Rey (Daisy Ridley) lost her only mentor when Luke (Mark Hamill) faded into the Force after projecting himself on Crait to save the Resistance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Luckily, Leia (Carrie Fisher) managed to survive the attack against her, and so, in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, fans get to see the Resistance General taking up the task of teaching Rey the ways of the Force.
Speaking in an interview with StarWars.com, Rae Carson, the author of the novelization of The Rise of Skywalker, opens up about the relationship Rey and Leia share in Episode IX.
According to the writer, Rey begins The Rise of Skywalker with the need to do more and achieve more despite the acceptance and belonging that the Resistance offers. She's hurting after what happened with Kylo Ren, and she needs a mentor who can help her process everything that she's experienced. As it turns out, Leia perfect for the part because she herself has experienced part of what Rey's been through – an awakening to power.
"Leia is the perfect teacher for her because she knows exactly what it's like to have an unexpected awakening into power. Also, she's still hurting over what happened to Ben, while Rey is desperate for a mentor who can help her make sense of everything she's experiencing. These two women finding each other is a gift to each of them," Carson tells the publication.
When asked what things Rey might learn from Leia that she wouldn't have learned with Luke, Carson talks about characteristics like pragmatism, practicality, and compassion.
"I think these qualities together are what make her such an effective leader, and with the stakes so high at the beginning of The Rise of Skywalker, and the future role of the Jedi very much in question, that's the kind of leadership and well-roundedness they need to find a way forward," the writer explained.
Rey had the best of the best when the Skywalkers took her in and taught her.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is currently available on Digital HD.
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