Kylo Ren is amongst the most interesting characters in Star Wars lore. He is the one who is connected to the most famous lineage in the entire lore. He was at first born Ben Solo, which is why he is linked to the Skywalker family. Ben Solo’s family tree is directly connected with the tragic and heroic lineage of Skywalkers, which acted as both a blessing and a curse. If we want to understand Kylo Ren, we must understand the amount of weight he had to carry just because of his family name. And not to forget the rise and fall of the lineage and the dark, mysterious figures affecting his destiny by manipulating it.
The Foundation: Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala
Star Wars Skywalker lore starts with Anakin Skywalker. The chosen one who had no father. According to canon, Anakin Skywalker had no father as he was made through the Force. A miracle. Anakin's birth was due to the experiments by the dark side that were overseen by Darth Plagueis and Darth Sidious. The experiments disturbed the cosmic balance. This gave way to the now famously and widely known Skywalker bloodline, which literally started with Anakin Skywalker. When Anakin got married to Padmé secretly and had two children with her, he was unaware of the fact that he would fall prey to the dark side soon. Padame Amidala was a senator of Naboo. Anakin being prey to the dark side caused a lot of pain for his family. Even though he redeemed himself in the end, Darth Vader’s legacy was a sore point or an obsession for his grandson. Ben Solo, growing up, became obsessed entirely with the legacy of Vader and his power. He started putting the dark side or Vader's persona on a pedestal. This was the biggest misunderstanding from his end, which is what set him on a path to the dark side.
The Next Generation: Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa
To keep the children safe from harm, they were kept apart since birth. Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa were twins. Luke was brought up on the planet of Tatooine and was on his path to become a legendary jedi master. Leia Organa was taken in by the royal family of Alderaan, who would become a princess and later the leader of the Rebel Alliance. Leia Organa had adoptive parents by the name of Bail and Breha Organa, which would mean that they would be adoptive grandparents to Ben Solo. HanSolo was a famous general and also a smuggler who got married to Leia Organa. Han Solo and Leia Organa had only one child, and he was Ben Solo. Ben Solo, who was in line for a heavy inheritance. Power and fame of the Skywalkers and the clash and troubles it carries. However, this was not the only thing he was born into. Chewbacca, who was Han Solo's closest friend and a wookie co-pilot, was also an uncle to Ben Solo throughout his childhood. This adds a lot more to the tragedy that is Ben Solo becoming kylo Ren because of those who loved him.
The Architects of Darkness: Snoke and the Emperor
Ben Solo becoming kylo Ren by falling to the dark side was because of two people. Emperor Palpatine and Supreme Leader Snoke. Snoke was a force sensitive being made by Palpatine to make Ben fall to the dark side. Snoke was basically just a puppet who ruled the First Order as per Palpatine’s wishes and commands. Snoke was also someone who played a very important role in corrupting Ben and turning him against his own family, and further testing his ability to carry out the Sith lineage. Snoke manipulated Ben and took advantage of his feeling isolated and pressured due to the Skywalker name. It was also Snoke who told Ben that he would have followers if only he were able to prove that he was worthy, which is how kylo became master of the lights of Ren. But it was actually Emperor Palpatine who was the true mastermind. He had wanted to use kylo to further his agenda. Only when kylo went to Exegol was he exposed to the truth. He saw that there were many snokes and understood the depth of deception by Palpatine.
The Knights of Ren
The Knights of Ren were an order that came into being after the events of the Return of the Jedi. It was formed after Darth Sidious and Darth Vader were dead. The Knights of Ren don't fall under the light side or the dark side. We can safely assume it is neither but gray. However, the Knights of Ren could use the dark side. This order was led by Ren, who was a scarred fighter often remembered as one who always had a lightsaber and a helmet. The knights were known as beings without any morals and those who destroy without any moral consequences. Ben Solo devastated the Jedi Temple of Luke Skywalker he joined the Knights of Ren. After which, in order to prove himself worthy, he underwent an intense trial set by Snoke. After which he became Kylo Ren and became the new master of the Knights of Ren. The group of knights consisted of masked warriors who came from many diffeRent places. For example, Vicrul was able to wield a scythe and also heighten fear in his victim, wheeras cardo was more of an armorer who had multiple modified weapons capable of causing massive destruvction, ushar had a war club that was able to blast one after another, whereas as trudgen used a vibrocleaver and also wore a piece of deathtrooper armor. The night buzzard, the ship ofthe Knights of Ren, was piloted by Kuruk, who was also their rifleman, and Ap’lek was a deceptive knight who loved using smokescreens and sensor disruptions, putting his enemy at a disadvantage. All of them served kylo Ren very loyally up until his redemption. After which they became his enemies whom he had to face in exegol.
The Last Skywalker: Ben Solo
Ben Solo’s parents saw a lot of potential in him. However, there was also a sense that there was a lot of darkness in him, which could consume him, which is why they sent him to train with Luke Skywalker, his uncle. But Snoke was aware of the feelings Ben had (his feeling isolated), which is why he was able to successfully turn Ben away from Luke. For a very short period of time, Luke saw the darkness in Ben, and he thought for as short of a time to kill him so that any menacing future could be stopped. This is when Benn turned on Luke because he saw Luke had his lightsaber drawn, which is why he ended up destroying the Jedi Temple. After which he gave up his family name and became Kylo Ren, the enforcer of the First Order.
Though Ben Solo had been obsessed with his grandfather’s legacy since his childhood, his familial ties were always uncertain. Ben Solo, to become Kylo Ren, ended up murdering his own father in a desperate attempt to no longer be on the light side. However, this very act, which should've strengthened him as a dark side user, left him weaker than ever. His not being able to fire the ship on which his mother, Leia, was was the proof that he still could be redeemed. Kylo Ren also has a Force dyad with Rey. This bond is said to be prophesied for generations and was a symbol of such power that the following generations would give examples of. The first dyad started when kylo subjected Rey to a mind probe. However, she was able to reverse it, and she was actually able to discover a lot more about him. Palpatine was able to feel their strength in the united energy and said, "The lifeforce of your bond—a dyad in the Force. A power like life itself, unseen for generations". This Force dyad and the memory he had of Leia managed to bring him to his redemption in the end. In the final moments, he let go of Kylo Ren and embraced Ben Solo fully when he chased to save Rey. He did so by using the last of his force exchange via a kiss, putting an end to the Skywalker bloodline once and for all. Ben Solo, just like his grandfather, was redeemed and died as Ben Solo instead of Kylo Ren.
FAQ’s
How is Kylo Ren related to Darth Vader?
Kylo Ren was previously Ben Solo, who is the son of Leia Organa and Han Solo. Leia Organa is the biological child of Anakin Skywalker, who, after falling prey to the darkness, became Darth Vader. Making Darth Vader the biological grandfather of Kylo Ren.
Who were Kylo Ren's parents, and what happened to them?
Kylo Ren was born to Leia Organa and Han Solo. Before falling prey to the dark side, Kylo Ren was Ben Solo. Han Solo was known as a famous general and a legendary smuggler who would later face his own son as his murderer. Leia Organa was the twin of Luke Skywalker, born to Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker. Leia died just after some time trying to use her remaining energy to guide her son to the light side. Her effort came to fruition as this is what brought kylo Ren his redemption.
What is the "Force dyad," and how does it connect to Kylo Ren?
A force dyad is when two force sensitive people have an intense and unique connection that lets them access and link each other's minds across space and time. This way, they both can see each other as well as talk or even interact physically despite the distance. Emperor Palpatine said it was "a power like life itself, unseen for generations." This bond ultimately played an important role in Ben Solo's redemption because he was able to see Rey's perspective. Which is why in the end he decided to save her life.
What role did Emperor Palpatine play in Kylo Ren's story?
Palpatine was the one who created the circumstances for kylo Ren to fall into darkness. Palpatine was the one who made Snoke so that he could be the last nail in the coffin for Ben and also test him for Sith legacy. Snoke had kept Ben company since his childhood and had manipulated him since then by turning him against his family. When kylo at last visits Exegol, he sees the truth. That he had been acting as a puppet on a string for Palpatine and clones in vats, acting as more evidence to confirm the deception. Palpatine had wanted to make sure of kylo Ren as his apprentice, but had he failed, he was then to be used as a vessel to continue the Sith bloodline.
Did Kylo Ren have any siblings or cousins?
Kylo Ren or Ben Solo was an only child born to Leia Organa and Han Solo, with no cousins either. Luke Skywalker, according to canon lore, had no children, cementing Ben Solo as the la st Skywalker. His dying when he chose to save Rey put an absolute end to the Skywalker bloodline. However, the name and legacy of Skywalker continue on through Rey, who takes on the Skywalker name.
