Supreme Leader Snoke: A Dissection of Potential and Disappointment

The Initial Promise: Building the Hype

The arrival of *Star Wars: The Force Awakens* brought with it a wave of nostalgia, excitement, and, perhaps most importantly, a burning curiosity about the new characters poised to shape the galaxy far, far away. Among them, Supreme Leader Snoke emerged as a figure shrouded in mystery, a looming presence at the helm of the First Order, whispering commands and exuding an aura of immense power. He was immediately theorized about and debated on forums across the internet, a symbol of the dark side’s resurgence. However, Supreme Leader Snoke, despite his initial promise as a formidable villain and a key figure in the sequel trilogy, ultimately fell short of expectations due to his lack of substantial development, an anticlimactic demise, and a subsequently wasted potential as a crucial narrative tool. This article will delve into the hype surrounding his introduction, the controversial choices that led to his downfall, and the lingering sense of what could have been.

The Initial Promise: Building the Hype

When we first witnessed Supreme Leader Snoke projected as a massive hologram, his sheer size was immediately arresting. His disfigured face, a roadmap of scars hinting at battles fought and dark side experiments endured, immediately screamed of a character with a rich and potentially dangerous past. The subtle regal air about him, despite the obvious signs of damage, suggested a figure of authority and control. The design alone was a visual feast for *Star Wars* fans, prompting endless speculation about the origin of those wounds and the source of his immense power.

His role in *The Force Awakens*, while limited to holographic appearances and strategic directives, further fueled the intrigue. As the Supreme Leader of the First Order, he wielded immense power, directing the likes of General Hux and, more importantly, influencing the volatile Kylo Ren. His apparent knowledge of the Force, and particularly the dark side, was evident in his manipulation of Kylo, preying on the young man’s insecurities and molding him into a powerful, yet conflicted, enforcer. The relationship between Supreme Leader Snoke and Kylo Ren was fascinating, a dynamic of master and apprentice fraught with tension and unspoken resentments.

Theories sprung up like wildfire across the internet, with many attempting to piece together Supreme Leader Snoke’s past. Was he Darth Plagueis, Darth Sidious’s master, resurrected or somehow still alive? Was he an ancient Sith Lord, predating the established timeline of the Skywalker saga? Was he connected to the Unknown Regions, the mysterious area of space beyond the known galaxy? The ambiguity surrounding his character allowed fans to fill in the blanks with their own theories, crafting elaborate backstories and narratives that heightened the anticipation for his future appearances.

Beyond just design and association, the power Snoke seemed to possess was a key driver of the hype. In *The Force Awakens*, we see his effortless manipulation of Kylo Ren, bending him to his will through both words and, seemingly, the Force itself. He commands the resources of the First Order with ease, showcasing a level of influence that rivals even Emperor Palpatine. The implication was clear: Supreme Leader Snoke was a force to be reckoned with, a threat that the Resistance would struggle to overcome.

The Undoing: *The Last Jedi* and the Subversion of Expectations

The release of *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* dramatically altered the course of Snoke’s narrative. In a move that divided audiences, Supreme Leader Snoke was unexpectedly dispatched in the film’s second act, killed by Kylo Ren in a shocking act of betrayal. This abrupt demise was met with both praise and criticism, sparking intense debates about the creative choices made by writer and director Rian Johnson.

The most significant point of contention was the utter lack of backstory or explanation provided for Supreme Leader Snoke. Despite the years of speculation and theories, the film offered no insight into his origins, his motivations, or the source of his immense power. He remained an enigma, a powerful figure who was ultimately discarded without revealing his secrets. The mystery that had initially intrigued fans quickly turned to frustration, as many felt cheated out of a potentially compelling character arc.

Many fans wanted to see Snoke’s history revealed, they felt a connection or explanation of his powers, his connection to the Force, and the origin of his terrible scars would have been engaging and fulfilling. Instead, he was a plot device, used and thrown away for the sake of shock value and Kylo Ren’s development.

This brings us to the impact on Kylo Ren’s character. The death of Supreme Leader Snoke undeniably propelled Kylo Ren into the position of Supreme Leader, forcing him to confront his own ambitions and desires. This move allowed Kylo to become a more complex and nuanced antagonist, shedding the shadow of his master and carving his own path. However, many argued that this character development came at the expense of Supreme Leader Snoke, sacrificing a potentially great villain for the sake of another’s growth. Was this truly a worthwhile trade-off, or did it ultimately diminish the overall narrative?

The Aftermath: Retcons and Explanations in *The Rise of Skywalker*

The final installment of the sequel trilogy, *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker*, attempted to address the lingering questions surrounding Supreme Leader Snoke, albeit in a way that further divided fans. The film revealed that Snoke was, in fact, a strand-cast, a genetically engineered puppet created by Emperor Palpatine to manipulate events in the galaxy.

This revelation retroactively changed the perception of Supreme Leader Snoke’s entire character arc. He was no longer an independent entity with his own motivations, but rather a tool, a pawn in Palpatine’s grand scheme to reclaim control. This retcon was met with mixed reactions, with some praising it for providing a definitive answer to the Snoke mystery, while others criticized it for undermining the character’s perceived power and agency.

The question then becomes: did this retcon work? Did it successfully salvage Snoke’s character and provide a satisfying conclusion to his story? The general consensus seems to be that it did not. Instead of adding depth and complexity to Snoke, the Palpatine reveal further diminished him, reducing him to a mere extension of an already established villain. It felt like a hasty attempt to tie up loose ends, rather than a carefully planned and executed narrative decision.

This retcon also had significant implications for the larger narrative of the sequel trilogy. It suggested that Palpatine had been pulling the strings all along, manipulating events from the shadows and undermining the agency of the other characters. This revelation, while potentially intriguing, also raised questions about the overall coherence and thematic consistency of the trilogy.

Ultimately, the saga reveals several missed opportunities regarding Supreme Leader Snoke. Instead of being a mere puppet, Snoke could have been developed as a complex and compelling villain in his own right. He could have been explored as an ancient Force user, a survivor of the Sith purge, or a product of the Unknown Regions. His relationship with Kylo Ren could have been further explored, delving into the dynamics of power, manipulation, and resentment. He could have been a more active participant in the events of the trilogy, engaging in epic battles and challenging the heroes in meaningful ways.

Imagine a scenario where Snoke was revealed to be a failed clone of Palpatine, imbued with his dark side essence but lacking the Emperor’s full control. This could have created a fascinating internal conflict within Snoke, torn between his programming and his own burgeoning desires. It could have also led to a compelling showdown with Palpatine, as Snoke attempted to break free from his master’s control.

Alternatively, Snoke could have been portrayed as a disillusioned Jedi Master, corrupted by the dark side and seeking to reshape the galaxy in his own twisted image. This would have added a layer of tragedy and complexity to his character, making him a more relatable and nuanced villain.

The possibilities were endless, but ultimately, they were never explored.

Conclusion

Supreme Leader Snoke, from his first appearance in *The Force Awakens*, carried the weight of immense potential on his broad, scarred shoulders. He was meant to be the dark side’s answer to the re-emerging light, a formidable force that threatened to consume the galaxy. However, through a series of controversial creative decisions, his character arc was cut short, his backstory left unexplored, and his ultimate fate reduced to that of a mere puppet.

The initial promise of a powerful and enigmatic villain, the buzz of fan theories and speculation, all amounted to a disappointing and anticlimactic demise. The Palpatine retcon in *The Rise of Skywalker*, intended to provide closure, only served to further diminish his significance, highlighting the missed opportunities and the unfulfilled potential.

In the end, Supreme Leader Snoke stands as a cautionary tale in storytelling: a character whose initial mystique and power were ultimately squandered. Was he a bold move, a subversion of expectations designed to elevate other characters? Or was he a significant missed opportunity, a gaping hole in the narrative fabric of the sequel trilogy? Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between. The legacy of Supreme Leader Snoke is one of debate, frustration, and a lingering sense of what could have been, leaving fans to forever ponder the possibilities that were left unexplored in the vast and ever-expanding *Star Wars* galaxy. He remains a powerful, yet ultimately, unfulfilled dark side presence that represents a significant loss to the Star Wars universe.