Star Wars: The Last Jedi - What The Ending Really Means

4. ...But There Is Hope

The whole point of The Last Jedi remains that no matter how much death the good guys face or how insurmountable the odds against them, as long as there is hope, there is a chance of victory.

At first, Luke Skywalker's legend represents hope for the Resistance, but they need him to intervene in the battle on the salt plains to really capitalise on that hope. Or more appropriately, to weaponise it.

In the wake of his heroics - and the rise of his replacement in Rey - those drawn to the Rebellion will form ranks and join the cause. And hopefully, they will be more useful than the stable kids who are shown to already have been indoctrinated by Skywalker's heroic message.