I think looking back at the film now a few days later, I think I am most disappointed that Anakin didn't make an appearance. The "Skywalker Saga" story chronologically started with him, he should have been there in some form to round it off, a voice isn't good enough. They also absolutely should have had Vader talking to Ben at some point in the films previously, we all assumed he was when TFA came out and he was talking to the helmet, but they should have shown it, Ben could have been so shrouded in the dark side because of Palpatine that force ghosts could never reach him.
I also believe they should have really just come out and say that Palpatine created the Skywalkers, it was hinted at in RotS, and Lucas originally wanted him to just come out and say it but decided against it. It would have linked both family lines in more than just being around each other, and they could have easily said that Palpatine can't "die" while someone of the Skywalker bloodline still lives. It would have been a simple way of explaining Palpatine still being around without having to be super specific and why Ben needed to die, it would give us a reason why Rey and Ben were linked besides that the force decided, and it would give Rey an actual connection and reason to take on the Skywalker name.
Rian could have easily jumped a few weeks to a few months, they didn't have to continue it straight off, just like every other Star Wars film has done they can just come in at a later date and explain anything they need to. Didn't Rian have a hand in how TFA ended as there's a interview somewhere of JJ saying originally Luke was going to be surrounded by floating rocks, while Rian wanted him to be cut off from the force.
I also believe they should have really just come out and say that Palpatine created the Skywalkers, it was hinted at in RotS, and Lucas originally wanted him to just come out and say it but decided against it. It would have linked both family lines in more than just being around each other, and they could have easily said that Palpatine can't "die" while someone of the Skywalker bloodline still lives. It would have been a simple way of explaining Palpatine still being around without having to be super specific and why Ben needed to die, it would give us a reason why Rey and Ben were linked besides that the force decided, and it would give Rey an actual connection and reason to take on the Skywalker name.
Not only did JJ seperate the trio at the end of FA, but he ended it on a cliffhanger, leaving Rian no choice but to pick up the story immediately afterwards.
JJ's one moment of innovation to the series, ending a movie on a cliffhanger in the middle of a scene...inspired Rian to keep the trio on their separate journeys.
Rian could have easily jumped a few weeks to a few months, they didn't have to continue it straight off, just like every other Star Wars film has done they can just come in at a later date and explain anything they need to. Didn't Rian have a hand in how TFA ended as there's a interview somewhere of JJ saying originally Luke was going to be surrounded by floating rocks, while Rian wanted him to be cut off from the force.
