I just found your piece, and I have to say I agree 100%. I think a lot of the negative reaction to the film is from people who are aware something is very wrong with the storytelling here but aren’t able to articulate exactly why. Everyone should read this piece.

I imagine Rian Johnson’s thought process went something like this:

“The most important thing is for the film to have plenty of surprises. So, who were Rey’s parents? How do I top – and subvert – the “I am your father” line from Empire Strikes Back?

Hmm. I’ve got it! Her parents are nobodies! Brilliant, they’ll never see it coming. But… that doesn’t really fit in with what happened in The Force Awakens… ah nevermind.

Now, how do I come up with a surprising backstory for Snoke?

Hmm. Snoke is a nobody! Brilliant, they’ll never see that coming either. But… that doesn’t really make any sense… ah nevermind.

And what about Luke? How do I connect him to the origin of Kylo Ren in a surprising way?

I know! I’ll make it that he wanted to slice up his nephew in his sleep, boy, this thing writes itself. But… that means I have to undo all Luke’s character development from the original trilogy… ah well at this point nothing means anything so what the hell.”