to prominence and demanded his apprentice stop that from happening.
Why Did He Repair His Helmet?
The Rise of Skywalker sees Kylo Ren, fresh from his encounter with Palpatine, repair the mask he'd previously obliterated in The Last Jedi. It looks pretty snazzy, with the red reflecting his fiery rage, but that can't disguise the fact it's rather pointless, especially given the fact a never explanation was given for his actions.
A TV show could delve deeper into his thinking at this time, because, again, given Palpatine's connection to Snoke, he was the same person who blasted him for wearing it in the previous movie. Therefore, it's certainly something that can be tidied up.
Why Did General Hux Hate Him So Much?
Right from the off, The Force Awakens made it clear that Kylo Ren and General Hux hated each other, and that's putting it mildly. They clashed over the decision to go with stolen children rather than clones for their army, while Hux seemed to enjoy it whenever Kylo would struggle, which, during the first movie, happens quite a bit.
Hux's hatred seems unfair, though. They're meant to be on the same side, and, if jealousy comes into it, he can't really be expected to match the exploits of a fully-trained Jedi Knight. It did make for interesting viewing watching the tension rise, with General Allegiant Pryde then executing his First Order ally after he'd allowed Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and Chewbacca to escape.
What Was His Relationship With The Knights Of Ren Like?
The Knights of Ren had so much potential. Introduced in the first movie of the sequel trilogy, their awesome costumes suggested they'd be set for a prominent role. However, they were absent from The Last Jedi and only had a minor part to play in The Rise of Skywalker before getting chopped down by Ben Solo on Exegol.
We never really got any details on the relationship between Kylo and his soldiers, with the characters barely saying a single word. Just what drew them together? What were their true intentions? Where did they meet? The comic book series about Kylo Ren has shed some light on the issue, but these questions still remain unanswered.