WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, in theaters now.

After Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi shed light into Ben Solo's (Adam Driver) fall from grace as a Jedi into a pseudo-Sith under Snoke, many speculated he'd be offered a shot at redemption in The Rise of Skywalker. Despite killing Han Solo and making multiple attempts to destroy his mother's Resistance, his connection to Rey offered hope he could walk back from the path he cut as Kylo Ren.

And so said, so done, because as J.J. Abrams wraps the sequel trilogy, Kylo becomes Ben once more, helping defeat Emperor Palpatine and sacrificing his life so Rey could carry on the Jedi legacy. However, as interesting and divisive as his arc gets, the finale's biggest redemption song actually belongs to his uncle, Luke (Mark Hamill).

RELATED: The Rise of Skywalker Completely Botches Kylo Ren's Journey

In Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi, Luke's characterization baffled many. Even Hamill was polarized, claiming that wasn't the Luke he knew or could ever extrapolate when Return of the Jedi ended. Luke went from optimistic, hopeful and leader of the next generation of Force wielders into a recluse who abandoned the galaxy and his friends in the Resistance, knowing full well Snoke and his nephew were out wreaking havoc. Simply put, he came off like a coward, selfish and uncaring, afraid to return from hiding on Ahch-To even as his loved ones died.

Fans just couldn't believe this hermit was the ambitious hero staring at the twin suns on Tatooine, who later became obsessed with saving the galaxy and his father's soul. Luke never gave up in the OT so to watch him become this sourpuss who didn't even want to train Rey, it was a tough pill to digest. Thankfully, while The Rise of Skywalker made Luke's redemption an important aspect as he's the person the franchise was built around and the beacon of virtue we adored since the '70s. To add to that, Luke's arc ends up being a building block for the final act of Abrams' flick.

RELATED: The Rise of Skywalker Had a Major Callback to Revenge of the Sith

In this film, when Rey accepts her sinister heritage, she flees to the oceanic planet just like Luke did and burns her ship. She's following the same path as she believes by remaining secluded, the Emperor won't find and weaponize her. She then tries to throw Luke's lightsaber into the flames of the wreckage, only for the ghost of her former master to catch it, and remind her destiny has nothing to do with name or lineage; all that matters is your actions.

the last jedi Luke

This is a big speech coming from the man whose bloodline literally drove the entire narrative of George Lucas' vision. Between him, Anakin descending into Darth Vader and Leia leading the rebels, it's always been about the Skywalkers, and to see Luke mentoring Rey here, it's what many envisioned seeing when the franchise restarted in 2015. Luke throws the notion of bloodlines and legacies out the window, becoming an inspirational teacher and not the bitter old man from The Last Jedi. His disposition here reminds fans how Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda tutored him in his youth.

RELATED: In Rise of Skywalker, Kylo Ren Actually Did Finish What Vader Started

It's a nostalgic trip that's cleverly done, fitting Luke's past as well as Rey's present. He urges his apprentice to be brave, save the Jedi Order and carry on. All the Jedi will forever stand with her, which leads to her victory over Palpatine, bringing Luke's story full-circle. He's become what he was always meant to be -- a leader, a teacher and yes, one of many Chosen Ones who brought balance to the Force. This father-figure sage, filled with wisdom, knowledge and humility, might come a bit too late for some diehards on the big screen, but hey, at least we got the Luke we always pictured he'd become after ROTJ. Sure, Ben's redemption was crucial but it would not have been completed if not for Luke finally embracing his own destiny as the Jedi Master who always wanted a better and brighter galaxy.

Directed and co-written by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Keri Russell, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, and Carrie Fisher, with Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant. The film is in theaters now.

KEEP READING: Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker Novelization Will Add New Layer To Lando