HOST: Alright, folks, buckle up your seatbelts or tighten your Jedi robes—depending on how you're listening—because today we are diving headfirst into one of the most hotly debated questions in Star Wars fandom: Who is the best Skywalker of them all? But before we start drawing lightsabers over opinions, let’s set the stage. The Skywalkers are the beating heart of the Star Wars saga, tied to nearly every major event that shaped the galaxy. They are heroes, villains, rebels, and redeemers all rolled into one unfortunate family tree—and let’s be real, this is the most dysfunctional family in space. Am I right?

PARTICIPANT: Absolutely. I mean, can you imagine being invited to a Skywalker family reunion? You’d have some folks Force ghosting in, others yelling about betrayal, and probably Kylo Ren smashing the punch bowl in a fit of existential angst.

HOST: Exactly! It really makes Thanksgiving with your in-laws feel like a walk in the park, right? But putting the family drama aside for a second, this family represents so much more than just fights at the dinner table. From Anakin’s rise and, uh, fiery fall—pun intended—to Luke’s journey from that whiny kid staring at twin suns to the galaxy’s hero, and Leia...oh Leia, the coolest princess-general this side of Alderaan. Then there’s Kylo Ren, aka Ben Solo, and Rey, who controversially adopted the Skywalker name. It’s a lot to unpack, right?

PARTICIPANT: Oh, absolutely. And I think the first thing we have to consider is what we actually mean by 'best.' Are we talking strongest in terms of the Force? Because Anakin decimated entire armies. Or is it about moral righteousness, where Leia could be the clear winner for always trying to do the right thing? What about cultural impact? Because, let’s be honest, Luke’s hair alone in the original trilogy deserves its place in the Smithsonian.

HOST: Yes! Luke’s hair powered by sheer 70s charisma, a universal Force unto itself. But yeah, you nailed it: 'best' is an incredibly loaded term. Luke represents hope and resilience, Anakin embodies the seduction of power and redemption, Leia is leadership and perseverance personified, and Kylo—well, Kylo is the poster child for a Sith therapy brochure. Rey, on the other hand, is like this amalgamation of all those traits while also stepping into a new era of storytelling. How do we even start ranking these characters?

PARTICIPANT: We could spend the next five hours arguing about criteria alone. But maybe we start by asking this: Which Skywalker truly defines the themes at the core of Star Wars? You’ve got hope, redemption, family, and that very human struggle with temptation and identity.

HOST: Ooh, I love that. Okay, let’s start there. If hope is the main theme, does Luke automatically win because of that iconic 'I am a Jedi, like my father before me' moment? Or is it Leia, who literally carries the hope of her people on her shoulders for basically her entire life? And where does redemption fit in? Because you can’t ignore Anakin’s final act of saving Luke by taking out Palpatine—or Ben Solo’s redemption arc.

PARTICIPANT: For me, Leia might edge out Luke on hope. Don’t get me wrong—Luke’s twin-sun-staring moment gives me goosebumps every time—but Leia doesn’t just symbolize hope. She builds it into a full-blown rebellion, a resistance, a freaking movement! And redemption? That’s Anakin’s whole deal, isn’t it? Sure, it took him decades, and he kind of destroyed the galaxy along the way, but redemption defined his endgame.

HOST: Fair points, fair points. But let’s not sleep on Kylo Ren—his redemption came at a high cost, and it was emotionally gutting. Plus, I think he was arguably the most complex Skywalker, grappling with dual legacies—light and dark—the whole time. But speaking of dualities, let’s dive into Rey. What do you think about her taking on the Skywalker name? Does it muddy things, or does it expand the Skywalker legacy in a meaningful way?

HOST: Alright, so let’s zero in on the man who basically started it all: Anakin Skywalker. Or should I say Darth Vader? The dichotomy of those two names pretty much defines his entire legacy, right? He’s the chosen one, prophesied to bring balance to the Force, and yet he ends up being the galaxy’s most infamous villain. Tell me this isn’t one of the most Shakespearian arcs in modern storytelling.

PARTICIPANT: Oh, absolutely. Anakin’s story is pure tragedy—like peak Greek mythology levels of destiny, hubris, and downfall. He’s this immensely gifted kid with the universe basically kneeling at his feet, but the weight of all that expectation just crushes him. And don’t get me started on Palpatine manipulating him every step of the way. It’s like watching someone run toward a cliff in slow motion, and you’re screaming, 'Stop!' but they don’t hear you.

HOST: Right? And what’s fascinating is how much of Anakin’s fall is external, being steered by things beyond his control—Palpatine, the Jedi’s rigidity, Padmé’s fate—but enough of it is internal to make it deeply personal. Like, his obsession with control, his fear of loss, that fiery temper...those came from him. So here’s my first big question: Does his descent into Darth Vader permanently tarnish his legacy as a 'hero,' or does his act of redemption at the end outweigh the destruction he caused?

PARTICIPANT: Oof, okay, we’re getting heavy right away. I’d argue his redemption is monumental. I mean, throwing Palpatine down that shaft is basically the Star Wars equivalent of pulling Excalibur from the stone. He tips the scales back toward balance in the Force, right? But—and this is a spicy take—his redemption doesn’t erase what he did as Vader. I don’t think you can bring balance by, you know, choking half your co-workers to death and blowing up Alderaan-adjacent planets.

HOST: Fair, fair. Redemption doesn’t have an undo button, after all. But then again, isn’t that why Anakin’s arc resonates so deeply? He’s a cautionary tale of what happens when fear overrides love, but he’s also proof that it’s never too late to make the right choice—even if your past is filled with, uh, Death Star-level baggage.

PARTICIPANT: Exactly. And let’s not ignore how his legacy hangs over the rest of Star Wars. Luke’s whole journey is tied to his father’s balance-restoring destiny. Leia has to deal with the horror of realizing her dad was Space Hitler. And Kylo Ren? The dude is practically Anakin 2.0—torn between the light and dark, idolizing Vader but misinterpreting his path.

HOST: Totally. Anakin’s shadow looms large over the galaxy and the Skywalkers—both figuratively and literally, because let’s face it, Vader’s heavy breathing and black cape basically scream 'I’m the drama.' But let me ask this: Do you think Anakin redefined what heroism means? He’s not like Luke, who saves the day and gets a medal. His heroism comes from hitting rock bottom, recognizing it, and clawing his way back. That’s...complicated.

PARTICIPANT: Oh, for sure. He’s the anti-perfect hero, right? Anakin proves that heroism isn’t about being flawless but about making monumental choices in the face of your flaws. His downfall was selfish—trying to save Padmé at any cost—but his redemption was entirely selfless. Sacrificing himself to save Luke and end the Emperor? That’s massive. But I also think it’s what makes him unmatched in influence. Without Anakin, there’s no trilogy of trilogies. Period.

HOST: Agreed. And he’s the Skywalker that embodies Star Wars’ biggest themes: love, loss, power, redemption. That’s why his arc uplifts and haunts his descendants. Luke literally gambles on the idea that there’s still good in his father, and it pays off. But in Kylo’s case? That haunting legacy of Vader destroys him for most of his life. So, here’s the real kicker: Do you think Anakin’s story makes him the definitive Skywalker, or does his influence rely on the others to complete the picture?

HOST: So speaking of legacies, let’s pivot to the dynamic duo at the heart of the original trilogy: Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. These two aren’t just central to the story—they *are* the story. Luke is the farm boy turned legend of the galaxy, full of idealism and faith in people, while Leia is the fearless leader who keeps everyone grounded. In your mind, what makes their journeys so captivating?

PARTICIPANT: Oh, where do I even begin? Luke’s journey is, like, quintessential 'hero’s journey' material. He starts out as the wide-eyed kid who just wants to get off Tatooine—can’t blame him, honestly—and ends up leading a rebellion, facing down the Emperor, and redeeming his father. But then you have Leia, who doesn’t get the luxury of some slow, transformative journey. She steps into leadership right out of the gate—blasting Stormtroopers while calmly trash-talking Vader in the first few minutes we meet her—and keeps that same fire through everything. They’re such different paths, but both are ridiculously compelling.

HOST: Exactly. And I think what’s brilliant is how complementary they are. Luke becomes this beacon of hope, always believing in the good in others, maybe almost naively so, while Leia shows us what it looks like to actually make that hope actionable. Like, Luke’s idealism inspires people, but Leia’s the one who matches it with strategy and results. It’s hope versus hustle. But does Luke’s unwavering optimism ever read as a flaw to you? Is that galaxy-sized faith in people always a good thing?

PARTICIPANT: Ooh, good question. I’d say it’s both his biggest strength and his most glaring weakness. His faith in Vader is what ultimately saves the galaxy, but that same blind faith gets him into trouble later, like when he misjudges Ben Solo. It’s almost ironic—his belief in Anakin’s redemption is spot-on, but that same belief in Kylo Ren is what lands him in exile. Sometimes he’s just too trusting, which works great in a story about hope but not so much when dealing with angsty nephews.

HOST: Totally. It’s like Luke’s optimism is this double-edged lightsaber. But flipping to Leia—her strengths are much different. She’s pragmatic, fiercely independent, and constantly juggling multiple roles—princess, general, mother, and let’s not forget, a force-sensitive Skywalker in her own right. Let’s talk about that for a moment: Do you feel her limited use of the Force was a missed opportunity, or does it actually complement her character in a unique way?

PARTICIPANT: You know, I used to think it was a missed opportunity, but the more I think about it, the more it feels intentional. Leia’s power isn’t just about the Force—it’s about her mind, her leadership, and her ability to inspire resistance under impossible odds. She doesn’t need a lightsaber to be a badass. That said, when we *do* see her use the Force—like flying through space in *The Last Jedi*—it’s a reminder that her connection to the Skywalker legacy is just as strong as Luke’s.

HOST: Absolutely. Leia’s strength is multitiered—it extends beyond what we usually associate with the Force. It’s like she embodies the spiritual side of it, the emotional resilience, while Luke represents the raw, cosmic destiny aspect. And I love that she carves out her own identity within that legacy. She doesn’t define herself by being Vader’s daughter or Luke’s sister—she’s Leia, period. How do you think she balances that personal identity with the weight of the Skywalker name?

PARTICIPANT: She balances it by, well, just doing the work! Leia never wallows in the Skywalker drama; she channels her legacy into action. It’s like, 'Cool, my dad was Vader, but I have literal planets to save, so let’s keep it moving.' And I think that’s why her contributions feel equally significant to Luke’s, even if they’re on totally different paths. She’s saving the galaxy with politics and diplomacy while Luke’s out there swinging a lightsaber. Completely different tools, same goal.

HOST: That’s so true. Leia’s contributions aren’t as flashy, but they’re just as critical. And as much as Star Wars is a big, operatic tale of family, it’s also a story about finding your own way within—sometimes despite—that family. Luke’s journey leans into discovering and embracing the Skywalker legacy, while Leia moves forward by kind of transcending it. So here’s the question: Who better defines what it actually *means* to be a Skywalker—Luke with his unshakable hope, or Leia with her unwavering resilience?

HOST: Alright, let’s bring it home by diving into the last chapter of the Skywalker saga—Ben Solo and Rey ‘Skywalker.’ You’ve got two wildly different takes on carrying this mythic legacy forward: Ben, who was literally born into it, and Rey, who chooses to take it on despite her Palpatine bloodline. Let’s start with Ben. Do you think his arc as Kylo Ren parallels Anakin’s struggle with Vader, or does it diverge in a significant way?

PARTICIPANT: Oh, there are definitely parallels. Both of them are torn apart by this internal battle between light and dark, and both are driven by these deeply emotional motivations—Anakin’s fear of loss and Ben’s feelings of abandonment. But I think the key difference is that Ben’s struggle feels more about identity than destiny. Anakin was the ‘Chosen One,’ weighed down by an external prophecy, while Ben is fighting to figure out who he is outside his family’s shadow, especially with that impossible Vader legacy haunting him.

HOST: Right, and what’s fascinating is that Ben’s redemption arc mirrors Anakin’s, but with more self-awareness. He’s not just saving someone else—he’s saving himself too. That moment when he casts off Kylo Ren after Han’s memory? It’s gut-wrenching and cathartic. But then there’s Rey, who flips the script entirely. She isn’t born a Skywalker, yet she claims the name by choice. Do you think her Palpatine origins undermine that, or does it actually strengthen her arc?

PARTICIPANT: I’d argue it strengthens her arc. Rey’s journey is all about refusing to let her bloodline define her. She doesn’t follow the path laid out by her heritage—she literally burns it down, in a way. By taking the Skywalker name, she’s saying that family is about the bonds you choose, not the lineage you’re born into. It’s an act of hope and transformation, which is kind of what being a Skywalker is all about, isn’t it?

HOST: Absolutely. Rey’s choice to become a Skywalker encapsulates the idea that legacy is more than just inheritance—it’s about growth, reinvention, and defying expectations. So here’s the big question: Between Ben’s redemption and Rey’s self-discovery, who do you think carries the Skywalker legacy most authentically into the future? Or does the legacy itself shift with them?

PARTICIPANT: I think they both carry it in their own ways. Ben embodies the redemption aspect of the Skywalker story, proving it’s never too late to find the light. Rey, on the other hand, represents evolution—taking the lessons of the Skywalkers and choosing to honor them while forging a new path. Together, they redefine what the legacy means: It’s not just about bloodline—it’s about the choices and values that come to define you.

HOST: That’s a really thoughtful way to put it. If Anakin is the tragic fall, Luke and Leia represent the ideal of hope and resilience; Ben and Rey are about transformation. They take this mythic family story and add this final layer: choice. And that’s ultimately what the Skywalker name stands for, isn’t it? The freedom to choose who you are, the courage to confront your flaws, and the hope that you can always grow beyond them.

PARTICIPANT: Exactly. The Skywalker saga starts with legacy as something inherited—something imposed on you. But by Rey’s conclusion, legacy becomes something chosen. It’s an evolution that mirrors real life in a way. We all inherit things from our families—good and bad—but at the end of the day, we get to decide who we are. That’s the real power of the Skywalker story.

HOST: And that’s what makes this family so timeless. Whether it’s Anakin’s redemption, Luke’s idealism, Leia’s resilience, Ben’s transformation, or Rey’s choice, the Skywalkers represent everything human about this galaxy far, far away. Imperfection, struggle, growth, hope—it’s all there. So, when we ask who the ‘best’ Skywalker is, maybe the answer is...all of them, in their own messy, complicated, galaxy-shaking ways.

PARTICIPANT: Couldn’t agree more. It’s not about one being the ‘best.’ It’s about how each of them brings something unique to this epic story. Together, they remind us why the Skywalker name will always mean hope, even across the stars.

HOST: Well said. And with that, we close out this wild journey through the highs, lows, and lightsaber duels of the Skywalker family. Remember, no matter where you stand in the debate, what truly matters is the story they’ve shaped—a story of choice, growth, and the hope that we can all find our place in the galaxy. May the Force be with you, always.

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